The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has partnered with the Maharashtra Forest Department to introduce wildlife tour packages covering Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve and Pench Tiger Reserve. The initiative aims to make wildlife tourism more convenient by combining rail travel, accommodation, local transport and safari permits into a single package.
Named ‘Vandarshan’, the tour programme will commence on November 19. An IRCTC official said the initiative would offer travellers an integrated experience, with confirmed safari permits included in the package. Advance confirmation is particularly important for wildlife safaris, which are subject to forest department regulations.
IRCTC has planned five itineraries primarily covering Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve and Pench Tiger Reserve. Depending on the selected itinerary, travellers will also visit Bor Tiger Reserve, Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve, Umred-Paoni-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary and Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, expanding the range of wildlife destinations included in the programme.
Each itinerary is designed as a four-night, five-day tour. Outbound journeys from Mumbai will be operated on the Vidarbha Express (12105), departing every Thursday, while return journeys will be on train 12106 from Gondia every Sunday. Boarding and return stations will vary according to the package selected by travellers.
The packages will have limited availability, with IRCTC allocating six berths in three-tier air-conditioned (3AC) accommodation and six berths in two-tier air-conditioned (2AC) accommodation for each departure. The limited allocation means travellers will need to plan and book their trips in advance, particularly if they have specific travel dates or accommodation preferences.
The partnership adds a structured rail-based option for visitors seeking wildlife experiences across Maharashtra’s tiger reserves and sanctuaries. By bringing together train journeys, accommodation, local transfers and safari arrangements, Vandarshan aims to simplify trip planning while offering access to several of the state’s wildlife destinations through a single travel package.