Chitrakote Waterfalls to Kolkata – by Road | Tatamari , Gangrel Dam | Stunning Scenic Drive | Ep 8

🚗 Episode 8 of our South Odisha & Chhattisgarh Road Trip Series takes you on an unforgettable return journey from Chitrakote Waterfalls to Kolkata, blending breathtaking landscapes, cultural insights, hidden gems, and the joy of long-distance road travel in India.

We begin our day waking up to the soothing roar of Chitrakoot Falls, the “Niagara of India,” right beside our camp. With a long road ahead, we start early, saying goodbye to the magical land of Bastar — where in Episodes 5 through 7 we explored Bastar Dusshera, Tirathgarh Falls, Dholkal Ganesh Trek, and savoured Chitrakote Falls , camping right next to it !

As we leave Chitrakote Adventure Camp, merge with NH30 and travel towards Kondagoan and Kanker , we share multiple possible routes on Google Maps, our chosen path, and tips for fellow travelers. Our morning drive brings us to Kanker, where we grab a delicious roadside dosa breakfast before heading to our first stop — the newly developed Tatamari Hill Station. Perched on a cliff edge with 180° panoramic views of valleys and mountains, Tatamari offers both luxury and camping options. Kondagaon is famous for its indigenous Bell Metal / Dokra figurines, that are made by master craftsmen from the local tribes.

The road then winds through the 12 hairpin bends of Keshkal Ghati, revealing dramatic cloudscapes that make this stretch a driver’s dream. We continue to Pandit Ravishankar Sagar Dam (Gangrel Dam) on the mighty Mahanadi River, often called Mini Goa of Chhattisgarh for its pristine beach-like shore, water sports, and luxury lake-view resort.

From here, we skirt the Mahanadi main canal, bypass Raipur via Atal Nagar (Naya Raipur), and join NH49/AH46, the Mumbai–Kolkata highway. Along the way, we highlight Rajim, the “Prayag of Chhattisgarh,” before a dramatic weather shift brings thunderstorms and rain. By evening, we cross Sambalpur (noting Hirakud Dam’s location) and push onwards to Keonjhar under a glowing full moon.

Covering 768 km in a single day with three major legs — Tiratha to Tatamari, Tatamari to Gangrel Dam, Gangrel Dam to Keonjhar — we spend the night at Hotel Kashvi International before continuing the next morning.

On Day 2, we drive through Keonjhar, Jashipur, Bangriposhi, Baharagor and Kharagpur, discussing attractions like Bada Ghagara, Sana Ghagara, Kandadhar Falls, and Simlipal National Park. We explain how travelers can enter Simlipal from Jashipur (Kaliani Gate), spend days in the jungle camps, and exit via Pithabata Gate near Baripada. The lush countryside under brilliant clouds is a reminder that the journey itself is the destination.

After a quick lunch stop, we complete the final stretch home. While this marks the end of our Bastar–Chhattisgarh adventure, our South Odisha series continues — with upcoming episodes on Jiranga, Mahendragiri, Paralakhemundi, and Deomali as promised in Episodes 1 & 2.

🎯 Whether you’re a road trip lover, a travel planner, or simply someone who enjoys stunning Indian landscapes, Episode 8 is packed with route tips, sightseeing suggestions, and hidden travel gems to help you plan your own unforgettable journey.

📌 Watch our earlier episodes:
• Ep 1: Road trip from Kolkata to Koraput – crossing Odisha’s forests, rivers & hills
   • Kolkata to Koraput Road Trip | Scenic East...  
• Ep 2: Tribal heritage of Koraput, Sabara Srikhetra, Rani Duduma and Deomali – Odisha’s highest peak
   • Koraput - Day 1| Deomali Hills,Rani Duduma...  
• Ep 3: The mythical Gupestwar Cave temple , Majestic Duduma Falls and gorgeous dams of Koraput region – Machkund , Jalaput & Kolab !
   • Exploring Koraput - Day 2| Gupteswar, Dudu...  
• Ep 4: Bastar Dussehra – The world’s longest tribal festival
   • Unseen Bastar Dussehra | India’s Most Uniq...  
• Ep 5: Madarkonta Caves, Tirathgarh & Mandwa Falls, Camping at Dholkal Jungle Camp
   • জঙ্গল, জলপ্রপাত , গুহা আর রহস্য ! Bastar R...  
• Ep 6: Dholkal Ganesh Trek, Barsur Temples Tamda & Mendri Ghumar
   • India’s Secret Ganesh Trek: Hidden Temples...  
• Ep 7 : Chitrakote Waterfalls    • Chitrakote Waterfalls - Camping RIGHT in F...  

#RoadTripIndia #Chitrakootfalls #TatamariHill #GangrelDam #MiniGoa #BastarTravel #ChhattisgarhTourism #SouthOdisha #IndianRoadTrips #TravelVlogIndia #ScenicIndia #HiddenGemsIndia #LongDriveIndia #IncredibleIndia #MahanadiRiver #Keonjhar #Kondagaon #Kanker #BellMetal #Dokra #Sambalpur

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Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:11 Enroute Kondagaon
02:45 Chitrakote – Kolkata / Kolkata – Chitrakote Driving route breakdown in detail
04:10 Kondagaon to Tatamari via Kanker
07:56 Tatamari Hill Station
10:02 Tatamari to Dhamtari via Keshkal Ghati
14:08 Gangrel / Pandit Ravishankar Sagar Dam
16:38 Drive with stunning Fairytale cloudscapes – upto Sambalpur
18:36 Sambalpur to Keonjhar drive in the evening
20:05 Keonjhar to Kolkata via Jashipur , Bangriposhi , Baharagora , Kharagpur
24:45 Outro
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