Tiger Express by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) plans to create awareness about wildlife in India and takes you to two of MP’s best-known national parks – Bandhavgarh and Kanha – as well as Dhuadhar Waterfalls. Here’s why you should get on it. Like now! If its wildlife you are interested in, Tiger Express is the train you need to get on to. The new semi-luxury train is part of IRCTC’s latest initiative to promote wildlife tourism in India and, in particular, raise awareness about tigers. Tiger Express will take you to Madhya Pradesh’s most popular national parks –Bandhavgarh and Kanha known for their tiger population. The train will also include a stop at Dhuadhar Waterfall in Bedhaghat near Jabalpur.
Tiger Express is a semi-luxury train, which means you cannot expect the kind of service you get in, let’s say, Palace on Wheels but it will be a fully air-conditioned train. The Tiger Express package includes a five night-six day tour of the two national parks and the waterfall. The journey begins from and ends at New Delhi’s Safdarjung Railway Station. Tiger Express will leave at 3 pm from Safdarjung and will chug into Katni railway station at 5.40 am the next day.
The semi-luxury train will offer two classes of travel: AC First Class and AC Two-tier Sleeper Class. AC First Class has cabins with lockable doors with two or four beds. Sleeper Class has curtains with four open beds. What sets Tiger Express apart, though, is the fact that it has shower cubicles and even a dining car.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Depart from Safdarjung Railway Station.
Day 2: Arrive at Katni. Leave for Bandhavgarh after breakfast and check into the hotel. Head out for an afternoon safari; return for dinner and overnight stay at Bandhavgarh to check in to your hotel. After an afternoon safari, you head back to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Proceed to your stay in Kanha. Head out for an afternoon safari. Retire for the night
Day 4: After breakfast, head out for a morning safari.
Day 5: Head to Jabalpur to see the Dhuadar Waterfalls. After high tea, you get on board the Tiger Express.
Day 6: Arrival at Safdarjung railway station at 3.50 pm.
The tariff:
AC First Class:
Single occupancy: Rs 49,500 per person
Double Occupancy: Rs 45,500 per person
Triple Occupancy: Rs 44,900 per person
Child with bed (5-11 years): Rs 39,500
AC Two-tier:
Single Occupancy: Rs 43,500 per person
Double Occupancy: Rs 39,000 per person
Triple Occupancy: Rs 38,500 per person
Child with bed (5-11 years): Rs 33,500
These rates are applicable only to Indian citizens and are inclusive of the hotel accommodation at Mogli Resorts. All meals, water, local transfers, sightseeing costs and safari fees. If you are a foreign national you need to pay Rs 4,000 extra per person to cover the safari charges, which are higher for non-Indian nationals.
You can make you bookings by calling the IRCTC toll free number: 1-800-110139 ; 919717648718 ; 919717645648.
(Inputs from YahooNews)