IRCTC Launches ‘VANDARSHAN’ Wildlife Tours from Mumbai, Covering Tadoba, Pench and Other Reserves
Reported by Amit Singh
Mumbai, 15th October 2026: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), West Zone, Mumbai, in collaboration with the Maharashtra Forest Department, will launch a series of wildlife tour packages under the banner ‘VANDARSHAN – Explore Nature. Discover Wildlife!’ from November 19, 2026.
The initiative will offer five itineraries covering tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra, combining train travel, accommodation, local transportation and wildlife safari arrangements. Each package is planned as a four-night, five-day tour, with travel arrangements centred on the Vidarbha Express between Mumbai and Gondia.
The five itineraries include Tadoba with Bor Tiger Reserve; Tadoba with Navegaon–Nagzira Tiger Reserve; Pench with Umred–Paoni–Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary; Tadoba with Umred–Paoni–Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary; and Tadoba with Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary.
According to the package details, onward journeys will be arranged on Train No. 12105, Vidarbha Express, departing from Mumbai every Thursday, while return journeys will use Train No. 12106, departing from Gondia every Sunday. Boarding and return stations will depend on the respective itinerary.
The packages include confirmed train tickets and wildlife safari permits, subject to the arrangements specified for each tour. Each departure will have a limited allocation of six berths in air-conditioned three-tier (3AC) and six berths in air-conditioned two-tier (2AC) accommodation.
The tours are intended for travellers interested in wildlife, nature photography and forest tourism, as well as families seeking organised visits to wildlife destinations.
The collaboration brings together IRCTC’s tourism services and the Forest Department’s role in forest management and wildlife conservation. The packages are designed to facilitate visits to the region’s wildlife destinations through coordinated rail travel and safari arrangements.
Bookings and package details will be available through IRCTC’s tourism website, www.irctctourism.com. For package enquiries and counter bookings, travellers can contact 8287931886.
