THE ESSENTIAL BASTAR
Unravelling the mysterious land of the tribals
Highlights: Haats | Lunch at a tribal home | Local crafts | Chitrakote Waterfall
No. of Days: 7
Overview: When in Bastar, expect the unexpected. That is not to say that your travel plans here would be fluid. But there will be unplanned stops to peek down to stunning waterfalls, stare at ludicrously green landscapes and paddy fields stretching from where you stand and hamlets that will leave an indelible mark in your memory. From all the treasures of the land, what will strike one as most fascinating is the local tribal life in the region.
When not standing with your jaw dropped, scour the local weekly haats (markets), sample the famous ant chutney, watch hypnotic local dances or just lie under the blue sky with whisps of cloudy whites. Each day will spring a surprise. Not in an orchestrated way, but in simple village ways. You might spend an entire afternoon with a dhokra curios maker in his home, or crane your neck to see ancient temple ceilings. The week-long trip promises to leave you breathless and stunned into silence. But when you do start talking, it will be nothing short of a glowing account of Bastar.
What To Expect: Life in a tribal hamlet is certainly the most vivid part of this trip. Expect to see life at close quarters, including visiting a local haat, being adventurous with your food and seeing a burst of activity at the local beverages section of the market. On the other hand, there will be moments that you will feel that time has stood still. Cascading waterfalls and the deep silence of the jungles might do that. Bastar is simple but gorgeous. Heartwarming hospitality may not be defined with well-equipped hotels, but it will be far compensated in having a cup of sulfie (local beer) with an old tribal lady.
