Categories: walks

Walks in India: Periyar Tiger Reserve

This post is part of a series on ‘Walks in India‘.

Place: Periyar Tiger Reserve

Highlights: Forest Walks, possible sightings from anything mundane to even the big cat, boat ride at the end of the walk.

Season: October to May, when it is not raining.

Time of the day: Morning – 6.30am to 8am

Distance: Approximately 3kms

Difficulty: Easy

Map. This is an interactive map of the walk. Zoom in to get a closer look. The walk begins near the intersection of four roads in the map and ends at the boat jetty.

The Walk.


Photos by Himanshu Sarpotdar and diametrik

Start from the gates of Periyar Tiger Reserve at Kumily. You need to pay a small entry fee to get in. Thick jungle begins the moment you enter through the gate.

It is almost an hour’s walk from the gate to Thekkady, where all the tourist facilities of the reserve are located. Stroll slowly in the thick forest that surrounds you. Occasionally, you will get teasing glimpses of the big lake in the reserve, but not a full view till you reach Thekkady.

What you can sight on the way completely depends on your luck. It could be some interesting birds like White Bellied Treepie or Malabar Grey Hornbill, or some mammals like Wild Boars and Sambar deer. Lucky ones might even spot the tiger, but since you are on foot, you might be better off giving the big cat a miss.

Once you reach the place where all the tourist facilities are, you can have breakfast in the restaurant, take a boat ride, or sign up for jungle walks. You can hire a rickshaw for your way back, or walk back again if you prefer.


Categories: walks

Walks in India: Orchha, Madhya Pradesh

This post is part of a series on ‘Walks in India‘.

Place: Orchha

Highlights: Cenautaphs, Riverside Walk, ancient palaces and temples

Season: November to February, when it is not hot.

Time of the day: Evening – 3pm to 6pm

Distance: Approximately 3kms

Difficulty: Easy

Map. This is an interactive map of the walk. Zoom in to get a closer look. Click on the blue markers to identify of each location.


View Walks in India – Orchha in a larger map

Places to see and walking map of Orchha

The Walk.
With inputs and photographs from Celine.

Jehangir Palace, Orchha Chaturbhuj Temple, Orchha
Raj Mahal, Orchha Cenotaphs, Orchha

Orchha is a small town in Madhya Pradesh near Jhansi. It is full of history and ancient structures, but has still not been part of any major tourist itinerary.

Begin the walk from the southern edge of the town at the Chhatris, cenotaphs of Orchha’s rulers. The Chhatris are located close to Betwa River; pay a visit to the river before walking northwards into the town. You can also cross the river using a bridge near the chhatris.

Walk north to the town, which is full of ancient temples and palaces. Visit the 17th century Chaturbhuj Temple, where you can walk up to the roof for panoramic views of Orchha town and the meandering river. Turn right here, cross the arched bridge and enter the enclosure of the Orchha Fort Complex that houses Jehangir Mahal and Raj Mahal. Visit Jehangir Mahal for its impressive Bundelkhand architecture and Raj Mahal for its beautiful painted ceilings, both are major attractions of Orchha. Nearby is the Rai Parveen Mahal, built in early 17th century for the lady of Raja Indramani.

Return to the center of the town and walk past Phool Bagh, near which
are the wind-catching tall towers popularly called Sawan Bhadon. Walk beyond the town for a kilometer to get to Laxminarayan Temple, which was built in 17th century.

The walk ends at Laxminarayan Temple.

You may need to find a way to get to Chhatris to begin the walk, and to get back from Laxminarayan Temple to your hotel. If you are planning a round trip from your hotel, add another 1.5km to your itinerary. A few well known hotels in Orchha are located to the south of the town, not very far from the Chhatris.


Categories: walks

Walks in India: Along, Arunachal Pradesh

This post is part of a series on ‘Walks in India‘.

Place: Along

Highlights: Riverside Walk, Tribal Villages, green countryside

Season: October to April, when it is not raining.

Time of the day: Morning – 6.30pm to 11.30pm

Distance: Approximately 9kms

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Map. This is an interactive map of the walk. Zoom in to get a closer look. Click on the blue markers to identify of each location.


View Walks in India – Along in a larger map

Place to see and walking map of Along, Arunachal Pradesh

The Walk.
With photographs and inputs from Lavanya.

At Paia Village, near Along, Arunachal Pradesh Hanging Bridge across Siang

A man from Paia Village, near Along, Arunachal Pradesh Making rice beer

This walk is from one of the remotest regions of India, in Arunachal Predesh. It is also the longest of the walks in the series. But the weather is pleasant, and you can walk at your own pace besides the river and amidst lot of greenery, because of which it is not likely to be very tiring.

Start walking westwards from from Along, on the south bank of Siang River. The walk goes along the edge of the forest to its left, and fields and river to the right. First stop is Kabu Village, where, if you wish to, you can take a deviation to the river and walk across a flaky hanging bridge, and get back to the main road.

Continue walking westward from Kabu on the main road. The next stop is Pobdi village. Pobdi has a small tea shop where you can rest for tea and some snacks, but do not expect much from the place. Cross the bridge across Siang at Pobdi, and walk a little further to get to Paia Village.

The villages on the way – Kabu, Pobdi and Paia are inhabited by people of Gallong Adi tribes. In these villages you can see people making of rice beer(apong), old men weaving baskets, children wrapped in a cloth and being carried on the backs of women, women weaving, and life of tribals in general. You can also see a few mithuns(a kind of buffalo) grazing around the village.

The walk ends at Paia village. Do keep in mind that Pobdi is the last point of the walk connected with a tarmac road. Paia is not accessible to vehicles.