KUMAON CIRCUIT with CORBETT N.P.
Tour - 16 days
About UTTARAKHAND
Uttarakhand is a state blessed with an enormous diversity of cultures and landscapes. Just like Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh, it spans the whole altitudinal range from steamy jungle where tigers and wild elephants roam to some of the highest peaks of the Himalayas. One of them is Nanda Devi (7816 m, 25,636 ft), the highest mountain that lies fully in India.
TREKKERS’ PARADISEThe higher reaches of the Uttarakhand Himalayas are a mecca for trekkers. You can follow the herders up to the high bughyals (alpine meadows) and trek up to passes that in the old days gave access to Tibet. They reward you with some of the best glacial vistas in the Himalayas. Although the number of Indian trekkers is increasing, these areas still don’t get that many visitors as the much more known treks of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.
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Wildlife enthusiasts find a treasure trove of biodiversity here, partly protected in national parks and wildlife reserves throughout the state. Most notably, Jim Corbett National Park and Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers National Park. Jim Corbett National Park is named after A famous British hunter-turned-conservationist. It is well known and popular as it is one of the tiger parks in India that is easiest to reach from Delhi. Apart from being home to a wide array of mammals, birds and plant life, it has very appealing landscapes and a well-laid out infrastructure of jeep trails. Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers National Parks are two formerly separated but now joined protected areas lying almost completely at or higher than 3500m (11.500 ft). They can be explored only on foot.
HINDU PILGRIMAGETo Hindus – who make up 83% of the state’s population – the higher reaches of Uttarakhand are known as Dev Bhoomi – the abode of the gods. This is not just folklore, as present day Hindu culture finds many of its roots in this area. It is believed that the sage Vyasa scripted the Hindu epic Mahabharata here. In the Middle Ages, the Hindu kingdoms of Garwhal and Kumaon made up the western and eastern part of the present day state, respectively.
Millions flock every year to the many pilgrim sites that the state harbors. Easily accessible places like Rishikesh, Haridwar are not only popular with Hindu pilgrims but also host numerous ashrams and yoga schools that cater mainly to foreign visitors. Much higher up, you can witness die-hard Hindu pilgrims and saddhus dipping themselves in ice-cold waters where Mother Ganga (Ganges) emerges from the mouth of a glacier.
BREATHTAKING VIEWS, COZY RETREATSTraveling by car, you may experience Uttarakhand as a never-ending series of curves and switchbacks, but after each of these bends new views and sights await you. The mountains are covered in forests and green fields and especially in the winter months you get breathtaking views of the snow-clad Himalayas on the border with Tibet (China). Uttarakhand counts numerous so-called hill stations, towns situated at medium elevation levels that have been welcoming tourist since the British era. These hill stations are popular with domestic tourists, but have a lot to offer to ‘foreigners’ as well. In and around them, you can find (with some effort) hidden lodges, boutique hotels and family-run retreats with a high degree of the ‘Hotel California factor’: you can check in any time, but you may never want to leave.
Region
Uttarakhand
(India)
Best Time
March-June &
Sept-Dec
No. Of Days
15 days
Trip Character
Car tour
Sleeping Altitude
500 - 2400 m
Price
INR XXX/ $ XXX
ABOUT THIS TOUR
On this tour, you’ll travel by train and car from Delhi to the Garhwal Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand. You’ll travel up along the mighty and holy Ganges along some of the most sacred and popular Hindu pilgrims places, such as Haridwar and Rishikesh. Here, you will witness offering rituals on the banks of Mother Ganga.
Following one of the Ganges’ main tributaries, the Alaknanda River, to its upper reaches, you’ll reach Badrinath, one of the four most important Hindu pilgrim places in the high Himalayas (3100m). Here, you’ll join saddhus (ascetics) and devotees on their trek up to the holy lake Hemkund and explore the famous Valley of Flowers. The latter is a national park, not only famous for its botanical diversity but also for its setting amidst a range of very tall glaciated peaks.
After this you’ll make one of the most rewarding treks in the Indian Himalayas in terms of views, the Kuari Pass trek. From Auli, not far from the pilgrims’ town of Joshimath, you’ll trek up over bugyals – verdant alpine meadows where semi-nomadic herders tend to their sheep and goats – and through magnificent forests to the Kuari Pass at 3640m. Enjoying more and different views, you’ll descend on the other side to the remote and picturesque villages of Jangi and Ramni.
After returning to Rishikesh by car, you’ll do an exciting rafting trip on the Ganges, before taking the train back to Delhi.
YOUR custom-made TRIP
The tour described here, as well as the other ones on our website, are mainly meant as suggestions. We would be happy to offer you a travel proposal that fully meets your personal demands and expectations. That means that you choose where you want to go, what level of accommodation and type of transport you want and what activities you prefer.
Please let yourself be inspired by this and other trips on our website and then drop us a line (or call us) to explain your travel wishes. We will be happy to help you put together the perfect trip. You can reach us over e-mail, Messenger, Whatsapp or mobile phone.
EXTENSIONS & VARIATIONS
Apart from the tour as described here, you could consider the following add-ons and changes:
- On all tours In India we can organise one or two days sight-seeing in Delhi, either at the beginning or the end of the tour. You would be taken to Connaught Place, the center of New Delhi, the bustling beehive of Old Delhi, the Red Fort, Qutub Minar (an old minaret), The Akshardam Temple and more if you like.
- For those who want to see more of the Indian plains we can organise a one or two-day trip to Agra (site fo the Taj Mahal) or a three to five-day Golden Circle tour, taking in Delhi, Jaipur and Agra.
- Include another short trek on which you walk up to the source of the Ganges at Gaumukh near Gangotri. This can be done at the beginning or end of this tour. It adds six days in total to the tour.
- If trekking is not your cup of tea we can show you Uttarakhand and some of the beautiful high pilgrim places by car and by doing less strenuous day walks only.
ITINERARY
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Day 01: Delhi - Kathgodam - Pangot (5 h train ride; XXkm/ XX h drive)
Early morning you board the Shatabdi Express to Kathgodam, a mid-sized town at the foot of the Himalayas. On arrival, our guide and driver will welcome you and take you up into the mountains, to Pangot, a small village at 1985m altitude. Lunch will be had at Nainital, which has a pleasant boulevard running along Nainital lake. You can do a boat ride if you like. Altitude 215 → 555 → 1985m. -
Day 02: Pangot - Binsar 113km/ 4 h)
Early morning we’ll witness a mesmerizing sunrise. After breakfast we’ll explore the bird life of the Pangot forests. Then we drive via Almora to Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, home to an impressive array of birds, as well as leopards, porcupine, yellow-throated marten and many butterflies. Altitude 1985 → 960 → 1950m. -
Day 03: At Binsar
Today we’ll walk to Binsar’s highest point, called Zero Point, situated at 2412m. From here, we’ll get good views of the Himalayas. Then we’ll trek down to a small village in the reserve, where we’ll spend the night at a community-run homestay. Altitude 1950 → 2412 → 1800m. -
Day 04: Binsar – Patal Bhubaneshwar (walking 2 h; car drive 128km/ 4-5 h))
Today, we climb back to the road that runs over the main ridge of Binsar. We’ll pass through beautiful oak forests and another picturesque village, and will get regular good view of the Himalayas. Then we’ll drive to Patal Bhubaneshwar, where we’ll visit a 160m long cave with beautiful rock formations. Altitude 1800 → 1950 → 1350m. -
Day 05: Patal Bhubaneshwar – Munsiyari (170km/ 5-6 h drive)
After breakfast we will move towards Munsiyari. Halfway, we’ll have lunch in the small town of Birthi, after visiting a nearby waterfall. Musyari is surrounded by Himalayan peaks, most notably Panchahuli Peak (6904m). Altitude 1350 → 2200m. -
Day 06: In Munsiyari
Today we walk up to the meadow of Khaliya Bugyal, situated at 3500m. The walk up and down is about 10km and is utterly rewarding. The meadow is surrounded by tall trees and offers stunning views of the Himalayan peaks. Altitude 2200 → 3500 → 2200m. . -
Day 07: Munsiyari - Chaukori (96km/4 h)
Today we’ll move further east, to Chaukori, a drive of about 4 hours, maybe more, depending on the road conditions. Altitude 2200 → 2000m. -
Day 08: At Chaukori
Today you’ll stay in Chaukori. The views of gthe Himalayas from here are arguably the best of this trip. Altitude 2000m. -
Day 9: Chaukori - Kausani (85km/ 3 h)
Today, we will move to Kausani via the beautiful valley of Bageshwar. On the way, we’ll visit the Baijnath Temple complex, which boasts a Shiva mandir built in 1150. Kausani, is another view-rich hill station. It is known for handmade shawls, Pahari food, dal, masalas and tea. >Altitude 2000 → 1890m. -
Day 10: Kausani - Ranikhet (60km/ 2h)
Today we drive back south again and after passing Someshwar we veer southwest over a small road through forested mountains towards Ranikhet. Altitude 1890m → 1800m. -
Day 11: At Ranikhet
Ranikhet is a hill station and cantonment town, maintaned by Indian Army. The name means Queen's Meadow in Kumaoni. A local legend states that it was here, that Raja Sudhardev, a Katyuri ruler, won the heart of his queen, Rani Padmini, who subsequently chose the area for her residence. Today you’ll explore the surroundings of Ranikhet. Altitude 1800m. -
Day 12: Ranikhet to Jim Corbett National Park (xxx km/ 3 h)
You descend from the mountains to the edge of the plains. Here, one of India's most enigmatic national parks is situated, named after a famous hunter-turned-protectionist. Overnight in a forest bungalow near the park. Altitude 1800 → 400m. -
Day 13 & 14: In Jim Corbett N.P.
You’ll have two full days to explore the park or relax at the lodge, which has a very pleasant garden. Apart from jeep safaris (early morning and late afternoon) activities such as mountain biking can be arranged. Altitude 400m. -
Day 15: Jim Corbett N.P. – Kathgodam & Train Kathgodam - Delhi
Early morning you’ll depart from Kathgadom, where you can catch the 3 PM train to Delhi. End of the tour. Altitude 400m → 550 → 215m .
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR
KUMAONI VILLAGES
BINSAR Wildlife Sanctuary
THE BUGYALS of KUMAON
FLOWERS of the BUGYALS
KAUSANI
Kausani is one of the most popular hill stations in Uttarakhand. Whereas in Munsyari you get impressive up-close views of a selective number of peaks, Kausani gives you a 300 km wide panorama of the tallest wall in the world. Kausani is a pleasant place to stroll around and enjoy the atmosphere. Places to be visited, among others are: Anadsakti Ashram, the iconic ashram where Mahatma Gandhi stayed in 1929. Mahatma Gandhi fell in love with Kausani and described it as the Switzerland of India. Also worthwhile are the Sumitranandan Pant Gallery and the Kausani Tea Estate. Besides, there are a number of interesting temples, such as the Bagnath Temple and Baijnath Temple.
RANIKHET
JIM CORBETT N.P.
