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It is hard for the settings of the Chhattisgarh Jungle trek not to set your imagination ablaze. The landscape is such that you are constantly transported to the mysterious world of Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book. 

Lying in the heart of the Guru Ghasidas National Park, this is our most unique trek. It is so unique and exotic that we cannot compare it with our other treks.

For example, on the very first day, we walk through the open deciduous forests of the Chota Nagpur plateau. The forests are dense, yet you can see through them for long distances. In the open forest, the world appears both intimate and expansive. These are the forests where the last of the Indian cheetahs would sprint through with explosive bursts of speed. Trekkers have yet to witness such forests.

Rock formations within the forests are strange, almost like volcanic bubbles erupting from the surface, yet frozen for millions of years. Hidden within Chhattisgarh jungles are ancient, pre-historic caves. Cave paintings here are easily ten to fifteen thousand years old. The outside world does not know of their existence. The cave paintings tell stories of men, women, animals, and communities. These ancient cave paintings evoke a profound sense of awe, like peering through a window into the distant past.

The trek continues to surprise us every day. The final day has trekkers smitten. The entire day's trek is a walk on the Gopat River as it meanders through the forests and finally emerges out of them. The crystal clear cool waters swirl around our ankles. Trekkers have never experienced walking on a river bed like this for a full day's trek of over 5 kilometres. These are once-in-a-lifetime moments. 

Not many have heard of Guru Ghasidas National Park. It is larger than both Ranthambore National Park and Kanha Tiger Reserve put together, at 1,440 square kilometres. 

Chhattisgarh jungle trek is even more remarkable because you need the Forest Department to help you get inside the national park. These are reserved areas, and access for the common man is prohibited. So, with the help of the forest department, we explore a natural jungle untouched by safari tourism. It is not often that you get to experience the jungles of our country like this.

A word of caution: While the trek is by no means difficult, it is not easy on the legs either. There are long daily walks—about 10 kilometres on largely forested terrain. Fitness is critical.

I am a rather experienced trekker, but I had never experienced a landscape like this and not these temperature differences

I loved the trek and the way Indiahikes managed to bring in so much variety with views and stay in just the 3 days

Just go there even if u have scaled the highest of peaks. Beauty lies the ankle depth sand.

I have full plans to repeat the trek to experience the stay on the lake, river, and river walk once again

As someone who’s trekked only mountains so far, I’ve found a different kind of magic in forests.

The Chhattisgarh jungle trek offered me a deeply immersive experience

The best part of the trek was the 6-kilometer walk in the river Gopat

The Jungle Book trek took me through Chhattisgarh's beautiful wilderness, with amazing guides, great company, and unforgettable views, making it a truly special experience

I am grateful for this mother-son time

Treks truly transform regardless of age

Got to see some very ancient caves and a wide variety of rocks

This trek has been a completely unique experience

I recommend Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek to one and all

The trek was quite different as compared to a Himalayan trek but nevertheless, unforgettable!

A calm, relaxed and rejuvinating one

There were places exactly as it was in the movie - 'Lion King' and 'The Jungle Book'.

Everyday, in the jungle, was so different and had it's own charm.

I enjoyed everyday of our trek especially stay near the lake and river

This trek proved to be a true gem, offering a perfect blend of adventure, serenity, and cultural immersion

Watch these videos to plan and prepare for your trek

This fee includes everything from base camp to base camp.

Please note: The insurance has to be claimed within 7 days from the specific incident for it to be deemed valid.

Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek - Complete Information

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Chhattisgarh Jungle trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

Read More on the Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek

A route map of the Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek

➤Documents required: It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a photocopy of their Aadhar card and your passport-size photo for entry at forest check posts on the trek, along with your medical certificate and disclaimer.

➤Stay facility: On the trek, you will be staying 2 in a tent

Take the Durg-Ambikapur Express train from Raipur Junction to Baikunthpur Road at 9:30 PM on Day 0 of your trek. This ensures you will reach Baikunthpur Road before 5:00 AM on Day 1, in time for your pick up. Please note there are no other trains that reach Baikunthpur Road. In case you miss this train, you will have to arrange a taxi from Raipur and take a road journey overnight.

While returning, you will reach Baikunthpur Road by evening on Day 4. Take the Durg-Ambikapur Express that leaves at 11:50 PM from Baikunthpur Road to Raipur. Plan your travel out of Raipur any time after 10:00 AM on Day 5 of the trek.

Sandhya is a founding partner at Indiahikes. Over the past ten years, she has explored and put on the map a few of the greatest Himalayan treks in India, including Kashmir Great Lakes and Kedarkantha. She is a TedX Speaker and has been awarded the "Women of Worth" Award by Outlook Business in 2017. She believes in sustainable living just as she believes in sustainable trekking.

Here’s Sandhya talking about the highlights of the trek she herself explored.

What I Like About the Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek

Here, we rate Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek as a ‘moderate’ trek, It demands stronger legs to cover long distance and ideal judgment on footings for tricky descents. At Indiahikes, we take fitness very seriously. We believe that to enjoy a trek, you must be fit. 

For getting fitness approval, it is mandatory for you to follow the following process and share the screenshot of the run time.

1. Install any free running app like Strava or Nike on your phone.

2. Go for a 5 kms jog/run and cover it in less than 37 mins. 

If you are 45 years or above who don't run and prefer brisk walking, then you can cover 10 km in 90 mins. 

Note: If you are a cyclist then you should be able to cycle for 18-20 kms in 1 hour.

3. Jumping jacks, squats and stair climbing along with stretching will help you prepare well..

At Indiahikes, while rating a trek difficulty we consider several factors. These include altitude gained every day, length of a trek every day, highest altitude, nature of the terrain, weather etc. Based on this we rate a trek as easy or difficult or somewhere in between.

The best time to be on this trek is from mid-October to the end of January. In fact, that’s the only time you can trek here. In all the other seasons, the Chhattisgarh Jungle trek either gets too hot, or is bashed with heavy rains.

Mid-October to the end of January is the ideal time to do this trek because the rains have cleared all the haze and the temperature becomes cooler. The jungles of Central India are best experienced in these cooler months. The overall atmosphere makes for a very pleasant trek experience. 

Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medicine unless you have consulted your trek leader.   

Crocin (Paracetamol) – 6 tablets (fever)

Norflox TZ – 3 tablets (diarrhoea/ severe GI issue)

Knee Cap (Optional), if you are prone to a knee injury

Our trek leaders carry a medical kit with them. If there is an emergency our trek leaders know how to tackle it. Meanwhile, contact your trek leader before consuming any of these medicines listed here.

Pro Tip: We find that these medicines by trekkers are rarely used. But you cannot do away with them. At the end of the trek please donate unused medicines to your trek leader. Some of these medicines get distributed to villages on the trek and some are added to the Indiahikes medical kit. 

These are documents required for legal purposes by Indiahikes and the forest department. Without any of these, you will not be allowed to trek.

Original and 2 (two) photocopies of government identity card. Anything such as a driver’s license, Aadhar Card, or passport will do. This is required by the forest department for your identification.  

2 (two) passport-size photographs. This is required to obtain the trekking permits

Disclaimer certificate: There are two sections in this. The first part is a personal medical record.  The second part is a legal requirement. Download the PDF, read carefully, fill in and sign it. This must be handed over to your Trek Leader during registration at the base camp. – Download disclaimer certificate

A Medical Certificate (mandatory for trekkers aged 58 and above). You must submit a medical certificate signed by an MBBS doctor, certifying your fitness and health for the trek. Any pre-existing medical conditions must be clearly outlined in this document. Trekkers under the age of 58 do not need this certificate. – Download medical certificate

Personal Medical Record (mandatory for trekkers under 58): All trekkers are required to complete this document and submit it to the trek leader at the base camp - Download Personal Medical Record form

Keep important documents in a clear plastic cover and slide them into the inner pocket at the back of your backpack. This keeps them from getting wet.

If you’re trekking in the Chhattisgarh jungles in winter, the temperature during the day will be around 15 to 23 degrees and, at night the temperature will drop to 3 to 5 degrees or less. You will need to carry a minimum of two warm layers. Apart from this, ensure you carry your warm accessories such as fleece gloves, woolen socks and woolen cap.

Ensure you carry a pair of sandals, a poncho and full sleeve t-shirts and pants to have a comfortable trek.

Trekking shoes: Carry trekking shoes and not sports shoes. The trail will be slippery in several places and will require shoes with good grip and ankle support. You can watch this video to learn to choose the right trekking shoes. 

Backpack (40-45 litres): A backpack with sturdy straps and a supporting frame. Rain cover for the backpack is essential.

On a trek, carry fewer clothes than you would normally need. Do not pack for ‘what if situations’. That will only add to the weight of your backpack and not be used on the trek. Once your clothes get warmed up on a trek, you will not feel like changing. Just maintain personal hygiene.

Two layers of warm clothes: Carry either one padded jacket or two layers of fleece jacket/ sweater.

Two trek pants: Carry light quick dry trek pants. One trek pant while trekking and an another pant inside the backpack. Denim/jeans and shorts are not suitable for trekking.

Three t-shirts: You will wear one t-shirt while trekking and the rest two t-shirt inside your backpack. Carry light, full-sleeved t-shirts that prevent sunburns on the neck and arms. Let one of these be a dry-fit t-shirt. It will dry quickly in case you are trekking on a rainy day. 

Sandals: Carry sandals on this trek required on day four during the river walk. Trekking shoes are required for the forest but have a handy pair of sandals to slip into.

Sunglasses: Sunglasses are mandatory. This is to protect you from the harsh winter sun.

Sun Cap: In the jungles, even though there is heavy tree cover, the harsh sun can dehydrate you very quickly. A sun cap comes in handy to prevent the moisture to escape when you are sweating. 

Hand gloves: A fleece or woollen glove will do.

woolen cap/ fleece cap: You’ll need this to cover your head, as most of the heat escapes from your head. 

Socks (4 pairs):  Your normal cotton/ sport socks are good, but make sure they are all high ankle socks

Headlamp/LED torch: Mandatory + extra Batteries.

Trekking pole: Watch this video to understand why you need a trekking pole. 

Ponchos: In a jungle, unexpected rain is possible at any time, and hence it’s mandatory to carry a poncho so that you don’t get wet.

Toiletries: Sunscreen, light towel, toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer. Do not carry wet wipes since these are not biodegradable. We do not like biodegradable wet wipes because they take a long time to decompose in the mountains. Use toilet paper instead.

Sanitary waste: Make sure you bring your used sanitary napkins back to the city with you. Carry a zip lock bag to put used napkins. Bring this ziplock bag back with you to the city and do not dispose of sanitary napkins in the mountains.

Cutlery: Carry a spoon, coffee mug and a lunch box. We insist on trekkers getting their cutlery for hygiene reasons. We do not allow biodegradable or disposable cutlery on our treks.

Plastic covers: While packing, use plastic bags to compartmentalize things and carry a few extra plastic bags for wet clothes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek

We recommend jogging as the best routine to get fit for a trek. It works on the same muscles that you use while trekking — your calves, glutes and hamstrings. It helps increase your stamina day by day. It is also an easy routine that does not require any equipment or tools. 

To do this trek comfortably, you must be able to cover 5 km in under 38 minutes. This is the minimum fitness required for this trek.

If you cannot run 5 km immediately, start with 2 km and increase to 5 km over 2-3 weeks.

Once you’re able to run 5 km, increase your pace day by day. 

Gradually increase your pace and bring it down to 5 km in less than 38 mins.

You must be able to run 5 km in 38 mins consistently for at least 2 weeks before the trek. 

This trek requires at least 6-8 weeks of preparation. The longer, the better. So plan your trek soon and start preparing. 

Here's a complete guide to get you trek fit.

How to get Fitness Approval from the Indiahikes team:

Every trekker needs fitness approval from the Indiahikes team 20 days before the trek date. Without this, you will not be allowed on the trek. 

A minimum of 3 screenshots of your runs/jogs/walks/cycling 

Every high-altitude trek comes with a set of challenges. Steep ascents and descents, uneven terrain, snow walks, stream crossings, pass crossings, and summit climb. Even the easiest of treks have some of these challenges if not all of them. Without fitness, trekkers struggle, get injured easily, lag behind, or simply fail to complete the trek. 

At Indiahikes, we take pride in the fact that our trekkers are among the fittest in the country. Those who do not meet the fitness requirements are often sent back. Our philosophy is that trekking and fitness go hand in hand. Without fitness, there’s no trekking. 

Trekker's share their experience with Indiahikes

Here are the unedited reviews by trekkers

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Complete information on the Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek. Trek details, experiences, maps, photos, videos, when to go, what to take, how difficult is the trek, what should we bring, is it safe?, etc

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