Turiya Jeep Safari, Pench National Park - Timings, Safari Cost, Best Time to Visit
Distance (From Pench National Park): 4 Kms
Trip Duration (Including Travel): 4 Hours/Half Day
Transportation Options: Cab
Travel Tips: Turia is the most famous zone for Jeep Safaris in Pench. Being the core area of Pench National Park, it remains closed for tourists from 1st July to 15th October every year. Also, it is closed on every Wednesday evening and on the occasion of Holi and Diwali.
At a distance of 4 km from Turiya, Turia or Turiya Zone is the oldest and the most popular safari zone of Pench National Park. The entry gate of the zone sits adjoining Pench Wildlife Museum, which holds information of the various flora and fauna in the park.
The zone got its name from the local village Turia or Touriya where the entry gate is located. This is considered to be a premium zone and is a part of Madhya Pradesh Pench. Turia is the most famous zone among day tourists as the chances of spotting the wild predators in their natural habitats is high in this zone compared to other zones. The forest has many water bodies such as Baghinnala, Ber Van Talab, Bhondewali Dobri, Malkundam, Bijamatta, Jinewani and Mahadeo Ghat on the banks of Pench River. Tigers of Pench National Park are known by these names according to the territory they belong to. Collarwali, the queen of Pench, resides in this zone.
The best way to explore the flora and fauna of the national park is to travel through jeep safari. Jeep Safari operates in two shifts, one in the early morning and another one in the evening. The Jeep Safari is done only with vehicles registered with the park administration as private vehicles are not allowed inside the park. The number of vehicles allowed into Turia Zone is 34 in the morning and 34 in the evening. Each jeep can take up to 6 travelers other than a driver and one naturalist. The safari entry and exit timings change according to the change of seasons. Trespassing different routes are not allowed. Afternoon shift is typically closed on every Wednesday and completely closed on Holi & Diwali festivals.
The safari tickets can be booked online at www.mponline.gov.in. It is strongly recommended to book safari at least 120 days before your trip as it is the most popular safari zone. Single-seat bookings are only offered online for core zones. The guide fee and vehicle hire fee are to be paid separately at the park before undertaking the safari and will be distributed equally between the tourists in the vehicle. Else, one can book safari tickets through hotels or travel agents.
All the visitors are required to carry their original identity document during safari drives as it is verified at the entrance gate. Safari tickets are non-transferable. During safari drive, guide service is compulsory on each safari vehicle.
Safari Timings: 6 AM - 11 AM & 3 PM - 6 PM from October - June, closed during monsoon months, every Wednesday evening, during Holi & Diwali
Safari Permit Fee: Rs. 250 for Single Seat in Jeep, Rs. 1500 per Whole Jeep (max 6 Persons). Jeep hiring cost & guide cost extra (around 2500 per jeep and 480 per guide).
Note: Safari cost changes frequently
