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TREKS
Trek and Wildlife Safari in the Kumaon Himalayas Best Time: October to June
Duration: 5 nights and 6 days
Nature of trek: moderate
Day 01: Delhi-Pangot
Meals: Lunch and Dinner Drive from Delhi to Pangot (8 hours) or take the morning train from Delhi. The last 50 km drive is through the scenic hills and the forested area of Cheena Peak Range via Snow View Point and Kilbury, the main habitats for wildlife. Overnight in Jungle Lore Birding Lodge. www.pangot.com
Day 02: Trek
Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
This forest trek has an altitudinal variation of 450 m to 2500 m, giving the whole region a diverse bird and mammal life. An astounding 650 bird species have been reported here and the assemblage of mammals is equally impressive, the most notable being the elusive Serow. Highly recommended for beginners, this is a moderate trek through beautiful natural surroundings. You hike along old pony trails, camp at scenic spots or stay in colonial era forest bungalows. Starting right from the lodge, the trek leads through dense broadleaf forest rich in wildlife, forging through shallow streams. As we go ahead, vegetation and landscape go through considerable change. Dense conifer forests of oak and pine open into scenic valleys and gorges. You start the trek at a temperate forest that offers spectacular views of the icy Himalayas along the way. What is quite remarkable is the ever-changing biodiversity, rich wildlife and the dramatic difference in forest types each day. You pass through small villages and hamlets, where you can see people lead a simple symbiotic life in harmony with their wild surroundings.
Vinayak to Kunjkharak (16 km)
Time: 5 hrs
Level: Easy
Since this area is actually a high pass, it can get very windy and winter temperatures may drop to 0 degrees, with occasional snowfall in the area. Huge rocks in forested ridges make it a good place to sight high altitude birds like Lammergeier, Himalayan and Eurasian Griffon. Other raptors you may see are Tawny Eagle, Steppe eagle and Kestrel. The main trail runs all along the ridge to Vinayak. Though this is a motorable track, chances of coming come across any vehicle are very slim indeed. Barely a kilometre after Kunjkharak you get a magnificent 380 km broad view of the Himalayan range. A unique feature of this moist temperate forest is the Khoola moss that carpets the floor below. This moss absorbs water and helps in retaining moisture in the forest. However, due to indiscriminate extraction and collection for its use in several cosmetic products, this moss has become highly endangered. Evenings are magical here, as the setting sun transforms the icy Himalayas across Kunjkharak into gold.
Day 03: Trek
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Kunjkharak to Akashkhanda
Time: 6 hours
Level: Easy
Being miles away from road, the forest bungalow at Akashkhanda is seldom visited by tourists or even forest officials. Though in a dilapidated state now, this beautiful bungalow is set amidst pine trees and offers complete solitude. On a clear day you get spectacular views of Nanda Ghunti (20,700 ft) and Trishul (23,360 ft). From here the trek takes us to dense temperate forests dominated by oak, chestnut and rhododendron, which is a riot of red when in bloom. Birds commonly seen here include the colourful Jays, Magpie and Thrushes. This area also supports rich mammal life. On the hill slopes you can try to spot the ghoral (goat antelope) and on the trail you stumble upon the occasional pugmarks of the leopard. We camp for the night at Akashkhanda (1600 m).
Day 04: Trek to Corbett Tiger Reserve
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Akashkhanda to Kumeria
Time: 8 hours
Level: Moderate
From here the vegetation gets scanty and the steep ascent can get quite exhausting by the time you reach the small village of Mon. The verandah at the primary school of Mon is a welcome site to rest for a while.
After Mon the trail gets narrow and the climb gets steeper. The vegetation gradually transforms from Coniferous forest to Sal all the way till Kumeria. We go downhill through a narrow broken trail that soon merges with a fire lane and leads to the village of Okhaldhunga (500m). This is a fairly broad trail that leads to the village of Damas (600m).and is still used by villagers to carry supplies on packhorses and mules. The trek ends at Kumeria; a suspension bridge over the Kosi River at Kunkhet village leads you to the road head. From there, you are taken to a wildlife lodge at Corbett, called Tiger Camp for an overnight stay. www.tigercamp.in
Day 05: Corbett Tiger Reserve Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Drive onward to Dhangarhi gate for entry to Dhikala tourism zone in a 4WD. Corbett provides a great opportunity for viewing wildlife, especially the tiger in its natural habitat. We start with a visit to the Interpretation Centre. Accompanied by an expert guide, the Jeep safari through the stately dense Sal jungle of Corbett begins along the Ramganga River Cross the river at Gethia Rao Bridge for the Kanda Range, where Jim Corbett shot the famous Kanda man-eater. Arrive at the main tourist complex, Dhikala. Lunch and relax a bit in the serene, lingering quietness of the park and capture the panoramic expanse on your camera. Visit one of the best wildlife libraries of India. You can enjoy an elephant ride (subject to availability) or an afternoon safari on a track along the periphery of the core area. An exciting drive through the unforgettable, sylvan beauty of the Khinanauli range offers wildlife viewing in plenty and a chance sighting of the elusive tiger. Return to the tourist complex. Watch a Film show on wildlife followed by dinner. Overnight stay. Please note that the accommodation in Dhikala is very basic. Dhikala opens on Nov 16 and remains open till June 15. If this itinerary operates in October till mid November we will visit a different part of the park and stay overnight at Tiger Camp.
Day 06: Corbett National Park-Train
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch in Dhikala and dinner at the resort. Day inside the park. Jeep safari and elephant rides (optional) through the jungles of Corbett for wildlife viewing, birding and crocodile watching. Return to Tiger Camp in the evening for an early dinner. Board train at Ramnagar at 2100 hours for journey back to Delhi. Arrive the next morning at 0400 hours.
Tour Ends.
Duration: 5 nights and 6 days
Nature of trek: moderate
Day 01: Delhi-Pangot
Meals: Lunch and Dinner Drive from Delhi to Pangot (8 hours) or take the morning train from Delhi. The last 50 km drive is through the scenic hills and the forested area of Cheena Peak Range via Snow View Point and Kilbury, the main habitats for wildlife. Overnight in Jungle Lore Birding Lodge. www.pangot.com
Day 02: Trek
Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
This forest trek has an altitudinal variation of 450 m to 2500 m, giving the whole region a diverse bird and mammal life. An astounding 650 bird species have been reported here and the assemblage of mammals is equally impressive, the most notable being the elusive Serow. Highly recommended for beginners, this is a moderate trek through beautiful natural surroundings. You hike along old pony trails, camp at scenic spots or stay in colonial era forest bungalows. Starting right from the lodge, the trek leads through dense broadleaf forest rich in wildlife, forging through shallow streams. As we go ahead, vegetation and landscape go through considerable change. Dense conifer forests of oak and pine open into scenic valleys and gorges. You start the trek at a temperate forest that offers spectacular views of the icy Himalayas along the way. What is quite remarkable is the ever-changing biodiversity, rich wildlife and the dramatic difference in forest types each day. You pass through small villages and hamlets, where you can see people lead a simple symbiotic life in harmony with their wild surroundings.
Vinayak to Kunjkharak (16 km)
Time: 5 hrs
Level: Easy
Since this area is actually a high pass, it can get very windy and winter temperatures may drop to 0 degrees, with occasional snowfall in the area. Huge rocks in forested ridges make it a good place to sight high altitude birds like Lammergeier, Himalayan and Eurasian Griffon. Other raptors you may see are Tawny Eagle, Steppe eagle and Kestrel. The main trail runs all along the ridge to Vinayak. Though this is a motorable track, chances of coming come across any vehicle are very slim indeed. Barely a kilometre after Kunjkharak you get a magnificent 380 km broad view of the Himalayan range. A unique feature of this moist temperate forest is the Khoola moss that carpets the floor below. This moss absorbs water and helps in retaining moisture in the forest. However, due to indiscriminate extraction and collection for its use in several cosmetic products, this moss has become highly endangered. Evenings are magical here, as the setting sun transforms the icy Himalayas across Kunjkharak into gold.
Day 03: Trek
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Kunjkharak to Akashkhanda
Time: 6 hours
Level: Easy
Being miles away from road, the forest bungalow at Akashkhanda is seldom visited by tourists or even forest officials. Though in a dilapidated state now, this beautiful bungalow is set amidst pine trees and offers complete solitude. On a clear day you get spectacular views of Nanda Ghunti (20,700 ft) and Trishul (23,360 ft). From here the trek takes us to dense temperate forests dominated by oak, chestnut and rhododendron, which is a riot of red when in bloom. Birds commonly seen here include the colourful Jays, Magpie and Thrushes. This area also supports rich mammal life. On the hill slopes you can try to spot the ghoral (goat antelope) and on the trail you stumble upon the occasional pugmarks of the leopard. We camp for the night at Akashkhanda (1600 m).
Day 04: Trek to Corbett Tiger Reserve
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Akashkhanda to Kumeria
Time: 8 hours
Level: Moderate
From here the vegetation gets scanty and the steep ascent can get quite exhausting by the time you reach the small village of Mon. The verandah at the primary school of Mon is a welcome site to rest for a while.
After Mon the trail gets narrow and the climb gets steeper. The vegetation gradually transforms from Coniferous forest to Sal all the way till Kumeria. We go downhill through a narrow broken trail that soon merges with a fire lane and leads to the village of Okhaldhunga (500m). This is a fairly broad trail that leads to the village of Damas (600m).and is still used by villagers to carry supplies on packhorses and mules. The trek ends at Kumeria; a suspension bridge over the Kosi River at Kunkhet village leads you to the road head. From there, you are taken to a wildlife lodge at Corbett, called Tiger Camp for an overnight stay. www.tigercamp.in
Day 05: Corbett Tiger Reserve Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Drive onward to Dhangarhi gate for entry to Dhikala tourism zone in a 4WD. Corbett provides a great opportunity for viewing wildlife, especially the tiger in its natural habitat. We start with a visit to the Interpretation Centre. Accompanied by an expert guide, the Jeep safari through the stately dense Sal jungle of Corbett begins along the Ramganga River Cross the river at Gethia Rao Bridge for the Kanda Range, where Jim Corbett shot the famous Kanda man-eater. Arrive at the main tourist complex, Dhikala. Lunch and relax a bit in the serene, lingering quietness of the park and capture the panoramic expanse on your camera. Visit one of the best wildlife libraries of India. You can enjoy an elephant ride (subject to availability) or an afternoon safari on a track along the periphery of the core area. An exciting drive through the unforgettable, sylvan beauty of the Khinanauli range offers wildlife viewing in plenty and a chance sighting of the elusive tiger. Return to the tourist complex. Watch a Film show on wildlife followed by dinner. Overnight stay. Please note that the accommodation in Dhikala is very basic. Dhikala opens on Nov 16 and remains open till June 15. If this itinerary operates in October till mid November we will visit a different part of the park and stay overnight at Tiger Camp.
Day 06: Corbett National Park-Train
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch in Dhikala and dinner at the resort. Day inside the park. Jeep safari and elephant rides (optional) through the jungles of Corbett for wildlife viewing, birding and crocodile watching. Return to Tiger Camp in the evening for an early dinner. Board train at Ramnagar at 2100 hours for journey back to Delhi. Arrive the next morning at 0400 hours.
Tour Ends.