Raipur – Kawardha
Our representative will meet you at Raipur from where we will drive 120. north in a luxury vehicle with double A/C to the former Princely State of Kawardha. You will be shown to your Palace suite before lunch in the State Dining Room. An afternoon of familiarisation with Palace Kawardha and nearby cultural sites, including the captivating Bhoramdeo Temple complex. You return to the Palace at sunset is followed by a welcome drink to meet the royal family, with traditioanl Chhattisgarhi dance entertainment and then dinner.
Kawardha
After breakfast, a well-versed Palace guide will accompany you on an introduction to the secrets of Kawardha's little-known natural and tribal world. You will meet the gentle and f riendly Baiga people, the principal indigenous forest tribe. Enjoy picnic lunch with them. An evening return to Palace Kawardha precedes a royal family dinner.
Kawardha - Raipur – Kanker
The morning is at leisure before a 2- hour drive to Raipur and lunch in a fine city restaurant. There may be time for a short visit to Raipur's Mahant Ghasidas Museum before leaving for the former princley State of Kanker. Upon arrival at Kanker Palace, the Maharaja's family will greet you and show you to your sutie. Over drinks and dinner, family members will be happy to interpret and explain the folklore and tradition of the State they once ruled. They will also introduce you to a performance of the traditional music and dance of the region.
Kanker - Kondagoan - Narayanpur – Kanker
After your 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 colorful weekly market. It gives you a great oportunity to meet the local people. At Kondagaon and Narayanpur discover some of Bastar's finest handicrafts, and the people who make them. 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 before a star - lit return to Kanker and a late dinner.
Kankar – Jagdalpur
After breakfast, we will travel in royal luxury to Jagdalpur, Bastar's main town and former capital, three hours away. Checking in to a comfortable local hotel, relax over leisure lunch. In the afternoon, a royal guided tour of historical Jagdalpur and the Anthropological Museum is completed by a sunset idyll at the Chitrakote waterfal, Bastar's very own 'Niagara' on the Indravati River: you will also visit some of the local Bison - Horn Maria tribe, renowned for their spectacular ceremonical dancing. Conditions permitting, a barbecue is served under the stats in authentic Bastar style. You will be entertained by a performance of the tribal people, before returning to your hotel.
Jagdalpur - Kangar Valley National Park – Jagdalpur
An early breakfast allows time for a visti to the rich forests of the Kanger Valley National Park, the enchanting Tirathgarh waterfall and the extraordinary stalactite and stalagmite caves. Kanger retains the original intensity of the forests that once covered this whole region, and you will picnic in the natural habitat of leopard, tiger, sambhar, bison and the Bastar Hill Myna. Here too are forest tribal people in their natural habitat. There will be time also to explore some of Jagdalpur's unique handicrafts before dinner at the hotel with your royal guides.
Jagdalpur – Raipur
You can enjoy a quiet breakfast and visit the bustling markets of Jagdalpur before your return to Raipur. On the highway, we again pass several handicrafts centre 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 in the pool and enjoy an excellent dinner.
Raipur Departure
A good nights' sleep and a light, helathy breakfast, and you will be chauffeured to Raipur Airport to check in for your return flight.