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

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

Category Photo Story

By Keerthi Lakshmi S

2024-11-20

Most trekkers think trekking to the Himalayas is one of the best experiences. But after looking at photos from the Pench Tiger Trail, which our team member Gourab Nandy shared with us, we are in awe! 


The Pench Tiger Trail takes you into one of the most vibrant jungles of India. Trekking inside the buffer zone of Pench National Park is a completely immersive experience. Every step feels alive with the sounds of langurs, glimpses of tiger pugmarks, and intricate spider webs glistening in the light.


When this trek was introduced earlier this year, we didn’t know how it would turn out. But everyone who has gone on the trek has come back loving the experience.
Here’s a photo story that will show you exactly why they love the trek: 

Let us begin with the biggest highlight of the trek, the river walk.

A walk through the Bawanthadi River

The trek surprises you every day. Walking barefoot alongside the Bawanthadi River, feeling the cool water, and hearing its calming flow, stays with you. Having lunch by the riverbank, surrounded by the wilderness, is a simple yet special experience. The thick forest canopy overhead makes the journey shaded and enjoyable.

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

The campsites on the Pench Tiger Trail add to the charm


All our campsites have a unique aspect to it. The first camp at Sakata, tucked near a quiet village, is home to a forest guesthouse from the British era. At Nayegaon Lake Camp, sunsets over the lake are breathtaking, and the night comes alive with jungle sounds. The last camp at Nalyer, with its cosy Swiss tents by a flowing river, offers both comfort and adventure. Seeing camp names inspired by The Jungle Book gives the whole experience a nostalgic touch.

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

The lakes and grasslands

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

The enchanting dense forests

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

The safari and proximity to wildlife

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

We hope this photo story sent you on a virtual trek to Pench. 

Undoubtedly, trekking in the dense jungles of Pench is an experience that you will cherish forever. This photo story gives you a clear idea of what it feels like to trek into the buffer zone of one of India’s famous tiger reserves. It offers a glimpse into the heart of India's wilderness. Trekking to Pench is a chance to immerse yourself in the jungle's life and appreciate its beauty.

To know more about this trek, click here.

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Keerthi Lakshmi S

Assistant Content Manager

About the author

Keerthi is a photographer, architect, and designer. With a background in architecture and photography, Keerthi crafts compelling visual stories for Indiahikes' website through photos and articles. Since joining Indiahikes, she has wanted to showcase breathtaking destinations, inspiring others to explore and appreciate the beauty of nature through her photographs.

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