Hidden gem

It used to be the Sanjay National Park till Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh. Now 60 per cent of the former park (about 1,440 sq km) that lies in Chhattisgarh goes by the name Guru Ghasidas National Park, named after the region&rsquos famous Satnami reformist hero. This rather underexplored park is a mixed deciduous forest with teak, sal and bamboo trees and there&rsquos a wide variety of mammals and birds its importance lies in the fact that it forms a vital corridor linking Bandhavgarh and the Palamau Tiger Reserve. With dense forests, streams and undulating terrain, it&rsquos a pretty place. There be tigers here, too.

Location 400km from Raipur, on the Riva-Sidhi-Mirjapur-Varanasi state highway

Where to stay At the Forest Department&rsquos guesthouse (contact the Director, GGNP, 9425254875) or at Hotel Shri Mangalam (Rs 120&ndash800 07836-232021) in Baikunthpur.