Chidikho Trek
Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh
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- Max altitude
- 576 m
- Days
- 1 day
- Distance
- 7 km
- Difficulty
- Easy
A short 7 km walk of 3 to 4 hours at under 600 m, but the forest terrain is rocky and undulating, with stream crossings and a waterfall section.
Photos
On the trail
The route
Day by day
Day 1 · highest point
Mahadev Temple, Narsinghgarh → Mahadev Temple, Narsinghgarh (via Chidikho Lake)
470 m → 576 m → 470 m
Ups and downs
Altitude profile
Where it is
Map
Trailhead and high point only — not a recorded track. Use it with a proper map.
Weather
Next 5 days on the trail
Live forecast for the trailhead and the high point. Mountain weather changes fast — check again on the morning you start.
Trailhead · Mahadev Temple, Narsinghgarh
at 470 mLoading forecast…
High point · Narsinghgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (Chidikho Lake area)
at 576 mLoading forecast…
Each day: high / low °C · rain mm and chance · snow cm · wind km/h
Weather data: Open-Meteo.comModel forecast, not an official warning. For alerts follow IMD and the local administration.
Plan the trip
How to reach
- Trailhead
- Mahadev Temple, Narsinghgarh
- Nearest railway
- Biaora (about 30-35 km)
- Nearest airport
- Raja Bhoj Airport, Bhopal (about 85-90 km)
- By road
- Bhopal (about 82-90 km on NH-46 to Narsinghgarh); Biaora (about 35 km)
- Drive
- About 2 h from Bhopal
Plan the trip
Permits and fees
We could not confirm the current permit rules and fees from an official source. Check with the local forest department or tourism office before you go.
Plan the trip
Cost
Self-guided
₹500–2,000
With an operator
₹1,500–4,000
Per person, ex-Bhopal. Estimates only: no operator publishes a current price online. Self-guided assumes a shared taxi from Bhopal (Rome2Rio puts a taxi at about ₹1,400-1,700 one way), food and sanctuary entry. Guided assumes a day trip with a local operator such as those MP Tourism lists (Aakash Solanki; Frontier Campers runs an overnight version from Dera Camp, Kotra village). Confirm prices with the operator.
Gear
Top picks for this trek
The gear that matters most on this route, chosen from its altitude, season and risks.
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Packing checklist
Matched to this trek: altitude, season, days and the risks on the route.
Packed 0 of 21
Hot days in Mar: start at first light and carry extra water and ORS.
Tick each item as it goes in the bag.
Know before you go
Good to know
- Mobile network
- Not confirmed. Expect mobile signal in Narsinghgarh town and patchy signal inside the sanctuary.
- Last ATM
- Narsinghgarh town (not confirmed; carry cash from Bhopal)
- Nearest hospital
- Narsinghgarh town for first care; Bhopal for serious cases
- Water
- Streams and a waterfall along the trail; carry at least 2 litres and treat any stream water.
Highlights
- Chidikho Lake, the bird-watching heart of Narsinghgarh Wildlife Sanctuary; the name is said to mean 'hiding place of birds'
- Over 175 bird species, including the Indian paradise flycatcher (Madhya Pradesh's state bird) and many peafowl
- Chital, sambar and nilgai around the lake in dry deciduous forest
- A seasonal waterfall and clear streams in the region called the 'Kashmir of Malwa'
Risks
- Leopards have been recorded in the sanctuary and near Narsinghgarh town; walk in a group and with a local guide.
- Rocky sections and stream crossings are slippery after rain; Wikipedia gives November to June as the season to visit the sanctuary, so the monsoon months (July-August) are best avoided.
- The exact route from Mahadev Temple is not mapped online; do not attempt it without a local guide or operator.
Know before you go
Questions
How long is the Chidikho trek?
About 7 km, starting and ending at the Mahadev Temple near Narsinghgarh, and it takes 3 to 4 hours on foot.
How far is Chidikho from Bhopal and how do I get there?
Narsinghgarh is about 82-90 km from Bhopal on NH-46, roughly a 1.5-2 hour drive. The nearest railway station is Biaora (about 30-35 km) and the nearest airport is Raja Bhoj Airport, Bhopal.
When is the best time to do the Chidikho trek?
MP Tourism gives September to March as the best season for the trek. Winter months are also the best time for migratory birds at Chidikho Lake.
What wildlife can I see at Chidikho?
Chital, sambar and nilgai roam around the lake, and the sanctuary has over 175 bird species, including the Indian paradise flycatcher and many peafowl. Leopards have also been recorded.
Can I camp overnight at Chidikho?
Frontier Campers runs a two-day, one-night version of the trek with a stay at Dera Camp in Kotra village. Check sanctuary entry rules locally before camping on your own.
In an emergency
Save these numbers before you lose signal. Tap to call.
- 112All emergenciesIndia’s single emergency number — works in every state
- 108Ambulance
- 1077District disaster control room
You are in
District: RajgarhMadhya Pradesh
- Nearest hospital
- Narsinghgarh town for first care; Bhopal for serious cases
- Last ATM
- Narsinghgarh town (not confirmed; carry cash from Bhopal)
- Phone network
- Not confirmed. Expect mobile signal in Narsinghgarh town and patchy signal inside the sanctuary.
Before you set off
- Tell someone your route and when you will be back.
- Carry a charged phone and a power bank.
- Download an offline map of the route.
- Turn back if the weather turns bad — the mountain will wait.
Questions about Chidikho
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Where this comes from
Sources
Last reviewed:
- Top experiences of treks and trails in Madhya Pradesh — Madhya Pradesh Tourism (official)
- Trekking Adventures in Madhya Pradesh: Into the Heart of the Wilderness — Madhya Pradesh Tourism (official)
- Trekking Near Bhopal: 5 Routes For A Joyful And Thrilling Vacation — TravelTriangle
- Chidikho Narsinghgarh — District Rajgarh, Government of Madhya Pradesh (official)
- Narsinghgarh Wildlife Sanctuary — Wikipedia
Photos: Ut2011, CC BY-SA 4.0; Vipul Lunia, CC BY-SA 4.0
