CHHATTISGARH JUNGLE TREK

The Jungle Book Trek

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TREK DIFFICULTY

Moderate

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TREK DURATION

4 days

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HIGHEST ALTITUDE

2,605 ft

The Jungle Book Trek

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.

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.

Trekkers share why they loved the Chhattisgarh Jungle trek

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Per Ponsaing

Age 76 | Aarhus, Denmark | Retired dept. manager | Group of Jan 2023

I am a rather experienced trekker, but I had never experienced a landscape like this and not these temperature differences
In January 2023 I trekked around in India with my backpack by trains and buses. The trip was a birthday present to me for my 75th birth anniversary. Before I left Denmark, I had a video meeting with a...Read More
In January 2023 I trekked around in India with my backpack by trains and buses. The trip was a birthday present to me for my 75th birth anniversary. Before I left Denmark, I had a video meeting with a...Read More
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Indu Harikumar

Age 56 | Hyderabad | Group of Dec 2023

I loved the trek and the way Indiahikes managed to bring in so much variety with views and stay in just the 3 days
Having always done Himalayan treks, I was unsure of how this trek would compare. But this trek came as a pleasant surprise to me. Though it was just 3 days of trek, the variety it offered in terms of ...Read More
Having always done Himalayan treks, I was unsure of how this trek would compare. But this trek came as a pleasant surprise to me. Though it was just 3 days of trek, the variety it offered in terms of ...Read More
low-preview-zuggcboqrfvkl9zu jpeg optimizer image 16861953zuggcboqrfvkl9zu jpeg optimizer image 16861953
Ankit Arora

Age 39 | Vadodara | Group of Nov 2023

Just go there even if u have scaled the highest of peaks. Beauty lies the ankle depth sand.
The Chattisgarh Jungle trek is no ordinary trek. The terrain changes on a daily basis. Stay in mud house, then lake side and finally by the river. This trek will never let you down. Even with a broken...Read More
The Chattisgarh Jungle trek is no ordinary trek. The terrain changes on a daily basis. Stay in mud house, then lake side and finally by the river. This trek will never let you down. Even with a broken...Read More
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Ajay Ahluwalia

Age 62 | Gurgaon | Retired Govt Servant/ Consultant | Group of Dec 2023

I have full plans to repeat the trek to experience the stay on the lake, river, and river walk once again
The Chattisgarh Jungle Trek was a memorable and enjoyable experience. The walks through the green forests, enjoying their serenity, and calmness,  without the exertion of a very strenuous climb, explo...Read More
The Chattisgarh Jungle Trek was a memorable and enjoyable experience. The walks through the green forests, enjoying their serenity, and calmness,  without the exertion of a very strenuous climb, explo...Read More
low-preview-zugdpboqrfvkl9xr img 2966zugdpboqrfvkl9xr img 2966
Per Ponsaing

Age 76 | Aarhus, Denmark | Retired dept. manager | Group of Jan 2023

I am a rather experienced trekker, but I had never experienced a landscape like this and not these temperature differences
In January 2023 I trekked around in India with my backpack by trains and buses. The trip was a birthday present to me for my 75th birth anniversary. Before I left Denmark, I had a video meeting with a...Read More
In January 2023 I trekked around in India with my backpack by trains and buses. The trip was a birthday present to me for my 75th birth anniversary. Before I left Denmark, I had a video meeting with a...Read More
low-preview-zugevhoqrfvkl9yw jpeg optimizer 1000075064zugevhoqrfvkl9yw jpeg optimizer 1000075064
Indu Harikumar

Age 56 | Hyderabad | Group of Dec 2023

I loved the trek and the way Indiahikes managed to bring in so much variety with views and stay in just the 3 days
Having always done Himalayan treks, I was unsure of how this trek would compare. But this trek came as a pleasant surprise to me. Though it was just 3 days of trek, the variety it offered in terms of ...Read More
Having always done Himalayan treks, I was unsure of how this trek would compare. But this trek came as a pleasant surprise to me. Though it was just 3 days of trek, the variety it offered in terms of ...Read More
low-preview-zuggcboqrfvkl9zu jpeg optimizer image 16861953zuggcboqrfvkl9zu jpeg optimizer image 16861953
Ankit Arora

Age 39 | Vadodara | Group of Nov 2023

Just go there even if u have scaled the highest of peaks. Beauty lies the ankle depth sand.
The Chattisgarh Jungle trek is no ordinary trek. The terrain changes on a daily basis. Stay in mud house, then lake side and finally by the river. This trek will never let you down. Even with a broken...Read More
The Chattisgarh Jungle trek is no ordinary trek. The terrain changes on a daily basis. Stay in mud house, then lake side and finally by the river. This trek will never let you down. Even with a broken...Read More
low-preview-zugiahoqrfvkl94b jpeg optimizer photocjtzugiahoqrfvkl94b jpeg optimizer photocjt
Ajay Ahluwalia

Age 62 | Gurgaon | Retired Govt Servant/ Consultant | Group of Dec 2023

I have full plans to repeat the trek to experience the stay on the lake, river, and river walk once again
The Chattisgarh Jungle Trek was a memorable and enjoyable experience. The walks through the green forests, enjoying their serenity, and calmness,  without the exertion of a very strenuous climb, explo...Read More
The Chattisgarh Jungle Trek was a memorable and enjoyable experience. The walks through the green forests, enjoying their serenity, and calmness,  without the exertion of a very strenuous climb, explo...Read More

Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek Videos

Wondering if this trek is meant for you?
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Hear from our trekkers themselves!
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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.

Expert Speak

Sandhya UC, Co-Founder, COO

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Sandhya UC, Co-Founder, COO

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

What I Like About the Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek

low-preview-2 author rai 9466 e14695275554222 author rai 9466 e1469527555422

Sandhya UC, Co-Founder, COO

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.

1. The varying terrain in the jungle

If you are expecting trekking through the forests of Chhattisgarh to be similar every day, you would be wrong. Every day is a new trek.

Sometimes the forests take you to the top of a hill where you get a bird’s eye view of the jungle. Sometimes you are inside a huge cave in the middle of the forest. Sometimes it’s a flat trail. Sometimes you are trekking by the river. Sometimes you are wading through these rivers and streams. Sometimes you camp by the beach of the river.

The variety in the trail and forests will certainly keep you glued. The forests are never too dense to make you feel claustrophobic, yet when you walk under them, you never want the forest to end.

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The Pleasing Jungle of Guru Ghasidas. Picture by Nitesh kumar.

2. The presence of wildlife

As Rudyard Kipling put it so eloquently in his book, “The air was full of night noises that, taken together, make one big silence.” All through the trek, you feel the omnipresence of wildlife.

Very often you walk by the footprints or traces left behind by the wild inhabitants of the jungle. You may even be lucky to get a glimpse of the elusive creatures. You also camp deep inside this wilderness. And when you wake up, it is these sounds of the jungle you will hear.

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Often you spot these footprints if you are observant. Here is the footprint of a Hyena. Picture by Nitesh Kumar

3. The rural Chhattisgarh

We consider getting to see Chhattisgarh -- a place not often explored or talked about --- a big highlight. Somehow the idea of going to see this state is not a part of our everyday conversation.

This is a trek that will get you in contact with indigenous culture. You see tribal settlements in the middle of the forests. They have lived, largely isolated from the outside world. So far they haven’t seen trekkers or tourists before. Expect a lot of curiosity from them — especially the children.

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The daily life in the rural parts of our country. Picture by Nitesh Kumar

4. The Gopat river walk

This is the only trek in India that allows you to walk on a river for 5 kilometres at a stretch.

The river flow is not more than your ankle height. You are walking in this cold water, rubbing your feet to the soft sand and hearing the gurgling sound of the river. There is no other trek that gives you this luxury. Trust me, this is highly therapeutic.

You will not just be walking, but you will also be camping along the river. After a long day’s trek, coming to your tents on the river bed is something you will never find anywhere else.

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The unique Gopat river walk. Picture from Indiahikes Archive

5 Reasons Why Indiahikes

We are India’s safest trekking organisation
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When we brought out new trails in Indian trekking, safety came with us. Back in 2012, we were the first to introduce microspikes, and two years later, pulse oximeters became standard thanks to us. Nobody does safe treks like Indiahikes. In the mountains, emergencies don't care who you're with – everyone knows that when trouble hits, you look for the yellow tents of Indiahikes.

We are pioneers of treks in India
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We are pioneers in trekking. Since 2007, we have brought out treks that have become India's most famous treks: Roopkund, Rupin Pass, Buran Ghati, Kedarkantha, Kashmir Great Lakes, Tarsar Marsar, Brahmatal, Phulara Ridge—the list goes on. In 2023 alone, we brought out five new treks in Indian trekking. We know treks better than anyone. This comes directly from the reason why Indiahikes was born: to bring out trek information and enable trekkers to trek on their own.

We are India’s largest trekking organisation
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More than 25,000 people trek with us every year. We are the largest trekking organisation in India. 24% of our trekkers come back to trek with us every year. Over 4,000 students from the top educational institutions trek with us every year. Aside from this, families with children choose to trek with Indiahikes knowing that our treks are the safest. We have taken over 8000 children trekking so far, and the number continues to grow.

Our treks are transformative
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We focus on designing transformative experiences. Our trek leaders conduct thought-provoking exercises that help you reflect and contemplate. This impact stays with you for a long time. Trekkers return feeling energised, more confident, or developing abilities to deal with difficulties. Many have changed careers, rethought their core values, become more humble, shown gratitude to others, or started a new fitness journey.

We are India's most sustainable trekking organisation
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Since 2012, we have pioneered sustainable practices that have become standard in trekking. Using eco-bags, our trekkers have cleared over 120 tonnes of litter from the mountains. We do not carry packaged foods; instead, we serve freshly made food. We do not light campfires; we carry coal to light angethis to keep you warm. Our bio-toilets not only keep our toilets odour-free but also enrich the soil. When you trek with us, you leave mountains better.