Pratapgarh itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Pratapgarh

1. 01

   Day 1: Sita Mata and Thewa

   Start early for Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary and plan to be in the forest at dusk, when the flying squirrels are most active. Before that, spend the middle of the day in Pratapgarh town visiting a Thewa workshop by appointment, and lunch at a simple local restaurant. Confirm the entry point and permit at the forest office first, as arrangements are not published in detail.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary	Half a day, or an afternoon through dusk	Moderate	November to March; February and March for flying squirrels, in the hour before and after sunset

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

   With parents at Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary: Tracks are uneven and facilities are minimal, with few benches or toilets. A vehicle can cover much of the ground and the squirrel watch is a short, slow walk, so older travellers can manage with a guide and water.

Plan 02

2 days in Pratapgarh

1. 01

   Day 1: Town, Thewa and Devgarh

   Spend the morning in the old part of Pratapgarh and visit a Thewa workshop to see the glass-and-gold technique at close range. After lunch, drive to the Devgarh palace area for the old Rajmahal, stepwell and Jain temples, with a rest in the hottest hours. Finish at the Jakham reservoir if the light is good.

2. 02

   Day 2: Gautameshwar and Sita Mata

   Go to Gautameshwar Mahadev near Arnod in the morning, when the shrine and its kund are quiet. Drive on to Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary for the afternoon, see the Sita Mata shrine and wait for dusk in squirrel country with a forest guide.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary	Half a day, or an afternoon through dusk	Moderate	November to March; February and March for flying squirrels, in the hour before and after sunset

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

   With parents at Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary: Tracks are uneven and facilities are minimal, with few benches or toilets. A vehicle can cover much of the ground and the squirrel watch is a short, slow walk, so older travellers can manage with a guide and water.

Plan 03

3 days in Pratapgarh

1. 01

   Day 1: Town and Thewa

   Walk the old town, visit a Thewa workshop and shop, and drive to the Devgarh palace area in the late afternoon.

2. 02

   Day 2: Gautameshwar and Jakham

   Visit Gautameshwar Mahadev near Arnod in the morning, then the Jakham reservoir at Anooppura for an easy lakeside afternoon.

3. 03

   Day 3: Sita Mata and Bhanwar Mata

   Drive to Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary for a morning walk with a guide and the shrine. On the way back, stop at Bhanwar Mata temple near Chhoti Sadri if you have energy, or keep the afternoon for rest.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary	Half a day, or an afternoon through dusk	Moderate	November to March; February and March for flying squirrels, in the hour before and after sunset

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

   With parents at Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary: Tracks are uneven and facilities are minimal, with few benches or toilets. A vehicle can cover much of the ground and the squirrel watch is a short, slow walk, so older travellers can manage with a guide and water.

Read before you go

Guides for the stops on these routes

Pacing

Pacing a Pratapgarh trip for parents and children

• Plan only one major outing a day. Distances between Sita Mata, Gautameshwar and the town are long and some roads are rough.
• Hire a car with a driver for the whole stay. Public transport does not reach the sights conveniently.
• Carry water, any regular medicines and snacks. Chemists and eateries are sparse outside Pratapgarh town.
• Forest walks are uneven underfoot. Wear closed shoes and ask the guide to keep to flat tracks.
• Choose a ground-floor room or confirm lift access. Hotels are small and many have stairs only.
• Visit between November and February. Summer afternoons in the forest are punishing.

Pratapgarh with elderly parents: the full guide →