Panna itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Panna

1. 01

   Day 1: Safari and temples

   Book a morning jeep safari in Panna National Park in advance and be at your gate at first light. After a late breakfast, stop at Pandav Falls on the road if the light and your energy allow. Return to town for lunch and a rest, then spend the late afternoon at the Pranami temple of Mahamati Prannath, Jugal Kishore and Baldeoji, all within the old town.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Panna National Park	One safari of roughly 3-5 hours; a full day if you travel from Khajuraho	Easy	Mid-October to June when the park is open; cooler winter mornings for comfort, hotter months for animals gathering near water
   Pandav Falls	About 1 hour	Moderate	Monsoon and the weeks after for the fullest flow; the district site describes it as perennial

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Pandav Falls: The viewpoint involves a descent on steps and uneven paths, which is the hard part for knees. There is little to rely on for shade or seating, and wet rock is slippery in the monsoon. Older travellers can enjoy the top viewpoint and skip the lower levels.

Plan 02

2 days in Panna

1. 01

   Day 1: Safari and the river

   Take a morning safari through your chosen gate, then rest through the heat. In the afternoon, visit Pandav Falls and ask your guide about the Ken Gharial Sanctuary stretch of the river, or a boat ride if one is running.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Pandav Falls	About 1 hour	Moderate	Monsoon and the weeks after for the fullest flow; the district site describes it as perennial
   Ken Gharial Sanctuary	2-3 hours, or combined with a safari day	Easy	Cooler months, when gharials bask on sandbanks; check water levels first

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Pandav Falls: The viewpoint involves a descent on steps and uneven paths, which is the hard part for knees. There is little to rely on for shade or seating, and wet rock is slippery in the monsoon. Older travellers can enjoy the top viewpoint and skip the lower levels.

2. 02

   Day 2: Town temples and diamond context

   Walk Panna's old town: Mahamati Prannath temple first, then Jugal Kishore, Baldeoji and Jagannath Swami in the Raj complex. Ask a local operator whether a visit connected with the Majhgawan diamond mine is possible, and treat it as optional.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Mahamati Prannath Temple	About 1 hour	Easy	Morning or evening aarti; Sharada Purnima is crowded

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

Plan 03

3 days in Panna

1. 01

   Day 1: Safari day

   Reserve a morning safari in a core zone and an afternoon in a different gate if permits allow. Spend the middle of the day resting. End at Pandav Falls for the low evening light.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Pandav Falls	About 1 hour	Moderate	Monsoon and the weeks after for the fullest flow; the district site describes it as perennial

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Pandav Falls: The viewpoint involves a descent on steps and uneven paths, which is the hard part for knees. There is little to rely on for shade or seating, and wet rock is slippery in the monsoon. Older travellers can enjoy the top viewpoint and skip the lower levels.

2. 02

   Day 2: Temples and kunds

   Morning in Panna town's temples, then drive to Brihaspati Kund and the nearby kunds if conditions allow, checking access locally first.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Brihaspati Kund	1.5-2 hours including the drive	Moderate	Monsoon and early post-monsoon months, when the water flows

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Brihaspati Kund: Access details are not published and paths near kunds are likely rough and slippery. Facilities are minimal, so older visitors should ask locally before going.

3. 03

   Day 3: A long day south

   For fit travellers with a driver, spend a full day at Ajaygarh Fort or the early temples at Nachna, carrying food and water. Others can use the day for a second safari or a transfer to Khajuraho.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Ajaygarh Fort	3-4 hours including the climb	Demanding	November to February, early morning

   Pace: Ajaygarh Fort involves a lot of walking or steps — do it early, and keep the rest of the day light.

   With parents at Ajaygarh Fort: The district site describes about 45 minutes of steep rock climbing to reach the gates. Paths are uneven, shade is limited and there is little seating, so this is a poor choice for older visitors or anyone with joint problems.

Read before you go

Guides for the stops on these routes

Pacing

Pacing a Panna trip for parents and children

• Choose a jeep with the best seating available and ask about cushions; safari tracks are bumpy and dusty.
• Pack a warm layer, scarf and hat: winter dawns in an open jeep are cold and summer afternoons are very hot.
• Town temples are largely level but have marble floors and steps at entrances; wear socks in summer to cope with hot stone.
• Skip Ajaygarh Fort and the long drive to Nachna if knees or stamina are a concern; the district site describes a steep climb of about 45 minutes.
• Book permits and a jeep in advance and avoid back-to-back safari slots; build in a rest each afternoon.
• Carry any regular medicines, water and snacks, as facilities outside Panna town and Khajuraho are limited.

Panna with elderly parents: the full guide →