If it is adventure you seek, then in Pachmarhi, adventure you will find. There are a myriad ways to fill your lungs with sweet fresh air and get that adrenaline going. And of course, make memories to last a lifetime.
Climbing Pachmarhi
The highest point of the Satpura Range, the lofty Dhoopgarh stands at 4,430 ft and is known particularly for its spectacular uninterrupted view of the surrounding verdure. Trails up to the summit wind through dense forest, past gurgling streams and roaring waterfalls. This is a moderate climb that takes about 6-7 hours. An early start is of course ideal for trekkers wishing to accomplish a round trip within a day. However, it’s also possible to hire a guide and camp on the hillside overnight, which makes it even better since you can then wake up to some of the most stunning vistas you will see in the Indian heartland.
Cascades of Glory
The roar you hear in these hills is often the thunder of magnificent waterfalls, some which can be heard some distance away in the silence of the woodland. Trekking to these fabulous cataracts can be a double joy – a beautiful hike with an assured shower at the end of it.
Rajat Prapat – a poetic name translating to ‘silver flow’ – is a single streak of water gleaming against a gray-green backdrop. At 350 ft this ranks 30th among the highest waterfalls in the country. Among other favored hiking destinations is the charming Duchess Falls which branches out into three streams and Bee Falls, Pachmarhi’s most famous waterfall which tumbles over 35 meters and collects into a pool that is almost custom made for a dunking.
Soar with the Breeze
There are innumerable adventure facilities in Pachmarhi and one of the most exciting things to do is parasailing. Strapped on to a parasail, fly through the air viewing the sunset from a completely different perspective, soaring over the treetops to take in the wonderful scenery of these hills. This is an unforgettable experience.
Clip Clop in the Canyon
Handi Khoh is one of the deepest ravines of the Satpura Range and lies nestled within the richly forested environs of Pachmarhi. Riding horseback through these trails can be magnificent as you wind through the trails, moving in and out of dappled paths, your face caressed by fronds… holding on tightly as your mount daintily navigates the streams along the way… it’s an experience from another era.
Off the Beaten Track
Another experience offered in Handi Khoh is a more modern one – involving not horse power but brute force. Take an all-terrain vehicle or ATV to explore these paths where a sedate four wheeler simply won’t do. Zoom past bouldered streams, zip up sharp inclines and navigate unreachable ridges in a powerful off-track vehicle. You won’t have time to stand and stare but well, at least you’ll remember your heartbeats.
Satpura Adventure Club (Mahadeo Road, Pachmarhi, 461881) offers many of these adventures with due safety checks in place. See satpuraadventure.com for more