🌿 Into the Heart of the Jungle: My Chhattisgarh Trek With Indiahikes
Some journeys begin long before you take the first step. Mine started at Kedarnath, during a casual conversation with a fellow traveller who couldn’t stop raving about a trek deep inside the forests of Chhattisgarh—especially the star‑gazing experience. Her excitement was contagious. Soon after, a chat with my cousin sealed the plan.
We booked our slots in November 2025 for January 2026, and
spent weeks imagining what lay ahead. None of it, of course, matched what we
eventually experienced.
🌌 Day 0–1: Arrival &
The Sky That Hugged Us
On 15th January 2026, we landed in Raipur. The next
morning at 6 AM, our journey to the base camp began—hours of driving through
barren lands, farmlands etc. I was
wondering What exactly had I signed up for?
By afternoon, we reached Guru Ghasidas National Park—our
home for the next four days and thick forest. The mud houses at Turripani
welcomed us with earthy warmth. But the real magic began after sunset.
Our trek leader, Siddharth Jaiswal, set up a
telescope and pointed his laser beam toward a sky sprinkled with diamonds. Orion,
Scorpius, the planets, directions through constellations—each came alive
through stories and passion from Trek Leader (TL) that made even the least
astronomy‑inclined among us fall silent in awe. Every night during our trek
brought a new celestial lesson, from understanding the night sky to learning
how to choose your own telescope.
🏞️ Day 2: Into the Forest
– Turraipani to Tediyabandh (8 km)
The jungle wakes early, and so did we. By 8 AM, all 23 of
us, along with our knowledgeable guides Kallicharan and Sukumaran,
and our unofficial furry guard dog Browny, began our first stretch.
The forest introduced itself gently—through pugmarks, wild
fragrances, and plants which our guides explained were used for medicine and
cooking.
We explored the Nehurmada Cave, home to ancient
drawings older than the Indus Valley Civilization. The highlight? We
encountered Ferns that act like natural tattoos that fade in minutes which
excited many of us.
Halfway through, another dog, Whitey, returning from
the previous batch, spotted us and joined the team with uncontainable joy. The
reunion of the two dogs felt like a little celebration in the middle of
nowhere.
By evening, we reached Tediyabandh Lake—calm,
unbothered, and unbelievably beautiful at dusk. Some of us dipped in the water,
some lounged by the wooden bridge, all of us soaking in the silence.
Night brought in curious foxes, distant tribal drums, and a
mysterious energy that only deep forests carry. At one point, a curious fox
wandered too close to our tents, only to be chased off by our brave doggies.
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🌄 Day 3: The Call of the
Wilderness – Tediyabandh to Pandopara (12 km)
We woke up before the sun. The sunrise over the lake was a
spectacle. Fog rose off the water in slow spirals, forming tiny tornadoes. As
the sun peeked out, foxes scampered back to their dens, calling out as if
greeting the morning.
We crossed a narrow dam (while being humorously warned by
our guide to “fall only toward the water, please!”). Then came the ascent to Naag
Rock—named for its serpent‑like shape. Along the way we managed to see Monkeys
and langurs.
After descending, Siddharth surprised us:
“Let’s start tomorrow’s river walk… today.”
Excitement shot up instantly. As some trekkers reached the
riverbed, they even spotted a sloth bear passing in the distance.
Our campsite at Pandopara was set on soft sand beside
the Gopat river. The evening was spent playing frisbee, relaxing, laughing, and
listening to the river whisper.
During the night, as I stepped outside, the darkness was
pierced by the faint glow of three or four fireflies. I couldn’t help but feel
a pang of sadness when our TL said that they are now on the verge of
extinction. The thought weighed heavily on me, because those little sparks once
lit up my childhood nights while visiting my dad cousin’s home.
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💧 Day 4: Walking the
River & back to civilisation – Pandopara to Singhor Bridge (5 km)
Barefoot on soft river sand, cold water lapping at our
ankles—this was the gentlest, most soothing part of the entire trek. The river
rarely rose above the ankle, making it perfect for everyone.
But the day had one bittersweet moment—spotting single‑use
plastics polluting such a pristine river. A small but sharp reminder of the
responsibility we carry.
The sun remained merciful. Eventually, we reached Singhor
Bridge, where vans awaited us. The real challenge? Convincing Whitey and
Browny to board. It was their first time that they travelled this far from
their home. Whitey, especially, was skeptical of vehicles. But with patience
and love, we managed to get both of them safely back to Turripani—their home.
That small victory felt like the true culmination of the trek.
When we reached back to the base camp, a strange mix of joy
and sadness washed over us.
We had walked through forest, crossed rivers, climbed hills, watched foxes in night,
and bonded with two incredible dogs who protected and accompanied us like
family. The organization, the guides, the group, the wilderness—everything came
together to create an experience that words cannot fully capture.
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🌱 Signing Off
If you ever take this trek—and I wholeheartedly hope you
do—remember:
Leave only footprints behind.
Carry nothing away… except memories.
And never abandon the dogs who walked with you—they belong home, not facing
dangers in the wild.
🌟 Fun Facts I Discovered
- Korea
Millets Café is named after Korea District in Chhattisgarh, not the
country.
- The
Tropic of Cancer passes through Guru Ghasidas National Park.
- East
direction can be identified using Orion constellation.
- Jupiter
is the brightest planet, not the North Star.
- Pluto
is no longer considered a planet.
- Tiger
grass helps felines throw excess fur from their stomach.
- Lichens
are indicators of air purity and take years to grow.
For more information: https://indiahikes.com/chhattisgarh-jungle-trek-guru-ghasi-das-national-park#gref
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