Day
01 Delhi - Corbett (265 kms /
6.5 hrs). Leave Delhi at 7 A.M. Reach
the resort at
Jim Corbett National Park –
famed for the Royal Bengal Tiger - at
1.30 P.M. After settling into deluxe hotel, catch the
afternoon jeep safari inside the Tiger Reserve for wildlife viewing.
Overnight
at Corbett.
Corbett
Tiger Reserve: India's first national park, cradled in the foothills of the
Himalayas at 3300 feet asl, spreads over an area of 520 sq km. The magnificent Ramganga River
flows through the entire length of the Park. Corbett has the highest density
of tiger in India. Other carnivores include the leopard, elephant, bear,
deer. Basking along the banks of the Ramganga are the slender snouted
gharial and the marsh crocodile. There are watch towers, elephant safaris
and jeep safaris for wildlife viewing. |
Day 02
Corbett National Park.
Take the morning safari inside the Wildlife Sanctuary for your tryst
with the big cats. Elephants are also available for dense jungle safaris
on a first come first serve basis. Those interested in angling can try
hooking the mahsheer fish for sport. Birding treks and horse safaris are
also exciting options for the enthusiasts.
In the evening, swap tall tales with fellow guests around a bonfire.
Overnight
at Corbett. |
Day 03 Corbett
- Almora / Binsar
(145 kms / 4 hrs). Leave Corbett after
breakfast and reach
the resorts in
Almora (5800-6300 feet asl)
/ Binsar (7000 feet asl) by lunch time. After
settling into the resort imbibe the essence of another natural jewel of Kumaon.
Take a short hike and perhaps catch the sun
disappearing beyond the
horizon, leave the sky ablaze as an artist's canvas.
In the foothills of the Himalayas with spectacular views,
beautiful deep valleys, this is a picturesque hamlet.
It is an ideal place for an idyllic sojourn in the lap of
the mountains, amidst verdant
forests, terraced fields and
emerald meadows.
Overnight at
Almora / Binsar. |
Day
04 Binsar. Local sightseeing and excursions.
Almora / Binsar: Drive upto Jhandi Dhar (8000
feet asl) within
the Binsar Sanctuary for a majestic view of the
Himalayan panorama - the snow clad peaks of Kedarnath, Nanda Devi and Nanda Kot are
visible from here. The beautiful
forests of Himalayan oak and rhododendron are excellent for walks and soft treks. Nearby
is the Chitai or Golu Devta Temple revered by the
local population and 38 kms away is the magnificent,
10th century temple complex of Jageshwar
dedicated to Lord Shiva, set amidst thick deodar woods,
consisting of 124 exquisitely carved temples.
Overnight at Almora /
Binsar. |
Day
05 Almora-Binsar.
Village
Walk and Home Stay.
During the next two days you take soft hikes through terraced fields and
forests to a local village and spend the night there. The guided
trek begins and ends at the Resort
in Almora / Binsar. The concept of the "Village
Trek“ is unique as it provides an insight into the lives and daily
routine of the Kumaoni villager. Overnight stays in the village houses
gives you a chance to experience their warm and genuine hospitality. The
accommodation is rustic but clean and has all the basic amenities.
The walks end at a different village each afternoon. The village houses
have been partially renovated and toilets and bathrooms added without
spoiling the ambience. After a day’s walk you can freshen up with a hot
bucket bath. Food is cooked hygienically and mineral water is provided.
In the cold season the houses are heated with bukharis (stoves fired
with wood).
Overnight at the village home.
(You also have
the option of taking a day trek to the Kumaoni village, interacting with
the local denizens, having lunch at a village home and returning to the
Resort for the night). |
|
Day 06 Almora-Binsar.
Village
Walk and Hone Stay.
Walking on the old village trails you pass through picturesque
villages with slated roofs, where the houses have wonderfully
carved doors and windows, along terraced fields, waterfalls and winding
streams, past old flour mills and pine, cedar, oak and
rhododendron forests. The Himalaya and valley views along the ridges
are magnificent. If you can make it between mid February
and April you will be rewarded with the lovely
sight of the rhododendron flowers in bloom. En route you
get to visit ancient temples, between
1000 to 1200 years old. The walks vary from gentle to slightly
steep and are suitable for every person
moderately fit and take you between 1450m to 2250m
(4800-7500 feet).
On arriving freshen up and enjoy a welcome
drink while traditional Kumaoni food is cooked by the villagers. Stretch
out with refreshments in a quaint, stone garden, overlooking small
fields. The landlord while preparing the dinner hops in and out of his
fields to get fresh vegetables and herbs for
your meal. Guests are welcome to watch and help! Relax, chat with the
locals listening to tales of the past. On the last evening after a
delicious dinner you can enjoy an evening of traditional Kumaoni folk
dances and music with a bonfire (at extra cost).
Overnight at the village home.
(You
also have the option of taking a day trek to the Kumaoni village,
interacting with the local denizens, having lunch at a village home and
returning to the Resort for the night). |
Day 07 Binsar. After
breakfast, leave the village home and drive back
to the resort at Almora / Binsar in time for lunch after having
experienced the heritage of Kumaon and the village culture.
An evening for relaxation and introspection on the
many hues of life.
Overnight at Almora /
Binsar. |
Day 08
Binsar
- Bhimtal or Naukuchiyatal (24 kms / 1/2 hr). Leave
Almora / Binsar after a leisurely
breakfast and reach
Bhimtal or Naukuchiatal.
These are quaint little hamlets with the tranquility
of mountain lakes as their main attraction.
Naukuchiyatal and Bhimtal are at about 4525 feet asl.
Bhimtal with its picturesque lake, popular for boating, perked by an island (for enjoyable picnics) is
believed to be full of Mahabharata legends. Bhimtal
also offers many opportunities for bird watching.
Naukuchiatal,
the deepest and by far the
most picturesque lake in the Kumaon region derives its name from the nine corners
which came together to form it. In Naukuchiatal you
can also indulge in Mahasheer fishing and paragliding.
After settling into
deluxe hotel,
visit the shimmering mountain lake for boating.
Overnight at
Bhimtal or
Naukuchiatal. |
Day 09
Bhimtal or Naukuchiatal.
Catch the bird trail through the forest
or sink a hook in the lake for the big fish or try to meet the eagles
while paragliding.
Overnight at
Bhimtal or
Naukuchiatal. |
Day 10
Bhimtal / Naukuchiatal – Delhi (300 kms /
7 hrs). Depart from Bhimtal / Naukuchital after breakfast. Reach Delhi in the evening.
Tour ends...but the memories remain ! |
