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Foothills of the Western
Himalaya
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A superb Combination of a Short trek through the foothills of the
western Himlaya, 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.
This trip is particularly good for families
Duration: 14 Days.
Best Time: Mid October to Mid April. (note that a supplement applies
Christmas/New Year)
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: UK / New Delhi : Leave on overnight flight to India .
Day 2: Arrive Delhi: Arrive Delhi and transfer to 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 plains , villages and fields into the foothills of Himalaya
- Corbett National Park for 3 night stay in delightful resort. After
Lunch, 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 an open hill.
The trail climbs up the 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 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. From the watch-tower close to
the rest house you see the mountains of the Nanda Devi range 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 level. This is a great day for bird -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
which 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. In the evening
attend Aaarti Ceremony on the Ganges. All meals and overnight in
hotel.
Day 12: Haridwar - Mathura ( Transfer to Agra ) : in the 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, and return to the 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.
Hotels Used Or Similar.
Delhi/ Cannaught, A 3 star hotel located in city center.
Corbett/ Infinity Resort, a Lovely Resort on the Rivers with swimming
pool.
Nainital/ Naini Retreat, A delightful hill resort with fine views
of the Lake, has old world charm and British atmosphere.
Shiv Puri/ Deluxe Fixed camp with Beds.
Haridwar / Haveli Hariganga
Agra/ Clarks Shiraz, A 4 star hotel with garden and swimming pool.
Delhi / Ashok Country Resort A 3 star hotel near International airport
( Last night /2nd visit ) .
TREK SUMMARY: A four-days trek will take you to the hills after
a stay at Corbett national park in the foothills. The uniqueness
of this trek is that the trail goes through the jungle terrain of
the shivaliks first, then winds its way up to mixed deciduous forests
of oak, chestnut, and bamboo to finally reach thick spine forests
above Nainital. Frequently, you see the Indian plains on one side
and distant glimpses of the Himalayan peaks to the north.
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The best season to visit India is from October to April when
it is sunny and warm although temperatures can be low at night
during the winter. In the high mountains there is snow and
ice all year but a tropical climate prevails in the foothills.
Monsoon period is June until September.
Accommodation as specified on bed and breakfast basis and
twin /double share room
Local English speaking guide
Private vehicle with English speaking driver
Private transfers to and from airports
Other meals where indicated
Entrance fees to museums etc
Local agent support
Guide, porters, cook and camping equipment when trekking.
International flights. Meals other than breakfasts and those
indicated
Airport taxes payable locally
Travel insurance
Personal items such as laundry, drinks, tips
Optional trips and visits
Visas.
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