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Wonderful West & Central India

Contrasting and captivating, West and Central India is a wonderfully diverse land of rolling mountains, sweeping sandy beaches, dense jungles and cosmopolitan cities. Such abundant natural beauty makes this part of India ideal for game drives that provide memorable wilderness experiences.

Travellers are often drawn to the charms of the laid-back beaches of Goa but with Mumbai and Bollywood on the coast and wildlife-rich national parks inland, the centre of India is one of the country’s most enticing regions. Mumbai is a wonderful city for you to begin or end your journey, as well as making an excellent stopover when en route to other parts of the world. Across West and Central India you will discover a rich collection of ancient ruins and important historical sites, as well as Buddhist and Hindu cave paintings, beautiful forts and magnificent temples and monuments. Expect to find palaces, tombs and mosques dotted throughout the landscape, indicative of the wonderfully wealthy Nizams and Mughals who ruled for some 200 years. As well as cultural attractions, visitors are treated to breathtaking national parks that are home to rare Asiatic lions, Bengal tigers, leopards, elephants and eagles, while picturesque hills lead to adventurous treks, vibrant villages and much more to see and enjoy.

  • Khajuraho

    The carvings that swathe Khajuraho temples are among the finest examples of temple art in the world. From plinth to pillar, here 21 exquisite stone temples dating back to the 10th and 11th centuries are covered top to bottom with carvings that depict battles, heavenly nymphs, banquets, musicians and erotic figures.

  • Panna

    Panna is a great place to see crocodiles and, with the Ken River flowing through it, is also a peaceful, picturesque place to spend a day on your way to or from Khajuraho. Known worldwide for its wild cats, the park’s other wildlife includes wolf, chital, sloth bear, chinkara and sambar.

  • Bandhavgarh

    If it is the sight of a tiger you are hoping for then Bandhavgarh is the park for you. A few days in this relatively small park almost guarantees the sighting of a tiger as it boasts the highest density of tigers in the country. Whether by elephant or Jeep, game drives can take you deep into the heart of the park.

  • Kanha

    Believed to have inspired Kipling’s ‘Jungle Book’, when it comes to tiger parks, Kanha is arguably the most famous. Covering over 900 square kilometres and with hundreds of species of bird and 22 species of mammal, including tigers and leopards, here you are sure to have a memorable safari experience from morning to dusk.

  • Pench

    The park gets its name from the Pench River, which meanders through it like a mammoth python, dividing it down the centre. Traditionally less visited than nearby Kanha or Bandhavgarh, safaris through the park make you feel as though you are the only ones present, aside of course from the abundant birdlife and occasional tiger, which can be viewed by elephant back.

  • Goa

    Unwind to the swaying palms and rhythms of Goa’s irresistible charm. From crumbling architecture to its East meets West cuisine, Goa is permeated with the colonial influence left over from 500 years of Portuguese rule. Attracting two million visitors every year, few other parts of India boast the laid-back warmth that a day on a Goan beach provides, but do not be fooled, there is far more to discover here than sand underfoot.

  • Mumbai

    From the glamour of the city’s hub and lively chaos of the streets, to the charm of cultural relics and ancient bazaars, Mumbai is a mélange of mayhem and order in equal measure. As India’s financial powerhouse, the city is a centre for fashion, film and fun, where glistening skyscrapers are marching the city towards a modern new world. With the finest restaurants in the country, chic bars alight with the stars of Bollywood and historic bastions including the Gateway of India, travellers cannot help but fall for the madness of Mumbai.