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Baithak, Sarai at Toria, Panna National Park, India

Sarai at Toria

Safari and Wildlife Lodge
Panna National Park, India

Sarai at Toria’s offers a home-from-home environment, situated on a beautiful riverside site, close to the UNESCO heritage site of Khajuraho and Panna National Park. This comfortable, riverside retreat has impeccable sustainability credentials and is owned and run by passionate conservationists, Dr Raghu Chundawat and Joanna Van Gruisen.

The eight independent cottages are set in a lovely garden bordered by the Ken River. In a country renowned for delicious food, Sarai at Toria offers some of the best home-cooked food you will find in India, with many of the ingredients grown on the property’s farm.

Why we like Sarai at Toria

Beautiful location, comfortable rooms, delicious food and fascinating hosts.

Sustainability

Keeping environmental concerns in mind, Sarai at Toria has used minimal concrete and steel in its construction, sourcing most of the materials locally such as mud, stone, wood, brick, lime, tile, bamboo and grass. They combined traditional methods and modern architectural design to insulate the rooms from the extremes of the outside climate. From the outset, plastic bottles were eschewed at Sarai at Toria and the property has its own system to generate filtered drinking water which it bottles on site. The property’s owners set up The Baavan trust to further the interests of wildlife, forests and people. The emphasis is on scientific research and promoting wildlife conservation in association with the communities living in and around protected areas.

Facilities

The Sarai at Toria comprises eight independent cottages, fabricated in mud, with thatched roofs. Each cottage has attached bathrooms, verandas and private courtyards. Four of the cottages are especially suitable for families, as they offer tucked-away mezzanine bed spaces that are great for children.

A large dining and lounge area is situated on the highest point of the land commanding magnificent views over the Ken River and towards the plateau of the Panna Tiger Reserve. This stone, wood and tile building, designed in an open style, is the perfect place to view sunrises and sunsets and generally to relax and enjoy the tranquil scenery. Alternatively, lunch in the cool shade of a spreading neem tree or dine by candlelight under the stars.

Activities

While jeep safaris are the most popular activity, Sarai at Toria is no one-trick pony! The property offers boat rides and fishing on the pristine Ken River, walks through the crop fields of the surrounding countryside and birding on-site or at nearby forest and wetland areas. Lunch in the cool shade of a spreading neem tree or dine by candlelight under the stars. Though a scientist, Raghu, the owner also takes a cooking class on-site. For longer stays consider a day trip to Khajuraho or Ajaygarh Fort.

Adventure Traveller

£££££

The Sarai at Toria is located only half an hour’s drive from Khajuraho. It lies on the banks of the River Ken, less than five minutes drive from the entrance to the Panna Tiger Reserve at Madla. Khajuraho is well connected to major cities by road, rail and air.

The lodge is just off the Jhansi-Satna national highway, a regular tourist route to and from other destinations such as Agra, Varanasi, Gwalior, Jhansi, Orchha and the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.

Sarai at Toria, Panna National Park, India

Sarai at Toria, Panna National Park, India

Sarai at Toria, Panna National Park, India

Sarai at Toria, Panna National Park, India

Sarai at Toria, Panna National Park, India

Sarai at Toria, Panna National Park, India

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Tiger Safari in Central India

This holiday suggestion is perfect for anyone keen to see tigers in the wild. Experience 10 game drives over eight days, accompanied by best-in-field naturalists, in three of the top tiger parks in India; Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Panna.

10 days from $6,714pp

Bengal Tiger, Bandhavgarh National Park, India

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India – The Golden Triangle with Tigers

This classic tour of India’s Golden Triangle takes you to Delhi, Agra and Jaipur and also includes a few days at Ranthambore Tiger Reserve with private extended guided safaris. Stay in a mix of luxury and heritage hotels.

9 days from $7,834pp

Bengal tiger, a national park Ranthambhore, India

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Need Inspiration?
Browse our India holiday ideas.

We know a thing or two about bespoke holidays – we’ve been creating them since 1989. Take a trip through the India holidays that we love today.

Idea

Tiger Safari in Central India

This holiday suggestion is perfect for anyone keen to see tigers in the wild. Experience 10 game drives over eight days, accompanied by best-in-field naturalists, in three of the top tiger parks in India; Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Panna.

10 days from $6,714pp

Bengal Tiger, Bandhavgarh National Park, India

View Holiday Idea

Idea

India – The Golden Triangle with Tigers

This classic tour of India’s Golden Triangle takes you to Delhi, Agra and Jaipur and also includes a few days at Ranthambore Tiger Reserve with private extended guided safaris. Stay in a mix of luxury and heritage hotels.

9 days from $7,834pp

Bengal tiger, a national park Ranthambhore, India

View Holiday Idea

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Where to stay in India

Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any journey.

More luxury accommodation

Bori Safari Lodge

Safari Lodge
£££££

Ideally located between Bori Wildlife Sanctuary and Dhapada Village, Bori Safari Lodge is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Bori Safari Lodge Exterior

Waghoba Eco Lodge

£££££

Located just half an hour from the Tadoba National Park gates, this modern eco-lodge sits within the buffer zone that borders the park. Waghoba is positioned on five hectares of untamed private land, making it feel…

Waghoba Eco Lodge, Tadoba, India

Tilar Siro

£££££

Wake up to the tranquil blue waters of the Andaman Sea and the sound of birds singing in the littoral forest outside your room. The 25 stilted rooms of Tilar Siro are the ultimate base on…

Tilar Siro, Andaman Islands, India

Lungmar Camp

Tented Camps
£££££

This remote wilderness camp lies deep within the Ladakh Range, positioned within a valley that sits almost 4,000 metres above sea level. The camp is located within prime snow leopard territory and, with a combination of…

Lungmar Camp, Ladakh, India

Tree House Hideaway

Safari Lodge
£££££

Tree House Hideaway has five uniquely constructed tree-house rooms, hidden among the tree-tops along the border of Bandhavgarh National Park. They are beautifully designed with en-suite bathrooms and private balconies overlooking the parkland.

Tree House Hideaway, Bandhavgarh National Park, India

The Ultimate Travelling Camp – Sangam Nivas

Tented Camps
£££££

Take a spiritual journey to the Kumbh Mela and spend a fascinating three to six days experiencing a 2000-year-old pilgrimage whilst comfortably ultra-camping with the Ultimate Travelling Camp. The only luxury tented camp ‘on location’, Sangam…

Super Luxury Deluxe Tent, The Ultimate Travelling Camp, Kumbh Mela, Allahabad

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Joe was wonderful and very knowledgeable about India. He was patient with us as we made numerous changes to the itinerary and very quick to respond.

India

A great itinerary for an introduction to India. It has given us lots of ideas and enthusiasm for a return trip.

India

At no point did we feel anything but full confidence in Kate. We actually returned from India having enjoyed the week she arranged for us immensely. We stayed in beautiful places and had wonderful experiences. Thank you, Steppes has delighted us.

India

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Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.

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