TREKKING at or near PALACE KAWARDHA

Yuvraj Yogeshwar Raj Singh son of Maharaja Vishwaraj Singh has personally discovered all the picturesque routes through the jungles of our world that we invite guests to explore with us. Our close relationship with Gond & Baiga Tribal communities and his knowledge of the region provides our guests with opportunities of observing and participating in many aspects of the reality of rural Indian life that most visitors to our nation never hear about let alone experience. To us this is where the essence and gentleness of India still abides and we are so very thankful that we are able to live amongst such calming and friendly communities.

TREKKING INFORMATION

Yogeshwar Raj Singh also ensures that a number of trusted Tribal guides and porters accompany each excursion to awaken our senses in these natural environments also to ease progress and to carry all items that may detract from our visitors' enjoyment of their time spent here with Nature.

We can offer many types of terrain from plains walks to gently undulating hills and on to challenging steep climbs and descents. Therefore it is entirely up to participants to realistically decide upon which level of exertion you want to expend and to advise us accordingly. However please note that only day treks can be arranged on the spur of the moment.

OVER NIGHT TREKS

For guests wanting to explore the interior jungles with us escaping even the jeep we have (with consideration for our friends in the jungles and our guests) carefully chosen Baiga & Gond villages to stay in over night that reflects the true essence of life in our region of India - how it was is and hopefully will be for many years to come (with many self-sufficiency improvements).

On arrival at our night halt destinations we invariably accompany the headman or other elders on a tour of the village and the scenic spots they are so pleased to share with us. We then return to our temporary home to listen to tales of life in the jungles both past & present and how (the Baigas in particular) adaptation of traditional lifestyles must be implemented for the survival of their previously ecologically friendly way of life. These interactions via interpretation have proven to be one of the highlights of our treks for past participants.

We also take pictorial books on wildlife birds & trees with us to ascertain which of the jungle creatures the children and young adults have been fortunate enough to have seen and to also inform them what previously unseen forms they share their lives with emphasising how important the flora and fauna are to all of us on our planet.

Dinner is served around a lovely fire (or with just candles when it is warmer) by our Palace team after which we are treated to Baiga Dances or Chhattisgarhi folk songs. When the night halts are based at one of the old shooting lodges or forest rest houses the activities are as previously stated except that our team of guides offer the most reviving of neck & calf massages to ease away any tightness of muscles which you may be experiencing.

The facilities are clean but basic village housing with charpoys made up with linen and quilts from the Palace to sleep on and fresh towels available daily. There are absolutely NO FRILLS but be assured that every effort is made to ensure comfortable and hygienic conditions await you at the end of a long day.

Overnight treks can be of a duration of between one to a maximum of four nights out with our Tribal companions.
Our jungle friends are very down to earth and they are not intended to be show case" examples of humanity that so called "progress" left behind. We care very much about these people and respect their uncluttered and non-polluting way of life and we work closely with them on several self-help projects to help ease the difficulties they face being in such remote locations. Therefore details of their specific whereabouts will not be published here.

Please note that it takes a considerable amount of time to organise our team of jungle companions and all the items required for our treks. We also have to inform far off villages that we are heading their way - there are no convenient phone boxes! Therefore at least two weeks notice is required for preparation for these excursions into our unpolluted world of Tribals. Trees and Tranquility. Also Treks will not be organised until the monsoon rains have completely stopped. which is usually from late October.

NB: ALL FOOD AND BEVERAGES INCLUDING DRINKING WATER ARE CARRIED WITH US OR FERRIED OUT DAILY TO ENSURE THE CONTINUITY OF OUR GUESTS' GOOD HEALTH ALSO HATS THAT COVER THE NECK AREA ARE AN ABSOLUTE MUST. THE STRENGTH OF OUR INDIAN SUN IS GROSSLY UNDERESTIMATED AND WE DO NOT WANT ANYONE'S VACATION IN OUR AREA OF THE COUNTRY TO BE RUINED BY HEAT OR SUNSTROKE.

It is our sincere hope that you will enjoy the time spent with our diminishing Tribal friends sharing their knowledge of nature joys simplicity songs and dances and even some of their concerns. We also hope that the trees birds and wildlife of our jungles will become as precious to you as they are to us.