Announcing the Panna National Park trip this summer, along with the Architectural marvels of Khajuraho Temples and Orchha Temple complex …….. A Perfect setup of the erstwhile Royal Tiger Reserve.
Dates: 25th to 27th Apr, 2024 – Thursday to Saturday (Travel days excluded) The bookings for Panna National Park long with a glimpses of Khajuraho & Orchha temple complex, Madhya Pradesh trip is on…..book your seats NOW to get the desired train bookings (see the details at the end) ….. If you want the thrill of exploring the Indian Wildlife in the most beautiful setting, it is here…
PANNA NATIONAL PARK
Amongst the Diamond Mines
Panna is the twenty second Tiger Reserve of India and fifth in Madhya Pradesh . The Reserve is situated in the Vindhyan Ranges and spreads over Panna and Chattarpur districts in the north of the state.
Panna National Park was created in 1981. It was declared a Project Tiger Reserve by Government of India in 1994. The National Park consists of areas from the former Gangau Wildlife Sanctuary created in 1975. This sanctuary comprised of territorial forests of the present North and South Panna Forest Division to which a portion of the adjoining Chhatarpur forest division was added later. The reserved forests of the Park in Panna district and some protected forests on Chhatarpur side were the hunting preserves of the erstwhile rulers of Panna, Chhatarpur and Bijawar princely states in the past.
The location of the National Park is also important because it is situated at a point where the continuity of the forest belt, which starts from Cape Comorin in the south, is broken and beyond this the great Gangetic plains begin. This area is also the northern most tip of the natural teak forests and the eastern most tip of the natural Kardhai (Anogeissus pendula) forests. The forests of Panna National Park along with Ken Gharial Sanctuary and adjoining territorial divisions form a significant part of the catchment area of the 406 km (252 mi) Ken River, which runs northeast for about 72 km (45 mi) through the park. Panna National Park and the surrounding forest area of North and South Panna forest division is the only large chunk of wildlife habitat remaining in northern Madhya Pradesh. (Note: Some images in this blog are generously contributed by late Mr.Shyam Ghate)
The Ken river , which flows through the Reserve from south to north, is home for Gharial and Mugger, and other aquatic fauna and is one of the least polluted rivers and a tributary of Yamuna. It is one of the sixteen perennial rivers of Madhya Pradesh and is truly the life line of the Reserve. Ken offers some of the most spectacular scenery to the visitor while it meanders for some 55 km through the reserve.
The terrain of the reserve is characterised by extensive plateaus and gorges. The reserve which has a bench topography, can broadly be divided into three distinct tablelands on Panna side: the upper Talgaon Plateau, the middle Hinnauta plateau and the Ken valley. Series of undulating hills and plateaus rise on the other side of Ken river in Chattarpur district.
The park along with the surrounding territorial forest area of North and South Panna divisions is the only large chunk of wildlife habitat remaining in North Madhya Pradesh in otherwise fragmented forest landscape of the area. Panna National Park represents one of the important Tiger habitats of Central Indian Highlands along with its associated species.
The location of the National Park is also important because it is situated at a point where the continuity of the forest belt, which starts form Cape Comorin in the south, is broken and beyond this the great Gangetic plains begin. This area is also the northern most tip of the natural teak forests and the eastern most tip of the natural Kardhai (Anogeissus pendula) forests.
Forests of Panna National Park along with Ken Gharial Sanctuary and adjoining territorial divisions form a significant part of the catchment area of the river Ken with a total length of 406 km runs for about 72 kms through this catchment.
Apart from their conservation values, the forests of Panna have a variety of tourism resources capable of providing rich and diverse cultural, historical, religious wilderness and adventure experience. Panna offers tremendous tourism potential being situated very close to the ancient temple down of Khajuraho, which is already on the international map of tourist destinations.
MAMMALS
Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), the king of the jungle, roams freely in this secure, though a bit small habitat alongwith his fellow beings – leopard (Panthera pardus), wild dog (Cuon alpinus), wolf (Canis lupus), hyaena (Hyaena hyaena) and caracal (Felus caracal) and smaller cats. Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) has his most favourite home in the rock escarpments and undisturbed vales. The wooded areas are dotted with sambar (Cervus unicolor) – the largest of Indian deers, chital (Axis axis) and chowsingha (Tetracevos quadricornis). One can easily see nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) and chinkara (Gazella gazella) in most open areas in the grasslands, specially on the periphery.
BIRDS
The avifauna comprises more than 200 species including a host of migratory birds. One can see Wooly-necked Stork, Sirkeer Malkoha, Chestnut-shouldered Petronia, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Mottled Wood Owl, Indian & King Vulture, Plum -headed Parakeets, Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Indian Scimmitar Babbler, Indian Treepie, Indian Scops Owl, Jungle Owlet, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Common Hawk Cuckoo, Black-rumped Flameback, White-naped Woodpecker, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Savana Nightjar, Oriental Darter, Crested Tree Swift, Painted Sandgrouse, Crested Serpant Eagle, White-eyed Buzzard, Large Cuckooshrike, Small Minivet, Common Woodshrike etc. to name a few.
REPTILES
Varieties of snakes, including the python, Cobra, Russel’s Viper, Banded Krait, Rat Snakes, Tree Snakes and other reptiles are found here.
FLORA
Dry and hot climate, in union with shallow Vindhyan soils has given rise to dry Teak and dry mixed forest. The dominating vegetation type is Miscellaneous Dry Deciduous forest interspread with grassland areas. Other major forest types are riverines, open grasslands, open woodlands with tall grasses and thorny woodlands. The characteristic floral species of this area include tree species such as Tectona grandis, Diospyros melanoxylon, Madhuca indica, Buchanania latifolia, Anogeissus latifolia, Anogeissus pendula, Lannea coromandelica, Boswelia serrata etc. Major shrub species includes Lantana camara, Grewia sp., Nyctanthus arbor-tristis, Ixora sp., Ziziphus mauritiana, Ziziphus oenoplea, etc. The dominant grass species are Apluda mutica, Themeda quadrivalvis, Meteropogon contortus, Aristida sp. etc.
KHAJURAHO
The Khajuraho Group of Monuments are a group of Hindu and Jain temples in Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh, India, about 175 kilometres southeast of Jhansi and just about 20 kms from our Greetoe Camp Panna Resort. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples are famous for their nagara-style architectural symbolism and their erotic sculptures.
Most Khajuraho temples were built between 885 AD and 1050 AD by the Chandela dynasty. Historical records note that the Khajuraho temple site had 85 temples by the 12th century, spread over 20 square kilometers. Of these, only about 25 temples have survived, spread over six square kilometers. Of the surviving temples, the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is decorated with a profusion of sculptures with intricate details, symbolism and expressiveness of ancient Indian art.
When these monuments were built, the boys in the place lived in hermitages, by being brahmcharis (bachelor) until they attained manhood and these sculptures helped them to learn about the worldly role of ‘householder’. The Khajuraho group of temples were built together but were dedicated to two religions, Hinduism and Jainism, suggesting a tradition of acceptance and respect for diverse religious views among Hindus and Jains in the region.
For more information, click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khajuraho_Group_of_Monuments
Orchha Temple Complex
Orchha is a town in Madhya Pradesh near the banks of the Betwa River. The medieval city of Orchha seems to have frozen in time, its palaces and temples still retaining their original grandeur. Orchha had the distinction of being the capital of one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms of Central India. The Bundela Rajput chieftain, Rudra Pratap, founded the city in 1531, located by the side of the beautiful Betwa River, in the 16th century.
The word Orchha means ‘hidden’. When the Tughlaqs, who were ruling Delhi in the 15th century, pushed the Bundelkhand rajas out of Garkhundar, they retreated to distant Orchha.
Orchha could make towns many times its size green with jealousy. At heart, Orchha is nothing but a tiny, agricultural village that shouldn’t really be of much interest to anyone, but it was blessed by history: for nearly 300 years it was one of the most important urban areas in this part of India. This has left the small town with a supreme display of Mughal-influenced Rajput architecture in the shape of spectacular palaces, temples and royal chhatris (cenotaphs). And thanks to an important temple dedicated to Rama, it’s also a major pilgrimage and spiritual centre.
Some places of interest in Orchha include the Chaturbhuj Temple, Cenotaphs (Chhatris or Memorials to the rulers of Orchha), Fort Complex, Laxminarayan Temple, Phool Bagh, Ram Raja Mandir etc.
More info here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchha
Nature India has organized an exclusive trip to Panna National Park, along with Glimpses of Khajuraho & OrchhaTemples, from 25th April to 27th April, 2024 the details are given below.
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Tour Itinerary & Other Details: (Jhansi to Jhansi)
Date: 25th Apr, 2024 morning 7.00 am to 27th Apr, 2024, 8:00 pm (travel days excluded)
Travel to Panna: (To be done by the Participants)….. Note: There are no suitable rail/Air connectivity to Panna National Park from Mumbai, hence the below suggestions are the best ones….. there are good train options from Delhi as well.
By Train (24th Apr,2024) from Mumbai: Train no. 22221 NZM Rajdhani Exp. starting from CSMT at 16:00 hrs, reaching V Laxmibai (Jhansi) Railway Station at 05:00 hours on 25th Apr’24 (Please book the train till H.Nizammudin to get a confirmed ticket).
Return By Train (27th Apr,2024) from V Laxmibai (Jhansi): Train no. 22222 CSMT Rajdhani Exp starting from V Laxmibai (Jhansi) @ 21:36, reaching Mumbai (CSMT) @ 11:15 hrs on 28th Apr’24……
Day 2 (Thursday 25th Apr, 2024) : Arrival at 05:10 hours to V Laxmibai (Jhansi) station – Proceed to guided tour of Khajuraho temples – Breakfast on the way – reach Greetoe Camp Panna by 11.00 hrs – Check-in – Relax – Lunch – Evening Park Safari in Madla range in Open Gypsies – return to Hotel – Discussion of Days sightings – Dinner and Night stay at Greetoe Camp Panna Resort
Day 3 (Friday 26th Apr, 2024) : Early Morning Park Safari @ 5.30 am in Madla Range – Return to the resort – Lunch – Proceed for the Evening Park Safari in Madla range – Return back – Dinner – Night stay at Greetoe Camp Panna Resort
Day 4 (Saturday 27th Apr, 2024): Early Morning Park Safari in Madla range @ 5.30 am – Return to the resort – Check-out and Packup – Lunch – Proceed for a guided tour of Orchha for a couple of hours and then to V Laxmibai (Jhansi) Station to board 22222 CSMT Rajdhani Exp. at 21.36 hrs.
Day 5 (Sunday 28th Apr, 2024) : Arrive at CSMT (Mumbai) by 11:15 Hrs
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Trip charges (Jhansi to Jhansi) : Rs. 32800/- only
(Includes A/C room stay in the wonderful, palatial & comfortable Greetoe Camp Panna, on twin sharing basis, Travel charges from Jhansi to Jhansi, four safari by 4×4 Gypsies, Park entry charges, veg/non-veg food, Guided tour of Khajuraho & Orchha Temples for 2 Hrs respectively, Still photography charges, Guide charges, Information articles & on board snacks)
This does not include Mineral Water and travel charges from Mumbai to Khajuraho to Mumbai station or any charges other than the above.
Group Size: Only 7+1
Kindly register soon as the safari and train tickets need to be booked well in advance ….
Stay Arrangement: Stay arrangement is on twin sharing basis in AC Swiss Tent Cottages in the famous Greetoe Camp Panna, Madla which is renowned for its ambiance and service.
Mode of Payment: You can either
1) Transfer the advance money directly to HDFC Bank A/c (Provided in our registration mail).. please mention your name, date and other details….
OR
2) Courier a cheque of Rs.15,000/- as advance amount to the following address Address: Will be provided in our registration mail
Please Note:
1) Once registered, the advance amount of Rs. 15,000/- is strictly non-refundable
2) Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on Nature India Tours
3) Nesting photography is prohibited.
4) Kindly register on this trip only if you agree with Nature India‘s rules
http://natureindiapolicies.blogspot.in/2012/08/nature-india-policies.html
Please revert on natureindiatours@gmail.com ID, in case you need any clarification …..
For any other queries we are available on 8779599356 or 9820455713 (Adesh) or 9930318665 or 8369427283 (Mandar)
Thanks for your patience….. we value your time and faith on us.
Looking forward for a very rewarding trip with you all !!
Warm Regards,
Adesh Shivkar & Mandar Khadilkar
Nature India 