October through March is ideal - you'll dodge the brutal heat and have better odds of spotting tigers at Panna during tiger safari tours. The cooler months are also more comfortable for walking the temple complexes and exploring Orchha's ruins.

Yes. The temples repay close looking, and a guide explains the sculpture's stories and architectural nuances in ways that change how you see them. Private tours also let you move at your own pace and skip the midday crowds.

For popular tiger safari tours at Panna, book 2-3 weeks ahead if you can - wildlife spotting requires flexibility, and tour operators coordinate park entry carefully. Temple and day-trip tours are usually available with shorter notice, but booking ahead gives you more choice in timing and guide.

Tiger sightings aren't guaranteed - Panna is a working reserve where wildlife dictates the day. Most operators frame these as jungle safaris where you'll see sambar, wild boar, and birds alongside a real chance at tigers. Check before you go for recent sighting reports.

Most all-inclusive tours cover hotel pickup, transport, lunch, and a guide walking you through the forts and palaces. Some add entry fees - check before you go to know what's covered and whether lunch is at a sit-down restaurant or a packed meal.

Khajuraho's compact enough to walk between main sites, but hiring a private car or auto-rickshaw for the day makes sense if you're visiting multiple temples or heading to Panna. Most tours handle transport as part of the package.

The jungle safaris at Panna are popular with families - kids usually love the wildlife spotting and vehicle time. Temple visits work too, though young children may lose interest in sculpture details; shorter, focused tours work better than marathon site-seeing.