Winter Wildlife Safari Packages by Indian Railways

Ever thought of hopping on a train and ending up face‑to‑face with a tiger? This winter the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is trying to make that dream a little less ‘dreamy’ and a lot more doable. Through its Vandarshan programme, the railways have rolled out five ready‑made wildlife tour packages that stitch together a train ride, hotel rooms, road transfers and safari permits—all under one roof.

All five itineraries kick off on 19 November 2026 and run for four nights and five days. The backbone of the journey is the Vidarbha Express (train 12105 heading out of Mumbai on Thursdays, with the return train 12106 leaving Gondia on Sundays). Seats are limited – only six berths each in AC 2‑tier and AC 3‑tier per departure – so early booking is advisable.

What you’ll actually see depends on which combo you pick. The five options pair up Maharashtra’s famed tiger and wildlife sanctuaries in different ways:

• Tadoba‑Andhari Tiger Reserve + Bor Tiger Reserve
• Tadoba‑Andhari Tiger Reserve + Navegaon‑Nagzira Tiger Reserve
• Tadoba‑Andhari Tiger Reserve + Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Tadoba‑Andhari Tiger Reserve + Umred‑Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary
• Pench Tiger Reserve + Umred‑Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary

These aren’t tailor‑made holidays; the routes, safari gates and activities are pre‑set. Still, they give you a solid framework – you’ll get the train ticket, a comfortable hotel or resort stay, transfers between stations, hotels and the reserves, plus the safari permits and meals that the itinerary lists. Anything extra – like meals on the train, personal expenses or entry fees for non‑included attractions – will be on you.

Price‑wise, the lowest starting fare quoted so far is ₹29,500 for the Tadoba‑and‑Bor package. That’s just the base; the final amount can shift with your choice of accommodation class, the specific package, and how many berths are still open when you book.

Want to lock one in? Head to the official IRCTC Tourism portal, scan the five routes, and double‑check a few things before you click ‘pay’:

1. Exact travel dates and the boarding station that matches your itinerary.
2. Availability of the class you prefer (2‑AC or 3‑AC).
3. Hotel type, meal plan and any extra services listed.
4. Safari schedule – note that a booked package doesn’t guarantee a sighting of a particular animal.
5. Cancellation policy and what’s excluded from the price.

All in all, Vandarshan offers a relatively hassle‑free way to chase India’s wild side without juggling separate tickets, buses and permits. If you’ve been itching for a nature‑filled break this winter, compare the five itineraries, pick the one that tickles your wildlife fancy, and get ready to watch the rails lead you straight into the forest.