Package Name: Vintage Bastar and Araku Valley Package
Package starts & ends at: Raipur / Visakhapatnam (Vizag)
Package Duration: 06 Nights/07 Days
About Vintage Bastar (Chhattisgarh) tour:
Vintage Bastar is an itinerary designed for the people who have interest in anthropology. This tour showcases the lifestyle and culture of the tribes of Bastar and gives the visitor an insight to the lives of some of the most primitive societies of the world. Along with the visit to the tribal villages and haats, one can also cover the most famous landmarks of Bastar, the Nature’s splendour Chitrakote Waterfall and the Teerathgarh Waterfall. One also gets chance to see and purchase the famous handicrafts of Bastar.
Vintage Bastar, Chhattisgarh itinerary (6 nights/7 days):
Day 01 Arrive into Raipur – Kanker (135 kms/3 hrs)
Arrival at Raipur Airport and start for Bastar, the tribal heartland of India by road. Your first stop will be the “The Gateway of Bastar” Kanker Palace Heritage Home Stay. The elegant and stately Kanker Palace, built in 1937 as the residence of the British Agent and currently in the possession by the Royal family. On arrival check into the lovely Kanker Palace. Enjoy time in the palace followed by dinner. Overnight stay in the Palace at Kanker.
Day 02 Kanker and around
After early breakfast start to explore Kanker and its rich surroundings. The vicinity of Kanker abounds in sites of tribal life style, natural beauty and archaeological significance. Depending on your interest you can either visit a tribal village or enjoy a short trek to the pre historic rock paintings which are found in this area along with a picnic lunch. Depending on the day of the week you can also visit a local tribal market. Later, drive back to palace and enjoy a musical camp fire with traditional tribal dance. Overnight stay in the Palace at Kanker.
Day 03 Kanker – Jagdalpur (170 kms / 3 hrs)
After an early breakfast, leave for Jagdalpur. Enroute you will be crossing the Keshkal Valley, through which you ascend the plateau and enter the Bastar region. You can enjoy the breath taking view of the valley below in the Keshkal Valley. You may visit Chitrakoot water falls enroute or after checking into the hotel. Chitrakoot falls is India’s largest water fall. On arrival check in. Post lunch visit the Anthropological Museum in Jagdalpur. Overnight stay in Jagadalpur.
Day 04 Visit a “Dhurva” Village (or) Tribal Haat
Visit a “Dhruva” village:
After breakfast, proceed for a full day excursion to a “Dhurva” village (150 km / 2 Hrs). The “Dhurva” are believed to be the original settlers for this land. They are distinguished for the jewellery they wear. There is an option to trek to a primitive “Dhurva” village if you like. Spend the entire day at the village and enjoy your packed lunch in the village itself. Evening back to your hotel and overnight stay in Jagdalpur.
(OR)
Visit Tribal Haat:
A “Haat” is a weekly market. This is a social occasion as well as a market place. The “Haat” has something for everyone – items of daily use like pots and baskets; food items such as dried fish, meat and mahuaflowers on wholesale rates; toys for children, bangles and silver jewellery for women. At a “Haat” one can also sample the local brew, get a tattoo or even bet at a cock fight. Evening back to the hotel and explore the local markets in Jagdalpur city on foot. Overnight stay in Jagdalpur.
Day 05 Jagdalpur – Kanger Valley National Park – Jagdalpur
After an early breakfast start for the Kanger Valley National Park (40 kms / 1 hr). En route visit the Bastar Hill Myna at the Forest School at Jagdalpur. The Bastar Hill Myna is an endangered species and is also the state bird of Chhattisgarh. Arrival, Kanger Valley National Park. First visit the Kailash cave and Kotumsar cave with stalactite and stalagmite formations. Later visit the seven tier Teerathgarh waterfalls. Enjoy your picnic lunch at the waterfall. Back to the hotel and night stay in Jagdalpur.
Day 06 Jagdalpur – Raipur (OR) extend to Araku valley in Andhra Pradesh
Jagdalpur - Raipur departure (300 km):
After breakfast check out of your hotel and start back for Raipur. En route visit the handicraft centre at Kondagaon where you can also shop for the artefacts. Head to Raipur and drop to the airport for your onwards flight.
(OR)
Jagdalpur – Araku valley (190 km)
Post breakfast check out and proceed to Araku valley in Andhra Pradesh. Araku is located at 911 meters above sea level and it’s a must visit destination around Vizag (Visakhapatnam). Visit Tribal museum, coffee plantations, Padmapuram gardens, Sangda water falls and Dumbriguda water falls. Night stay in Araku.
Day 07 Araku – Borra Caves – Anantha Giri – Vizag
Post breakfast check out and visit Borra caves. One of the largest caves in the country also the deepest cave in India at an elevation of 705 meters from sea level. These are limestone caves with varied shapes of stalactites and stalagmites. Later visit Ananthagiri hills for the view point, temple, Kotipally reservoir, Tyda park and coffee plantations. Later proceed to Visakhapatnam (Vizag). On arrival drop to airport.
End of the tour
This itinerary can be customized as per the requirements. You may extend the trip in Vizag to visit places around like Annavaram, Simhachalam and Srikakulam (Srikurmam and Srimukha Lingam temples). CLICK HERE for the details.
