Best time to visit Pachmarhi Every season is a different trip

Pachmarhi is open all year. Which months suit you depends on whether you want sunshine, waterfalls or a safari.

Most popular: October to March
Greenest: July to September
Summer escape: April to June
Core safaris: 1 October to 30 June

October to March

Cool, clear and comfortable

This is the season most people choose. Days are sunny and mild, nights are cold, and the air is clear enough for long views from Dhoopgarh and Priyadarshini Point. The waterfalls still carry water in October and November.

It is also the best time for the jungle: the core zones of Satpura reopen on 1 October, boat safaris run on the Denwa, and winter birds arrive.

Best for: sightseeing, treks, safaris, bonfires
Carry warm layers; December and January nights are properly cold
Busy around Diwali, Christmas and New Year, so book early

The railed viewpoint at Dhoopgarh with a lone tree and the Satpura ranges fading into haze

July to September

The monsoon: waterfalls at full strength

The hills turn a deep green, clouds sit in the valleys, and Bee Fall and Rajat Prapat are at their most dramatic. Many people consider this the most beautiful time to see Pachmarhi.

It rains often, some forest routes close, and the core safari zones are shut. The buffer zones remain open.

Best for: waterfalls, green landscapes, photography, quiet
Carry rain jackets and shoes with grip
Expect mist at the viewpoints in the morning

Cottages in a row beneath tall trees, with green monsoon lawns

April to June

A summer escape from the plains

Central India is hot in summer, and Pachmarhi, on its plateau, is noticeably cooler than the cities below. Schools are out, so this is family season.

It is the driest time, so the waterfalls are thin, but it is also when wildlife gathers at the remaining water, which makes April to June rewarding for safaris.

Best for: family holidays, safaris, the pool
Sightsee early and late; rest at midday
The swimming pool at the resort comes into its own

Swimming pool with wooden deck and changing rooms, surrounded by trees

Festivals

Dates worth knowing

Mahashivratri, in February or March, brings a large fair and thousands of pilgrims to the Mahadeo and Chauragarh shrines. It is a remarkable sight, and the busiest days of the year on the roads. The Pachmarhi Utsav, a cultural festival, is held around the last week of December.

Thousands of tridents offered by pilgrims at the Chauragarh temple

Questions

Good to know

What is the best month to visit Pachmarhi?

October to March is the most comfortable, with cool, clear days. For waterfalls and greenery, come between July and September.

Is Pachmarhi worth visiting in the monsoon?

Yes. The hills are at their greenest and the waterfalls at their fullest. Expect rain, mist and some closed forest routes, and note that the core safari zones are shut from July to September.

How cold does Pachmarhi get in winter?

December and January nights are cold and can fall to single digits. Days are sunny and pleasant. Carry warm clothing, especially for early safaris.

Is Pachmarhi good in summer?

Yes. It is cooler than the plains and popular for family holidays from April to June. Sightsee in the morning and evening, and keep the afternoon for the pool.

When are jungle safaris open?

The core zones of Satpura National Park are open from 1 October to 30 June. Buffer-zone safaris, including the one near The Golden Woods Resort, run through the year.

Plan your trip