National park · India
Bhimbetka Rock Shelters
Enter Bhimbetka for ₹200 (check) plus a ₹150 guide, walk the 3 km (1.9 mi) trail (≈2 h), best Oct–Feb; avoid summer heat.Enter Bhimbetka for ₹200 (check) plus a ₹150 guide, walk the 1.9 mi (3 km) trail (≈2 h), best Oct–Feb; avoid summer heat.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
2003
Best months
—
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- The protected area covers roughly 0.5 km² of rock‑shelter complex (official figure).
- Established
- 2003
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Bhopal
Bhimbetka hosts a series of prehistoric rock shelters with paintings up to 30,000 years old; a short marked trail links the 15 shelters, making it a compact heritage walk.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2003Rock shelters with prehistoric paintings.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 2003
The protected area covers roughly 0.5 km² of rock‑shelter complex (official figure).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Bhopal.
Why go
- Explore 15 rock shelters with 30,000‑year‑old paintings.
- Walk a short 3 km (1.9 mi) marked trail through a limestone landscape.Walk a short 1.9 mi (3 km) marked trail through a limestone landscape.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayAvoid
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry.
- FebCool, dry.
- MarHeat rises.
- AprHot, low rain.
- MayVery hot.
- JunPeak summer heat.
- JulHot, occasional storms.
- AugHot, monsoon start.
- SepMonsoon, humidity.
- OctCooler, dry.
- NovCool, dry.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snakes in surrounding woodsMar–Sep · Stay on path; watch feet. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Bhopal
Taxi or bus 45 km (28 mi) north; taxi ~₹800, bus ~₹100. Follow signs to the T‑junction, then walk 3 km (1.9 mi) uphill.Taxi or bus 28 mi (45 km) north; taxi ~₹800, bus ~₹100. Follow signs to the T‑junction, then walk 1.9 mi (3 km) uphill.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Bhopal (bus)
State bus to the T‑junction, then auto‑rickshaw or walk 3 km (1.9 mi).State bus to the T‑junction, then auto‑rickshaw or walk 1.9 mi (3 km).
1.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main rock‑shelter area | Entrance gate, visitor desk, marked trail to 15 shelters. | Open with entry ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata centre of the rock‑shelter complex; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | INR 200 (≈ US$3) | person | Check official fee; some sources list free entry. |
| Guide for rock‑shelter interpretation | INR 150 (≈ US$2) | person | Recommended; cost from local guide. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guide for detailed explanation no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹200≈ US$3
- ₹150≈ US$2
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park.
- Fires
- No open fires; use designated cooking areas outside.
- Stay on path
- Leave the paved trail; off‑trail walking may disturb archaeology.
Where to stay
Near the park
Bhopal
Hotels, guesthouses, and hostels; 45 km (28 mi) from the park.Hotels, guesthouses, and hostels; 28 mi (45 km) from the park.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Snakes low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Trail is uneven stone steps; not wheelchair accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all rubbish; no litter on the trail.
- Use refillable water bottles; no water dispensers on site.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Bhimbetka?
Entry is listed as ₹200 per person (check official fee); a local guide costs about ₹150 if you want explanations.
What are the best hikes in Bhimbetka?
The marked 3 km trail linking the 15 rock shelters is the main hike; it takes 2–3 hours and is moderate in difficulty.
When is the best time to visit Bhimbetka?
Visit in the winter months October to February for cooler, dry weather; summer months are very hot and less comfortable.
Can I stay overnight at Bhimbetka?
No accommodation exists on site; stay in Bhopal, about 45 km away.
Is camping allowed in the park?
Camping is prohibited inside the heritage area.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Bhimbetka Rock Shelters
Loading…
Was this useful?