Cycling - Pench- Kanha Corridor
Jungle Book Cycling Experience takes you to central India’s famous “ Two Project Tiger” national parks having diverse wildlife, landscapes and tribal communities which makes it a fascinating region to cycle through the forested corridor which serves as a refuge to dispersing wildlife across the parks. Expert naturalist / guide, who will be dedicated to providing you with the very best travel experiences, incredible local knowledge and share our vision of authentic exchange and real exploration with a responsible tourism approach, will accompany you.
OVERVIEW
The tour weaves through two of India’s best tiger parks. It offers exclusive prospects to see the best of the Indian wildlife, closely, in its natural habitat. We cycle through the very jungles of Seoni mentioned in the Jungle book. Apart from the wildlife, the tour provides distinctive opportunity to experience rural life in India and meet local people who live in harmony with wildlife. The soul of India lives in its villages, 60 percent of the population still live in villages of India! Our route will be mostly though the forests that serves as a corridor for Tigers to disperse. This itinerary allows eight days of cycling accompanied by an escort/naturalist with average distances of approximately 20 to 50 kms each day. However, there is plenty of scope to cycle more or less distance, depending on your fitness level.
Due to distances between National Parks, we will actually travel few hours on Cycle on the smaller country roads and with the remaining journey by Van / Jeep. The Van will also carry bottled water, soft drinks and fresh fruits and will always travel behind the last cyclist keeping a safe distance so not to frighten any wildlife that may cross the road. If you wish to take a break from riding, simply wait at the side of the road and you will be picked up or inform your accompanying cycling escort. Above all else, the emphasis will be on seeing India and learning about wildlife.
DAY BY DAY
Day 01: Nagpur / Pench National Park
On arrival, drive 2.5 hrs to Pench National Park, followed by traditional welcome at the Lodge. Select your cycles and ride to your tree house to freshen up and meet for lunch and briefing. After a short siesta cycling to Pench river and forest of Jamtara, return to the lodge for dinner
Day 02: Pench National Park
Early morning game drive. On exitng the park gate, cycle back to lodge visiting some tribal village enroute. Afternoon at lesure or cycle in the park buffer zone
Day 03: Pench
Morning after breakfast drive to Rukhad, which is an important forest in the Tiger lifeline. Cycling through or around the Rukhad Wildlife Sancturay. Lunch at Sakata Forest Rest House built in 1903 duing the colonial time. Afternoon drive 1 hour to Karmajhiri gate in time for game drive.
Day 04: Pench – Kanha Forest Tiger Corridor Ride
Morning, after early breakfast drive to then cycle exploring the Pench / Kanha forest corridor, which is part of the Satpura–Maikal landscape. This landscape is classified as a global-priority Tiger Conservation Landscape (TCL) due to its potential for providing sufficient habitat that will allow the long-term survival of Tigers. Picnic lunch in important connected forest corridor that links Pench to Kanha National Park. For the remainder of the journey we will drive, to reach before the Sundowner at Kanha Earth Lodge. Last part of the journey to Kanha will be by car.
Day 05: Kanha National Park
Morning game drives in Kanha National Park. Lunch Followed by Cycling on Forest Trails that are part of the corridor forest.
Day 06: Kanha National Park
Morning game drive with picnic breakfast inside the park, return by 11 am to the lodge. Afternoon cycling in the buffer forest or at leisure.
Day 07: Kanha / Jabalpur or Nagpur / Delhi / Departure
Morning Game drive with picnic breakfast inside the park, return by 11 am to Lodge followed by transfers for further connections.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Authentic off-beat wilderness experience
- Cycling in the very forests that inspired Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book’
- Accommodation for 1-night in tented camps
- Fully escorted by expert Naturalists, back up vehicle and mechanic
- High quality Mountain Bikers – Trek X caliber 9 – with Race-ready spec
- More eyes and ears in vital corridor for Tiger conservation which is world’s last remaining life line for tigers