Foothills of the Western Himalaya Multi
OR Family Adventure. Wildlife * Moderate trekking *Rafting * Taj Mahal.
A superb Combination of a Short
trek through the foothills of the western himlaya, with lovely views.
Rafting on the mighty Ganges and game viewing on elephant back and open 4WD
Jeeps in one of the finest national parks in India presenting electrifying
encounter with wildlife of India. The trip also includes a visit to
Shahjahan's Taj Mahal .
Duration: 14 Days.
Best Time: Mid October to Mid April. (we request to avoid the trip
from 20th Dec to 10th Jan) Trekking: Moderate 4 days.
Highest altitude Vinayak (7,300fts/ 2,225mts) High lights: Game
viewing by elephant, Views of the distant mountains, Nainital Lake with its
British atmosphere, Rafting on the Ganges, Temples and Ashrams.
Day 1: Europe / New Delhi : Leave your country to India .
Day 2: Arrive Delhi: Arrive Delhi and transfer to Pre-booked
hotel. Morning free to re-charge. Afternoon a guided visit to Red Fort and
Cycle Rikshawa ride through the silver market, back to hotel for overnight.
Day 3: Delhi/ Corbett: After breakfast, we drive about
6hrs across Indian Planes , villages and fields into the foothills of
Himalaya - Corbett National Park for 3night stay in delightful resort. After
Lunch time, evening Open jeep ride through the park to view the wildlife.
All meals and overnight in Resort. Day 4/5: Corbett :
For Two days we will explore the park with resident Naturalist by Elephant
and Jeep to see some great wildlife, including Elephants/ Crocodiles/
different kinds of deer, and perhaps a Royal Bengal Tiger. Afternoons are
free to rest and relax, all meals and overnight in Resort.
DAY 6: Corbett/ Patkot/ Bhameshwar : ( Trek begins 5/6hrs).
Proceed on the unmetalled road by 4WD jeeps, just outside the main gate of
the Corbett park down to the Kosi river to enter the Sitabani reserve
forest. A ninety-minute drive through a sal and teak forest brings you to
Patkot village (1,200 ft / 366 m ) at the edge of the forest where the hills
begin. The trek starts from the village. The initial gradual climb takes you
through a thick growth of lantana bushes, A hardy plant, lantana grows
easily and the shrubs around it. Soon you enter a thick sal forest to
descend to the kalagarh stream. The path climbs up steeply just short of a
wooden bridge, again through a sal forest ,to Amtoli village. After a short
break, climb up steeply on the face of a barren hill. The trail climbs
up the barren hill to reach the shepherd settlement of Bineka. Traversing
the hillside through an oak forest, reach the campsite at the Bhameshwar
temple (4,900 ft /1,493 m ) dedicated to shiva, which dates back to eight
hundred years. At almost 5,000 ft, corbett park lies sprawled below you and
the plains further beyond. Camp for overnight. DAY 7:
Bhameshwar/ Kunjakharak (6/7hrs): It begins with a steep climb through
a thick oak forest to cross a small pass on the ridge. A two-hour walk from
the camp brings you to Bhagini village. You are in typical hill country
going through a dense forest of oak, chestnut, and bamboo with a few
rhododendron trees. Staying just below the Devidhara ridge ,the trail climbs
steadily for three hours to Kultani village where there is a break in the
ridge. In another hour, you reach the kunjakharak forest rest house ( 7,000
ft / 2,134 m ) situated in a reserved forest. Form the watch-tower close to
the rest house you see the Nanda Devi complex shimmering in the north. Over
night in rest houses/ Camp. DAY 8: Kunjakharak / Vinayak
(5/6hrs): The walk is easy as you follow a wide path through a dense
forest. Going along the ridge, the road stays almost lavel. This is a great
day for brid -watching. If you are there in spring, the migratory birds
would be back. Thrushes, chats, minivets, sunbirds, warbles, sparrows,
woodpeckers, skylarks, and parakeets can be seen. A leisurely walk from the
camp leads to Vinayak ( 7,300 ft / 2,225 m ). Camp for Overnight.
DAY 9: Vinayak / Nainital (5/6hrs): The last day is another
unhurried trek through some thick pine forest. At the end of the first six
kilometers stretch comes Pangot village. From there a smaller trail descends
to Nainital, fifteen kilometers away. The approach to the town is from the
top of the Naina hill, presenting a great top view suddenly opens up to a
fabulous natural amphitheatre of wooded hills enclosing the pretty,
banana-shaped lake below. A trail snakes its way down to the town. Overnight
in hotel. Day 10: Nainital to Shivpuri: After
breakfast, we take a short boat trip in the Naini Lake and then drive about
6/7hrs through rolling hills and mountain village to Shivpuri and stay in
delightful Camp (with Beds) on a lovely sandy beach, great for swimming and
bird watching, Campfire and overnight in Tents. Day 11:
Shivpuri - Rishikesh (rafting) - Haridwar After breakfast we take
exciting 4hrs rafting trip to Rishikesh, with beach lunch on one of the
beaches of Mighty Ganges (rafting is not at all difficult and is for
beginners). We bob through dense forested hills, charming villages and
temples. We finish rafting in Rishkesh , after having tea and snacks drive
about 25kms to Haridwar ( Door way to Gods), Arrive and check into the hotel
. Evening attend Aaarti Ceremony on the Ganges. All meals and overnight in
hotel. Day 12: Haridwar - Mathura ( Transfer to Agra ) :
Early morning board train to Mathura ( Dep: 06.00hrs , Arr: 14.55hrs ),
traveling in 2nd air-conditioned sleeper class , arrive Mathura in the
afternoon and drive about 2hrs to Agra, check into the hotel. Breakfast and
overnight in hotel. Day 13: Agra/ Delhi : Early
morning we take a Guided visit to Taj Mahal and Red Fort , return back to
hotel for Breakfast and then continue driving back to Delhi about 5hrs.
Arrive Delhi and stay overnight in hotel. Late night transfer to the
airport. Day 14: Departure: Early morning fly back.
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