NAGPUR TO CHIKHALDARA

Maharashtra’s Vidharbha region is usually not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of coffee plantations. But the highaltitude climes of Chikhaldara offer undulating landscapes peppered with aromatic coffee estates. Fly to Nagpur and negotiate some breathtaking curves over five hours to reach this former colonial hill station guarded by the towering Satpura Range. Base yourself at Amravati, which falls en route (154 kilometres from Nagpur), and drive to Chikhaldara to visit the Gawilgarh Fort built by the local shepherd clans that ruled during the 12th century, and the Melghat Tiger Reserve ( that boasts over 70 big cats. Spend your time gawking at giant windmills, standing under natural waterfalls, and picking strawberries at farms.