Adventure trails in Vindhyachal
Mother Ganga soothes the wrecked body, mind and spirit and helps connect to great reservoirs of peace and strength within.
Adventure in the Vidhyas
Discovering the land of deep mysteries and timeless history - trekking and camping in the age-old environs of Vindhyachal, one loses track of the world beyond.
Vindhyachal is luxuriously green and silver, because of its network of springs and rivers. River Ganga is assisted by Son, Rihand, Karmnasa, Belan and Kanhar rivers in nurturing the land of Ma Vindhyavasini.
Kayaking, or boating down the Ganga from Allahabad to Mirzapur and Varanasi is an experience of a lifetime. Touching river islands and banks, it is akin to flowing on in life as a witness to all that is around you, without being agitated by the nitty-gritty of deadlines and competition. The joyride is wonderful! Mother Ganga soothes the wrecked body, mind and spirit and helps connect to great reservoirs of peace and strength within. Fresh water dolphins that live here may joyously accompany the boat and its riders' search for peace.
Disrict Mirzapur
In district Mirzapur, Tanda falls, Wyndham falls, Upper and Lower Khajuri reservoirs, Sirsi falls, Jirgo reservoir and Kutehara falls are some of the water-centric spots eliciting special attention.
Siddhnath ki dari
Siddhnath dari at Chunar is also a great place to trek to. The forts of Chunar and Sakteshgarh add to the enigma of Mirzapur. These mute art pieces in stone bear testimony to dynasties herein. There is a Dak Bunglaw at Chunar where one can sta as well.
District Chandauli
District Chandauli harbours in its folds the forts of Ramnagar and Naugarh and Chandraprabha Wild life sanctuary, a haven for flora and fauna, and picnickers. Raj Dari and Deo Dari carved in the wilderness as if by magic, are not to be missed in the green precincts of the forest reserve.
District Sonbhadra
District Sonbhadra has prehistoric tree fossils and art in caves deserted by human settlers. Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, Salkhan Fossil Park, Mukkha falls, Lakhania caves, Panchmukhi caves, Churk, Kauva Khoh, Shiv Dwar, Barkandhara and Rihand dam offer sanctity and a cocooned feeling of protection from the eccentricities of routine life. The forts of Aghori and Vijaygarh thrill spirited souls with its rich past and yet unbeatable present.
Wyndham Falls on river Khajuri is a favoured picnic spot by nature-lovers. At Sirsi, water falls from a great height and transports one to the pride of all mountains, the Himalayas. Lower Khajuri Reservoir is a natural one and feeds a large expanse of fields nearby.
Jirgo reservoir welcomes all to boat-rides on its blue-waters. Cool, fresh, unpolluted breeze rippling the crystal clear water is in itself ambrosia to the mind-body sync.
Mukha fall on river Belan is 49 kms from Robertsganj in Sonbhadra. Rocks here have fossils of ancient plant life. Artistic expression of prehistoric man by way of rock carvings and paintings here and at Panchmukhi caves, Lakhania and Kauva Khoh transport you to the beginning of human-civilization.
Travel guide
Map: Vindhyachal
Related: Discover Vindhyachal in Eastern Uttar Pradesh
Vindhyachal for the serious traveller: Local Culture
Prehistoric cave art and tribes of Vindhyachal
Vindhyachal festivals and fairs, annual calendar
Waterfalls and picnic spots
Place of Interest | Location | Specialty | Where to stay |
Raj Dari and Deo Dari Waterfalls |
Chandraprabha Sanctuary, 70kms from Varanasi |
Picnic spot |
Rest houses around Chandraprabha sanctuary |
Tanda falls | 16 km south from Mirzapur | Waterfall, scenic picnic spot | Mirzapur |
Wyndham falls | 16 km from Chunar on Churk Road | Waterfall, scenic picnic spot | Chunar |
Lorika rock | 10 km from Robertsganj | A colossal rock cleft in three | Robertsganj |
Sirsi reservoir | 48 km west of Mirzapur | Scenic place | Irrigation department rest house |
Historic Sites
Place of Interest | Location / Distance | Specialty | Reachable by |
Salkhan Fossil Park | 15 km from Robertsganj on Chopan Road | Fossil evidence of ancient vegetation | Car |
Panchmukhi caves | Near Raup Village, 8 km from Robertsganj on Robertsganj-Churk Road | 12 ancient cave paintings | Bus or private transport |
Sidhnath ki Dari | 15 km from Robertganj, on the Churk Road | Waterfall and ancient cave paintings | Bus or private transport |
Lakhania caves | 15 km from Robertsaganj, in the Kaimor wildlife sanctuary | Ancient caves’ site, paintings | Approachable by jeep from Mahuvaria |
Amda rock paintings | Kaimoor wildlife sanctuary | Ancient caves’ site, paintings | Approachable by jeep from Mahuvaria |
Ghoramangar or Khodwa Pahar | 38 km from Robertsaganj and 13km to the Southwest of Mau Kalan village | Ancient caves’ site, paintings | Approachable by jeep via Churk and Mau Kalan village. A 3 km trek up the hill to the cave-shelter |
Lakhma caves | Near Ghoraghar | Figures of fish found here. Paintings from 4 different periods found here. | Reachable from Churk via Mau Kalan and Cherui villages |
Kauva-Khoh | 5 km to the south of Baghmanwa village | Ancient caves’ site, paintings | Village Baghmanwa is reachable by bus from Churk. A trek through the forest. |
Forts of Vindhyachal
Fort | Location / Distance | Specialty | Where to stay |
Chunar Fort | 45 km from Mirzapur | Sonwa Mandap, Bhartihari’s samadhi, Vithalnathji’s birthplace (Pushtimarg) | PWD guest house inside Chunar fort |
Agori Fort |
35 km from Robertsganj. Approachable from Chopan by a boat or by a trek across River Rihand and other small streams |
A trek across river Son is an interesting way to get to the fort. | Agori fort (condition to prior reservation) |
Vijaigarh fort |
3 km to the south of Mau Kalan village. 12 km from Churk. 20 km from Robertsganj. |
Despite being on a hill, the water sources in the fort do not dry courtesy a network of channels harnessing fresh-water from river Ganga. | Churk |
Shakteshgarh fort | 25 km from Chunar | Chunar |
Distances
Kurari is 14km from Agori across River Son.
Shiv Dwar is 46 km from Robertsganj.
Agori is 35 km from Robertganj.
Salkhan Fossil Park is 15 km from Robertsganj-Renukoot Road.
Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary is 3 km from Robertsganj.
Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary is 70 km from Varanasi.
Varanasi-Vindhyachal: 80 km
Allahabad-Vindhyachal: 95 km
Varanasi-Chunar: 40 km
Mirzapur-Chunar:45 km
Chunar-Shakteshgarh fort: 25 km
Varanasi-Vijaigarh fort: 70 km
Robertsganj-Vijaigarh fort: 20 km
Robertsganj-Agori fort: 35 km