TRIP TO CHIKHALDARA

The only Coffee Plantation in Maharashtra's hill station

Chikhaldara is a hill station in the Amravati district in Maharashtra, India. I visited Chikhaldara with my family for three days toward the end of March month. So let me be the guide for you before you visit Chikhaldara.

Chikhaldara is the only hill station in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra with a panoramic view of the Satpura mountains. It must have been clear with the scenic view that this place offers a sunset and sunrise point. Oh nature, how are you so mesmerising!

Hey all coffee fanatics, did you all know Chikhaldara is the only hill station in Maharashtra to have coffee plantations as Britishers had established this place in the 1800s. This hill station is abundant with medicinal plants key reason for Britishers to set up a sanatorium here.

Chikhaldara looks green throughout the year. As it is covered with dense and dry deciduous forest the pictures appear to be green. Also an interesting feature is the forest is mostly covered with Mango and Black Berry trees. The best season to travel the hill station is winters though we went during the onset of summers, the place was refreshing. During the day usually it's hot as it is close to the equator and nights are cool (I mean it! You do not need to switch on the AC).

Travel to Chikhaldara

We booked a train Amravati Express from CST (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station) in Mumbai. It is a 12 hour long journey to cover 668 km. C'mon, we all love train journey like the "Jhuk Jhuk Gaadi experience". From Amravati it takes roughly 4 hours to reach Chikhaldara.

• MUMBAI TO CHIKHALDARA = 12 HOURS

• AMRAVATI TO CHIKHALDARA = 2 HOURS

Amravati Railway Station

For those who have time constraints and want to save 12 hours in exploring the place, you take a flight to Nagpur and take the bus or a cab to Chikhaldara.

• MUMBAI TO NAGPUR = 1 Hour 40 Minutes

• NAGPUR TO CHIKHALDARA = 5 HOURS

FIRST DAY

We were staying at a hotel Satpura Retreat that was located in the lush-green forest in proximity to coffee plantation and Pandit Nehru Botanical Gardens. The place was situated on the upper plateau of Chikhaldara so don't be surprised to see fog and dew drops early in the morning.

Among the first things when I reach my destination is to get a picture of myself before entering the room. (Captured in Samsung Note8)

Satpura Retreat: Place where I was staying (Captured on Samsung Note8)

Living-in-a-forest feel vibe

WAIRAT POINT

After lunch, we went to Wairat Sunset Point. Due to free movement of animals, travelers are not allowed to stop in the middle of the way to the point and some silence should be maintained. As our safari van moved slowly on the rugged roads, the tour guide showed us the fresh paw prints of sloth bear.

Wairat point can be described when you experience the endless mountains staring back at you while the sun sets. The sprinting of colours in the sky makes it a picturesque place to live the moment.

Wairat Sunset point

SECOND DAY

MAHADEV TEMPLE SUNRISE POINT

Today we went to Mahadev Temple Sunrise point to see the sunrise. There's another sunrise point 4 km away known as Mozari Sunrise point. The sun rises around 6am but we left the hotel around 5:30am to experience the changing colours of the mountain range. This place should definitely be on your must-go-places in Chikhaldara.

Majestic view of the mountains and the rising sun (Captured on Sony Alpha)

The Two Powerful Natural Energy (Captured on Sony Alpha)

I woke up early to see him.

After breakfast, we strolled around our hotel. The coffee plantation was just 350m away at the Government Garden so we walked up to the place.

On our way to Coffee Plantation

Coffee Plantation in Government Garden

PANCHBOL POINT

The next location we went to was Panchbol Point also known as Echo Point. Kindly take precaution while walking toward the point due to the presence of monkeys around. Avoid taking selfies and be with your family and friends. Do not miss the spectacular view of this place!

Echo point down the road

Mountains at the Echo point

AAMJHARI

Vanabhojan; Lunch in the forest in Aamjhari: We had authentic spicy Vidharbha style food with buttermilk gravy, spicy eggplant curry, onion pakoras, sorghum bread (jowar bhakri).

Vanabhojan in Chikhaldara

We chanced upon local women making lac bangles. These local women are not only the expert in creating bangles but their daughters too who have learnt the art and help their mothers in free time.

The Forest Department in Aamjhari have adventurous sports like Rope gliding and tree climbing (for children).

Rope gliding in Aamjhari

BHIMKUND VALLEY

Energised, we headed to the Bhimkund Valley, bears a mythlogical story of a Bhima who had washed his hands of the blood after killing Keechak hence the name Kund as it is described as a water reservoir. Be wary of the mischievous monkeys around to grab your eatables, phone or camera.

Forest Fire at a small portion in Bhimkund Valley

Beware of mischievous monkeys

THIRD DAY

On the last day, we visited the Gawilgarh Fort of the Maratha Empire.

At the Entrance of Gawilgarh Fort

Picture Credit: Dr Tejaswini Waghmare

MELGHAT TIGER RESERVE

Before we left for Amravati to catch the midnight train to Mumbai, we visited the Melghat Tiger Reserve. Due to time constrain we couldn't do the tiger safari. I hope we do it the next time we go. The tiger reserve is one of the excursions around Semadoh lake and Sipna river. You can enjoy the lakeside at the starting point of the tiger reserve.

That's not a real deer

Sipna River (dried up during summers)

It is said that Chikaldara reminded the britishers of what England looked like during the fall. No wonder it made them fall in love in it's beauty and tranquility.

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Until Next Time, Chikhaldara!

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