A Spontaneous Adventure to Pachmarhi – A Solo Traveler’s Delight

An Unexpected Encounter on the Train

I was on a Bharat Darshan (a journey across India), soaking in the beauty of different places, cultures, and traditions. After being mesmerized by the breathtaking Dhuandhar Waterfalls in Jabalpur, my plan was to head back to Delhi. I had my sleeper seat booked on the Jabalpur-Nizamuddin Superfast Express, and as the train moved forward, I dozed off, lost in my thoughts.

A little while later, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. An elderly lady stood before me and politely asked for my seat.

Being a solo traveler, I had no problem adjusting, so I gladly gave up my seat for her. She introduced herself as a lawyer practicing at the Jabalpur Court, and soon, we found ourselves in a delightful conversation.

Curious about my travels, she asked, "Where all have you been in Madhya Pradesh?"

I shared my experiences of Orchha, Datia, Gwalior, Jhansi, and now Jabalpur.

That’s when she suddenly asked, "Did you visit Pachmarhi?"

I hesitated and admitted that I hadn’t even heard much about it.

Her eyes lit up with excitement as she described Pachmarhi, the only hill station in Madhya Pradesh, nestled deep within Satpura National Park. She insisted that if I had come this far, I shouldn’t miss it.

A Change of Plans – The Spontaneous Halt at Pipariya

Her words struck a chord. I was 1,200 km from my hometown, Kurukshetra, and I thought—since I’m already this close, will I ever get another chance?

Without much thought, I made a spontaneous decision—instead of heading straight to Delhi, I would take a halt at Pipariya, the nearest railway station to Pachmarhi, and explore the place.

At 10 PM, I arrived at Pipariya. Fortunately, there were plenty of budget hotels near the station. I checked into a simple non-AC room for ₹400, which had all the basic amenities I needed for a night’s stay.

The plan was simple: explore Pachmarhi in a single day and return by night.

Journey to Pachmarhi: The Adventure Begins

The next morning, at 8 AM, I boarded a bus from Pipariya to Pachmarhi. The bus stand was located on the other side of the railway station. The journey covered around 60 km and took nearly two hours, passing through dense forests, rolling hills, and winding roads.

India is truly diverse—its people, landscapes, languages, food, and traditions change with every few kilometers. As I sat by the window, taking in the lush green surroundings, I realized how different my actual journey had turned out from what I had initially planned.

That’s the beauty of solo travel—the freedom to take unplanned detours and embrace new adventures.

Exploring Pachmarhi: The Jewel of Madhya Pradesh

By 10:15 AM, I reached Pachmarhi. As soon as I stepped off the bus, I started asking around for the best way to explore the place.

Locals suggested that to fully experience Pachmarhi, at least 2–3 days were needed. However, with only one day at hand, I had to be smart about my travel choices.

A Smart Choice – Renting a Scooty

One shopkeeper gave me a great piece of advice:

"If you don’t have time for a jungle safari, rent a scooty and explore the key spots within an 8 km radius."

That sounded like the perfect plan!

I quickly found a scooty rental shop and rented one for just ₹300 per day. The shop owner, a friendly and helpful man, gave me a crucial tip before handing me the keys:

"Before taking the scooty, record a video of it from all angles. Some owners falsely claim damages and charge extra money for scratches that were already there."

I appreciated the advice and followed it immediately. It’s always good to be cautious!

He then gave me a hand-drawn route map with a list of must-visit places. With the sun shining bright and my excitement soaring, I kick-started the scooty and zoomed off to explore Pachmarhi—the hidden paradise of Madhya Pradesh.

(To be continued…)