After breakfast, a well-versed Palace guide will accompany us on an introduction to the secrets of Kawardha's little-known natural and tribal world. You will meet the gentle and friendly Baiga people, the main indigenous forest tribe. We can safely enjoy picnic lunch with them and around evening, we return to Kawardha Palace and our delicious dinner.
Day 3: Kawardha - Raipur - Kanker
Today morning is at leisure before a 2 hours drive to Raipur and lunch in a fine restaurant in the city. If time permits, we will go for a short visit to Raipur's Mahant Ghasidas Museum before leaving for the former princely State of Kanker. Upon arrival at Kanker Palace, the Maharaja's family will greet us and we will proceed to our reserved accommodation. Over drinks and dinner, the Royal family members will be happy to interpret and explain the local folklore and various traditions of the State they once ruled. They will also introduce you to a performance of the traditional music and dance of the region.
Day 4: Kanker - Kondagoan - Narayanpur - Kanker
After our choice of Indian or English breakfast at the Palace, the Bastar tribal experience begins. South of Kanker you and your royal guide climb the forested Keshkal Ghat which marks the border of Bastar 500m above the plain. You will encounter here the special nature of North Bastar wth a visit to a colourful weekly market, which is infact a great opportunity to meet the local tribal people. At Kondagaon and Narayanpur discover some of Bastar's finest handicrafts, and the people who make them. Our lunch will be a picnic in the deep green sal forests. An early evening dance by youthful members of Bastar's unique 'Ghotul' dormitory system completes an unforgettable day and return to Kanker and have our dinner.
Day 5: Kankar - Jagdalpur
After breakfast, we will travel to Jagdalpur, Bastar's main town and former capital, three hours away. After hecking in to a comfortable local hotel, you can relax over a leisurely lunch. In the afternoon, a royal guided tour of historical Jagdalpur and the Anthropological Museum is completed by a sunset point at the Chitrakote waterfall, can be termed as Bastar's very own 'Niagara Falls' on the Indravati river. We will also visit some of the local Bison - Horn Maria tribe, renowned for their spectacular ceremonial dancing. If their conditions permit, a barbecue will be served under the stars in a typical and authentic Bastar style. You will be entertained by a memorable performance of the local tribal people, before returning to your hotel.
Day 6: Jagdalpur - Kangar Valley National Park - Jagdalpur
An early breakfast allows time for a visit to the rich forests of the Kanger Valley National Park, the enchanting Tirathgarh waterfalls and the extraordinary stalactite and stalagmite caves, a natural phenomenon. Kanger retains the original intensity of the forests that once covered this whole region, and you will feel like having a picnic in the said natural habitat of leopards, tigers, sambhar, bison and the Bastar Hill Myna bird. Here, too, we will find the local forest tribal people in their natural habitat. Time permitting we will be also be going to explore some of Jagdalpur's unique handicrafts before dinner at the hotel.
Day 7: Jagdalpur - Raipur
You can enjoy a quiet and a hearty breakfast and visit the bustling local markets of Jagdalpur before our return to Raipur. On the highway, we again pass several handicrafts
centers for those last-minute souvenirs of your Bastar Experience. Stopping at Kanker, a farewell late lunch with the Maharaja's family precedes the 2 - hour drive back to Raipur. Here you will stay at the comfortable and well - appointed hotel, relax among the nature and enjoy the sumptous dinner.
Day 8: Raipur departure
After a good nights' sleep and a light, healthy breakfast, you will be driven back to Raipur Airport to Check in for your return flight.
