25 Photos That'll Make You Fall in Love with the Pench Tiger Trail

There’s another trek that has a river walk: the Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek. But there, the trail is open to the sun, giving you a beachy feeling. However, the river walk in Pench is different. The canopy above you is dense; the river is surrounded by lush greenery and tall trees. It’s a river in the heart of the jungle. Photo by Gourab Nandy

The river is as shallow and clear as seen in the photo. Photo by Gourab Nandy

You walk under a beautiful canopy of trees throughout the day. Photo by Gourab Nandy

The river walk creates a space for some lovely conversations. Photo by Gourab Nandy

The thick and tall trees surround you, giving you the feeling of being inside Rudyard Kipling's world. Photo by Gourab Nandy

The Bawanthadi River is one of the major tributaries of the Pench River. It is a significant water source for various animals including tigers, leopards, deer, and numerous bird species. If you’re lucky enough you could spot a herd of deers drinking water from the banks! Photo by Gourab Nandy

Throughout the trail, you come across ancient banyan trees, some of which are centuries old. These majestic trees are an important part of the ecosystem and often serve as landmarks within the forest. Keep an eye out for these magnificent trees! Photo by Gourab Nandy

On the first day of our trek, we camp right in front of this heritage house. This is the oldest building in the Pench Tiger Reserve. Established in 1903, it was used as a resthouse after long hours of hunting. Photo by Gourab Nandy

On the second day, we camp next to the Nayegaon Lake. The sunsets from this vast open grassland are magical! Photo by Gourab Nandy

Even day time next to the lake is beautiful. We can spend hours sipping chai and counting butterflies by the lakeside. Photo by Gourab Nandy

On the last camp on this trek at Nalyer, you camp in a luxurious Swiss Tent amidst the forest. There are around 9 spacious Swiss tents, all of them named after characters from the Jungle Book. Photo by Gourab Nandy

As soon as you reach the campsite you see the swing and your heart fills with joy like a child! Our trekkers love these simple pleasures they get to experience throughout the trek. Photo by Gourab Nandy

Here’s a mesmerising view of the Nayegaon Lake. The water in this lake is so abundant during monsoons that the banks get submerged. It almost feels like the trees are emerging from the water. Photo by Gourab Nandy

The approach to the lake is no less. This is the trail right before reaching the Nayegaon campsite. Photo by Gourab Nandy

In addition to walking through the river and camping near the lake, you walk through the grasslands for around 7 km. This photo showcases the initial section of the trek, right before you enter into the dense forests. This is how you start on the trek, from Sakata to Nayegaon Lake. Photo by Gourab Nandy

You come across these clearings which are the favourite grazing grounds for herbivores since it gives them vision against predators. However, spotting a herd is very rare. Photo by Nitesh Kumar

After walking in the grasslands for a few hours, you slowly enter the forest. You could see the trees getting thicker and denser. Photo by Nitesh Kumar

After beginning the trek from Sakata village, you enter the dense forests of Pench. Photo by Nitesh Kumar

Guided by subtle signs like scratch marks and animal calls, you feel the forest's untamed beauty. Photo by Nitesh Kumar

As the jungle gets denser on day 4, you come across gradual ascents and descents on the trail. Photo by Nitesh Kumar

The forest is a perfect blend of denseness and clearing. Openings like this give you a chance to soak up the sun and appreciate the jungle. Photo by Nitesh Kumar

One of the most thrilling moments is the walk to Jhandi Matta. This view from the top is unforgettable-a vast green canopy stretching endlessly before you. Photo by Nitesh Kumar

On the final day of the trek, you get a chance to go on a safari. Spotting a tiger in the wild, especially in a renowned reserve like Pench, is an experience that can leave you breathless. Photo by Gourab Nandy

You get to go on an 11 km Safari in the buffer zone on day 4. Enjoy proximity to the majestic animals from the safety of your vehicle. Photo by Nitesh Kumar

You might be walking on the path that was earlier walked on by a tiger! You may get to see multiple such pug marks on your trail. Photo by Nitesh Kumar