How to reach there
Train :
The nearest railway station is Umaria (35km).
Train from Delhi to Umaria: Utkal Express
Train from Varanasi: Sarnath Express.
Bus : Buses ply from Umaria, Tala and Satna. Jeeps can be hired from Tala (3hrs) and from Umaria (2hrs, Rs 10 per seat).
Reaching
Bandhavgarh may be bit more difficult than it is for some of the other parks in
the country but once you are there, you always feel it was worth the effort. For
those coming in from Delhi, there is a direct train to the nearest railway
station, Umaria. The name of the train is the Utkal Express.
The journey (without delays!) is 19 hours and gets you there early in the morning. Umaria is only 32 kilometers from the park and buses as well as jeep rides are available from here for those who have not made prior arrangements. There are also other connections available from various parts of the country to Satna, which is 120 kilometers away, Jabalpur (164km) and Katni (92km). The nearest airports are Khajuraho (237km) and Jabalpur (164 km). There are regular bus connections available from both these cities. The park entrance and accommodations are located at a small "town" called Tala on the Umaria - Rewa highway.
In the
year 2001, due to torrential rainfall, the road network connecting the park to
most cities was severely effected. This resulted in the duration of transfer
journeys from these cities becoming more than three times as lengthy in the time
taken. During this period, the best option was to take a train to Umaria and
then a vehicle to Tala. If the resort you are staying at is informed of your
arrival, they mostly arrange for a pick and drop at their cost. However, if you
arrive without prior information, the local jeeps take a fixed charge of Rs.
500/- for the transfer. There are other more reasonable means around but require
much more patience and a desire for adventure. There is also a helicopter
transfer facility from Nagpur to Bandhavgarh and the charges are approximately
US$200 per passenger.
