A 25-Days Trip from Bangalore to Madhya Pradesh

Hi, This is Bharati Srivastava, a travel lover and explorer.

My travel passion led me to discover not only beautiful places but also to make beautiful connections with people. Now, I’m excited to start a new journey with Sowl.in, detailing our latest road trip to Madhya Pradesh in our Jeep Compass, covering a large part of the state. Stay tuned for the adventure!

After our daughter finished her boards, we decided to take a road trip so that we could explore for a longer period of time. My husband had some time off, so he was able to work from home during our 25-day journey.

Route:

We started our road trip from Bangalore in our own car and took the route via Pune, Satara, Maheshwar, Mandu, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Bandhavgarh, Kanha, and finally Pench. From Pench, we drove back to Hyderabad before returning to Bangalore. Traveling in our own car made it very convenient.

Places to visit in Pune:

We booked our first stay in Pune but faced a minor car issue en route from Bangalore to Satara. Following the guidance of the car service station, we opted for Treebo in Satara—a great choice for a small town. Despite the hiccup, our enthusiasm remained high. We tried local food at Manas hotels, enjoying their Bhakri with Mutton Curry, known for its mind-blowing taste. Manas hotels are popular for serving authentic food, attracting locals in large numbers.
We had breakfast at the hotel and left for Pune. We had to extend our stay due to an issue in Satara. Checked in at the Iskcon Temple guest house in Pune. Arrived late, had Darshan on Ram Navami, and enjoyed kirtans and bhajans.
Day trip to Bhimashankar temple, a 3-hour journey each way. Left early, reached by noon, and had a beautiful darshan. Lucky to visit Rammandir during Ramnavami and enjoy the feast. We returned late in the evening as we had an early departure the next morning for our journey ahead.

Places to visit in Maheshwar:

Headed to Maheshwar and enjoyed self-driving with short breaks for videos and pictures. Tried local food in Dhule and especially loved the authentic mutton curry and bhakhri. Ended the meal with delicious dark yellow jaggery from local farmers and peanuts.
Continuing on the Dhule highway, spotted Golden Leaf Resort. Decided to stay a night to relax and avoid exhaustion. Explored the resort and tried local food. Met the owner and had a chat about work and profession.
April 1st, Saturday, reached Maheshwar by noon. After a short break, we explored local sights, including Ahilyabai Holkar’s palace. Learned about her strong belief in Lord Shiva and her daily prayers at Narmada Ghat. Evening boat ride to Shahastradhsra and Narmada Ghat visited the central universe temple of Lord Shiva. Explored the making of Maheshwari sarees and tasted local food. Stayed at MPSTDC accommodation and enjoyed unique buffet meals with a touch of local variety.

Places to visit in Mandu:

The next day we headed to Mandu, an hour’s drive from Maheshwar. Took a detour through a village and enjoyed seeing cows and calves. Arrived in Mandu by 12:15, freshened up, and started local sightseeing. Opted for a guide to get detailed insights into forts, local rulers, and cuisine, saving time and gaining valuable information.

Mandu has lots to see, so we booked a guide who took us to the important sights.

Jahaz Mahal
Rani Rupmatis Pavilion
Baz Bahadur Palace
Jami Masjid
Hindola Mahal
Ashrafi Mahal
Hostangs Tomb
Champa boali
Echo point
Mandu Museum

We covered everything in a single day. The timing depends on family interests, lunch, and short breaks—it varies for each family.

Places to visit in Indore and Ujjain:

We set out for Indore to visit my aunt. Taking advantage of the freedom of self-driving, we made an unplanned stop at her house along the Indore Highway. This allowed us to meet friends and relatives on the way to our next destination.
After a brief visit, we continued our journey directly to Ujjain, as Indore was more of a commercial center with limited attractions. The well-maintained highways facilitated smooth driving, prompting us to stay at Iskcon Ujjain.
After contacting them, we booked a one-night stay. The next morning, at 7 a.m., we reached Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. To save time and avoid the weekend rush, we opted for a Rs. 250/- darshan pass. The temple’s efficient system prohibited mobile phones inside, ensuring their safekeeping in lockers. Retrieving our valuables required showing the token.
After the darshan, we visited the beautiful Harsiddhi Mata Mandir, one of the shaktipeeths of the goddess.

Places to visit in Bhopal:

Returned to our stay, packed, and headed to Bhopal, booking MPT. Reached the hotel around 3 p.m. Advised to leave the car and take an auto to the local market. Explored, shopped for clothes, and enjoyed Chaats. Bought local papads and snacks—fresh and perfect for the journey home.
Visited the Sachi Stupa Archaeological Site in Bhopal and spent 2 hours exploring. Walked down to see each stupa. Then we went to Udaygiri for another 2-hour visit. Had lunch at MPT there.
The next day, we visited Bhimbetka caves and took 2 hours to explore and capture pictures. Later, we went to Bhojpur temple for a 30-minute visit with photo opportunities.
The local Bhopal Tribal Museum is a must-visit. Beautiful creativity, handcrafted pieces, and stunning displays with hand-painted walls and descriptions.
Also, Lalghati is a famous spot with a Jain temple accessible by a ropeway, best enjoyed in the early morning. Consider the People’s Mall if you have extra time to see the 7 Wonders of the World.

Places to visit in Jabalpur:

After reaching Jabalpur, We made friends there and went for an evening boating at Marble Rocks with them. Boatman shared insights with acts, singing, and funny commentary.
Ended the day with the evening Aarti at Narmada Ghat before heading back home.
Explore river rafting at 9:30. A thrilling 3-hour experience with an exciting guide who made it fun, removing all fear. Learned proper paddling techniques. Dropped back to the hotel after lunch and visited the Chausath Yogini Temple.

Visited Dhaundhaar Falls at Bedhaghat. Their misty showers are extremely popular, and you can still feel them if you stand near the railings.
The next day, we changed the hotel to another MPT. Explored local places like Madan Mahal and the Balancing Rock. At Gawri Ghat, took a boat ride to the temple between the ghats. Witnessed a beautiful way of praying at the ghats, followed by a magical half-hour Ganga Aarti, a unique water prayer experience.
Visited Bargi Dam in Jabalpur. Spent a lot of time there and took a cruise ride—worth it. In the late evening, they played music on the cruise, and people danced with friends and family.

Places to visit in Bandhavgarh:

Left for Bandhavgarh, a 3-hour drive with good highways. Booked an MPT in advance, had lunch upon arrival, and relaxed by the pool. I explored local places in the evening after high tea. Early bedtime for an early morning safari; MPT packed breakfast neatly.
The first safari experience was incredible; we enjoyed seeing Tigers and other wildlife.
Nature in the forest is beyond imagination, and more beautiful than expected.
Went for an evening Safari at different gates, and also booked a night safari.
Explored all three major gates: Tala Magadhi in the evening and Khatiya in the night safari.
Discover a nearby temple named Jwala Devi and pick up a few things from local shops.

Hidden Gems in Madhya Pradesh

Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

The next day, after an early breakfast, we went off to Kanha Forest.

Quick lunch upon arrival, followed by an immediate safari.
Saw a tiger, made friends, and had dinner with family.
The next morning, another safari—I fell in love with the beautiful trees, bird sounds, and the pure, mystic air of nature.
Evening Safari is booked to spot tigers in their natural habitat and enjoy the beauty of nature.
At Kisli gate saw beautiful Ayurvedic plants.

Pench National Park

Last stop of the journey:

Reached Pench at 1 p.m., had lunch, and went to Safari.
Pench, a vast forest with entrances in MP and Maharashtra, was entered through Turia Gate.
Experienced three safaris with different animal sightings—wild dogs, jackals, wild squirrels, woodpeckers, vultures, Neelgai, and even spotted a tiger.

After that, we departed for Hyderabad from Kanha. The journey took around 7 to 8 hours, including pleasant breaks for lunch and tea. After spending a night in Hyderabad, we relished the local specialty, biryani. The following morning, we set off for Bangalore at 6 a.m., reaching our destination by 4 p.m. Throughout the trip, my husband ensured a safe drive by adhering to all highway rules and maintaining necessary safety precautions and tools.

Accommodation in Madhya Pradesh:

We booked accommodations along the way in various cities. In Satara, we stayed at Treebo, which was recommended by the local car service station. In Pune, we stayed at the Iskcon Temple Guest House.
After proceeding ahead on the Dhule Highway, there is a beautiful resort named Golden Leaf.
In Maheshwar, we booked the MPSTDC accommodation.
In Bhopal, we stayed at MPT.
In Jabalpur, we stayed at another MPT. In Bandhavgarh, we stayed at MPT Bandhavgarh.
In Kanha, we stayed at a local hotel.
Finally, in Pench, we stayed at a hotel near the Turia Gate.

The best food to try in Madhya Pradesh:

We took the opportunity to try out the local cuisine at each place we visited.

In Satara, we had the local food taste at Manas hotels, where their Bhakri with Mutton Curry was mind-blowing.
In Dhule, we savored the authentic mutton curry and bhakhri.
In Maheshwar, we enjoyed the feast of food served at the Rammandir.
In Bhopal, we indulged in the delicious chaats in the local market. In Hyderabad, we relished the famous biryani.

Travel tips

For a road trip, always carry plenty of water, especially on highways where finding a spot to stop can be tough.
Essential items include medicines for vomiting and motion sickness, pain relief sprays, and eye drops for strained eyes.
Keep travel tools handy for your car, and pack a few hand towels, wet wipes, and biscuits for a comfortable journey.

The best time to visit Madhya Pradesh

The ideal time to visit Madhya Pradesh is between October and April; to avoid extreme heat. This period allows exploration of all attractions without the risk of heatstroke. Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the safari season, witnessing animals in the open for water and food.

Our self-driving road trip, spanning 25 days, costs between 2 and 2.5 lakhs. This covered luxurious stays in 5-star hotels, expenses for food during travel, diesel costs, shopping, safaris, and activities like rafting. Using local transportation and purchasing souvenirs added to the overall expenses.

I love creating memories on my journeys and capturing local food spots in videos. Learning about the culture and cuisine of each place is crucial to me. Travel is about overcoming fears, discovering the unknown, and making self-created moments.

Covering 5000 km from Bangalore to Madhya Pradesh was thrilling. Meeting new people and sharing travel stories added to the excitement. I’m Bharti Srivastava, a travel enthusiast, nature explorer, and food lover. The journey doesn’t end here; I’ll keep this passion alive with more adventures to come.

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