Offbeat Kumaon hills in lower Himalayas, India, jeep safari.

Exotic Vacations In India

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The picturesque lake at Sat-tal, popular for boating and flanked by forested hills.

A spectacular view of the Himalayan Ranges, including the Nanda Devi, stretching 300 Kms across.

A SPECTACULAR VIEW OF THE HIMALAYAN RANGES, STRETCHING 300 KMS ACROSS, INCLUDING THE NANDA DEVI,

Kumaon, besides Nainital, is still a largely undiscovered region. Take a tour to the offbeat hamlets - drive through still meagerly traversed roads, breathing in magic at each turn. Discover the magic of Kumaon (Uttarakhand, North India) with The Caravan’s specially designed tour package which takes you through the enchanting region.

In the shadow of divine deodar forests and ancient temples in Jageshwar, overwhelmed by the sight of snow-clad Himalayan Ranges stretching 300 kms across in Binsar, undertaking soft hikes thru' romantic pine, oak and rhododendron forests or adventurous mountain treks across vales and over hills in Almora, just languorously losing yourself by the placid waters of Kumaon's many lakes in and around Bhimtal, that exciting fearful experience of sighting a tiger from elephant back in Corbett, enjoying angling for mahseer, horse safaris across the Kosi river and bird watching – Kumaon has recorded over 600 species and sub-species of birds inlcuding the altitudinal migrants.

This itinerary also offers hikes to quaint Kumaoni villages through forested trails and overnight stays in local village houses (albeit with modern facilities) - a great opportunity for imbibing first-hand the traditional local culture besides enjoying the myriad flora and fauna. The adventurous can also try paragliding at Naukuchiatal, weather permitting.

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 !

LASTING IMPRESSIONS !

If, like us, you are looking to organize a trip to India in a short period and want to remove risk, then using a local agent is a good way to do this. We worked with "The Caravan" on an Itinerary that included things we knew we wanted and suggestions from them. On arrival everything was as discussed, our driver was waiting for us at the airport. At Corbett the location of the resort was beautiful. A day safari pre-arranged to take us into the park was amazing. Despite everything we read and were told about the chances to see tigers being zero we saw two from our jeep and one from the back of an elephant. After Corbett, "The Caravan" suggested staying at Bhimtal. This is quieter than Nainital and a good location to visit from. Boating on a lake in the Himalayas is a unique experience. ~ Liz and John Crain, USA.

KUMAON AND GARHWALTOUR PACKAGES

Himalayan Odyssey	Kumaon Karnival	Uttarakhand Utopia	Spiritual India	Uttarakhand Extravaganza
For a comfortable holiday package tour, the perfectly planned itinerary with a well maintained deluxe vehicle and a courteous driver to take you around (or the choice of doing it in your own car) and accommodation in luxury or deluxe resorts pre-arranged, leave it to professionals like us who have traversed the Himalayas in North India. Who have enjoyed the fantasy and joy of the mountains in Uttarakhand. Who would design a holiday package which would be relaxed and take you thru' the destinations and the local sightseeing circuit of Kumaon and Garhwal at a leisurely pace. For your vacation, we can also stitch together a tailor-made itinerary and customise a tour if you let us know: (i) Number of days ex-Delhi. (ii) Destinations interested in visiting. (iii) Expected highlights of the vacation. (iv) Target cost and number of travellers.

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TOURS IN UTTARAKHAND: Corbett Tiger Reserve and Kumaon and Garhwal Himalayas.
(Covering Nainital, Bhimtal, Sattal, Ranikhet, Mukteshwar, Almora, Binsar, Kausani, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mussoorie, Auli, Badrinath).
TOURS IN HIMACHAL PRADESH: Shimla, Manali, Rohtang, Dalhousie, Dharamsala.
(And also covering Chail, Naldehra, Narkanda, Solang Valley, Mcleodganj, Khajjiar).
TOURS IN LADKAH: Covering Leh, Khardungla, Zanskar, Pangong, Nubra Valley, Tso Moriri, Kargil.
TOURS IN RAJASTHAN: Covering Jaipur, Pushkar, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer.
(With Camel Safaris and stays in Palaces, Forts and Havelis).
GOLDEN TRIANGLE TOUR AND EXTENSIONS: Covering Delhi, Agra (Taj Mahal), Fatehpur Sikri, Jaipur, Ranthambhore.
SELECTED TOUR ITINERARIES for foreigners and first time visitors to India
SPECIAL INTEREST: VILLAGE HOME STAYS | SPIRITUAL & WELLNESS | EXOTIC HONEYMOONS | TEAM BUILDING WORKSHOPS |
ADVENTURE: CAMPING & TREKKING | RIVER RAFTING | WILDLIFE, BIRDING, ANGLING, ELEPHANT & HORSE SAFARIS |
HIGH ALTITUDE JEEP SAFARIS | SKIING AND SNOW-SPORTS | PARAGLIDING | QUAD BIKING |
KALEIDOSCOPE: NALAGARH | SHOGHI | SHIMLA | MANALI | RANIKHET | CORBETT |
CARAVAN TOUCHPOINTS: HOME | WRITE TO US | ABOUT US | CONTACT US | TESTIMONIALS FROM TRAVELLERS | SITE MAP |

Package Category	Cost For 2 Persons in 1 Room	Remarks
Silver	Rs.85,000/-	Jeep, Elephant, Horse Safaris, Angling, Birding, Paragliding: At extra cost. Porters and Guides for Village Treks: Included in tour cost.
Gold	Rs.99,000/-
Note: >> You can also give us your budget and itinerary and we can customise the tour package to match the same. >> Stay in Delhi and extension tour to Agra (Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri) from Delhi on request at additional cost. >> The above prices are valid upto 31st March, 2009 and are in INR (Indian Rupees). For a price quote in your currency, please ask us.
Package Cost Includes: Silver Package - Accommodation in deluxe resorts and quaint village homes on twin sharing in well appointed rooms with bathrooms; Meals: breakfast, dinner; surface transport by exclusive, chauffeur driven vehicle, local sightseeing, taxes. Gold Package Bonuses - Upgrades are provided for the resort, room category and vehicle. Package Bonuses: Surprise Freebies and Discounts for Resort Facilities, Flexibility of planning your own itinerary for local sightseeing. The above costs are in INR and are extendable on pro-rata. For details on our fleet of vehicles click here.

Offbeat Kumaon Hills in Lower Himalayas Wildlife Safaris, Angling, Birding, Trekking Village Stays for Experiencing Local Culture Himalayan Views and Mountain Lakes

Offbeat Kumaon Hills in Lower Himalayas
Wildlife Safaris, Angling, Birding, Trekking
Village Stays for Experiencing Local Culture
Himalayan Views and Mountain Lakes