HIMALAYAN MULTI ACTIVITY ADVENTURE

A GREAT FAMILY ADVENTURE THROUGH HIMALAYAN COUNTRY COMBINING SUPERLATIVE TREKKING WITH SCINTILLATING VIEWS OF HIMALAYAN PEAKS; HEART-POUNDING WHITE WATER RAFTING ON THE MIGHTY GANGES; & GAME SAFARIS IN CORBETT COUNTRY WHERE SIGHTING A ROYAL BENGAL TIGER WHIPS UP A STORM IN THE BLOOD STREAM.

Duration : 19 days
Best Time : Mid April to May; October to mid November
Focus : Trekking, rafting; game viewing in open 4WD Jeeps & on elephants
Physical challenge : Moderate overall, but climb towards Kuari Pass can be challenging for some
Trekking (8 days) in the least spoilt corner of Himalayas with stunning views of snowbound peaks
Rafting (2 days) down the on mighty Ganges over foaming rapids
Game Safaris (2 days) in open Jeeps & on elephants with our Resident Naturalist in one of the finest National Parks in India

ITINERARY

DAY 1, Arrive Delhi: Arrive Delhi around midnight; assistance on arrival and transfer to pre-booked hotel. Morning free to relax; afternoon visit to Old Delhi. Overnight in hotel.

DAY 2, Delhi - Haridwar - (train) - Shivpuri (drive 45km/1½hrs): Early morning transfer to railway station to board super fast train to Haridwar. Sightseeing in Haridwar; after lunch drive to Shivpuri. Arrive and check into the excellent "Glass House on Ganges". Overnight in hotel.

DAY 3, Shivpuri - Joshimath (drive about 220km/9hrs): After breakfast, long drive along the mighty Alaknanda River to Joshimath (1975m). The route is dotted with villages, and offers magnificent views of the Alaknanda Valley. Overnight in Hotel Dronagiri.

DAY 4, Joshimath - Auli (drive about 14km) - Gurson Bugyal (trek about 2hrs): After leisurely breakfast a short drive to Auli, from here we have our first views of the mountain goddess - Nanda Devi. We meet our trekking crew and porters, and begin our trek - a gradual ascent through a vast meadow to Gurson Bugyal (meadow). Camp is near a small temple. Overnight in tents.

DAY 5, Gurson Bugyal - Tali (trek about 5-6hrs): The trail beyond Gurson Bugyal is steep in places; we start our ascent over a rocky outcrop, to a small lake beside a well constructed trail coming from Tapovan village. From the lake, the trail continues through mixed pine and oak forest for 2-3km. En route we have fine views of the peaks of Garhwal, before a short descent brings us to the clearing at Tali (3310m). Dinner & overnight in tents.

DAY 6, Tali - Dakwani (trek about 6hrs): Today we ascend the ridge above Tali; just below the ridge, the trail leads through a large meadow offering spectacular views of the Himalayas and Zanskar ranges. We then cross over the Kuari pass (3640m), a small col in a grassy ridge. From the pass we have excellent views of Nanda Devi (7816m) and Nanda Devi East (7434m). From here the route leads along the right side of the gorge, past a small shepherd encampment, to a clearing at Dakwani (3300m). Dinner & overnight in tents.

DAY 7, Dakwani - Pana Village (trek about 6-7hrs): Today the trail leads down (about 30 minutes tramp) to a small wooden bridge over the river. There is a small ascent to the ridge followed by a level walk for about 20min, and then we zigzag steeply through the woods to an impressive waterfall. From here we ascend again, steeply at places, until we meet a path going towards the Sathholi meadow. We trek through the meadow, with its beautiful wildflowers, towards the last ridge; descend about 1hr to our camp above Pana village. Dinner & overnight in tents.

DAY 8, Pana Village - Jhangi Rani (trek about 3-4hrs): Easy start: trekking on the main trail takes us to Jhangi; crossing over the bridge we take the lower (main) trail. Trudging through woods we will be greeted by Hanuman Langurs (monkeys); today's trekking comprises of easy ascents and descents, until we cross the suspension bridge over Brithi Ganga River, and then a gradual climb of about 200 metres to our campsite above Jhangi Village. Looking back we can have fine views of the day's trek. Afternoon visit to the village to meet the Garhwali villagers and see their quaint dwellings. Overnight in tents.

DAY 9, Jhangi Rani - Guni (trek about 7hrs): We continue ascending through the forest for about 450 metres to Brithi Ganga and Nandakini valleys. The alpine flora is superb throughout the trek. Camp at Guni. Overnight in tents.

DAY 10, Guni - Chepna (trek about 3-4hrs): After breakfast we proceed through a forested ridge and then descend through mixed forest, crossing the Nandakini River over a bridge, to Chepna road head. Arrive Chepna and drive about 2hrs on a rough road to Nandaprayag for overnight in tents, just across the Alaknanda River. Today everyone can enjoy a nice dip in the river. Overnight in tents.

DAY 11, Nandaprayag - Devprayag (drive about 5hrs): After breakfast drive along mighty Alaknanda, through rolling hills and temple towns to Devprayag, where the Bhagirathi (the main tributary of Ganga) gushes down to meet Alaknanda to form the holy Ganga (Ganges). The camp is set near Beas Ghat, 10km below the confluence; this is a popular fishing spot for the 'mahseer', a species of trout and one of the toughest freshwater fighting fish in the world; it is also known as 'Ganga Gold'.

DAY 12, Beas Ghat - Camp II (raft about 35km): We break camp and set off over the Bhagirathi towards our next destination. Today is a comfortable day as the rapids are small and we can breathe easy: a perfect day to relax, soak up the sun, bodysurf, and for the animal-lovers, an opportunity to hunt (with binoculars, of course) and discover the Himalayan fauna. We raft down the rippling waves, a few kilometres below Kaudiyala, after hitting two Grade-4 rapids; 'Daniel's Dip' and 'The Wall' and set up our camp. Overnight in tents.

DAY 13, Camp II - Shivpuri (drive about 15km) - Rishikesh (raft): We break camp early today: after a hearty breakfast drive to Shivpuri. Today's white-water menu serves two big volume rapids known as the 'Roller Coaster' and 'Golf Course'. Add to the thrills and chills with some more splashing on the river, and lots of bodysurfing, ending the excursion on a grand note. After lunch we bid goodbye to our rafting team and river guides. Short transfer to hotel for overnight. In the evening experience the "aarti" ceremony (offering of fire to the water) on the Ganges. Overnight in hotel.

DAY 14, Rishikesh - Corbett National Park (drive about 238km/6-7hrs): After early breakfast we set off on an exciting drive, through charming villages and dense forest, to Corbett National park for a 3 nights stay in a delightful jungle camp on the eastern periphery of the National Park, offering rewarding nature walks and distant mountain views. Overnight in jungle camp.

DAY 15/16, Corbett National Park: During the next two days we explore Corbett with some excellent game viewing and birdwatching from open 4WD Jeeps and atop elephants. Our expert Resident Naturalist will accompany us for these two days giving insightful information on the flora and fauna of this fabulous National Park. Overnight in jungle camp.

DAY 17, Corbett NP - Delhi (drive about 260km/5-6hrs): After breakfast drive back to Delhi, arrive and transfer to hotel. Overnight in hotel.

DAY 18, Delhi: A free day to relax OR optional visit to Agra to see the magnificent Taj Mahal OR sightseeing in Delhi. Late night transfer to airport.

DAY 19, Departure: Early morning fly back home.