India: The Curzon Trail
05 - 20 October 201215 Nights - 16 Days ~ From £ 1,998Named after the British Viceroy Lord Curzon who trekked parts of the trail way back in 1905, the route follows the track over the Kuari Pass, (4268m) in NorthEastern Garhwal. It is a trek with some testing climbs and torturous descents. However, at the day’s end, having walked through some of the most beautifulterrain in the world, the rewards outweigh the fatigue! Incredible snow capped mountain peaks, soft mountain pastures with vast flocks of sheep and goatsgrazing the lush meadows, dramatic river gorges and tumultuous streams all make for everlasting memories.London • Delhi • Haridwar • Ghat • Ramni • Jhiji • Kaliaghat • Dhanwani • Khulara • Joshimath • Badrinath • Rudraprayag • Rishikesh • Haridwar • Delhi• London
courtesy Henry WismayerDay 1 To Delhi. Direct overnight flight on Virgin Atlantic or Jet Airways to Delhi. (Departures from regional UK airports are available on request) Day 2 Old and New Delhi Sightseeing. After morning arrival and hotel check in, afternoon Old and New Delhi sighting including the including Jama Masjid, Humayun's Tomb, the Parliament buildings and India Gate. Overnight at The Park Hotel. Day 3 To Haridwar. Early morning Shatabdi express train to Haridwar, then scenic drive to Rishikesh. Afternoon sightseeing and in the evening witness the Aarti ceremony on the Holy River Ganges. Overnight Vasundhara Palace Hotel or similar. Day 4 To Ghat (Drive approx. 8-9 hrs). After breakfast drive from Rishikesh to Ghat through Ganga and Alaknanda valley. Rest for awhile at Devprayag for photo opportunity of the unique Devprayag village and confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi. Continue along the Alaknanda valley to Nandprayag, then follow the Nandakini valley to Ghat. We drive another 7 km- 30 minutes to reach Selu Bagar for over night stay. Dinner and overnight in tented camp.
After breakfast trek to Ghuni the best campsite. A day of ascent passing through enchanting small villages, with houses built of thatched mud, and surrounded by terraced fields. Overnight in tented camp. Day 6 To Jhiji (Trek approx. 6-7 hrs). After breakfast the trek begins with a good zigzagging track to open grassy grazing meadows. Next walk through glorious forests of rhododendron, pines and oak that hide the distant snow covered peaks. Finally the trek emerges onto pastures scattered with Shepherd’s huts. Flocks of sheep and goats become trekking companions! Finally reaching the highest point - Vinayak’s peak at 3064m - the track gently descends with delightful waterfall crossings. Then, after a steep descent, the colourful village of JhiJi is reached. Overnight in tented camp at Sem Khadak. Day 7 To Kaliaghat (Trek approx. 3-4 hrs). A steep descent from the camp through forests leads to a spectacular suspension bridge slung across the Birahi Gorge. Climb again for an hour or so to 2250m, when the trek eases and then climb to the camp at Kaliaghat 3200m. Overnight in tented camp. Day 8 To Dhanwani (Trek approx. 7-8 hrs). This is a long but incredibly spectacular day of trekking. The route traverse above the village then starts a steep climb up through the rhododendron forest, later reaching a col. The path gently descends to a valley and onto open meadows with views across to the Kuari pass. At the bottom, the river has dramatically cut a deep rocky gorge. Then a very steep climb - of about 3000 feet - with a small break about half the way up to cross a large stream – finally arriving at the tree line of the campsite. Overnight in tented camp. Day 9 To Khulara (Trek approx. 2-3 hrs). A more relaxed pace today as the Kuari pass towers above. The climb up to to the pass is made on a zigzag track. Traverse along the high ridge past a shrine before dropping down to the camp at Khulara. Two nights in tented camp. Day 10 Khulara – at leisure. It’s worth getting up early to go back up to the pass for the dawn views of the Himalaya. Frank Smith, who came here in 1931 en route to Kamet (7757 m) the second highest mountain in the region, summed it up most eloquently. “We breasted the slope and halted, silent on the path. No words would express our delight. The Himalayas were arrayed before us in a stupendous arc." Some of the mountains seen are Kamet, Nilkanth, Dunagiri, and Changbang. Day 11 To Joshimath-via Tapovan (approx. 4-5 hrs trek). A steep descends to Tapovan, down through woods and pastures. Then down from Tapovan to Joshimath. It's a beautiful town. There’s a temple called Narsingh with a statue of the god Narsingh. Legend says that when the arm of the statue falls off, the importance of Sri Badrinath will end and the god will worship at Bhavisya Badri. Overnight GMVN Guest House or similar.
Badrinath, at 3133m, is one of the 'Four Dhams', and one of the most celebrated pilgrimage places in the country. Visit Badrinath Temple for evening Aarti. Surrounded by mountains the views are spectacular, with the towering Neelkanth Peak dominating the skyline, and flanked by the Nar and Narayan ranges. Ovenight GMVN Guest House or similar. Day 13 To Rudraprayag (Drive approx. 6-7 hrs). Scenic drive to Rudraprayag. Overnight GMVN Guest House or similar. courtesy Henry WismayerDay 14 To Rishikesh (Drive approx. 4-5 hrs). Arrive Rishikesh and check in hotel evening walk to Parmarth niketan to see Aarti ceremony. Overnight Vasundhara Palace Hotel or similar. Day 15 To Delhi via Haridwar. Morning at leisure to explore this mystical city on the banks of the Holy River Ganges. Perhaps visit an ashram or bathing ghats. Afternoon Shatabdi Express Train to Delhi. Overnight at The Park Hotel. Day 16 To London. Direct flight back to London. THE COSTPer person for above programme on a Double/ Twin share basis £ 1,998 Single room supplement £ 985
Meal Plan - Full board except Delhi where only breakfast is included *
Business class flight supplements are available on request.If you wish to travel from any other country outside UK please contact us and we will give you the cost of the holiday without international flights relevant to your travel dates.The Cost Includes:International flights on Virgin Atlantic or Jet Airways in Economy Class. Train journeys in first class air conditioned class. Accommodation as per the itinerary in sharing double or twin room (Check-in is 1400 hrs and checkout 12 noon. Early check-in and late checkout are subject to availability). All arrangements in tented camps while trekking including a Kitchen and Dining Tent and toilets.* This part of India is highly religious so Vegetarian meals only will be served - except Delhi. Services of our English-speaking representative for all arrival and departure transfers to assist you at the airports and railway stations. All transfers and sightseeing by a chauffeur driven private air-conditioned vehicle in Delhi & Non air conditioned jeeps in the hills. Services of English speaking guide during sightseeing and trekking as specified in the itinerary. Services of our local tour escort from Delhi. Entrance fees to all monuments during sightseeing as specified in your itinerary. Complimentary mineral water whilst driving. Full ATOL bonding
Cost does not include:Visa Fee for India (Currently £40.00 per person). We can assist in securing your India visa at a fee of £25.00 per person. Any expenses of a personal nature like laundry, telephone calls, beverages, gratuities etc. Camera fees at monuments and other places of interest. Sleeping bags whilst on the trek. ( we suggest you bring your own sleeping bags for hygiene purposes) Travel Insurance: It is essential to have an adequate travel insurance in place before your departure. This should beappropriate for your age, health and destination you are visiting. Please ensure:
For our comprehensive travel insurance quotation please visit;www.tgic-online.com
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Day 5 To Ghuni (Trek approx. 2-3 hrs).
Day 12 To Badrinath (Drive approx. 3 hrs).