7-Day Khajuraho Bandhavgarh Kanha Tour: Temples and Tiger Safaris in Central India

Our Khajuraho Bandhavgarh Kanha tour is the best of Central India in one week. Begin with two nights in Khajuraho to explore its UNESCO World Heritage temples with a licensed guide, then go deep into tiger country: two nights in Bandhavgarh National Park, known for one of the highest densities of tigers in India, and two nights in Kanha National Park, the land of the barasingha and the forests that inspired The Jungle Book. Enjoy four jungle safaris, jungle lodges and private transfers, ending at Jabalpur airport.

Shamrock Journeys is a trusted India tour operator. Since 2002 we have planned private heritage and wildlife tours of Central India for families, couples and groups.

Tour at a Glance

Here are the key facts of the 7-day Khajuraho Bandhavgarh Kanha tour.

Tour name: Khajuraho Heritage with Jungle Safari
Duration: 7 days and 6 nights
Route: Khajuraho (2 nights), Bandhavgarh (2 nights), Kanha (2 nights)
Starts: Khajuraho airport. Ends: Jabalpur airport or station
Tour type: private tour with car, driver and temple guide
Highlights: the Khajuraho temples, the light and sound show, Bandhavgarh and Kanha tiger safaris, barasingha, and the Bamni Dadar sunset point
Best time: mid-October to June

Why Choose This Tour

Two of the best tiger reserves in India: Bandhavgarh and Kanha, each with two safaris.
Temples and wildlife: one of our most popular India temple and wildlife tours.
Jungle lodges: stay at the edge of the forest for early starts.
A one-way route: start at Khajuraho and end at Jabalpur, with no driving back.
Private and flexible: the Khajuraho Bandhavgarh Kanha tour is one of our most popular Central India wildlife tours.

Khajuraho Bandhavgarh Kanha Tour Itinerary

This is the day-by-day plan of the Khajuraho Bandhavgarh Kanha tour.

Day 1: Arrive in Khajuraho and the Western Group

We meet you at Khajuraho airport or station and take you to your hotel. In the afternoon, explore the Western Group with your guide: the Kandariya Mahadev temple, the largest and finest, the Lakshmana temple, the Jagdambi temple and the Chitragupta temple to the sun god, then the Archaeological Museum. In the evening, watch the light and sound show.

Shamrock travel tip: dress modestly at the temples, covering shoulders and knees. For more advice, read our Shamrock India Travel Tips.

Overnight: Khajuraho. Read our Khajuraho travel guide.

Day 2: Eastern and Southern Groups

Visit the Eastern Group, with the Jain temples of Parsvanath, Adinath and Shantinath and the Hindu Javari and Brahma temples, and the Southern Group, with the Duladeo and Chaturbhuj temples. In the afternoon, see tribal homes and folk art at the Adivart Tribal and Folk Art Museum, or visit Raneh Falls, about 20 km away.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Khajuraho

Day 3: Khajuraho to Bandhavgarh

Today your Khajuraho Bandhavgarh Kanha tour moves into tiger country. Drive about 275 km, six to seven hours, through the Vindhya hills to Bandhavgarh National Park. Check in to your jungle lodge near the Tala gate and spend a quiet evening by the forest. On request, we can book a hot-air balloon ride over the park, where it runs.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Bandhavgarh

Day 4: Bandhavgarh Jungle Safaris

Go on a morning and an afternoon jeep safari through sal forest, grassland and the hills below the old Bandhavgarh Fort. Bandhavgarh is famous for its tigers, and also has leopards, sloth bears, deer and more than 250 kinds of birds. This region is also where the first white tiger, Mohan, was found.

Shamrock travel tip: safari permits are limited and sell out from October to June, so send us your dates early. Carry the same photo ID you used for the permit, and wear green, brown or khaki. See our Shamrock India Travel Tips.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Bandhavgarh

Day 5: Bandhavgarh to Kanha

Drive about 250 km, five to six hours, to Kanha National Park. Check in to your jungle lodge and, in the evening, watch the sunset or look for birds near the park.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Kanha

Day 6: Kanha Jungle Safaris

Go on a morning and an afternoon jeep safari through the great sal forests and meadows of Kanha. Look for tigers, leopards, gaur, the Indian bison, and the barasingha, the hard-ground swamp deer that Kanha saved from extinction. In the evening, the Bamni Dadar viewpoint offers wide views at sunset, where safari routes allow.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Kanha

Day 7: Kanha to Jabalpur and Departure

After breakfast, drive about 170 km, four hours, to Jabalpur airport or station for your onward journey. With extra time, see the marble rocks of Bhedaghat on the Narmada river. Your Khajuraho Bandhavgarh Kanha tour ends here.

Meals: breakfast

What Is Included

Your Khajuraho Bandhavgarh Kanha tour includes:

Two nights in a hotel in Khajuraho and four nights at jungle lodges in Bandhavgarh and Kanha, with breakfast every day
A private air-conditioned car with driver for all transfers and sightseeing
A licensed English-speaking guide at the Khajuraho temples
Monument entry tickets as per the itinerary
All taxes, tolls, parking and driver costs

What Is Not Included

Flights and trains to Khajuraho and from Jabalpur
Lunch and dinner
Jeep safaris, park fees, the balloon ride, the light and sound show and camera fees
Personal expenses and travel insurance

Best Time for This Tour

The Khajuraho Bandhavgarh Kanha tour runs from mid-October to June, when the parks are open. October to February brings cool mornings and green forest, so carry a warm jacket for open jeeps. March to June is hot, but it is the best time to see tigers at the water. The core safari zones close from July to September.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which park is better for tigers, Bandhavgarh or Kanha?

Bandhavgarh usually has more tiger sightings. Kanha is larger, with more varied wildlife and landscapes. This tour gives you both.

How long are the drives?

Khajuraho to Bandhavgarh is about six to seven hours, Bandhavgarh to Kanha five to six hours, and Kanha to Jabalpur about four hours.

Will I see a tiger?

Sightings are never certain, but four safaris in two parks give you a very good chance.

Can I add Panna or Pench?

Yes. We can add Panna near Khajuraho, or Pench after Kanha, for a longer tiger safari tour.

Is the Khajuraho Bandhavgarh Kanha tour good for families?

Yes, for families with older children. Some safari zones have age rules, so tell us your children’s ages.

How much does the Khajuraho Bandhavgarh Kanha tour cost?

The price depends on your hotels and lodges, the number of travellers and the season. Tell us your plans and we will send a clear quotation.

More Khajuraho and Central India Tours

Many guests change or shorten their Khajuraho Bandhavgarh Kanha tour.

Khajuraho 4-day tour package: the temples with a Panna safari.
5-day Khajuraho Panna National Park tour: the temples and two nights near Panna.
6-day Varanasi Khajuraho tour: the Ganga Aarti and the temples.
10-day Delhi Agra Central India Heritage tour: the Taj Mahal, Gwalior, Orchha and Khajuraho.

See all our Khajuraho tour packages, our Central India tours and our Jim Corbett tiger safaris. We are one of the best tour operators in India, and we also plan the best North India tours. Ready to book your Khajuraho Bandhavgarh Kanha tour? Request your free quote

Plan Your India Holiday with Shamrock Journeys

Shamrock Journeys is a trusted India tour operator and holiday planner. Since 2002 we have designed private India tour packages, family tour packages, honeymoon tours and cultural tours for travellers from around the world.

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Tell us your travel dates and we will send you a personal itinerary. Request your free quote