Bhoramdeo Jungle Retreat, Bhoramdeo India, Chhattisgarh

A four-hour drive from Raipur, Bhoramdeo Jungle Retreat is a remote property set below the Maikal Hills close to the verdant jungle and rural villages. For an incredibly authentic look into rural Indian life, one of the best in India, a stay here is unique, memorable and ideal for intrepid travellers and families.

The owner Sunny and his wife are extremely welcoming and strive to protect and preserve the local communities, villages and ways of life in the area. Staff are all from the nearby villages, and your visit to the property will directly support these communities. Sunny joins guests on village walks and cycling tours around the area to get an insight into the lives of the cattle herders and the Baiga and Gond tribespeople. You can even take part in a cycle ride from Kanha National Park, stopping along the way at an overnight camp. Take a trek through the hills to spot wildlife such as the barking deer and langur monkeys, while a five-minute walk away is the incredible Bhoramdeo temple complex that dates back to the 7th century. Sunny can also take you to an interesting and authentic pottery village and a local market filled with an array of colours, foods, fruits and vegetables and jewellery.

The retreat is simple and intimate, surrounded by gardens filled with birdlife and hammocks. It encompasses five rooms amongst three cottages, all with shaded verandas facing to the central courtyard. They have been built like local village homes with thatched roofs and wooden beams with comfortable interiors. Also, there is a separate house on the edge of the property that has a little kitchen, which is great for those wanting a bit more privacy.

Traditional Chhattisgarhi food is served, mainly vegetarian dishes, as they aim to provide food that would be found in Indian homes, not hotels. They even grow the majority of fruit and vegetables on the property. All delicious meals, as well as local activities, are included in your stay. You can dine outside, and in the evenings, sit around the fire pit with Sunny and the other guests to have a chat and a drink.

While there are not many facilities available at the Jungle Retreat, the real attractions lie in the landscapes and local villages nearby. It is a great place to embrace rural Indian life, and the staff and owners are extremely welcoming, aiming to ensure your experience here is an incredible one. For those who want to sit back and read, there can’t be too many more memorable locations to do so.