Day 01
Delhi – Mussoorie (
280 kms / 6.5 hrs). Leave Delhi at
6 AM. Reach
Mussoorie
(6600 feet / 2000 meters asl) at 1
PM.
After lunch, explore this hill-town, one
of the nearest to Delhi.
Overnight at Mussoorie.
Mussoorie: Towering over the Doon
valley is the Queen of Hill Stations, Mussoorie. Mountain mist, old
architecture, the riot of flowers transport one
to an era of romance from long, long ago.
Commanding a wonderful view of extensive Himalayan snow ranges to the
north-east, and glittering views of the Doon Valley and Haridwar to the
south, the town presents a fairyland atmosphere. There are also some
interesting walks around Mussoorie and other attractions here are the
Ropeway ride to Gun Hill - the second largest peak here; Kempty Falls -
a pretty waterfall located in a beautiful
valley and surrounded by high mountains. |
Day 02 Mussoorie. Today, take an
excursion, 33 kms away, to Dhanaulti and the ancient mountain top shrine
of Surkhanda Devi, climbing upto 9700 feet / 2940 meters.
Enchanting view
of conifer covered hill slopes,
deep valleys and snow capped mountains leave an indelible
impression on one's mind.
Overnight at Mussoorie.
|
Day 03
Mussoorie - Rudraprayag (198 kms / 6 hours). Leaving Mussoorie,
you cruise along hill roads at times driving along the Ganges and
Alaknanda river, meeting holy
confluences at Deoprayag and Rudraprayag. At Rudraprayag, at 610 meters
/ 2013 feet, the river Mandakini, which is the most important
river coming down from the slopes of Kedarnath peak, joins the Alaknanda
(the Alaknanda originates at a height of 3641
metres below Balakun peak 16 kms. upstream from Badrinath).
Overnight at Rudraprayag. |
Day 04
Rudraprayag -
Auli (143
kms / 5-6 hrs).
You climb upto about 2700
m / 9000 feet, driving through spectacular mountain
roads, the Alaknanda river hurtling across in the valleys and gorges
down below, mesmerized by the beautiful views of terraced fields, small
hamlets, forests and Himalayan peaks in the distance.
Overnight at
Auli.
Auli: 16 Kms
ahead of Joshimath,
Auli surroundeded by oak
and deodar forests offers a panoramic view of Himalayan
peaks like the Nanda Devi (7817m), Kamet
(7756m), Mana Parvat (7273m) and Dunagiri (7066m).
The holy Badrinath temple is 60 kms from here.
Auli is
a paradise in winters for skiing and sledding
enthusiasts. |
Day 05 Auli.
In
summers, when the snow gives way to carpets of grass and flowers, hikers
and trekkers will find numerous marked walks and mountain bike trails. A
short trek takes you to Gorson (Bugiyal)
Reserve Forest
(part of the Nanda Devi National Park) where you
can revel in the magnificent sunrise and views.
A short walk in the dense alpine forest takes you to Chhatrakund,
a frozen lake. You can soothe your tired
muscles after a trek to Tapovan by bathing in the hot springs there.
Overnight at Auli. |
|
Day 06 Auli.
Wake up early for your
day trip to Badrinath.
The Badrinath Temple is dedicated to Lord
Vishnu (Preserver in the Hindu Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer).
Though only 60 kms away, it
might take as much as 3 hours one way.
Overnight at Auli. |
Day 07
Auli
- Kausani 203 kms 6-7 hrs.
Leave Auli after breakfast and drive through Garhwal
into Kumaon.
Your romance with the Himalayas continues. On a clear day, some of the better known Himalayan
peaks you might be lucky to be able to see are
Nanda Devi (goddess
of bliss), Trishu (trident of Lord Shiva),
Nanda Ghunti, (veil of goddess Nanda Devi), Swargarohini
(ascent to heaven), Neelkanth (blue throated Shiva). These rise from 20,000 feet to 26,000
feet asl. (6000 - 7900 meters). Relax at your hotel to shed the road
weariness.
Overnight at
Kausani. |
Day 08
Kausani. Excursions and sightseeing.
Kausani: At a height
of 6250 feet / 1890 meters asl, it offers interesting excursions to the 12th
century Baijnath Temple by the Gomti River and to Patal Bhuvneshwar with its enchanting
underground cave temples.
Overnight at Kausani. |
Day 09
Kausani - Nainital. (115 kms /
3.5 hrs).
Climb down to
the beautiful lake town of Nainital. It is an experience to be boating
or sailing in the tranquil waters of a lake cradled by mountains.
Overnight
at Nainital. |
Day 10
Nainital. Discover this quaint hill town. Excursions on foot or
horses within Nainital to Snow View (7500 feet asl) or Dorothy’s Seat,
Tiffin Top or near Nainital to Kilbury, Naukuchiatal, Sattal, Khurpatal,
Bhimtal.
Overnight
at Nainital. |
Day 11
Nainital
- Corbett National Park. (100
kms / 3 hours). Leave after breakfast
to reach by
lunch time the exciting
Tiger Reserve named
Corbett National Park after the famous hunter and
conservationist, Jim Corbett (Carpet Sahib!).
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
12 Corbett Tiger Reserve. 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.
In the evening, swap tall tales with fellow guests around a bonfire.
Overnight
at Corbett. |
Day 13. Corbett
National Park.
Those
interested in angling can try hooking the mahseer fish for sport. Birding treks and horse safaris are
also exciting options for the enthusiasts.
Overnight
at Corbett. |
Day 14
Corbett - Delhi. (265 kms /
6.5 hrs). Depart
from Corbett after lunch. Reach Delhi in the evening.
Tour
ends...but the memories remain ! |
