Pachmarhi is a laid-back hill station surrounded by lush canyons, cascading waterfalls and wildlife-rich forests. Leopards and tigers are often spotted at a nearby national park, while the town is also a great place to sample flavoursome Madhya Pradesh cuisine.

Things to do

Wildlife lovers shouldn't miss the 500-square-kilometre Satpura National Park, which offers a unique chance to spot tigers and leopards in their natural habitat. You could also tick off crocodiles, spotted deer and an array of Indian birds.

Apsara Vihar is a sparkling pool set at the base of a tumbling waterfall. It's a great place to cool off and enjoy a scenic picnic. Nearby is Rajat Prapat Viewpoint, which clings to the side of a gorge and offers stunning views of one of India's tallest waterfalls.

Dhoopgarh is the final stop on most Jeep tours. It's set high in the hillsides and commands sweeping views over the region's forests, peaks and valleys. At sunset, the landscape glows in shades of red, yellow and gold. History buffs can visit the Pandav Caves to see carvings by Buddhist monks from the 4th century.

When you’ve worked up an appetite, visit Rasoi. The roadside eatery serves up scrumptious South Indian cuisine, including delicious "tawa" stir fry vegetables and freshly-baked tandoor bread. Other street food favourites include "pota" fried rice, crispy "chaat" samosas and grated corn flavoured with coconut and coriander.

Getting around

Pachmarhi is easy to get around on foot or by bicycle and is serviced by auto rickshaws. Jeep tours are a great way to explore the hillsides. auto rickshawDaily buses run to nearby cities like Bhopal and Indore. The closest train station is in Pipariya, a 1.5-hour bus ride from Pachmarhi.