Complete Guide to Visit Khajuraho: Karma Sutra Temple + Tiger (2023)

Thinking of adding Khajuraho to your India itinerary? Between the UNESCO-listed group of Khajuraho temples and the Panna National Park, teeming with tigers and other wildlife, and other smaller attractions, this small town in central India has a lot to offer. .

This guide has everything you need to know to plan a visit to Khajuraho, including how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in Khajuraho during your stay.

I visited Abhaneri as part of a 2 week staySeTrip that was also includedBenares,Abner,orchaand the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Jaipur and Agra).

In case you were wondering where Khajuraho is located, the city is in the state of Madhya Pradesh, about 300 km south of Lucknow (8 hours drive) and 450 km southeast of Agra (9 to 10 hours drive).

Visit the Temples of Khajuraho

The temple complex is the best thing to do in Khajuraho and with good reason as some of these temples are over a thousand years old and are still covered in incredibly intricate carvings.

These carvings made these temples more famous as some of them depict scenes from the Karma Sutra including tantric sex. However, don't go to Khajuraho expecting a lot of sex scenes, explicit carvings make up only a very small part of the temple's decorations. There are many more carvings of more normal things like animals and plants, and those in the Karma Sutra can be difficult to discern.

The temples were built between the 11th and^ANDand the 13th^ANDCenturies ago, but when the city was abandoned, they were absorbed by the jungle and only rediscovered relatively recently. Although there were around 85 temples originally, only around 20 survive.

The temple complex consists of two parts, the western and eastern temple group. The western group is bigger and more numerous, so if you only have time for one, be sure to check them out.

You must allow at least 2 hours to explore the temple complex. We kept our visit short as the weather was very hot and muggy and there was little shade, but if you buy large hats or umbrellas this shouldn't be a problem.

Entrance fees to Khajuraho Temple

You have to pay a small entrance fee to enter the Khajuraho temple complex. The best way to buy tickets is at the box office. Although some websites offer online reservations, they are not reliable. The cost for foreigners is Rs 250 per person.

More things to do in Khajuraho

Spot wildlife in Panna National Park

The next biggest attraction in Khajuraho is the Panna National Park or Panna Tiger Reserve. The park is over 500 km2 and is home to not only tigers, but also leopards, wolves, hyenas and vultures. There are also lots of interesting plants, birds and reptiles if that's your thing.

Tiger sightings are far from guaranteed, unfortunately it's more common not to see one, but if you can visit for more than one day and arrive early morning or evening, you'll have the best chance.

Even if you don't see any tigers or wildlife, there are two beautiful waterfalls on the Ark that are worth a visit.

It is mandatory to have a guide in the park, which is no surprise given the dangerous animals that roam there, and it is 40 km from Khajuraho city, so I definitely recommend booking a day trip (see the best options below). ) Killing two birds with one stone.

The entry fee system is complex as there are fees per person and per vehicle, but expect to pay between Rs 800 and 3000 depending on the size of your group.

Como chegar a Khajuraho?

Although Khajuraho is quite remote, it is not entirely inaccessible. In fact, you can find several ways to get to Khajuraho, whether you want to do it yourself or have transport arranged for you.

Arrival by train to Khajuraho

Indian railways are ubiquitous and always the cheapest way to get around the country. You can take trains from Khajuraho Junction across the country, including to Delhi via Agra.

Khajuraho Junction is not within walking distance of the temples or lodges, so you will need to hire a taxi or rickshaw to cover the last mile. This is usually very cheap when you trade.

Arrival by plane to Khajuraho

Flying into Khajuraho Airport is the quickest and most direct way to reach Khajuraho, although it is far from the cheapest. If you're short on time, you can take a domestic flight to Khajuraho from major cities and travel during the day.

Note: Khajuraho Airport is currently not operational, check for updatesHere

How to get to Khajuraho in a day tour

One of the easiest ways to get to Khajuraho and organize all the tourist administration is to book a day tour. There is a decent range of Khajuraho tours on Viator and all include hotel/train station pickup and drop-off so you don't have to worry about transport.

Best Khajuraho Tour

The best Khajuraho temple tour isUNESCO Western Temples in Khajuraho - A Walking Tour. It is one of the few temple tours that actually includes entrance fees and dives deep into the history of the monuments.

The best tiger watching tour from Khajuraho is this onePanna Tiger Reserve Tour from KhajurahoThis includes entrance fees to Panna National Park and options for morning or afternoon departures.

The best combo tour is theKhajuraho Day Tour: Jungle Safari as Panna National Park and Western and Eastern Temple. This is excellent value, including entrance to the national park and temples. It's an early start, but Jungle Sunrise lets you get the most out of it.

Compare other Khajuraho Day Tours on Viator

Khajuraho – where to spend the night?

There is a surprisingly good range of accommodation near Khajuraho and the Khajuraho Temples. In addition to the smaller homestays and family hotels common in India, there are a selection of international hotel chains that offer a reliable experience (guaranteed hot showers are not a given in India!).

Here are my accommodation recommendations in Khajuraho for every price range:

Beste Luxusunterkunft em Khajuraho – Radisson Jass Hotel Khajuraho

If you want the full western hotel experience when visiting Khajuraho this is itHotel Radissonit is the best choice for you. It is a beautiful property that deserves its 5 stars.

Best mid-range accommodation in Khajuraho – Ramada Khajuraho

ANDRamadaIt may be the cheapest of Khajuraho's international hotels, but it doesn't lack for amenities. The hotel has a swimming pool, gym and even a small jogging track. Breakfast is included in most rooms.

Best budget accommodation in Khajuraho – Hotel Khajuraho Inn

ANDPosadaIt's on the nicer end of Indian hotels but still reasonably priced, you can easily get a room for just $30 a night. Rooms are spacious and an inexpensive breakfast is available, which comes in handy given the lack of supermarkets and high prices at local restaurants.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Khajuraho

When is the best time to visit Khajuraho?

While Khajuraho's temples are spectacular at any time of the year, try to find the ideal time between the Indian summer and the monsoon season to really enjoy your time here.

The best time of year to visit Khajuraho is between October and December, as temperatures are cool enough to be outside without drowning in sweat. Even so, it gets very hot in this part of central India, so pack hats, sunscreen and maybe an umbrella.

How long do you need to see Khajuraho?

If you are just coming to see the temples, you can easily spend a day in Khajuraho or take an overnight trip to avoid long travel times.

However, if you are interested in visiting the nearby national parks to spot wildlife, I would recommend spending 2-3 days in Khajuraho for a better chance of seeing an elusive tiger.

In short: exploring Khajuraho

Khajuraho is the kind of place you don't hear much about outside of India, but that definitely doesn't mean it's not worth visiting. Easily accessible by train or day trip, Khajuraho between the Karma Sutra and Tiger Temples is a must-see for any Central India holiday.

Bon voyage!