A LITTLE ON THE WILD SIDE!
Travel Information
TRAVEL INFORMATION
With a history spanning over 5000 years, the Indian sub-continent has a myriad of geographical landmarks, wildlife species, cultural rituals, historical events, religions and festivals that will satisfy any discerning traveller.
The geography varies from the highest Himalayan peaks through to deserts, tropical rainforest's and palm-fringed beaches. Huge rivers carve their way across the landscape, bustling with boats and vendors plying their trades.
There are innumerable Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist temples and Islamic mosques all with their fairs and festivals. Huge fortresses dominate the hills of Rajasthan, while tribal life dominates the north eastern states of Nagaland and Mizoram.
Visiting India is an exhilarating and colourful experience. Just as it is impossible to see the wonders of Australia in one brief visit, it is also a daunting task to decide what destinations to visit in India. Whether to try a 'taste' of the major tourist venues, or venture further and take a bigger bite of the culture, landscape and people?
Should you concentrate on a particular aspect, such as religious sites including the Taj Mahal and Varanasi, or discover a region, such as Ladakh or Rajasthan? Would a river cruise be better where you have the opportunity to observe life in the unspoiled rural villages perched on the river banks?
Is a trek in the Himalayan region on your bucket list or is tiger-viewing a priority? Maybe even a blend of travel plus a relaxing Ayurvedic treatment is more suitable.
At Viv's India our popular general routes offer a mixture of geography, history, religions and wildlife to make an interesting and diverse itinerary.
Popular Routes:
Alternative travel arrangements to explore include:
Whatever the length of your stay, we can tailor your Indian holiday package to fit any time constraints you may have.
Travel
By
Travel By Boat
See India from the water!
Click here for detailed information on the river tours available.
Travel By Train
India has one of the largest railway networks in the world. We recommend travelling in air-conditioned first or second class for both day and overnight journeys, and in "Executive Chair Car" on a Shatabdi Express, which operate on a number of routes.
When planning to visit Darjeeling, Shimla or Ooty you may take one of the famous "Toy Trains". There are also luxurious "Travelling Palace" trains.
Click here for detailed information on seeing India by Rail.
Travel By Air, Car & Coach
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
Viv's Travel Bug will be delighted to arrange your international flights. We are your Indian travel specialists and offer competitive fares with all major carriers from Australia including QANTAS, Singapore Airlines, Air India, Emirates and Malaysian Airways.
Similar arrangements can be made for passengers travelling from other countries.
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS
India has a wide choice of domestic carriers. We use IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India, Jet Airways, and Vistara, all known for superior and reliable service. Business class is available on most routes.
CAR & COACH TRAVEL

Travel by road gives you the freedom and flexibility to explore the country in a manner not possible by train and plane. We provide fully licensed, air-conditioned, chauffeur-driven cars for your exclusive use during the trip.
Up-grades include the Toyota Innova, Ford Tempo Traveler and limousines, which are available in some cities.
There are also air-conditioned coaches available for transport, if you prefer mingling with locals and other tourists, for more of a cultural experience.
Camps & Lodges
Camps and lodges are vital to your Indian travel arrangements and play a major role in your enjoyment of your holiday. At Viv's India we provide a wide and varied choice of accommodation, catering for all budgets and needs. We have carefully selected Indian camps and lodges which offer only the highest standards of service, cuisine and hygiene. The majority range from 4-star to 5-star deluxe, some are boutique or heritage listed lodges, as well as grand Maharajas palaces that reflect India's regal history and character.
We have special negotiated rates with many of the camps and eco lodges.
Click on link for an overview of the Madhya Pradesh Wildlife Camps
In Bandhavgarh National Park (Madhya Pradesh)
Kings lodge is located ten minutes' drive from the Tala Gate entry to Bandhavgarh National Park in a large natural forested 14 hectare estate. The lodge has ten cottage rooms and eight stilt cottage rooms with ensuite modern bathrooms spread across a natural forest offering great ambience and privacy. Guests benefit from the incredible location, hospitality and an experienced naturalist team, and our commitment towards conservation and local communities.
Kings Lodge
Mahua Kothi Taj
Matua Kothi has twelve kutiyas or jungle village huts built in the local style of Central India. Each is accessed through private courtyards with shaded seating and traditional mud floors. Interiors include wooden shutters, tapered mud coloured walls in lime and earth washes, open rafters with roughly hewn wooden beams, and handmade pottery roof tiles. Each ensuite bathroom features twin hand basins, indoor shower, bath, and separate toilet. The hotel has a general guest area, an open kitchen, library, shop and swimming pool.
Treehouse Hideaway

The Tree House Hideaway consists of five exclusive tree houses merging into the jungles of Bandhavgarh. It is not uncommon to spot animals from the balconies which overlook the tiger reserve and the Bandhavgarh Fort. The tree houses are self-contained, modern and the bedrooms are furnished with understated accessories in natural and earth tones. Specially designed Suzuki jeeps accompanied by a trained English-speaking resident naturalist will ensure a comfortable and knowledgeable visit to the park.
In Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh)
Singinawa Jungle Lodge
Singinawa Jungle lodge is an eco-friendly 5 star world class resort spread across 22 hectares of grassland. It has twelve luxury a/c cottages, each in its own setting with ensuite, private verandah, fireplaces, and mini bar. There is a large dining area which serves both continental and Indian cuisines, made from produce of the organic farms in nearby villages. In addition, there is a swimming pool, a spa and a library as well as a communication centre, audio-visual facilities, souvenir shop, in-house naturalists, airport/railway transfers available, travel desk facilities, taxi services, emergency medical evacuation facilities, doctor on call, facilities for the handicapped, games room, babysitting services, laundry services, health club, as well as visits to the local villages, schools and markets, as well as options for jungle safaris, bird walks, nature trails and cycling.
Kanha Earth Lodge

Kanha Earth Lodge has twelve luxury a/c bungalows with ensuites (hot/cold running water), all built in the local tribal style. There is a restaurant, swimming pool and library. The lodge is situated in 6 hectares of natural forest in the buffer zone surrounding Kanha, close enough for easy access to the National Park but isolated from the remainder of the hotels: allowing guests a wilderness experience on-site. There is the opportunity for nature walks, with guides, and birding and cycling trips in the surrounding forest.
Kipling Camp

Kipling Camp has accommodation lodged in comfortable cottages with views of the surrounding forest. There is a central lounge/dining room and 15 double-rooms in two-to-four room cottages, as well as a private cottage. A waterhole close by provides the opportunity for game viewing and other activities popular with the guests include nature walks and interacting with Tara, the resident elephant, who is bathed nightly in the nearby river.
Flame of the Forest

The Flame of the Forest is a boutique lodge consisting of four luxury cottages on the banks of the Banjar River. Each cottage is tastefully decorated and has its own verandahs and courtyard. There are intriguing views of the forest and even a day bed outside where one can consider spending the night under a starlit sky. Activities include jeep safaris, walking safaris, and tribal village and market walks.
In Panna National Park (Madhya Pradesh)
Ken River Lodge
Ken River Lodge is situated on the Ken River in a forested estate adjacent to the Panna Tiger reserve. There are six village-style thatched deluxe huts and six cottages, all with ensuite bathrooms and hot and cold running water. The raised machaan (viewing platform), popularly known as the Tree House, is also a restaurant offering fresh home cooked meals. The resort offers jungle safaris in the park and the reserve, boat rips on the river or fishing.
Pashan Garh Wilderness Lodge Taj

Pashan Garh comprises of twelve luxury dry-packed stone cottages in the local Panna style overlooking both forest and a large waterhole, home of many antelope. The guest areas are haveli style with a central courtyard and cascading waterfall and there is a fort-like guest area with lookout tower, a swimming pool, as well as in-room massage, and a Safari Shop. The lodge is set in an 80 hectare private reserve with a raised game-viewing platform (machaan)
In Pench National Park (Madhya Pradesh)
Baghvan
Baghvan has twelve bungalow suites, surrounded by shady forest trees, set alongside a dry riverbed on the edge of Pench National Park. It is only ten minutes from the park entrance. The suites are spacious with the main feature being an upstairs machaan (covered jungle rooftop platform) which can be an ideal place for an overnight sleep-out. Meals are served on a shaded deck alongside the swimming pool. There are guided nature and culture walks and twice daily jungle safaris in this birdwatcher's paradise.
Jamtara Wilderness Camp

Jamtara Wilderness Camp is a brand new refuge, hidden in the jungle near Pench National Park. Situated in the village of Jamtara, it is the only camp on the Jamtara side of the park, which makes it a more relaxed and tranquil place to explore Pench NP. The twelve luxury tents, each with their own bathroom, overlook the jungle. There is a large dining area and a library. The camp offers a 'Star Bed' experience (sleeping out in a farmer's field on a machaan [raised platform]) as well as game-viewing safaris and local village visits.
In Satpura National Park (Madhya Pradesh)
Forsyth Lodge
Forsyth's Lodge consists of twelve independent cottages set in 18 hectares of reclaimed jungle at the edge of Satpura NP. The cottages are designed to blend unobtrusively into the local environment. The main lodge is a two-storey building, with the dining room and a library on the ground floor and a lounge bar with a terrace overlooking the jungle and the mountain vista. There is also a swimming pool and deck. The eco-focus of this lodge is primarily based around wildlife and the wilderness experience, but a huge interaction with the local villages and community are at the forefront of their ideology.
Reni Pani

Reni Pani Jungle Lodge is close to Satpura National Park. There are twelve luxury cottages and a central meeting place, called the Gol Ghar, spread over twelve hectares of forest. The emphasis is on conservation and wildlife, with water holes, meadows and trees on the property. Common facilities on the site include a swimming pool, a lounge, a bar, a dining room and a library. This secluded resort is relatively unknown so there are few crowds at animal sightings. Satpura is the only park of its kind in Central India that offers walking safaris as well as jeep, boat and elephant safaris.
Denwa Backwater Escape

Denwa Backwater Escape, so named because it is on the upper reaches of a dam on the Denwa River, is a deluxe luxury lodge built in four hectares of forest. There are eight air-conditioned cottages and two tree houses as well as a swimming pool. Across the river from the lodge lies Satpura National Park with access from the lodge by boat followed by jeep for a safari.
Click on the link for an overview of Rajasthan
Chhatra Sagar
Chhatra Sagar is a luxury tented camp set on the banks of a Rajasthan desert oasis created in the late 19th century by Chhatra Singh and named after him. The camp offers 13 luxury tents with all amenities, including privacy, and a magnificent view overlooking the lush green oasis.
Jawai (between Udaipur and Jodhpur)
Jawai (formerly Jawai Leopard Camp) has 10 luxury 5 star tents, set in a stunning location, as well as a dining and a relaxation area which includes a swimming pool. With local tracker-guides there is every opportunity to see one of the dozens of leopards that inhabit the nearby rocky hills.
Bera Safari Lodge
Situated 140 kms from Udaipur and 175 kms from Jodhpur, Bera Safari Lodge is a small, boutique property with three luxury cottages with private sit-outs. The lodge offers a unique wilderness experience and the opportunity of seeing and learning about the leopards of Bera. Other activities include a visit to the fascinating Rabari herdsmen; bird-watching at Jawai Dam; a tour to nearby Kumbhalgarh Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; a visit to the town of Ranakpur and its famous Jain temple; wilderness cycling; and a munia (unique bird species) photographic safari.
In Ranthambhore National Park (Rajasthan)
The Oberoi Vanyavilas
The Oberoi Vanyavilas is a high-end resort situated ten minutes' drive from Ranthambhore National Park. The 25 luxury tents are temperature controlled and triple canopied to keep the rooms cool and are furnished with four-poster beds and standalone baths. Each tent has a private walled garden and separate deck for maximum privacy. The resort offers twice daily game drives, and every luxury expected in a 5 star resort including complimentary yoga sessions and spa therapies. Guests can view the eighty bird and one hundred plant species on the property and may take a morning or evening guided walk with the in-house horticulturalist to learn more about the biodiversity of the area.
Click on the link for an overview of Uttar Pradesh
In Uttar Pradesh
Chambal Safari Lodge
Seventy kilometres south of Agra, the Chambal Safari Lodge consists of eight independent cottages with private verandahs in the woodland around the restored Mela Kothi (lodge). The lodge is an ideal base for exploring the Chambal Valley and surrounding areas, with excursions designed to appeal to everyone from the serious birder (a sanctuary), to animal lovers (river safaris, camel safaris) to the culture enthusiast (nearby Bateshwar Temples). The lodge kitchens serve authentic 'home cooked' meals with fresh produce from its own farms or procured directly from the local farmers.
In Dudhwa National Park (Uttar Pradesh)
Jaagir Lodge
Jaagir Lodge is a former hunting lodge built in the 1940s for use by the British governors. Newly refurbished, it boasts three luxury rooms, four luxury suites, four pavilion villas, 2 brick villas (Jhaalas) along with The Pavilion (dining area), a library bar, a spa and a swimming pool. Activities include jungle walks, big-game safaris, bird-watching trips, and visits to local villages.
Click on the link for an overview of Uttarakhand (Corbett National Park)
In Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand)
Jim's Jungle Retreat
Jim's Jungle Retreat is an eco-conscious wildlife speciality lodge located on the southern edge of the Corbett Tiger Reserve. It offers eighteen sophisticated lodges and cottages in 6 hectares of lush refuge, with forest and mountain vistas, countless bird-spotting opportunities, instinct-sharpening walks and safaris, and hours by the pool or on your private verandah. The retreat borders the southern forests of Corbett and a seasonal river that comes to life during the monsoon.
Vanghat Lodge

Located in the buffer zone of the Jim Corbett National Park, Vanghat Lodge consists of four comfortable private cottages with ensuites, and an on-site restaurant. It can only be reached by a two kilometre cross-country walk and a bamboo raft trip across the Ramganga River, making it one of the most isolated lodges in India. However, it is worth the effort as it is a wilderness paradise, with all varieties of wildlife passing through the grounds. Activities include walking safaris, birding, fishing and wildlife safaris
Click on the link for an overview of North East India
In Kaziranga National Park (Assam)
Diphlu River Lodge
Diphlu River Lodge consists ofeight private bungalows and four semi-private bungalows, set along the river or overlooking farmland. All the comfortable facilities are raised on stilts and have air-conditioning and private bathrooms. The lodge is located overlooking the Diphlu River, which forms the boundary of Kaziranga National Park. In the main building there is a library, a restaurant which serves both Assamese and continental cuisine, and a well-stocked bar and verandah, where guests can enjoy an evening drink while watching for birds or scanning the opposite bank for wild animals. Diphlu River Lodge is ideally located close to one of the park entrances; and jeep and elephant safaris are easily organised, accompanied by resident trained naturalists.
In Nagaland (NE India)
Kohima, Nagaland
TUTC Chamba Camp coincides with the ten day Hornbill Festival. TUTC (The Ultimate Travelling Camp) is a super luxury camp (en-suite bathrooms, butler, etc) which caters for the opportunity to see the gathering of 16 Naga tribes at their colourful annual pageant. There are daily performances, religious ceremonies, food fares, sports (archery, wrestling, etc) and games.
Click on the link for an overview of Karnataka
In Nagarhole National Park (Karnataka)
Orange County - Kabini
Orange County - Kabini is a world class luxury resort, boasting eight pool huts (each with their own swimming pool) and twenty-eight jacuzzi huts. Each of the traditional mud and palm thatch huts is luxuriously presented and there is a spacious living area, ensuite and private courtyard. The resort has a scenic reading lounge and an infinity swimming pool. It is surrounded by the Kabini River so there is an opportunity for a coracle or boat ride as well as guided birding trips, elephant rides, vehicle safaris or a local tribal village visit, as well as an ayurvedic spa.
Serai Kabini

The Serai Kabini Lodge is luxury accommodation set in 30 hectares of river front jungle wilderness. The eight cottages and twelve villas are spacious and luxurious with each providing views of the Kabini River. This relaxing getaway also has a swimming pool, gym and a spa. There is not only the opportunity to relax but also to embark on game viewing, boating and birding activities, and mant more.
Click on the link for an overview of Ladakh
In Ladakh
Ladakh

TUTC Chamba Camps have introduced glamping (camping in luxury tents) to a beautiful part of India. Mobility has allowed The Ultimate Travelling Camp to introduce clients to unsurpassed destinations in the mountains, jungles, deserts and countryside as well as festivals and to such activities as white-water rafting and polo.
Click on the link for an overview of Maharashtra
In Tadoba National Park (Maharashtra)
Svasara Jungle Lodge
Svasara Jungle Lodge is a luxurious conservation-focused wilderness lodge, situated 300m from the Kolara Gate at Todoba, offering wildlife enthusiasts an educational and immersive jungle holiday. Set in a 5 hectare property, the lodge features twelve spacious air-conditioned suites with modern amenities. Multi-cuisine dining can occur in the lodges or in the central dining room. Lodge activities include jeep safaris, nature treks, lakeside sunset picnics, local tourist attractions and conservation talks with expert naturalists. Business customers can combine the retreat with conference facilities. Svasara Jungle Lodge aims to promote sustainable eco-tourism and is committed to conservation, local community development, and green practice
Tiger Trails Jungle Lodge

TigerTrails Jungle Lodge is adjacent to the entry point to the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, arguable one of India's best protected tiger reserves. The lodge has air-conditioned rooms with en-suite and reliable electricity backup. All rooms are rustic deluxe and have a view over waterholes. Activities from the lodge include walking safaris, jeep safaris, elephant safaris, boat and canoe trips, bike tours and cookery classes, as well as a visit to the nearby traditional tribal community called Gonds.
Click on the link for an overview of West Bengal
In Sunderbans National Park (West Bengal)
Sunderban Tiger Camp
Sunderban Tiger Camp is located on Dayapur Island in the heart of Sunderbans in the Ganges delta. Situated amid 4 hectares of forest opposite a tiger forest reserve this 2 star resort of twenty-one rooms offers four types of accommodation including two tents, four bamboo huts, seven deluxe mud cottages, four executive a/c rooms and four executive cottages, all designed with a focus on comfort, art and relevance to the local culture and history. The rooms have attached clean bathrooms with running hot and cold water. There is a common dining hall and conference facilities. Guests are encouraged to go game viewing (by boat)(overnight two or three day departures are encouraged), visit land-based caged watchtowers, go fishing or birdwatching, interact with local villagers or experience cultural interaction with local dance and theatre groups.
Tora Eco Resort & Life Experience Centre

Tora Eco Resort is a unique community-based tourism project, surrounded by fertile paddy fields, on Bali Island in the Sunderban. It offers rural style accommodation in nine village cottages, each with an attached shower and toilet with hot and cold water. Although there is no air-conditioning, rooms are quite cool and fresh. There is a community centre and a central dining area, with a large open kitchen overlooking a fishing pond. Guests are encouraged to visit the local market, purchase produce and even learn the Bengali way of cooking. The resort is partially powered by solar energy with safe drinking water. Activities at the resort include boat trips into the tiger reserve; village walks, activities, and dances; and fishing.
MV Paramhamsa

The M.V. Paramhamsa is a modern four-decked vessel designed for cruising in the Sunderbans and along the Hooghly and Ganges Rivers. It has 30 air-conditioned cabins each with an ensuite, eighteen of which are deluxe and twelve are luxury. There is a library, a conference room, bar-cum-restaurant, and gym, spa and massage facilities. The top or sun deck has been designed for nature viewing, sun lounging and general relaxation.
Click on the link for an overview of Gujarat
In Gir National Park (Gujarat)
Lion Safari Camp
Lion Safari Camp is a riverside camp resort at Sasan Gir (Gujarat), specialising in wildlife experiences. The camp is in natural setting in a private mango plantation overlooking the Hiran River. The camp is eco-friendly with twenty-one a/c luxury tents, each with a large ensuite (hot/cold running water), and all the tents are beautifully furnished with natural materials and open out to an extended deck There is a recreational lounge with indoor games and television and an air-conditioned conference hall.
Asiatic Lion Lodge

Asiatic Lion Lodge has sixteen eco-friendly cottages with modern en-suite bathrooms and amenities, including a verandah to relax on. It is a premium jungle lodge built between forested hills of the Gir National Park and Sanctuary. The lodge is close to the park gate as well as Sasan Gir. There are many activities available including jeep safaris, bird watching and tribal dances and village visits.
Click on the link for an overview of Nepal
In Chitwan National Park (Nepal)
Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge

Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge is built in the longhouse style of Tharu (the local people) architecture and its straw-bale structure blends into the forest adjacent to the buffer zone of the Chitwan National Park. There are twelve basic but comfortably furnished fan-cooled rooms and twelve safari tents that have ensuite shower rooms with water heated by solar panels. No accommodation is permitted inside the national park these days and though Tharu is too far from the park entry gate for safaris in the core zone, it continues to offer the best wildlife experience in Chitwan. The friendly staff from the nearby Tharu Village prepare fresh local meals. There are opportunities for elephant safaris, bullock cart game viewing, long-boat journeys on the Rapti River or visits to the lodge-sponsored village school.
Other Countries We Visit
Nepal
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Sri Lanka
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Bhutan
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About
At Viv's India our travel agents specialise in arranging unique Indian holidays, tailor made for all budgets and lifestyles. Whether a trekking adventure through India's untamed wilderness appeals to you or alternatively immersing yourself in the cuisine and culture is more your style, we have a holiday experience to suit.
Viv's India is a subsidiary of Viv's Travel Bug offering competitive holiday packages and expert assistance.
Contact us if you would like further information on our tours, or to arrange a booking today. We also have an Online Enquiry Form for your convenience.
