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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 are looking to enrich this  documentation with more photos. Pictures  go a long way in explaining the trail, more than words ever can. If you  have done this trek, can you share your photos with us? We will  include them on this page, with due credit to you. Click here to contribute.

Can You Help Us With Photographs Of This Trek?

The Complete Guide to the Chambal Valley Trek

Quick, what are the top three things that pop in your head when I say ‘Rajasthan’. Forts, deserts, Rajasthan Royals? How about trekking? And how about one that takes you past dense jungles and beautiful waterfalls through the heart of Rajasthan! That, in a nutshell, is the Chambal Valley Trek for you.

The Chambal Valley Trek is an easy-moderate level trek that traverses through the untouched Chambal Valley – known for its rich biodiversity – more than 300 species of birds have been recorded here.

The trek is located in Chittaurgarh district, around 48 km from the town of Kota. The trek showcases the contrasts of the region – rocky terrain and dense forests, gushing waterfalls and lush valleys, vast plateaus and refreshing water pits. 

The trek starts from the town of Rawatbhata. The name of the town is derived from the erstwhile ruler of the region – Rawat Sahab of Bhainsrorgarh who used to camp near a big rock in the region and go for tiger hunting. The town was called Rawat ji ka bhata (‘bhata’ means big rock in Hindi) which over time became Rawatbhata.

Just like you, we love trekking! And this is a trek we’ve documented in great detail to help you do it on your own. Drop in your comments at the end of the page if you need any help!  You will get all the information required to do the Chambal Valley Trek on your own.

To navigate through the documentation easily, use this section of the Table of Contents.

How Difficult is the Chambal Valley Trek?

➤ Highlights of the Chambal Valley Trek

The Chambal Valley Treks busts the myth that Rajasthan is an arid state. Visit during the post-monsoon season for the chance to see full waterfalls.

One of the biggest highlights of the trek is that you get to experience six waterfalls. If you visit after the monsoon season, during the months of September and October, you will see Chulliya Waterfalls, Padajhar Mahadev, Chota Jharna (located 250 meters from Padajhar Mahadev), Mandesra Falls, Kalshiya Mahadev and an unnamed waterfall in its full glory.

Chulliya Waterfalls is an artificial waterfall in the sense that it is created by the waters of the RPS Dam. The other five are natural falls. Kalshiya Mahadev is active throughout the year. The pond and stream below Kalshiya Mahadev and Padajhar Mahadev also have water till January. The waterfalls are popular tourist spots and you will see villagers and locals from nearby towns visiting them when they are at their fullest. 

The Chambal Valley Trek cuts across tribal villages. These villages are home to the Bhil, Gujjar, Dhakar, and Banjara tribes. Most of these tribes are engaged in farming and are very dependent on resources available in the forest. You will get to see a slice of their life as you make your way through the village and farm.

The Bhil tribe is known for their nature-inspired paintings that use natural materials and colors. They are also considered to have very good knowledge of herbs and are quite secretive about it. Those who do not own land take up fishing contracts with the RPS Dam authorities. 

The tribes of Rajasthan live in mud houses that are designed keeping in mind the weather conditions of the region

They live in huts made up of stones and Kelu (Gujrati tiles) which keep the inside of the house cool in summers and warm in winters. They are completely different from how our homes look and feel in the city. You can see the walls of their homes adorned with beautiful artwork.  The villagers are welcoming and it’s easy to strike up a conversation with them. 

Chambal Valley is home to an incredible variety of wildlife including wild boars, deer, porcupine, jackal, hyenas, rabbits, blue bull, leopards, tigers & pangolins among other animal species. The catchment area of the dam also welcomes around 5000 birds every year. This includes bar heads, gray-legged mallards, lesser whistling teals, comb ducks, pintails & spotted bills.

On Day 8 of the trek, when you make your way to Patloi Farm, the backwaters of the RPS Dam open up in front and you will have the opportunity to do bird watching and bird photography. The best time for bird watching is the months of November to January. The winter months are also great for spotting crocodiles and you just might end up spotting 70-80 crocodiles near Devariya Farm (Day 5 of your trek).

4. Sunrise and sunset views from the plateau

Day 3 at Sabri Ashram, Day 6 at Khokhi and Day 9 and 10 at Chittoriya give you the opportunity to witness some beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Camping atop a cliff on Day 3 of your trek promises to be an unforgettable experience.

Route Map of the Chambal Valley Trek. Screenshot on Google Earth Pro

Drive distance: 53 km | Duration: 1.5-2 hours 

Drive from Kota to Rawatbhata. You can take a taxi or bus to get to Rawatbhata. If you prefer to come through Jaipur, then fly into the city and then reach Rawatbhata. 

Trek distance: 12 km | Duration: 3-4 hours

Trek type: Easy-moderate. Rolling terrain with rocks, motorable mud roads and forest trails. You’ll come across small streams on the way that dries up by the month of March. We’ll see many birds in this valley. You can fill water at Rawatbhata or at the small streams, wells and waterfalls that you will be crossing. 

Trek type: Easy-moderate. Your source of water will be from wells, handpumps and tube wells that you will cross during the day’s trek. Follow forest trails and roads to get to the destination.

Distance: 12 km | Duration: roughly 4 hours

Trek type: Easy-moderate. Rocky terrain with forest trails, mud trails and road. You can fill up your water bottles at the handpumps, wells and ponds that you come across on the way. 

Trek type: Easy-moderate. The trek is mostly through mud trails in forests and farmlands. End the day by crossing the Gunjali River by boat. The villages that you cross will have wells and water taps and you can fill up your water bottles there. 

Distance: 9-10 km | Duration: 3-4 hours

Trek type: Easy-moderate. Trek on mud trails and well laid out roads today. The trail gets rocky after crossing Peli Puliya. You can fill your water bottles at wells or from the Khokhi stream. 

Trek type: Easy-moderate. Today’s trek will take you through forest trails in the valley and mud trails and laid out roads past villages. You will be passing through natural water pits in the valley. The water is fresh and potable. You can also fill your water bottles at wells and tubewells in the village. 

Trek type: Easy. The day’s terrain will be primarily rocky in nature. Follow the trail and the river towards Patloi farm. The many water pits in and around Aerda Deh will be your source of water for the day. 

Trek type: Easy-moderate. Today’s walk will mostly be near farmlands. The last 2.5 km will be on a rocky path. The Chambal River and RPS Dam backwaters will be your source of water for the day. 

Trek type: Easy-moderate. Trek on rocks for the first 8 km and then hop on a boat that will take you to the island of Gaay Tekri. The Chambal River and RPS Dam continue to be your source of water for the day.

Click here to go back to the Table of Contents.

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 Chambal Valley 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. Don’t miss the ‘Frequently Asked Questions' section. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

Jaipur is the nearest airport to Rawatbhata. You can take a train, bus or private vehicle from Jaipur to Rawatbhata. If you arrive by train to Kota, you can catch a bus or taxi and reach Rawatbhata. 

It’s interesting to note that people migrated to Rawatbhata from all over the country taking up jobs in the irrigation department and the hydroelectric plant after the construction of the dam (Construction began in 1963 construction and by 1970 the dam was fully functional) and the nuclear power plant RAPS (Rajasthan Atomic Power Station) &RAPP (Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant). The RAPS is India’s biggest nuclear power station with 7-8 active units. 

Trek Gradient: Easy. Rolling terrain with mainly motorable mud roads and forest trails.
Water Source: You’ll come across small streams, handpumps, well, tube well and waterfalls.

Take a taxi or auto to cross the length of the dam (1100 meters long) towards Vikram Nagar which is located at the other end of the dam. Do note that the security of the RPS Dam will not allow people to cross the dam on foot. Reach the Erector’s guesthouse and start your trek from here. 

Once you cross the dam, you will see a road on the left going uphill towards Vikram Nagar and Mandesra. Do not take this road.  The road on the right goes slightly downhill. This is the road you should take. Walk for around 2.5 km and you will reach Chulliya Falls. The falls are beautiful and the rock formations are very interesting to observe. Chulliya Falls receives its water from the RPS Dam. You can spend 30-40 minutes over here. 

Chulliya Falls is a popular picnic spot for locals

Trek on the rocks or the road parallel to the water stream that flows from Chulliya Falls. You will reach the foot of the plateau which is called Bridge Sight. Here you will find a road. If you take the right, you will go back to Rawatbhata. The road towards the left will take you to Padajhar Falls. However, you need to go straight and take the jungle trail.   

  The Bridge Sight point that you will walk to after visiting Chulliya Falls

You’ll have to walk on this trail for around 1.5 – 2 km. You’ll find flowing water on your right side. Soon you will reach a stream that is active only during the monsoons. Cross over a small bridge and you’ll reach the Nahar Singh Mata temple. (You should find this temple is on the left side of the road). Take the left turn from the temple and hike for 3 km. You will soon reach Bakhatpura village. Soon after, you will reach the day’s destination – the Padajhar Mahadev waterfall.

There are two waterfalls at a distance of 250 meters from each other – Padajhar Mahadev and Chota Jharna. Both of them are active during and soon after the monsoon season (August to October). While the waterfalls might not be at their fullest during the non-monsoon season, the pond is always filled with water, even in summers. You will find a cave with a Lord Shiva idol inside near the waterfalls.

The Padajhar Mahadev Waterfalls are a wonderful sight after the monsoon season.

This is a popular spot to visit for locals on weekends. The villagers also come to this waterfall for Bhandara (lunch for the whole village) after harvesting their crops in the summers. This is called ‘Gaav barne’ in the local language which means there’s lunch outside the village.

You can camp on the open ground at the top of the waterfalls.

Trek Gradient: Mud trails at the beginning for the first three km that will lead you to the Jawda – Rawatbhata road followed by a forest trail with muddy and rocky terrain.
Water Source: Well, handpumps and tube well.

This is going to be a long day as the next campsite is quite far. Start from Padajhar Falls and trek towards Mandesra village which is 2 km away. Gujjar tribes, who are involved in cattle raising and dairy production, live in this village. They are very welcoming and open-hearted and this is a wonderful opportunity to interact with them and get a peek into their lives and customs. Rajasthan is known for its hospitality and you will get to experience it in the most authentic form at this village.

As you trek towards Chainpura, you’ll hike past more villages where you will get to observe the lifestyle of the local Bhil tribes too. Their ancestors participated in the war at Haldighati with Maharana Pratap against the Mughals. If you’re curious to know their way of life, just peep into a local’s home (with permission, of course) and you’ll be fascinated by the way they arrange their homes. 

Soon, you will reach the cluster of three villages (Arne Kalan- Ganeshpura- Doodh Talai). Here we’ll take the road for 1.5 km till we reach our destination. After crossing Doodh Talai village, we’ll reach the edge of the cliff which is opposite Sabri Ashram. So, when you are on the Rawatbhata-Jawda Road, the cliff will be to your left and Sabri Ashram will be to your right. 

Enjoy sweeping views of the valley and the waters beyond from Sabri Ashram

How exciting it is when you realize that you’ll be spending your night here. This valley is full of birds and herbs. Just be careful when you go near the cliff. It’s deep.

Trek Gradient: Road for the first kilometre followed by a forest trail till you reach Agra village. 
Water Source: Hand pump, well and pond at the waterfall.

Take the path that starts behind Sabri Ashram. Take a left turn and walk on the forest trail, walk past Agra village and then you will reach the top of Kalshiya Mahadev Falls. This waterfall is active throughout the year, though the intensity is very low during summer.

Walk down to the bottom of the falls following a forest trail. Cross the stream, take a right turn and walk around 800 m and you will reach Kalshiya Mahadev cave and pond. You can spend some time here before resuming your trek. 

The shaded areas near the Kalshiya Mahadev Falls provide a welcome break from the sun.

From here, your walk will be in the valley till you reach Dariba village. Feel the freshness of the crops cultivated by the local people. You’ll find seasonal crops here. If you visit the region during October, November or December,  you will get to see maize, rice. During the months of January, February, the fields will be full of wheat. 

Trek on for two kilometers and you will reach the village of Dariba. Dariba is a village situated inside the forest at the base of the valley where the Bhil tribal community resides. 

One of the most popular stories associated with the Bhils involves Maharana Sanga. It is believed that Maharana Sanga was grievously injured with over 80 wounds when he waged a war against the Mughals. Hearing about the Bhil community’s knowledge of herbs and plants, he went to one of their villages in the region and was healed in a matter of seven days through the potions and concoctions that members of the tribe gave him. 

The Bhils still have a head for the village who is referred to as the Patel of the village. If any issue occurs to any individual, they report it to the Patel who then deliberates over it and comes to a conclusion. 

Your camping spot will be in an open area just before the village. 

Trek Gradient: Forest trail and mud trail
Water Source: Wells and water taps

No need to set an alarm for this morning as you’ll wake up to the sound of the birds chirping and tweeting. Get up early to watch the first rays of the sun flood the region. After having breakfast, start the day by crossing the village and walk towards the Kotda Balaji temple. There are farmlands on both sides for around two and a half kilometers. This day promises to provide a totally different experience when compared to your journey thus far – you will be crossing a valley and a wooded region that is the site of two historic forts – the ruins of Nathgarh Fort that belonged to the Royal Family of Neemri and the Kotdagarh Fort that was constructed by the Royal family of Udaipur. 

As you are crossing the valley, you’ll see a stepwell on the right side. The ruins of the Nathgarh Fort will be on the left side at some distance (though this might not be visible during this part of the trek) . This valley is full of birds so you will be accompanied by bird calls for a good part of the day. If you’re lucky you might see a few wild rabbits here.

After climbing up to the top, you’ll reach Kotdagarh Fort. Some old walls of the fort still remain – a reminder of the history of this region. Walk another 500 meters to reach the Kotda Balaji temple. From here one can see the Khokhi dam, Gunjali river, Devriya Farm and all the villages (depending on the clarity of the atmosphere).

Enjoy the greenery that surrounds you from the Kotda Balaji temple

Walk to the foot of this plateau and you will soon reach Balagunj village. Continue on till you reach the Jawda-Rawatbhata Road. If you take the right here, you will head back to Rawatbhata and the left turn will take you to Jawda village which is 10 km from your location. Walk on the road for 200-300 meters. 100-200 meters away from the main road is Jhoopriya village. After crossing this village, you will enter the farmlands of this region.

The farmlands will lead you to a stream which you will have to cross on foot (it is active in the monsoon). From this point, the bank of the Gunjali river is only 80 meters away. It is one of the biggest tributaries of the Chambal river. You will have to cross this section of the river by boat which you will find by the banks of the river. 

Can you imagine trekking past waterfalls and dense forests in Rajasthan? The Chambal Valley Trek shows you a different side of the state.

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