Pench Tiger Trail by Indiahikes: Walking Inside a Tiger Reserve on Foot
I recently completed the Pench Tiger Trail by Indiahikes, and this is one trek I will remember for a long time. I went in thinking it would be a short and easy forest walk. At just around 20 kilometres over 2.5 days, it looked simple on paper. I underestimated it completely.
This blog is both personal and practical. If you are researching the Pench Tiger Trail trek, this should help you understand what the experience is really like.
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What Is the Pench Tiger Trail?
The Pench Tiger Trail is a guided wildlife trek conducted in the buffer zone of Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. Unlike most treks, this trail allows you to walk on foot inside a notified tiger reserve, accompanied by trained forest staff.
This is not a safari. This is not a jungle walk near a resort. This is an immersive forest experience where you move through real wildlife corridors.
The trek is organised by Indiahikes, in coordination with the forest department and the Madhya Pradesh Tourism department.
Best Time to Do the Pench Tiger Trail
I did this trek at the end of January, and it was a great time to be in the forest.
The best time to do the Pench Tiger Trail is between August and January.
- August to October (Monsoon): Lush greenery, flowing streams, active insect and bird life
- November to January (Winter): Pleasant days, cold nights, clearer forest floors, strong wildlife movement
By January, the days are hot and nights can get quite cold, especially near the river camps, so warm layers are essential.
How to Reach Pench Tiger Trail?
Nagpur is the nearest major city and the main access point for the trek.
- Well connected by flights and trains from Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more. I took an Air India Express flight the previous day.
- Indiahikes arranges a common pickup from Nagpur Airport or Nagpur Railway Station at 11:00 AM.
From Nagpur, it is a 3-hour drive to Sakata village, where Camp 1903 is located.
Detailed Itinerary of Pench Tiger Trail by Indiahikes
Day 0 / Day 1: Drive to Camp 1903
After landing in Nagpur, we drove towards Pench. The journey slowly shifted from city roads to villages and then to forest roads with checkposts.
Camp 1903 is a quiet campsite close to the forest boundary. There is an old British-era building here, built in 1903, which gives the camp its name.
We deposited our documents and had the briefing on the trek. Our Indiahikes guide was absolutely great, as he answered each and every question that the trekkers had.
The evening was slow and grounding: village walks, playing with a pup Vanilla, paddy fields, early dinner, and an early night.
Day 2: Camp 1903 to Nayegaon Lake
This was our first full trekking day.
- Distance: ~7 kilometres
- Duration: ~7 hours
After breakfast and warm-up, we crossed the Sakata village well and officially entered the tiger reserve. From this point on, the mindset changes. You walk with awareness. You listen more than you speak.
We passed:
- Small forest ponds (mostly dried up)
- Bamboo patches
- Lots of tree canopies
- Stream crossings
- Fire lines
Three forest staff accompanied us, ensuring continuity and safety throughout the trail.
We reached Nayegaon Lake by late afternoon and camped near the water. This site is surely known for its sunset. Nights here are quiet and dark. This region is also known for its clear night skies, making stargazing a bonus experience. Even though we had a bit of rain, the clouds cleared up by night, and we had a Jupiter sighting through the Indiahikes telescope.
Day 3: Nayegaon Lake to Nalyer Camp (Bawanthadi River Walk)
This was the most memorable day of the trek.
- Distance: ~7 kilometres
- Duration: ~7 hours
The day began with dense forest sections where we saw multiple wildlife signs. Tiger scratch marks on trees, movement trails, and subtle indicators that you would miss without trained forest staff. Forest guides shared real field stories about tiger movement and forest protection.
We then reached the Bawanthadi River, where we walked inside the river for several kilometres.
Barefoot walking on a riverbed, sand and pebbles underfoot, Arjun trees forming a natural canopy — this section was serene, calming, and humbling at the same time.
We ended the day at Nalyer Camp, located near the river, staying in Swiss tents set up by forest authorities. Staying at Swiss tents was a luxury. Beds, blankets, charging points, table fans, and an (almost) attached bathroom with water. You can take a shower here if you like.
That evening stood out. The Range Officer joined us for dinner, which added immense value to the experience. Listening to someone who works on the ground every day gives you a deeper respect for the forest.
Day 4: Nalyer Camp to Jhandi Matta and Exit via Rukhad Gate
- Trek distance: ~5 kilometres
- Duration: 2 to 3 hours
- Elevation: 800 feet
- Plus a short buffer zone safari (half an hour)
The final day involved trekking through bamboo forests, walking through corridors, and open grassland patches. These grasslands are grazing areas for herbivores, including barasingha, the state animal of Madhya Pradesh.
We heard stories of Pench’s famous tigers – Kuraigad Male and Bhajirao. These stories made me really sad about how, in the case of human-animal conflict, animals always suffer.
We climbed to Jhandi Matta, one of the few viewpoints on the trail. After days inside the dense forest, seeing the vastness of Pench from above was powerful.
From the transit road, a safari vehicle picked us up for a short buffer zone safari to Rukhad Gate, marking the official end of the Pench Tiger Trail.
Is the Pench Tiger Trail Difficult?
In terms of distance and terrain, this is an easy and accessible trek. There are no technical climbs or steep ascents.
But do not underestimate it.
What makes this trek special is not the difficulty; it is access. Walking on foot inside a tiger reserve, with trained forest staff, across real wildlife habitats, is a rare privilege.
This forest is often linked to the stories of Mowgli from The Jungle Book, and when you walk here, you understand why those stories were imagined in the first place.
Where to Stay in Nagpur?
During my trip to Pench, I reached Nagpur a day early and left a day later. For these two nights, I stayed at two different OYO properties.
Despite OYO having a mixed reputation, both stays were perfectly fine. The room rates were around ?2,500 and ?3,500 per night. I stayed at Super Townhouse on Central Bazaar Road and at Hotel Airport KK. Both were booked through Booking.com.
Between the two, I preferred Hotel Airport KK. The room was spacious, clean, and comfortable. The only drawback was the food arrangement. The hotel does not have an in-house restaurant and relies on a cloud kitchen. Meals are brought in from the airport area, and you pay separately for both the food and the service.
Closing Notes
Very few people get permission to walk such deep routes inside a tiger reserve. This trek demands respect, patience, and responsibility.
I am deeply grateful to Indiahikes, Pench Tiger Reserve, and Madhya Pradesh Tourism for making this experience possible.
For a wildlife lover, this is not just a trek. It is a privilege.
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