An Engineer by education and a Project Management Professional by experience. Mahabaleshwara's passion lies in capturing nature at it's best. Working for World Food Company, he finds time for travel and photography. He recently went on the Prashar Lake trek in Himachal Pradesh.

With no vacation days left on his work calendar, Mahabaleshwara B L needed a break and he needed one desperately. So he looked for quick weekend get aways from Gurgaon. Imagine his delight when he stumbled on the Indiahikes page with a weekend trek to Prashar lake!

Click here to take a good look at this photo blog.

Here in this picture is a beautiful view of the Prashar lake from the north side. The mysterious floating island teeming with bizzare legends is a sight to see. In winter, the lake freezes and the entire region gets covered in snow. PC: Mahabaleshwara

The Prashar Lake is a relief for Delihites looking for a quick nature retreat. Here, Mahabaleshwara puts together an interesting photo blog on the trek.

Flashback to the mysterious Prashar Lake

Pench Mowgli Trek

Kedarkantha Trek

Dayara Bugyal Summer Camp 

Tarsar Marsar Trek

Ala-Kul Trek - Kyrgyzstan

Kuari Pass Trek

Odisha Debrigarh Sanctuary Trek

Everest Base Camp (Classic Route)

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek 

Georgia Atsunta Pass Trek

Gurez Valley Trek

Kodaikanal Avocado Hill Trek

Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek

Warwan Valley Trek

Kedarkantha Summer Camp Trek

Nafran Valley Trek

Goechala Trek

Kuari Pass Summer Camp Trek

Mount Rinjani Trek

Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri Trek

Tulian Lake Trek

Goa Netravali Forest Trek

Sandakphu Phalut Trek

Brammah Valley Trek

Pir Panjal Lakes Trek

Bodpathri Trek

Surya Top

Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek

Pangarchulla Peak Trek

Buran Ghati Trek

Bhrigu Lake Trek

Phulara Ridge Trek

Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek

Ranthan Kharak Trek

Bijli Mahadev Trek

Har Ki Dun

Pin Bhaba Pass Trek

Gaumukh Tapovan Trek

Bali Pass Trek

Dayara Bugyal Trek

Kedartal Trek

Rupin Pass

Miyar Valley

Beas Kund Trek

Valley of Flowers

Chandrakhani Pass Trek

Nag Tibba Weekend Trek

Manali Kaisdhar Trek for Beginners

Hampta Pass Trek

Brahmatal Trek

Benog Tibba Trek

Narmada Backwaters Trek

Trekking Summer Camp on Deoriatal Chandrashila

Khopra Ridge Trek

Minchukallu Betta Weekend Trek

Channarayana Durga Weekend Trek 

Mount Kilimanjaro Trek

Youth Camp on Ali Bedni Bugyal

Winter Trekking Camp for Children

Bananthimari Betta Trek

Chandranahan Lake Trek

Vellore Amirthi Forest Trek

Chirbatiya Weekend Trek

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Gidara Bugyal

Deoban Weekend

Gutirayan Peak Trek

Biligundlu Cauvery River Trek

Kanamo Peak Trek

Ghepan Lake

Roopkund Trek

Dafeybhir Pass Trek

Kamalgad Trek

Horagina Betta Trek

Kumara Parvatha Trek

Chadar Trek

Arshan Valley Trek

Makalidurga Trek

Halu Chilume Gange Trek

Kugti Pass Trek

Netravati Trek

Satpura Forest Trail

Karnala Fort Trek

Neelkanth Mahadev Lake Trek

Kudremukh Trek

Bekal Beach Trek

Bijli Mahadev To Naggar Trek

Harishchandragad Trek

Doodhpathri Trek

Triund Trek

Pin Parvati Pass

Channarayana Durga Trek

Bhimashankar Trek

Rajgad Trek

Rajmachi Trek

Satopanth Tal Trek

Sathuragiri Hill Trek

Sinhagad Fort Trek

Kalavantin Durg Trek

George Everest Peak Trek

Please note that this is a special trek designed for stargazing enthusiasts. The trek fee is slightly more than the regular fee. Know more about the trek here. 

This is a trek specially designed for trekkers above 58 years. The itinerary is specially designed to be different from a regular trek. The trek fee is also Rs 3000 more than the regular fee (Please note this is only for Himalayan treks) Know more about the trek here.  

Please note that this is a special trek. The trek fee is Rs 5000 more than the regular fee. Know more about the trek here. 

Please note that the family treks are meant for families with a child/children under 14 years of age. If you do not fit this criteria, you can register for any of our regular groups. Read more about family treks here.

You are joining our waitlist. Here are a few guidelines that you should keep in mind:
1. Your chances of getting a confirmation are high, but not certain. 
2. You don't have to pay right now. You will receive a notification upon confirmation of your slot. You will have 24 hours to pay and confirm your booking.
3. We close the movement of WL 15-20 days before the start of the trek.

We are known for our pioneering safety practices in trekking. Microspikes, oximeters, and BP checks became standards thanks to us. 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 known for our safety

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 pioneers of treks in India

More than 30,000 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. 

We are India’s largest trekking organisation

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. 

Our treks are transformative

For us, sustainability is not just writing on the wall. 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.

Sustainability is at the heart of our operations

5 Reasons Why Indiahikes

If you are unable to complete a trek, or if you love a trek, you can repeat it with us anytime. You don’t have to pay us for it. See our thoughts behind this here.

You’re guarded with our trek again philosophy

Our thrice-a-day oxi-metre checks keep altitude sickness at bay, never allowing you to reach a point where you need evacuation.

Daily 3-time health checks keep you safe at any altitude

With around 30% of our trekkers being women, all women, including those travelling solo are comfortable to join any of our groups.

Join any group, they are all women-friendly groups 

Our kitchen teams understand your needs as a vegan (or a Jain). We will take special care of your food, even in the remote Himalayas. 

We have specially designed bio toilets to ensure you have no sight or smell in toilets, at the same time making sure the toilets cause no harm to the fragile ecosystem we trek in.

Be comfortable and sustainable with bio toilets

We’ll admit it. Our love for food surpasses our love for minimalism. Expect freshly cooked, multi-cuisine food at all camps, designed to meet your nutritional requirements and keep your taste buds happy!

We have an expert team of Trek Advisors to help you choose the right trek. So if you have questions like, "Can I do this trek?" or "Who else is trekking?", please get in touch.

TREK DIFFICULTY

TREK DURATION

CLOSEST MAJOR CITY

SUITABLE FOR

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 ‘easy moderate’ trek. It demands stronger legs to cover long distances every day. We believe that to enjoy a trek, you must be fit. 

There is no fitness approval process for this trek but, it is recommended to follow the given fitness regime. 

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

2. Go for a 5 km walk and cover it in less than 50 mins. 

Note: If you are a cyclist then you should be able to cycle for 18-20 kms in 2 hours.

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.

Flashback to the mysterious Prashar Lake

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