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.