Pachmarhi, India: travel guide
A Satpura plateau hill station of waterfalls, caves and sandstone peaks
Madhya Pradesh's only hill station — a Satpura Range plateau of waterfalls, Buddhist caves, dense forests, and British-era bungalows.
About Pachmarhi
Pachmarhi is a hill station on the Satpura plateau in Madhya Pradesh, a rare patch of cool forest and rock in the middle of the country. It began as a British-era retreat and still has colonial bungalows among the trees.
Things to do in Pachmarhi are largely outdoors. Walk to Bee Falls and other cascades, climb to Dhupgarh for sunset views, and explore the Pandav Caves and Jata Shankar Caves. Jeep trips head into the Satpura National Park around Madhai, and the sandstone terrain carries ancient rock paintings.
The town is small, green and slow-moving, which suits families, nature lovers and walkers. The monsoon fills the waterfalls, though October to February is more comfortable for hiking, and summers are noticeably cooler than the plains.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
Last updated
Top places to visit in Pachmarhi
Bee Falls (Jamuna Prapat)
Waterfall · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A beautiful forest waterfall with bathing pools, reached by a short descent, where a stream cascades through rocks — a Pachmarhi favourite.
Dhupgarh Peak
Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The highest point in the Satpura range and in Madhya Pradesh (~1,350 m), famed for spectacular sunset views over rolling forested hills.
Pandav Caves
Heritage · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · free entry
Five ancient Buddhist-era rock-cut caves on a hillock said to have sheltered the Pandavas, set in a landscaped garden.
Satpura National Park (Madhai)
Wildlife · 4.6 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
A pristine tiger reserve adjoining Pachmarhi, offering jeep, boat and walking safaris through sal forest, gorges and the Denwa backwaters at Madhai.
Jata Shankar Caves
Heritage · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A sacred cave shrine in a cool gorge where natural rock formations resemble Shiva's matted locks (jata), with a perennial spring.
Handi Khoh
Viewpoint · 4.3 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A dramatic deep horseshoe ravine with sheer cliffs dropping into dense forest, the deepest gorge in Pachmarhi, with a railed viewpoint.
Mahadeo Cave & Chauragarh
Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A revered cave-temple of Shiva with a spring, and the trail to the Chauragarh peak shrine famed for the Mahashivratri pilgrimage of trishuls.
Apsara Vihar (Fairy Pool)
Nature · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A serene natural pool and small waterfall amid forest, a gentle spot for a paddle and a short walk — popular with families.
Rajat Prapat (Silver Falls)
Waterfall · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A spectacular ~107-m waterfall, one of the highest in the region, plunging like a silver ribbon, best viewed from a forest vantage.
Priyadarshini (Forsyth) Point
Viewpoint · 4.3 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The viewpoint from which Captain Forsyth first saw the Pachmarhi plateau in 1857, offering a sweeping panorama of the Satpura hills.
Things to do
- Dhupgarh Sunset Jeep Trip Nature · 2 h · from INR 800 per person
- Waterfalls & Caves Gypsy Tour Nature · 5 h · from INR 1,500 per person
- Satpura National Park Safari (Madhai) Wildlife · 4 h · from INR 2,500 per person
- Chauragarh Shiva Trek Activity · 4 h · from INR 600 per person
Day trips and tours
- Pachmarhi Sightseeing Gypsy Tour 8 h · from INR 1,800
- Satpura Tiger Reserve Safari Day 9 h · from INR 3,000
- Caves & Chauragarh Pilgrim Trek 6 h · from INR 900
Where to stay in Pachmarhi
- Hill Station about INR 2,500 per night
Scenic hill station with resorts and nature
Hotels
- Glenview by MPT (MPTDC) 3-star · INR 4,000 to INR 7,000 per night
- Champak Bungalow (MPT) 3-star · INR 3,500 to INR 6,000 per night
- Hotel Highlands (MPT) 3-star · INR 3,000 to INR 5,500 per night
- Hotel Pachmarhi Regency 3-star · INR 2,800 to INR 5,000 per night
- Hotel Saket Regency 3-star · INR 2,500 to INR 4,500 per night
- Satpura Retreat (MPT) 2-star · INR 2,200 to INR 4,000 per night
Where to eat
- China Town Restaurant North Indian, Chinese, Tandoor · about INR 350 per person
- Hotel Saket Restaurant North Indian, Gujarati · about INR 300 per person
- Hill Top Restaurant North Indian, Chinese · about INR 280 per person
- Highlands Restaurant (MPTDC) North Indian, Continental, Chinese · about INR 400 per person
- Cafe Drift Wood Cafe, Continental, Snacks · about INR 200 per person
- Nandanvan Dhaba North Indian, Punjabi · about INR 250 per person
- Punjabi Tadka Pachmarhi Punjabi, North Indian, Tandoor · about INR 300 per person
- Rajendra Giri Garden Cafe Cafe, Snacks, North Indian · about INR 180 per person
Getting to Pachmarhi
Nearest airport: Bhopal (BHO), about 145 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Offroad Vehicle
- Taxi
- Walking
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Frequently asked questions about Pachmarhi
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Pachmarhi?
- The highest-rated places in our Pachmarhi guide are Dhupgarh Peak, Satpura National Park (Madhai), Bee Falls (Jamuna Prapat), Mahadeo Cave & Chauragarh, Rajat Prapat (Silver Falls).
- Where should I stay in Pachmarhi?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Pachmarhi: Hill Station.
- How do I get around Pachmarhi?
- Ways to get around Pachmarhi covered in our guide: Off-road vehicle, Taxi, Walking.