Central India Tours & Holidays
Central India Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Holidays
Central India is simply the heart of the country, a soft and mystical land peppered with ancient temples and majestic forts, whose forests and jungle teem with wildlife and punctuated by some of her most vibrant and historical cities.
Although one of the least explored regions of the country, Central India has a huge amount to offer the modern traveller. Jumping off the busier tourist trails of Rajasthan and the Ganges River plain, here you will find many stunning historical monuments, ...
Central India is simply the heart of the country, a soft and mystical land peppered with ancient temples and majestic forts, whose forests and jungle teem with wildlife and punctuated by some of her most vibrant and historical cities.
Although one of the least explored regions of the country, Central India has a huge amount to offer the modern traveller. Jumping off the busier tourist trails of Rajasthan and the Ganges River plain, here you will find many stunning historical monuments, a plethora of national parks and a rural life-style that will take you back to the Kipling-esque India of our childhood.
If its tigers you're looking for, in Kanha, Tadoba, Pench, Panna and Bandhavgarh you'll find the best parks in the country. Satpura is an amazing park since yo ucan explore it on foot. If you're interest lies in medieval castles and forts you'll find non better than at Gwalior, Mandu and Sarnath. And if it's ancient temples that excite you, at Hampi, Ujjain and Khajuraho you'll discover some of the finest complexes in the world. In Goa you have one of the most iconic beach resorts on earth.
And in Mumbai and Hyderabad old and modern India collide in an orgy of colourful chaos.
And surrounding it all lies rural India, the world we at Wild Frontiers love. We believe its time to step off the well-worn tourist trails and head into the heart of India, to witness firsthand the life that the vast majority of Indians live. In these lesser-travelled areas there is a richness of life that, in terms of memorable experiences, is guaranteed to rival the opulence of Golden Triangle.
Central India does generally require a bit more 'work' than tourist-friendly Rajasthan. But the work will be worth it as you get to witness the real India, away from the madding crowds.
Best experiences
Walk the historic streets of Bhopal
Navigate your way through a labyrinth of narrow alleys and fascinating bazaars to reach spectacular mosques and exquisite palaces. Glimpse the extraordinary Taj Mahal and Taj-ul-Masajid, the largest mosque in India, amongst other treasures.
Journey back to Paleolithic times
Find your way through the Paleolithic Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, riding high above the plains in the jungle foothills of the Vindhyan Mountains. Venturing inside the caves offers up a staggering array of rock art, varying in age from some 12,000BC to 300AD.
Explore Sanchi and Udayagiri Caves
Scratch beneath the surface on a visit to Sanchi, one of India's most iconic Buddhist sites, it even features on the currency. Also spend time exploring the Udayagiri Caves, one of India's most important archaeological sites and famous for a series of rock-cut caves and temples.
Explore historic streets of Gwalior
Enjoy the historical splendour of Gwalior Fort with stunning views across this colourful city. Stroll through the labyrinth of narrow lanes with the eclectic architectural styles and absorb the sights and colours of the local markets.
Explore the grand Jai Vilas Palace
Marvel at the sumptuous Jai Vilas Palace, built in the late 1800s. Wander through the 40 rooms now converted into this historical museum, boasting the great opulence of India’s royal elite and displaying artefacts and antiques of a bygone era.
Delight in Hindustani music
Savour the rich heritage of classical music of the famous sarod players who have performed for generations in Gwalior. Admire the wonderful collection of musical instruments and photos, and sit and appreciate a special performance in the open air auditorium.
Take a walk in Vitthalapura
Experience one of Hampi's many settlements, typically centred around a temple and market. True to this, you'll set off via the lively Vitthalapura Bazaar to Vijaya Vitthala Temple, which is famed for its chariot carved in stone and musical stone pillars.
Enjoy a day fit for royalty
Feel regal on a visit to the Royal Enclosure, the seat of power of the Vijayanagara Kingdom. After a sneak peek at the Queen's Bath, you'll have a spot of lunch by the river and continue on to the magnificent Achutaraya Temple for further exploration.
Explore villages on a cycling tour
Wind your way along country lanes by bicycle and admire the pastoral scenes of local life around Kanha. You can witness the gentle slow pace of life amongst the blue painted villages, and stop off for a rest and a cup of chai or a wander around a local market.
Explore Kanha National Park by jeep
Kanha offers one of the most beautiful forests in Central India, with lush sal and bamboo forests, grassy meadows and ravines, providing a magnificent backdrop for a rewarding wildlife experience, with numerous species being spotted, but most famously, the bengal tiger.
Stroll around a local village
Immerse yourself in village life by strolling through a traditional village with huts fashioned from mud and thatch. Whilst locals are going about their everyday business, they are happy to invite you to visit their homes, offering a real slice of rural Indian life.
Wake up with Mumbai at dawn
Explore this magnificent city of Mumbai, as the catch of the day lands at its chaotic docks. Passing by hundreds of vendors sorting newspapers, delve into the depths of the bustling morning markets on this compelling tour.
Spend a day with the dabbawallas
Work alongside the dabbawallas, who have been delivering home-cooked food to offices for over 125 years. Not only will you help sort each Dabba, you'll also accompany the delivery man by local train before sampling a delicious thali at a local restaurant.
Set sail for Elephanta Island
Take to the Arabian Sea for Elephanta Island, which boasts a glorious example of Hindu cave carving and iconography. Inside the impressive complex of shrines lies beautifully detailed sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses, dating from the 6th Century.
Trek through Satpura National Park
Track tigers and leopards and view birds and butterflies with naturalists and forest guides. With years of experiences studying the flora and fauna of this national park, these experts offer up an exhilarating and authentic wildlife experience.
Satpura National Park Morning Walking Safari
Glide along the Denwa River by boat to observe the wildlife close to the riverbank and watch the waders and birdlife. For the more adventurous, a canoe ride is a rewarding option to explore the waterways and narrow creeks.
Explore Satpura National Park
Visit Satpura National Park for an off-beat wilderness experience by jeep, on foot or by boat to spot tigers, leopards, bison, deer, crocodile, jungle cat, flying squirrel and a myriad of birds. Appreciate this expanse of unspoilt nature away from the crowds.OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO STAY
Abode Boutique Hotel, Mumbai
The Abode is a fantastic option in the heart of Colaba which offers character and quality in the form of a friendly boutique hotel. The property aims to offer its guests a more personal, authentic…
Ahilya Fort, Maheshwar
A gorgeous property - this boutique, heritage hotel makes for a charming escape. Dining is a movable feast, either outside under the grand neem trees, on one of the terraces overlooking the river, or…
Denwa Backwater Escape, Satpura National Park
Denwa Backwater Escape overlooks the backwaters of the Denwa River dam, on the edge of Satpura National Park. Surrounded by 10 acres of forest and grassland, the lodge melts into the landscape due to…
Deobagh Gwalior, Gwalior
Deobagh is quite simply one of the most stunning heritage hotels in this part of India. The hotel is situated around two 17th and 18th century Maratha temples, two cenotaphs and one pavilion with 36…
Evolve Back Hampi, Hampi
Inspired by the magnificent royal palaces, temples of the Vijayanagara rulers at Hampi, Evolve Back (previously Orange County) Hampi is a luxurious hotel set within lovely landscaped gardens featuring…
Flame of the Forest Lodge, Kanha National Park
The Flame of the Forest Lodge is a new lodge on the edge of the Kanha National Park close to the main entrance of the National Park. The lodge has just 4 luxury cottages, which means that guests are…
Forsyth Lodge, Satpura, Satpura National Park
This wonderfully stylish and atmospheric new Forsyth Lodge at the recently opened Satpura National Park lies just a few minutes from the beautiful Tewa Reservoir and the park entrance. With a backdrop…
Hampi's Boulders, Hampi
This wonderful property is the perfect place to enjoy some downtime when visiting Hampi. Located right on the northern banks of the Tungabhadra River about an hour from Hampi's archaeological ruins,…
Jehan Numa Palace, Bhopal
Built in 1890 by the Nawab's second son, Obaidullah Khan, commander-in-chief of the Bhopal state forces, this former royal palace is pretty much what you would expect of a converted heritage hotel.…
Jehan Numa Retreat, Bhopal
The Jehan Numa Retreat is a charming retreat within the outskirts of Bhopal city, tucked away in an evergreen jungle of Van Vihar. It is the sister hotel of Reni Pani Jungle Lodge, It is a wonderfully…
Kanha Earth Lodge, Kanha National Park
Using locally sourced materials, the award winning Kanha Earth Lodge provides the perfect balance between a lodge that blends into the beautiful surrounding natural landscape, yet is still equipped…
Noor-Us-Sabah Palace, Bhopal
This property is another of Bhopal's converted palaces, that sits on a hill slightly out of the centre offering commanding views of the city and her lakes. Spread over 18 acres of lush green gardens,…
Reni Pani Jungle Lodge, Satpura National Park
This is a wonderful property, situated in a picturesque location among deep forest on the fringes of the park, is owned and run by two royal princes of Bhopal and benefits greatly from their presence.…
Shergarh Tented Camp, Kanha National Park
With just six tents, all of which recently went through a complete transformation and upgrade, Shergarh is a wonderful place from which to explore Kanha National Park. Each tent is set amongst a young…
Singinawa Jungle Lodge, Kanha National Park
Singinawa Jungle Lodge is a beautiful lodge located within 100 acres of rewilded land, which is a corridor for wildlife and attracts a multitude of bird species. This lodge offers a chance to…
Soho House Mumbai, Mumbai
A luxury option located not far from the airport in Mumbai, Soho House is a gorgeous property featuring Indian yet contemporary style décor. Only a twenty-minute drive from the international airport,…
Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai
Built in 1903, the stunning Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is an architectural marvel and brings together Moorish, Oriental and Florentine styles. Offering wonderful panoramic views of the Arabian Sea and the…