Friends' trip to road not taken: Chikhhaldara Hill Station!


Note: This blog was written for ARAI Spandan inaugural issue, published in Dec. 2024

As every year, our college friends also planned a monsoon trip this year. However, the location was the bone of contention. Most of the scenic locations in the western region of Maharashtra, such as Mahabaleshwar, Ganapatipule, Alibaug, and Bhandardara, were already explored in our previous trips. So, this time we decided to go to the east of Maharashtra and take the road not taken. And on the occasion of Friendship Day, a bunch of college friends embarked on the journey to explore Chikhaldara Hill Station, also known as the Mahabaleshwar of Vidarbha.

Two of us took an overnight train to Badnera station, and friends from Nagpur picked us up from Amravati. It was another two hours journey by road to Chikhaldara, although the distance is only about 80 km. However, the road offered diverse landscapes and we immersed ourself in the visual treats that each viewpoint alongside the road had to offer. We had booked the MTDC resort at the Chikhaldara Hill Station, which offered another scenic treat to our eyes.

Nestled in the picturesque hills of Maharashtra, Chikhaldara offers a serene escape from city life with its lush green valleys, breathtaking viewpoints, and pleasant climate. At an altitude of 1118 m, it is the perfect destination for nature lovers, offering opportunities for trekking, wildlife exploration, and immersing oneself in the captivating beauty of nature. From the breathtaking sunset point to the enchanting monkey point, and from the stunning Mozari point to the captivating Devi point, each offers a unique and picturesque vista.

Home to the only coffee plantation in Maharashtra, the picturesque hill station of Chikhaldara is noted for its pristine waterfalls, serene lakes, lush green estates and a large variety of birds. Chikhaldara is an ideal site for adventure lovers and makes for a great camping and picnic spot.

Although we didn’t visit but tourists can also visit the Chikhaldara Sanctuary, which is home to several animal species like leopards, sloth bears, sambars, barking deer, wild dogs, blue bulls, porcupines, langurs, wild boars and others. Another attraction is Melghat Tiger Project which hosts as many as 82 tigers, along with panthers, sloth bears, sambars, wild bears and wild dogs.

- Dr. Atul R Thakare


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