Route

Jabalpur—25 km/45 min—Bhedaghat—206 km/4.5 hrs—Pench—210 km/4 hrs—Jabalpur.

Day 1 JABALPUR-BHEDAGHAT

Bhedaghat’s Marble Rocks have featured in numerous Bollywood movies including Asoka and Mohenjo Daro
Bhedaghat’s Marble Rocks have featured in numerous Bollywood movies
including Asoka and Mohenjo Daro
Abhinav Kakkar

Spend the early morning in Jabalpur exploring the 12th-century Madan Mahal Fort, set high atop a hill in the city. After brunch at the local favourite Indian Coffee House, set out for a half-day excursion to Bhedaghat, best known for its Marble Rocks. The Narmada River slices its way through towering cliffs of marble. Navigate this otherworldly landscape by boat, listening to your guide’s lyrical tales. Walk the long path around nearby Dhuandhar Falls, to see the Narmada crashing down in a 100-foot drop. For a different view, ride the Narmada Ropeway above the falls. Overnight at Motel Marble Rocks in Bhedaghat.

Blue is the dominant choice of colour for locals painting their homes
Blue is the dominant choice of colour for locals painting their homes
Abhinav Kakkar

DAY 2 PENCH

A massive Indian bison or gaur grazes leisurely at Pench National Park. The species is amongst the ten largest land animals in the world, sometimes weighing up to 1,000 kilos
A massive Indian bison or gaur grazes leisurely at Pench National Park. The
species is amongst the ten largest land animals in the world, sometimes weighing up to 1,000 kilos
Abhinav Kakkar

Drive to Pench and arrive at Taj Baghvan, near the Turia Gate of Pench National Park, by lunch. In the afternoon, head to the Gond village of Khamba on the periphery of the national park. Khamba is one of three villages in the region on board with Tiger Tribes—a community-led rural tourism programme. Go on a guided tour of a village home, try your hand at traditional cooking methods, and sample farm-fresh organic snacks like ghugri (a toor dal salad). Listen to fascinating tales about the Gond community’s life on the fringes of the forest.

DAY 3 PENCH-JABALPUR

Water pools, known as “dohs”, come to the rescue of wild animals and birds during the dry season
Water pools, known as “dohs”, come to the rescue of wild animals and
birds during the dry season
Abhinav Kakkar

Pench National Park was the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book. Head deep into the forests on a morning game drive (6-11 a.m.). A healthy population of 57 tigers roam here, along with jackals, dhole, chital, gaur, and sambar. Look into the canopy of mahua, teak, and saja to spot nearly 300 bird species, including vultures, fish eagles, and the rare Eurasian cuckoo. After lunch at your lodge, head back to Jabalpur.

THE INFORMATION

Boating at Marble Rocks
Open: Operational from Oct 15 – June 15, but can start earlier if the monsoon recedes.
Tariff: Shared boat rides cost ₹50 per person, while a private boat (seats 5) starts at ₹400.

Narmada Ropeway
Hours: 10.30 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed for lunch from 1.30 p.m.- 2 p.m.; Closed for the monsoon.
Tariff: Round-trip tickets cost ₹95 per person.

STAY

Motel Marble Rocks
Address: Bhedaghat, Madhya Pradesh 483053.
Tel: +91 76128 30424
Tariff: Doubles from ₹3,290, plus taxes.

Baghvan – A Taj Safari Lodge
Address: Baghvan, Pench National Park, Village Awargani,  Post Duria, Tehsil Kurai, District Seoni, Madhya Pradesh – 480881.
Tel: 022-66011825
Website: taj.tajhotels.com/en-in/baghvan-pench-national-park/
Tariff: Doubles from ₹37,920 per night, including all meals; plus taxes. Rates are dynamic and also vary by season.  Shared safaris cost ₹3,000 per person, plus taxes.

Rates for the village visit (Tiger Tribe Trail Experience) ₹1,500 per person, plus taxes.

Visit MP Tourism