The Teheri Mango Festival
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.
It begins with the story of the Teheri mango, a cherished local variety named after Teheri from Aam Gaon village. She sowed the seeds of this special mango and set a heartfelt condition: when the trees grew, the ripe mangoes should be distributed equally among all. This respect for women’s leadership – honouring her by naming the variety after her – remains a well-preserved tradition across this cluster of villages, where women are central to community activities.
Hidden in the heart of central India in the summer, the Teheri Mango Festival is an initiative to platform villages and the inhabitants that give them life.
Join us as we share Teheri and other heirloom mango varieties, wild fruits, and time-honoured rituals in farms and courtyards of their homes. Along with this, explore the forests of the Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh border, following the route of the great Narmada river.
Travel from Delhi into the forests and villages of Chhattisgarh, tracing stories from mango orchards and village crafts to the sacred source of the Narmada at Amarkantak. Spend 3 nights in Lamna during the Mango Festival, 1 night in Amarkantak, and 2 nights in Bijapuri’s wood‑craft village, with seamless train–car connections in and out of Pendra Road.
Arrive in Delhi, transfer to the station, and board the overnight train to Pendra Road, your gateway to Lamna and the mango belt of Chhattisgarh. Settle into your sleeper, meet your guide, and get a briefing on the communities you’ll be visiting over the next few days.
Reach Pendra Road in the morning and drive through sal forests and fields to Lamna (around 1–1.5 hours by road). Check in to the traditional village guesthouse and refresh with a simple home‑cooked lunch. In the evening, stroll through the village, visit nearby fields and temples, and listen to stories about the origins of the Mango Festival and the eight‑village cluster, including Aam Gaon (Mango Village).
Spend the day moving between Lamna and Aam Gaon, walking or using the village e‑tuktuk. Join families in their orchards, taste different mango varieties, and learn how they’re grown and harvested. Try seasonal specialties such as mango chutneys, mango lassi, and cool kairi panna made from raw mangoes, along with tamarind chutney, wild fruits like jamun and kendu, and local rice such as Vishnubhog and Lohandi at mealtimes.
After breakfast, head out on a guided forest and village walk or cycle ride, exploring lakes, small waterfalls, and nearby hamlets such as the potter village. This is also a great day for birdwatching: keep an eye out for Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Indian Pitta, Jacobin Cuckoo, Blue‑naped Monarch, and other summer visitors, and if you’re lucky, marvel at the flicker of fireflies after dusk.
After an early breakfast, drive from Lamna to Amarkantak, where the Narmada has its source and temple spires rise out of thick forests on the Madhya Pradesh–Chhattisgarh border. Spend the afternoon visiting the main temples, ghats, and forested viewpoints, soaking in the spiritual atmosphere, and learning about the many legends and fables associated with this pilgrimage town.
Depart Amarkantak after breakfast and drive to Bijapuri, a wood‑craft village where artisans turn local timber into exquisite, functional pieces. Check into your village guesthouse, meet the artisan families, and watch demonstrations of carving and finishing techniques; in the evening, share stories over a village dinner using seasonal vegetables and grains.
Spend a second day in Bijapuri, deepening your understanding of the craft tradition. Try your hand at simple wood‑work under the guidance of local artisans, or walk through nearby forests and fields to see where their materials come from. Enjoy an unhurried afternoon in the village square or under a neem tree, followed by a simple farewell dinner with your hosts.
After breakfast, drive west towards Kanha National Park and the Mukki region, passing through forested and rural landscapes of Madhya Pradesh. Arrive near Mukki village, settle into a cosy stay on the park’s edge, and enjoy a relaxed evening with an introduction to Kanha’s wildlife and conservation story.
Rise early for a jeep safari in the Mukki zone of Kanha, with chances to see barasingha, chital, gaur, birdlife, and, with luck, the Bengal tiger amid sal forests and meadows.
Return for brunch and rest, then spend the afternoon walking or cycling around Mukki village, meeting local communities and experiencing forest‑edge village life.
After a slow morning in Mukki, drive to Jabalpur, a historic city on the Narmada and a natural transit point for the journey back to Delhi. Check in to a comfortable hotel; time permitting, you can explore local markets or riverside areas before a final dinner in central India.
Depending on train or flight timings, enjoy a slow morning before transferring to the station or airport for your return to Delhi. Travel back with memories of mango feasts and fireflies in Lamna, sacred springs at Amarkantak, chisels ringing in Bijapuri, tiger forests in Mukki, and the riverfront energy of Jabalpur.
Dates
Party of 2/3
Party of 4+
Summer
25 May 2026 – 20 June 2026
£1,835
£1,377
*All prices are per guest. Prices vary by season and reduce with larger group sizes due to shared logistics and accommodation.
Summer (25 May to 15 June, 2026)
Party of 2–3: £1,835
Party of 4+: £1,377
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.
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