Kanger Valley National Park

Kanger Valley covers around two hundred square kilometres of sal, teak and bamboo forest along the Kanger river, and its distinguishing feature is underground: a limestone belt riddled with caves, of which Kutumsar, Kailash and Dandak are open. Kutumsar runs several hundred metres deep with chambers of formations and a blind cave fish that has lost its eyes and pigment, and it is entered by ladder with guides carrying lamps. Above ground the forest holds the Bastar hill myna, adopted as the state bird, along with leopard, sloth bear, mouse deer and a long list of birds and butterflies.

The landscape

• Kutumsar cave - a deep limestone cave with blind fish and formations.
• The other caves - Kailash and Dandak, opened seasonally.
• The hill myna - the Bastar myna, Chhattisgarh's state bird.
• Tirathgarh falls - the tiered waterfall inside the park.

When to go

November to February; the caves close in the monsoon when they flood, usually from June to October. The forest is greenest just after the rains. Summer is hot.

Practical notes

Caves close entirely during and after the monsoon and reopen on park decision, so timing must be checked. Entry is by ladder in the dark with limited lighting, unsuitable for anyone claustrophobic. The district is remote.

Nearby

Jagdalpur lies northeast; Chitrakote falls are north.

Key facts