Want to spend a thrilling weekend sipping hot chai on the porch while listening to the chirping of birds, the chatter of monkeys & the roars of tigers? Don’t be surprised, as this is a most common event when you are staying in the luxuriously leafy hill station of Chikhaldara!

If you are planning your next vacation or monsoon trip to a place enriched with the wilderness yet steeped in culture & mythology, Chikhaldara is your place of interest!

Mythology says that it is here that Bheema killed the lecherous Keechaka & threw his remains in the valley. A nearby lake where he took a bath following the elimination of his enemy is named as Bhim Kund & is a tourist attraction now. Locals believe that, as in many other cases, after the British’s advent, the name Keechakdara gradually got altered in history & the place is now popularly known as Chikhaldara. Interestingly Chikaldara, when discovered by the British, became hugely popular among the Englishmen & ladies as it reminded them of the nature in England. Thoroughly in love with the place, the British even considered naming the place as the seat of Govt. of India!

Being the highest hill station in the otherwise dry Vidarbha region, this place receives ample of rainfall & is a monsoons lover’s bliss! There is thick vegetation & forest growth on all sides surrounding the hill station & the place is actually surrounded by the Melghat tiger reserve – which is the home of 82 tigers!

Chikhaldara, blessed with hilly slopes & cool weather conditions is also the only coffee growing hill station in Maharashtra!

There are many sightseeing activities to be indulged in Chikaldara. Here are top five:

1. Melghat Tiger Reserve:

The hill station is completely surrounded by Melghat Tiger Reserve which is home to tigers, leopards, sloth bear, many species of Deer, Bison & smaller animals like the flying squirrels, mouse deer etc.

2. Bhim Kund:

This lake has mythological importance & is the one in which Bheema took a dip following the nemesis of Keechaka. This 3500 meters deep lake is perfect for photo ops!

3. Narnala & Gawilgad Fort:

4. View Point:

The true beauty of Chikhaldara can be admired by visiting the viewpoints such as the Hurricane point, Malviya point, the Devi point & the Prospect point.  The deep green valleys & lakes, waterfalls, coffee plantations & forts make this a sight to remember!

5. Muktagiri

Muktagiri is a pilgrimage center of the Jains & houses 52 temples atop a mountain. There is also a beautiful waterfall nearby. The temples are right in the middle of the Satpura ranges & surrounded by jungle on all sides.

How to Reach Chikhaldara:

Chikhaldara is situated in the Vidharba region, around 100 km from Amravati. It is accessible by road from Amravati & Nagpur, the nearest airport. Many Volvo buses ply from Mumbai & Pune to Nagpur & Amravati.

Places to Stay in Chikhaldara:

Chikaldara is an established hill station & has many options for a stay like hotels, lodges, MTDC resort etc. Accommodation is also available on nearby farms at attractive rates for the tourists to enjoy the local’s life in the wilderness.

Chikhaldara has coffee plantations & a rich tribal life. Experimental travellers should definitely try staying on the coffee estates or Agrotourism centres nearby.

Best Time to Visit Chikhaldara:

Summers in Vidharbha region are harsh. However, temperatures in Chikhaldara because of its high altitude & thick forest cover are relatively milder except in the months of April-May.

Monsoons & Winters are the best seasons of the year to visit Chikhaldara. Winters are chilly with temperatures dipping well below 10 degrees at times.