16 DAYS ~ FROM £1,797
Surrounded by the magnificence of the Himalayas, this tour to the Kumaon region is one of awe inspiring beauty with lakes of crystal clear water, vast forests of pine and deodar, tumbling rivers and ancient Temples to feast the eyes. Travel through virgin countryside before experiencing the thrill of tiger trekking in the famous Jim Corbett Reserve.
Delhi • Ramgarh • Ranikhet • Kausani • Binsar • Almora • Corbett National Park • Delhi
 Day 1. To Delhi
Fly direct from Heathrow to Delhi on either Jet Airways or Virgin Atlantic.
Day 2. Delhi
Arrive Delhi in the morning. After lunch take an exciting cycle rickshaw ride to the JamaMasjid, passing through the lively streets of Chandni Chowk. These chaotic back streets were once the setting for theMughal capital of Shah Jehanabad. Later drive to Gandhi’s cremation site, before returning to the hotel. Overnight stay at Maidens.
Day 3. Delhi sightseeing & train to Kathgodam
Sightseeing of New Delhi includes India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb and the Qutab Minar. Evening transfer to the railway station to board train to Kathgodam. Overnight in 1st a/c sleeper.
Day 4. To Ramgarh
Arrive Kathgodam early in the morning. Transfer to Ramgarh a beautiful Hill Station with unobstructed views of the snow capped Himalayas. Watch picture perfect sunrise and sunsets. Two nights stay at theWriter’s Bungalow.
Day 5. Excursion to Nainital
Morning visit to Nainital, set around a small lake, this charming Hill Station is often called the ‘Lake District of India’. Everywhere you look cosy cottages, framed by startling green forests, vie for attention. Small boats bob on the waters whilst, canoes explore the furthest reaches. Remainder of day at leisure.
Day 6. To Ranikhet
After breakfast drive to Ranikhet. Afternoon explore the town, where in 1869, the British established the headquarters of the Kumaon regiment, and used the station as a retreat from the heat of the Indian summer. The views are pristine with the noble snow peaks shimmering in the clear sunlight, whilst pine and towering deodar trees, brilliant green, intensify, the already dramatic back drop. Overnight at Chevron Rosemount.
Day 7. To Kausani
Morning drive to Kausani another incredibly beautiful Hill Station, where Mahatma Ghandi stayed and was dazzled by its beauty. The views of the Nanda Devi group of mountains are particularly stunning at sunrise. Two nights stay at the Chevron Mountain Villa.
Day 8. Excursion to Baijnath
Morning visit the Baijnath Temples on the banks of Gomti river that were bulit in the 12th–13th c. by the Katyur dynasty.
Day 9. To Binsar
Morning drive to Binsar. Later visit the Jageshwar Temples, a fine example of early Medieval Hill Temple architecture. The best amongst these are the shrines dedicated to Jageshwar, Mrityunjaya and Pashtidevi. Two nights stay at The Grand Oak Manor.
Day 10. Binsar
Day at leisure to explore the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary established in 1988 for the conservation and protection of the broad leaf oak forests of the central Himalayan area. It now sustains 200 species of birds.
Day 11. To Almora
Leisurely drive to Almora through unsurpassed beauty. Two nights stay at the Kalmatia Sangam Resort.
Day 12. Almora
Day at leisure to explore Almora considered to be the cultural heart of the Kumaon region, often called the ‘Town of Temples’.
Day 13. To Corbett National Park
Morning drive to the Jim Corbett National Park. Afternoon jeep safari. Corbett was the first Park to join the Project Tiger initiative to save the endangered animal. Two nights stay at the Corbett Hideaway.
Day 14. Corbett
Full day of jungle activities: early morning jeep safari and afternoon elephant ride into the Park. Corbett is home to a variety of flora and fauna, and, is famed for its populations of tigers, leopards and elephants. There are 50 species of mammals, 25 of reptiles and over 580 species of birds in the Park.
Day 15. To Delhi
Early morning jeep safari in the Park before driving to Delhi. Overnight at the Ashok Country Resort.
Day 16. To Heathrow
Transfer to airport for flight back to Heathrow on either Jet Airways or Virgin Atlantic.
With love from India...
Panchachuli means “the five brothers” and is one of the highest mountain ranges in India. At the foot of the Panchachuli range is a cooperative of village women who use their traditional skills to produce beautiful products from high-quality raw materials, which are sold under the name “Heaven by Panchachuli”.
Suggested extensions: Agra & Jaipur, Ranthambore National Park, Udaipur, Goa and Amritsar
(Various other extensions are available on request)
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