Central India Wildlife Tour 9 Days

Day 01: Jabalpur - Kanha - Mukki (200 km / 4 to5 hrs drive)

Day 02: Jabalpur - Kanha ( 175 km / 3 hrs drive)
Jabalpur: City is a cultural capital of Madhya Pradesh, besides its own rich heritage dating back to the pre-medieval period, the district has drawn its roots from agro-based industries. The soil is endowed with the cultivation of Peas which find its place in the global markets. The integrated Dairy farming has made its mark in the domestic market as well

When you head southeast of Jabalpur after 10 kms on your left hand side - there is a primitive cemetery which is still being used since the British era. From Jabalpur to Kanha it's a 170kms 3hrs drive; on the way 10 kms ahead of Mandla there is a place Chogan which is being developed by the Govt. Authorities as a centre for Rural Tourism. Once you will reach Mandla you will cross the very holy river Narmada 22kms beyond which is Bhamni followed by Jairmau village from where after taking a left turn towards Indrinaka is the shortest route to Kanha.

Mandla - is the mid way stoppage and has a decent Cafeteria run by Madhya Pradesh Tourism. It also has a fort which is ruined now. As you ascend the hilly ranges of this region you can have a view of The Narmada river and once on top of the hill, there is waterfall Ghughra off 1-1.5 kms from the main road into the forest that could be seen on a trail.

Kanha to Mukki offers a spectacular 1&1/2 hrs drive through the 45kms buffer zone, where you pass across local habitants' shacks which you can practically check-out without any extra cost. The speciality of these jungle abodes is that they are mosquito-proofed by the use of cow-dunk.

Day 03: Jabalpur - Bandhavgarh (200 km / 5 hrs drive)
Jabalpur: City is a cultural capital of Madhya Pradesh, besides its own rich heritage dating back to the pre-medieval period, the district has drawn its roots from agro-based industries. The soil is endowed with the cultivation of Peas which find its place in the global markets. The integrated Dairy farming has made its mark in the domestic market as well

Approximately 60kms drive from Jabalpur on the National Highway 7 (NH7) upto Sleemnabad. 20kms after Jabalpur & prior to Sleemnabad the distance between Panagar and Sihora is strewed by dunk-cakes. From Saleemnabad you take a short-cut to Vilayatkala through the forest on a single road in a serene 63kms drive you come across fauna like deer, neelgai, leopard & birds like King Fisher & Indian Roller perched on the electric lines. Onward journey from Vilatkala to Umaria is again the state hi-way, after which upto Bandhavgarh is through the forest on bad patches.

Day 04: Nagpur - Pench(100km / 2 hrs drive)
Nagpur is a very busy city it takes almost an hrs to traverse the city, 20 kms from Nagpur is Kamti and another 12 kms is Kanan, once out of Kanan across the railway junction you can pick-up speed on the NH7. Within 10 kms you reach Mansar, 15 kms Pouni, 20 kms Dewlapal and then within 10 kms you reach Khawasa border. The Destination is on a diversion from NH7 at Khawasa to Pench which is famous as the "Mogli Land" being the source of inspiration for the classic Jungle Book by Rodley Kipling, also called as the Kipling National Park.

Nagpur is very famous for Oranges & orange flavoured sweets. It has the famous Dragon Palace Temple.

Day 05: Nagpur - Kanha ( 260 km / 5 hrs drive)
Nagpur is a very busy city it takes almost an hrs to traverse the city, 20 kms from Nagpur is Kamti and another 12 kms is Kanan, once out of Kanan across the railway junction you can pick-up speed on the NH7. Within 10 kms you reach Mansar, 15 kms Pouni, 20 kms Dewlapal and then within 10 kms you reach Khawasa border.

Nagpur is very famous for Oranges & orange flavoured sweets. It has the famous Dragon Palace Temple.

The route beyond Khawasa with-out diversion goes further on, on the NH7 where there is a stoppage at Rookhad which has a good lodge run by the M.P.T.

The journey through Seoni transects the local market (Haat) for the villagers, after which there is a good drive through the villages & hills from Kewlari to Nainpur. At Nainpur you'll come across the Narrow Gauge train ( which is soon to be extinct since its being upgraded by a broad gauge and routed differently )

The present train is quite a phenomena in itself, with only 10 coaches, maximum speed of 35-40 kms/hr, whereby the localities alight & board the train as it runs and the engine driver's accompanist has an extra task of operating the barrier gates on the rail-road intersections.

It takes 16 hrs to reach Kanha via railways from Nagpur.

Day 06: Nagpur_Mukki ( 300 km / 6 hrs drive)
Nagpur to Mukki via Lalbarra:-

Nagpur is a very busy city it takes almost an hrs to traverse the city, 20 kms from Nagpur is Kamti and another 12 kms is Kanan, once out of Kanan across the railway junction you can pick-up speed on the NH7. Within 10 kms you reach Mansar, 15 kms Pouni, 20 kms Dewlapal and then within 10 kms you reach Khawasa border.

Nagpur is very famous for Oranges & orange flavoured sweets. It has the famous Dragon Palace Temple.

The route beyond Khawasa with-out diversion goes further on, on the NH7 where there is a stoppage at Rookhad which has a good lodge run by the M.P.T.

The journey through Seoni transects the local market (Haat) for the villagers

From Seoni you divert from NH7 to Barghat after which on the assigned days of Haat, you'll witness cattle fairs on the way through Lalbarra. The trees in this area are Flame of Forest and it blooms at the time of Holi. There are two stoppages on this route, first being at Rookhad and second at a Hotel in Balaghat where you can freshen-up. Balaghat is famous for the mineral ores and the track is through a thicket rich in flora & fauna. The path traces an “N” from Mansar to Seoni, Seoni to Balaghat via Lalbarra and Balaghat to Mukki. Once a collared tigress was spotted by the Field Director of Pench to have travelled from the Kanha N.P. to Pench N.P. trekking a distance of 220kms.

Day 07: Nagpur to Mukki via Tumsar (270 km / 5-6 hrs drive)
Nagpur is very famous for Oranges & orange flavoured sweets. It has the famous Dragon Palace Temple.

Nagpur is a very busy city it takes almost an hrs to traverse the city, 20 kms from Nagpur is Kamti and another 12 kms is Kanan, once out of Kanan across the railway junction you can pick-up speed on the NH7. Within 10 kms you reach Mansar

This journey terminating to Mukki and originating from Nagpur and diverting from Mansar to Ramtek is the southern arm of the quadrangle, tracing its path through Tumsar, Rampayli, Waraseoni & Balaghat. Moving ahead you'll cross through the home-made rice papads (cooked & flattened cakes ) laid parallel to the road for sun drying at Ramtak Between Ramtek & Tumsar is a natural Dam offering a panoramic view, close-by are the famous Temple & Mosque. Again there are two stoppages firstly at Rampayli which has a circuit house on the hillock located on the border of the two adjoining states of Maharashtra & Madhya Pradesh handed down from the British times. The circuit house is maintained by the authorities and has pretty clean and fair utilities. Secondly at Balaghat.

Day 08: Raipur - Mukki (220 km / 5 to 6 hrs drive)
Raipur the capital of Chattisgarh which before the year 2000 AD was a part of Madhya Pradesh, is a very busy city, hence to cover a distance of 44 kms from the airport to Simga it takes 1-2 hrs on the National Highway towards Calcutta which has heavy traffic due to trucks plying. Simga onwards is a beautiful drive till Kanha.

Chattisgarh is an independent state from the year 2000 onwards unifying 9 tribes, which formerly was a part of Madhya Pradesh.

Raipur to Khawardha to Chilpi is a double road but there is traffic.

It takes 80 kms to reach Khawardha from Simga, midway there is a small heritage boutique Hotel, Kawardha Palace which still is an abode of the present Maharaja & Maharani, who resides on the first floor. A little ahead is an ancient 11th Century Temple of Lord Shiva at Bhoramdeo, which can be visited at no extra cost. This temple is in the league with the famous Khajuraho Temples originating from the same school of thought.

Moving ahead the hilly terrain are the Michael Ranges, where you can see the Baiga tribe working in the fields and if their way of life interests you, you can even visit their dwellings for just an extra cost of Rs. 2000/-. From Bhoramdeo you come to Chilpi valley (which has derived its name owing chillness that the dense forest renders); covering a distance of is 40kms from Kawardha. Then you reach Garhi encircling Supkhar from Chilpi you finally arrive at Mukki the road is good or bad in patches.

Day 09: Kanha - Bandhavgarh (240 km / 5 hrs drive)
On the way from Kanha to Bandhavgarh you can halt at Mandla Cafeteria where from 15 kms at Phoolsagar you cross the holy river Narmada. Heading on 35 kms is Niwas from where you can visit the National Fossil Park Gughua which although doesn't have well maintained utilities, still can be managed by tipping the driver. The vegetation that pre-dominates this region is Mahua ( local fruit used for food & drinks ) and Biddi-patta ( rolled-up for smoking ). There is a local tribal market held every Friday near Niwas. ( Pix)

From Umaria to Bandhavgarh it takes 45mins to 1 hr. At Umaria there is an arrangement of a Hotel to freshen-up, where you only have to pay for the refreshments and not the room. Umaria has its own airstrip accessible through the charter or else by train you can arrive at 5:40 am by Utkal express.

From Mandla to Phoolsagar is a single road, Niwas upto Umaria is a double road and after Shahpura 20 kms of road is under construction. Umaria to Dhamokhar is an excellent road and onward from Dhamokar upto Tala the road is not repaired due to fencing being done.

Nearing Bandhavgarh you might see a tigress along with two tigers ( her offspring ) cross the road. There is a famous Siddh Baba shrine nearby.

Katni - Bandhavgarh
It will take 2hrs to reach Bandhavgarh. On the way to Chandiya there is a British time Guest House called Badwara which is now maintained & operated by the Indian Authorities where you can get refreshed. Chandiya is famous for the earthenware and clay pots.

Khajuraho - Bandhavgarh
From Khajuraho you arrive at Panna, which again is a National Park and has Tigers and when you come across the Ken river which is the habitat of alligators, which can be seen on a boat ride.

Panna is also famous for the Diamond mines and beautiful temples of Lord Shiva.

Travelling the country side you reach Nagod from where you get a glimsre of shacks on the way to Uchharia. From Uchharia to Maihar you pass through the hills on both the sides, which appear as the Volcanoes. The entire valley is lush green from the month of October through March.

Maihar is famous for the Sharda Devi Temple located on a hill top that takes 570 stairs to climb it. Maihar has festivals twice in a year, held for nine days; the pre & post festivities continue before and after 9-10 days. Pilgrims come fasting ( not even drink water ) before the greatest festival of Deepawali.

From Koteshwar to Khotali via Barhi, you cross through the core and buffer zone which is rich in deer, sambar, and peacock commonly seen crossing the road. Day time its lush green due to Mango and Banyan Trees, it's not surprising if you see Foxes, Jackals, deer, Neel Gai and sometimes leopard during the night time.