Ancient rock shelters and prehistoric cave paintings at Bhimbetka near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Unexplored Satpura Tiger Reserve

See Madhya Pradesh in a Way you Never Knew

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From tigers to rugged gorges and prehistoric caves, experience the wildlife and geology of Madhya Pradesh in a way you never knew

When you picture Madhya Pradesh, two things usually come to mind: its incredible heritage and its wildlife. And if you choose the wildlife route, the usual plan is simple. Go on a safari, look for a tiger, and head back.

But that’s such a limiting way of experiencing Madhya Pradesh.

With Unexplored Satpura Tiger Reserve, we’re going much deeper. We’re bringing together the wildlife, landscapes, geology and culture of the region.

There is so much within the Satpura Tiger Reserve that it feels like discovering an entire state. Waterfalls, rivers, reservoirs and ravines. Dense forests of sal and teak, and extraordinary biodiversity. Rugged gorges, caves and towering sandstone formations shaped over millions of years.

You don’t have to travel to Madagascar or Australia to see landscapes like these. Some of them are right here in Madhya Pradesh, and most of us have never heard of them.

Entrance to Tawa Reservoir surrounded by Satpura forests and hills in Madhya Pradesh, India

The landscape opens up as you reach the entrance to Tawa Reservoir — where the forests of Satpura meet vast stretches of water. Surrounded by hills and wilderness, Tawa is one of the region’s most beautiful landscapes and a gateway to exploring central India differently.

Unexplored Satpura Tiger Reserve at a Glance

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Duration

5 Days

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Group Size

15 at the max

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Accommodation

Traditional homestay

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Pick Up Details

Indian Coffee House(Near Lower Lake), Bhopal at 10:30 AM

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Drop Off Details

Bhopal at 8 PM

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Food

Vegetarian Food Celebrating Local delicacies

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Suitable For

Over 5 years of age

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Rain Expectations

Clear Weather

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Best Season

October to January

Your 5 Days at Unexplored Satpura Tiger Reserve

We have designed our Unexplored Trip in such a way that you get to experience everything that's iconic to Satpura, but in the most authentic way, unspoiled by commercialisation.

  1. Enter into the Nested Village of Satpura Tiger Reserve

    We pick you up from Indian Coffee house(Near Lower Lake),Bhopal at 10:30 AM. Please make sure you reach the pickup point after having breakfast.

    An hour's drive brings us to a lunch stop, followed by three more hours to Sabarvani Village, which is surrounded by the Satpura Tiger Reserve - an authentic homestay experience in a village that is true to the core.

    At night, take a short drive to the Anhoni Hot Water Spring.

    Sabarvani Village
  2. Experience the Buffer Zone Safari and Dudhi River Falls

    An early morning safari at 6:30 AM. Three hours of Buffer Safari on the eastern side of the Satpura Tiger Reserve. More than the wildlife, the forest landscape will make you fall in love.

    Lunch at the homestay. After that, 45 minutes of driving and 200 metres of walking to the Kamti Ghogra falls. The iconic Dudhi River, originating from the gorges of Patalkot, creates a beautiful fall here, along the sandy riverbed.

    Tonight, you come back to the same Sabarvani homestay and wind up with a cultural experience of the tribes and their traditional dance.

    Sabarvani Village
  3. Walk into the Patalkot Gorge: Our Own Grand Canyon

    Today you drive from Sabarvani village to Chimtipur village. On the way, experience 200 metres of Susa River bed walk and Chakla Lake on your way.

    At Chimtipur, you will stay at the homestay in the village. 

    A short hike of 1.3 km takes you deep into the Patalkot Gorge. It is a living geological wonder with rock formations from millions of years ago.

    Chimtipur Village Homestay
  4. Experiencing the Tawa Reservoir Safari of Satpura Tiger Reserve

    Drive from Chimtipur to Madhai with a stopover at Patalkot viewpoint, overlooking the entire sunken valley.

    At Madhai, you check in to the hotel that would feel luxurious not just with the amenities but with the view of the Tawa Reservoir from there.

    Post-lunch, experience a boat safari along the Tawa Reservoir, spotting birds as you cruise along the edge of the Satpura Tiger Reserve’s core zone forest.

    Madhai’s Hotel accommodation
  5. Core zone Gypsy safari in the Satpura Tiger Reserve

    An early morning tiger safari in the core zone for three hours. The probability of spotting a tiger is always on luck, but it is not just about the tiger; the other wildlife you experience is very rich in that biodiversity. The diverse landscape and the forest you experience during the safari in the Satpura Tiger Reserve are far above what you might experience in any other tiger reserve in India.

    After lunch, we drive for two hours and reach the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Bhimbetka Rock Shelter. We conclude our Unexplored Satpura Tiger Reserve here and drive back to Bhopal by 8PM.

    Drop-off: 8pm, Bhopal

Highlights of Unexplored Satpura Tiger Reserve

Unexplored Satpura Tiger Reserve lets you see a tiger reserve the way few people do: by jeep, by boat and on foot. Cruise across a vast reservoir, walk along sandy riverbeds and step into a deep gorge. Meet communities who have lived with these forests for generations. You'll also see why the Satpuras are more than hills. They are ancient mountains that have long divided North India from the South.

Drive through Satpura Tiger Reserve buffer zone surrounded by teak forests and wilderness in Madhya Pradesh

Drive through the Satpura Buffer Zone

Drive through the quiet buffer zone of Satpura Tiger Reserve, where forest roads wind through teak forests, grasslands and lesser-explored landscapes. Away from the busy safari routes, this drive offers a slower way to experience the wilderness of Satpura.

Kamti Ghoghra Falls cascading over the Dudhi River in the Satpura region of Madhya Pradesh

Kamti Ghoghra Falls on the Dudhi River

Hidden in the Satpura landscape, Kamti Ghoghra Falls comes alive as the Dudhi River flows through the rocky terrain. Surrounded by forests and natural landscapes, the waterfall is one of the lesser-known gems to discover in Madhya Pradesh.

Sabarwani village surrounded by forests and rural landscapes near Satpura in Madhya Pradesh

Sabarwani Village in the Satpura Landscape

In the villages of Sabarwani and Chimtipur, you meet families from the Gond, Baiga and Korku communities. Share a meal, listen to their stories and see how closely daily life here is tied to the forest.

Prehistoric rock paintings inside the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Prehistoric Paintings at Bhimbetka Rock Shelters

Thousands of years ago, people living around Bhimbetka used these rock shelters as a canvas to depict scenes from their everyday lives. The prehistoric paintings offer a remarkable glimpse into early human life, hidden among the sandstone formations and forests of Madhya Pradesh.

Sandy riverbed of Susa Nala surrounded by forests in the Satpura region of Madhya Pradesh

Sandbeds of Susa Nala in the Satpura Forest

The Susa Nala reveals a quieter side of the Satpura landscape. During the drier months, its flowing waters give way to wide sandbeds surrounded by forest, creating a peaceful spot to pause and experience the landscape beyond the usual trails.

View of the Patalkot Gorge

A dramatic view into the Patalkot Gorge, where steep cliffs, deep valleys and dense green forests come together. Hidden within the Satpura landscape, Patalkot offers a glimpse of one of Madhya Pradesh’s most striking and lesser-explored natural landscapes.

Our Hand-Picked Places to Stay

We choose homes that let you experience the everyday life of Satpura, rather than simply giving you a place to stay. On Unexplored Satpura, you spend your nights in three very different stays.

Day 1 & 2: Sabarvani Village Homestay

  • Stay in the Sabarvani homestay

Sabarvani Village

For the first two nights, you stay in a traditional home in Sabarvani village, giving you a chance to experience village life around Satpura.

The house itself carries the character of the region. Slated roofs, mud walls and a wooden structure give it an old-world charm - the kind of home that feels rooted in its surroundings. The rooms accommodate three people, and the house has the facilities you need to stay comfortable.
This is the kind of stay that makes you feel closer to the place you have come to explore.

Day 3: Chimtipur Homestay

  • Stay in the cozy homestay

Chimtipur Village

Your third night is at a homestay in Chimtipur, a quiet village with only a handful of homestays. Surrounded by lush greenery, this stay offers a chance to experience the village at a slower, more intimate pace.

The homestay is owned by a family from the village itself, with their own home right next door. So, rather than feeling like a conventional tourist stay, you get to experience a little slice of everyday life in Chimtipur.

Day 4: Madhai Stay

  • Stay by the Tawa Reservoir

Madhai Village

Your final stay is in Madhai, overlooking the beautiful Tawa Reservoir. After days of exploring Satpura, this is a chance to slow down and enjoy a more relaxed evening. The stay is modern and cosy, with a pool and beautiful views of the reservoir.

With comfortable twin-sharing rooms, it’s a lovely place to unwind, take in the views and end your Satpura journey on a peaceful note.

Gallery

What 5 Days of Unexplored Satpura Tiger Reserve Actually Look Like!

Our story and why we started Unexplored India

Over the last 17 years, we’ve trekked through some of the most beautiful, diverse landscapes in our country. But we also know how different travelling through India can feel. We've realised that some of the most interesting parts of our country don't make it onto a typical tourist itinerary.

They are found in the small details and little moments. A village temple, the family kitchen, an old house, a local festival. Maybe a conversation with someone who has lived there all their life. These things don't always fit neatly into a sightseeing list, but stay with you longer. This is what we look for when we travel. Journeys that give people the time and space to look closer and travel deeper.

This is Unexplored India.

We believe that when you understand a place a little better, you begin to see it differently. Our hope is that, along the way, you also rediscover something that makes you feel proud of India too.

Arjun Majumdar is the Founder & CEO of Indiahikes. In this video he talks about why we started Unexplored India after 17 years of leading treks and what it means to travel this way through the country.

Inclusions and Exclusions

What your programme includes

  • Home icon

    All Stays

    Homestays/Hotel

  • Meals Icon

    Every meal

    All meals (except those mentioned as exclusions)

  • Bus Icon

    Transport

    Everything from when we pick you up in Bhopal until we drop you back there

  • confirmed icon

    Permits

    Forest and Local Permissions are arranged before you arrive

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    Group Leaders

    Guidance and facilitation throughout the trip from our leaders who bring the region to life with historical and cultural stories.

Not included

  • Travel to and from Bhopal
  • Personal Expenses and Purchases
  • Any additional food or activities not mentioned in the itinerary

Terms and conditions

You will receive a 90% refund if you cancel 20 days or more before the trip date. Please check the detailed cancellation policy for complete terms and conditions.

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