Tensa Natural Hill Station: The Hill Paradise Odisha Forgot to Mention
Most people looking for a hill getaway in Odisha think only of Daringbadi. But hidden inside Sundargarh district, surrounded by the Saranda Forest and floating clouds, lies Tensa Natural Hill Station, a quiet, breathtaking, untouched mountain retreat at 3,300 ft. that feels like Himachal but stays proudly Odia.
In December 2024, my friends and I took a spontaneous winter break here, and truthfully, Tensa healed parts of us we didn’t even know were tired.
This blog is a mix of:
- My personal travel experience
- A practical 2025 travel guide
- Updated info on Tensa Nature Camp
- Nearby attractions, costs, food & itinerary
- Answers to People Also Ask (PAA) queries
Table of Contents
Our Road Trip: The Drive That Felt Like a Holiday by Itself
We left Bhubaneswar at 4 AM.
Five friends, hot thermos chai, a playlist of 90s songs, and the excitement of escaping the city.
Route We TookBhubaneswar → Sambalpur → Jharsuguda → Rengali → Tensa
(Approx. 380 km / 8–9 hours)
The moment we hit the Rengali–Tensa Ghat Road, everything changed.
The last 22 hairpin bends felt like driving into a postcard:
- Sal and pine forests closing in
- Mist rolling through the trees
- Tiny waterfalls trickling down rocks
- Valley views that made us gasp every 5 minutes
My friend Subhra kept shouting, “Stop the car, stop the car, THIS view is insane!”
We stopped so many times, our ETA jumped by an hour. But honestly? Worth it.
By the time we reached Tensa Natural Hill Station, the temperature dropped from Bhubaneswar’s 29°C to a crisp 14°C.
Winter had finally found us.
Checking into Tensa Nature Camp: Warm Tea, Warm People, Cold Breeze
We stayed at OTDC Nature Camp, Tensa.
It’s simple yet surprisingly cosy, easily one of the best eco-camp experiences in Odisha.
What we loved:- Swiss cottages with private balconies
- Forest on one side, valley on the other
- Hot water after a cold trek
- Unlimited Odia meals (Ghee Anna, mutton curry, Mushroom fry)
- Evening bonfire and tribal dance
- ZERO phone network, peace at last
It was the kind of place where you forget your emails exist.
After dropping our bags, we freshened up and went for our first viewpoint.
Koel River Viewpoint- The Moment All of Us Went Silent
Just a 10-minute walk from the Nature Camp.
Suddenly, the ground opened into a cliff and 1,000 feet below, the Koel River curved like a silver ribbon.
We stood there speechless.
Only eagles floated by, circles widening in the sun. The valley was so silent you could hear your own breath.
In that moment, all the rushing, the deadlines, the stress melted. Tensa does that to people.Sunrise from Sunset Point - Yes, It’s Confusing & Yes, It’s Magical
Mist everywhere. Sky turning saffron. Valleys glowing gold. And in the distance, the faint shimmer of Khandadhar Waterfall, Odisha’s second-highest fall.
Pro tip
Wake up at 4:30 AM for sunrise at least once. You won’t regret it.Our Tensa Adventures - A Day-by-Day Story
Day 1 – Arrival + Koel View + Bonfire Night
The evening gave us:
- Chai in steel cups
- Cold wind
- A starry sky worth framing
- Bonfire laughs
- Chicken curry so good we asked for seconds
The Milky Way was visible, a rare gift for city eyes.
Day 2 – Trek to Gurundia Waterfall (Best Day!)
The Nature Camp arranged a guided trek (6 km).
The trail passed through:
- Hanging bridges
- Bamboo groves
- Mud trails
- Birds everywhere
Soon, the hidden Gurundia Waterfall appeared. Everyone jumped into the ice-cold pool, screaming like kids.
Our packed pakhala bhata meal under the falls? Pure heaven.
Day 3 – Road Trip to Khandadhar Waterfall
60 km from Tensa, through tribal villages and forests.
On arrival, waterfall mist soaked us instantly. The roar was THUNDEROUS. No photo can capture the feeling.
Picked up mahula flowers and bamboo crafts at a village market on our way back.
Day 4 – Sunrise Trek + Lazy Morning
That morning felt like floating in clouds.
Peacocks wandering around the camp lawn, aloo parathas on plates, hot tea warming our hands—perfect ending to a perfect trip.
What Makes Tensa Natural Hill Station Special?
It’s untouched
- No crowds.
- No loud tourists.
- You feel ownership of the hills.
It’s naturally cold
- Even December afternoons stay around 18°C.
Views that compete with Ooty
- And no traffic to ruin them.
Hills, waterfalls, valleys, all close by
- You never run out of things to see.
Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Tensa
Best Time to Visit
Here’s when Tensa feels the best:- October – February → Perfect
- Monsoon (Jul–Sept) → Beautiful but slippery
- Summer (March–June) → Avoid
Where to Stay
Tensa Nature Camp (OTDC) offers comfortable options:- 6 Swiss cottages
- 4 AC rooms
- ₹3,000–3,500 per night
- Great food & staff
- Guided treks
How to Reach
Road:- Bhubaneswar → Angul → Sambalpur → Jharsuguda → Tensa
- Nearest stations – Jharsuguda or Rourkela (85 km each)
- Jharsuguda Airport (80 km)
Nearby Tourist Places to Explore
- Khandadhar Waterfall (60 km) – most iconic
- Gundichaghagi Waterfall (35 km) – perfect picnic
- Pradhanpat & Deojhar (70–80 km)
- Vedvyas & Mandira Dam (70 km)
- Rourkela City (85 km)
People Also Ask – Answers to Common Questions
1. Why is Tensa Natural Hill Station famous?
2. Can families and kids visit Tensa?
3. Is Tensa better than Daringbadi?
4. What is the cost of visiting Tensa?
5. Do we need to book the Tensa Nature Camp in advance?
Conclusion
It was:
- Cold air clearing our thoughts
- Laughter echoing through forests
- Midnight stories around bonfires
- Sunrise that felt like a new beginning
- Friends becoming family
