Route : Delhi-Garjia (Corbett NP)-Sitabani-Dichauri-Pangot-Nainital-Agra-Delhi
Season : Mid October to April
Best time : November-December & February-April
Horse : Marwari / Kathiwadi
Duration: 10 Days
The all pervading silence of hundreds of miles of tropical forests, intermittently
broken by a rush of breeze, a birdcall, the uneven breathing of our mounts
and their muffled hoof beats, or the sudden snapping of a twig under their
hooves; welcome to the Himalayan Horse Safari, passing through Bengal Tiger
country immortalised by legendary Jim Corbett. However, it is not “Sher
Khan” the Tiger we have to keep a vigil for, for the first two days
but mighty “Haathi” the Elephant, so we must tread carefully
here! Intersecting the Kosi River flowing along the eastern periphery of
Corbett National Park, and passing the charming hill village of Pangot and
Nani Peak offering breathtaking views of 300 kilometres of Himalaya including
Legendary peaks of Nanda Devi, Trishul, Panch Chulhi. The horse safari comes
to a close at Ratighat. This scintillating tour concludes at Nainital the
charming hill-town spread around the shimmering Naini Lake!
Day 01: Arrive Delhi: Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel for
rest and breakfast ( Rooms reserved until 1200hrs). Lunch in Hotel and afternoon
guided tour of Old Delhi. Dinner in Local Restaurant and then transfer to
railway station for 2240hrs train, travelling in 2nd class air-con sleeper.
Overnight in train.
Day 02: Arrive Kathgodam: Arrive at 0545hrs and transfer (2hrs) by jeeps
to Corbett National park for overnight in delightful resort by the river,
Morning free to re-charge. Afternoon a 4WD jeep/ Elephant safari through
the park with resident naturalist. Dinner and overnight in resort.
DAY 03: Garjia – Bhandarpani – Sitabani {18-20 km; 5/6
hours}
Morning start from hotel after familiarising ourselves with our mounts; the
first stretch takes us across the Kosi River – flowing passively, after
its violent outbursts during the monsoon season. We trek through the dry
riverbed, crossing into the dappled gloom of
the jungle that stretches beyond the left bank of Kosi. The trail meanders
through dense forests of sal and teak, and at some stretches we may be able
to make our horses bite the bit and break into a gallop. We lunch at Bhandarpani
forest check-post and camp at Sitabani, next to the Forest Rest House built
in 1940.
The story of Sitabani: Interestingly Sitabani has a ‘horse’ connection.
According to Ramayana, Lord Rama performed the “Ashwamedha” rite
that involved a horse – a ritual only a great king could perform. A
white stallion was let loose as part of the ceremony that wandered through
many lands until it strayed into these very forests and was caught by Rama’s
sons Luv and Kush, who lived with their mother Sita in the Ashram of Sage
Valmiki.
Rama’s wife Sita had been banished from his kingdom, her honour in
doubt, and to prove her chastity she had to go through a test of fire. Humiliated,
she prayed to be swallowed by the earth, and it all happened right here in
Sitabani (Sita’s Forest). A temple dedicated to her stands below the
Forest Rest House.
Our “syces” will keep the fires roaring all night to keep the
elephants away. Dinner and overnight in Camp/Tents.
DAY 04: Sitabani – Dichauri {20-22 km; 6/7 hours}
We break camp early and after breakfast ride to Dichauri. Once again the
terrain may provide possibilities of cantering through forests that are interspersed
with trees of jamun and mango but still dominated by sal. Expanses of relatively
open forest will allow us moments of thrill as we spur our chargers and canter
through forest aisles. The trail today is marginally longer and we cross
the Dabka River before reaching Dichauri – our camp for the night.
Lunch will be partaken by the river.
We can sleep well once again as our vigilant horsemen will ensure no nasty
Jumbo gets too near to our camp. Dinner and overnight in Camp/Tents.
DAY 05: Dichauri – Pangot {20 km; 5-7 hours}
We can relax our vigil for Haathi, but not completely, as we are still the
trespassers. After breakfast we begin our trek for Pangot, and sal and teak
give way to Himalayan tree species. We will ride through forests of “Chir” (conifer), “Baanj” (oak)
and Deodar (pine): we must be very cautious and ride gently as the trail
gets steeper and steeper. En route we’ll come across a quaintly charming
hill temple and we’ll have our lunch here. Later ride to Pangot, picturesquely
located on a hillside.
Pangot is a charming hill village and we lodge in a delightful little resort
here. Pangot is an excellent spot for birdwatching and it may be possible
to indulge in this relaxing pursuit if time permits. Flocks of many species
of Himalayan birds that include thrushes, laughing thrushes, babblers, jays,
bulbuls, barbets, and warblers can be seen from the balcony of our cottages
as they come to drink and feed, that has been kept out for them by the staff.
Dinner and overnight in Resort.
DAY 06: Pangot – Naina Peak – Pangot {round trip about
20-25 km; 5-6 hours}
An easy day for everyone as we stay put in Pangot. Those who wish to take
rest or go birdwatching with the resident bird guide can stay back at the
resort, while others will saddle up and trek up to Naina Peak – the
highest point in the vicinity of Nainital; this day’s ride entails
steep ascent and descent. Previously it was called “Cheena Peak” as
people believed they could see as far as China from here. Naina Peak affords
magnificent views of 300 kilometres of Himalayan range from Garhwal to Nepal.
Legendary Himalayan peaks such as Nanda Devi, Trishul, Panch Chulhi, Nanda
Kot and Nanda Khat are visible from here: an excellent spot for our lunch.
Later return to Pangot; on the way we pass forests of Baanj, Deodar and “Burans” (rhododendron).
Dinner and overnight in Resort.
DAY 07: Pangot – Ratighat (safari ends) {15 km; 3/4 hours} – Nainital
(bus) {25 km; 2 hours}: We need to be careful and keep our balance as we
trek downhill all the way to our objective – the road-head at Ratighat.
Once again Chir and Deodar cover the hillsides as we ride through their mottled
shadows and come down to the river; we pass apple, apricot and plum trees
as we ride past pleasant hill villages. In the final stage of our safari
we ride along the river, concluding our jaunt roughly a kilometre from the
main highway (N.H. 87). Lunch will be by the riverside where we bid good
bye to our horsemen and kitchen staff and board the awaiting jeeps to set
out for Nainital enroute visit Neemkorali Baba Temple believed to be the
incarnation of Blue Skinned Lord Krishna. Our resort is located above the
lake, Celebratory meals in the lawns of this beautiful hotel.
Day 08: Nanital- and transfer to the railway station: After breakfast time
free to take boat ride, or enjoy shopping in a beautiful market along the
lake with Tibetan/ Kashmir/ Garhwali shops. Late lunch in Hotel and then
departure for railways station 40kms/2hr to board overnight train at 2040hrs
( Dinner on Board).
Day 09: Arrive Delhi: Arrive Delhi around 0450hrs, assistance and transfer
to Agra about 6hrs drive, enroute breakfast and wash. Arrive Agra and stay
overnight in Hotel.
Day 10: Agra-Delhi: Sun rise visit to The Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays).
Return to hotel for breakfast and then drive back to Delhi. Dinner and overnight
in hotel.
Day 11: Transfer to the airport for return flight to London.
Nearest Hospitals:
Ramnagar about 15kms from Corbett National park.
Nanital
Please note;
A, On day 5 we will have very little jeep backup.
B, on day 6 no jeep backup at all.
