Forests and Fables
Spend a few days in eastern Madhya Pradesh and the thick forests of Chhattisgarh on a village-to-village holiday that’s hosted by the tribal communities in Central India.
Spend a few days in eastern Madhya Pradesh and the thick forests of Chhattisgarh on a village-to-village holiday that’s hosted by the tribal communities in Central India.
This is a deeper immersion into the rural lives of the forest-dwelling communities of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. We’ve blended stays in earthy village homestays, walks by tributaries of the great Narmada river, and safaris in Kanha National Park.
The forests of Kanha and Chhattisgarh form some of Central India’s most enchanting wilderness: think of vast sal and bamboo woodlands, the hum of cicadas, and the rustle of deer in the undergrowth. Across the border in Chhattisgarh, the landscape turns wilder and more ancient.
We look after you from the moment of your arrival at Delhi airport. Your holiday includes all rail journeys and transfers, simple, comfortable accommodation in the welcoming village guesthouse or a homestay. All meals are provided during your stay. Please feel free to extend or tailor your holiday to your exact requirements.
We welcome you in New Delhi, before taking you to our favourite guesthouse to freshen up. In the evening, we’ll get you to the Hazrat Nizamuddin train station for an overnight train to Pendra, a small town in Chhattisgarh.
Or choose to enjoy another day in our vibrant capital – see below for customisations.
After a tasty breakfast on arrival at Pendra, a short transfer through dense, forested hills takes you to Lamna. Here your adventure truly begins. Over three days in the village, take scenic hikes to the Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve. You can also cycle to nearby villages, visit
the local temples, or enjoy watching the village from your private verandah in the traditional guesthouse.
From Lamna, we’ll drive across the state border to Madhya Pradesh, with a stop at the sacred town of Amarkantak, the source of the revered ‘Narmada’, one of India’s most important rivers. In Umargohan, observe and spend time with the Baiga and Gond tribal communities.
From here, we take you to Mukki Gate, one of the entrances to Kanha National Park. The following morning, rise with the sun for an exhilarating safari. As you venture into the jungle, keep your eyes peeled for the elusive Bengal tiger, the legendary bharasingha (or swamp deer), sloth bears, leopards, and a plethora of birds.
After a hearty breakfast, head to Jabalpur to catch an overnight train back to Delhi.
Rest up before your night flight home or spend an extra night in the guesthouse. We can recommend some fabulous restaurants to check out in New Delhi.
Dates
Party of 2/3
Party of 4+
Winter
1 Jan 2026 – 20 Feb 2026
£1,036
£761
Winter
1 Nov 2026 – 30 Nov 2026
£1,036
£761
*All prices are per guest. Prices vary by season and reduce with larger group sizes due to shared logistics and accommodation.
Winter
1 Jan 2025 – 20 Feb 2026
Party of 2–3: £1,036
Party of 4+: £761
1 Nov 2026 – 30 Nov 2026
Party of 2–3: £1,036
Party of 4+: £761
In Delhi, guests will stay in charming boutique accommodations that reflect the city’s mix of heritage and modernity. Nestled in quiet, leafy neighborhoods, these stays offer a peaceful retreat from the capital’s bustle while keeping you close to its historic and cultural landmarks. Each property is thoughtfully designed—with elegant, old-world architecture, warm hospitality, and home-cooked meals that give a taste of Delhi’s rich culinary traditions. Whether in a restored colonial bungalow or a cozy family-run guesthouse, guests will experience the comfort and character of authentic Delhi living.
The Lamna guesthouse offers a peaceful retreat amid the lush forests and rolling hills of Lamna village. Built with local materials and designed to blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings, the guesthouse provides simple yet comfortable accommodation that captures the charm of rural Chhattisgarh. Guests can wake to the sounds of birds, explore nearby waterfalls and forest trails, and experience the warmth of local hospitality.
Experience the warmth and simplicity of village life just outside Kanha National Park. Nestled amid lush fields and forested hills, these homestays are run by local families who welcome guests into their traditional homes, sharing stories, food, and customs that reflect the region’s deep connection to the land. The accommodations are clean, comfortable, and sustainably built, allowing visitors to enjoy an authentic rural stay without compromising on comfort.
The suggested itinerary can be extended if you wish to spend more time exploring Central India, or shortened if your time in India is limited. Our knowledgeable staff will be delighted to help fashion the holiday to suit you.
We ask our guests to make their own arrangements for international travel to India. For Village Ways holidays in Madhya Pradesh, we recommend flying in and out of Delhi airport, although Mumbai is also possible.
The suggested itinerary can be extended if you wish to spend more time exploring the villages and jungles or the cities, or shortened if your time in India is limited. Choose to upgrade to first class on the trains or add extra nights with the communities. Our knowledgeable staff will be delighted to help fashion the holiday to suit you.
Your holiday includes a night’s stay in Delhi. There is so much to discover in this fascinating city, from the Jama Masjid mosque and the bustling bazaar of Chandni Chowk to the Qutb Minar and Humayan’s Tomb. Add extra nights to explore the city, or let us arrange a carefully selected driver to look after you for the day.
The region has a tropical climate with hot, dry summers, a monsoon season and a mild winter. The best time for wildlife spotting is between February and April, although each season has its own charm.
Summer: March – May
This is the hot, dry season when the forests begin to lose their leaves. Although the forests do not look at their finest during this period, the lack of dense foliage means there is greater opportunity to see wildlife. During March the peak temperatures begin to rise from around 20°C to 25°C. Evenings are warm and pleasant. April and May are the hottest months with peak temperates in May reaching around 40°C.
Monsoon: June – October
The monsoon season comes as a relief after the heat of May. Days are warm, with temperatures of 20 – 30°C, and there is heavy rainfall.
Winter: November – February
This season is pleasant and dry, with temperatures dropping from 25 °C to 10 °C in December and January and rising again in February. The forests are lush after the monsoon rains.
This deeper immersion into Rural Life of the Forest Dweller Communities of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, balances a stay in the quiet comfort of the community guest house or a homestay, with the bustle of the small towns and serenity of ancient temples. In your time here, you will discover the beauty of these great states and the rich cultural and traditional origins of the Hill Tribe communities.
We look after you from the moment of your arrival at Delhi airport. Your holiday includes all rail journeys and transfers, simple, comfortable accommodation in the welcoming village guesthouse or a homestay. All meals are provided during your stay. Please feel free to extend or tailor your holiday to your exact requirements.
On arrival in Delhi you are transferred to a city guest-house for a freshen up. An evening transfer takes you to Hazrat Nizamuddin station to catch the overnight train to Pendra Road (A small town in Chhattisgarh).
Or choose to enjoy another day in Delhi, there is so much to do and see: Humayan’s Tomb, the Lotus Temple or Akshardham, explore the Red Fort or shop in Dilli Haat.
After a tasty breakfast on arrival at Pendra, a short transfer through beautiful forested hills takes you to Lamana. Here your adventure truly begins. Over three days in the village, connect with the locals and explore their way of life—learn traditional farming, pottery, and the secrets
of medicinal plants. Walk through the forest, cycle to nearby villages, visit
the local temples, enjoy the storytelling around the fire. Every moment here is
a step deeper into the ageless pulse of village life. The village community have built a buitiful guest-house, in traditional style, in which to host your relaxing stay.
From
Lamna, a drive to enter the state of Madhya Pradesh, with a stop at the sacred
town of Amarkantak, the source of the revered River ‘Narmada’. Arrive in
Umargohan, where the Baiga and Gond tribes warmly welcome you. Over two days,
hike through enchanting forests, uncover hidden natural wonders, and marvel at
the intricate craftsmanship of tribal jewellery and art. Share in the joy of
local dance and song under the starry skies, feeling the spirit of the land,
come alive.
Travel deeper into the wild to Lagma Mukki, a village nestled on the edge of Kanha National Park. Experience the thrill of exploring village life with a bullock cart ride, learn ancient crafts from skilled artisans. The following morning, rise with the sun for an exhilarating safari in Kanha, one of India’s premier wildlife sanctuaries. As you venture into the jungle, keep your eyes peeled for the elusive Bengal tiger and other majestic creatures roaming freely in this untouched paradise.
After a hearty breakfast, head to Jabalpur to catch the overnight train back to Delhi.
Day room before a night flight home or an extra night in the guesthouse.
Climate
The region has a tropical climate with hot, dry summers, a monsoon season and a mild winter. The best time for wildlife spotting is between February and April, although each season has its own charm.
Summer: March to May
This is the hot, dry season when the forests begin to lose their leaves. Although the forests do not look at their finest during this period, the lack of dense foliage means there is greater opportunity to see wildlife. During March the peak temperatures begin to rise from around 20C to 25C. Evenings are warm and pleasant. April and May are the hottest months with peak temperates in May reaching around 40C.
Monsoon: June – October
The monsoon season comes as a relief after the heat of May. Days are warm, with temperatures of 20-30C, and there is heavy rainfall.
Winter: November – February
This season is pleasant and dry, with temperatures dropping from 25C to 10 C in December and January and rising again in February. The forests are lush after the monsoon rains.
15/10/2024-15/04/2025
£1297
£889