3 exciting sylvan getaways near Bhopal

Kathotiya
Home to the Bhil and Bhilala tribes of central India, Kathotiya village lies secluded in the middle of a green valley surrounded by steep hills. It is about 25km away from Bhopal. Stay in tents or in machaans (room on stilts), and enjoy simple meals prepared by the local people. To help you enjoy the natural surroundings, some of the village youth have been trained as guides—enlist their services to go trekking, visit nearby rock shelters and waterfalls, go on mountain biking, etc. If you are lucky, you will catch sight of some of the wildlife too. Interested in knowing about tribal lifestyle and art? Take a guided village tour. Madhya Pradesh Ecotourism Development Board (MPEDB) offers two packages—Rs 500/head for a day visit and Rs1300/head for an overnight visit.

Samardha
Forest-encircled Samardha village is less than 30km away from Bhopal. Stay in the forest rest house or the prefabricated cottages or set up tents in the forest rest house compound. Enjoy home-cooked meals provided by the villagers. Enjoy adventurous and nature-friendly activities. Young people from the village have been specially trained by the forest department to hold eco-tourism activities. They can guide you to the nearby pre-historic rock shelters, take you on nature walks or cycle rides through the forest. You can go trekking or try river-crossing, rappelling, or a round of archery. In the evening, invite a local musician group to regale you with folk songs. MPEDB offers two packages—Rs 600/head for a day visit and Rs 1500/head for an overnight stay.

Information: These places have been developed by Madhya Pradesh Ecotourism Development Board for community-based eco-tourism. Facilities are simple but clean. Enlist the services of the trained guides from the villages for all activities.