Himalayan hiking for beginners: birdlife, remote lodges and village homestays in India’s Kumaon Hills…
You will explore the Oak and Rhododendron forest of Binsar sanctuary & Supi valley, where the hike takes you through remote villages of this area. These self-sufficient sustainable hill villages of Kumaon have hidden treasures and many lessons to offer to the modern world. Manual farming and cattle-based communities will enrich your experience with ancient cultural practices, which have almost been lost in many parts of the country. During the tour, we will visit Jageshwar, a unique architecturally 7th century group of Shiva temples, followed by couple of nights at Saryu Valley, tucked away in Kumaon, where we’ll visit local village craftsmen and interact with women. The tour will continue to Jim Corbett national park, Asia’s first National Park, known for its highest Tiger density and diverse flora and fauna. You will explore its Sal dominated broad-leafed forest, riverine, and the Shivalik range of the Himalayas. This will include a day hike in the buffer area with experienced naturalist.
The last leg of your journey will take you to Rishikesh, where you’ll stay in a lodge next to the Ganges and experience the calmness of Yoga & meditation by the beach, thrill of White water rafting and visit to Ashrams and Temples.
Highlights
- Explore bio diverse forests of the Western Himalayas.
- Hike to self-sufficient remote villages in Kumaon.
- Jageshwar Temple, a unique 7th century architectural group of temples in the cedar forest.
- Jim Corbett National Park, Asia's first National Park.
- Visit local cooperatives that are committed to uplifting women in this region.
- White water rafting on the Ganges.
- Walk in the most pious and celebrated place in Hindu Mythology - Rishikesh
Itinerary
The group will be met on arrival at Indira Gandhi international airport by our representative. The group will be transferred to the hotel, rest of the day at leisure. Free afternoon, giving you the chance to take in the sights and sounds of bustling Delhi.
We can arrange for a local sightseeing of New Delhi. Otherwise, the day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Hotel in central Delhi.
After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour of Jama Masjid (anrchitectural extravaganza of Shah Jahan). It’s one of the largest mosques, used as house of worship for Muslims. You will walk in the narrow lanes of Old Delhi to experience the hustle and bustle of an ancient Mughal city.
After your visit to the mosque, you will continue your walk through narrow lanes to a tucked-away Haveli of Lala Chunnamal (1848), in the heart of Chandni Chowk. This haveli is three stories high, with 128 rooms, and spread over an acre of land- a must-visit historic buildings.
The present generation of the family that owns it still lives here! We will have tea/coffee with the family and savor the Indian snacks that are prepared locally, while listening to their stories of the by-gone era.
Accommodation: Hotel in central Delhi.
Take an early morning train to the Foothills of the Himalayas, Kathgodam. Board awaiting cars and drive into the Kumaon hills. The beautiful Kumaon region is also known as ‘Dev-Bhumi’ or the Abode of Gods. This is the land of rich cultural heritage, age-old temples, views of majestic Himalayan peaks and picture postcard terraced fields.
Next two nights you will be staying at Binsar Sanctuary (2200 m), in a dense oak and rhododendron forest at an old British bungalow, once home to the British commissioner of Kumaon.
This evening take a walk to the highest point of the sanctuary through the forest, with spectacular views of the Greater Himalayas.
Overnight at the retreat.
Accommodation: Forest Lodge
Altitude: 2100m
Train Duration : 5 hours
Drive Duration: 4-5 hours
You will wake up with the chirping of birds. Later in the day we set out to explore the sanctuary. We descend through a mixed coniferous forest. On a clear day, get a panoramic view of the Himalayas—from Nanda Devi to the five snow-capped peaks of Panchachuli. Walk down hill for about couple of hours till you reach the quaint little village of Dalar. Soak in the village life and visit a traditional house. After spending some time at the village, we will hike back to the retreat.
Overnight at the retreat.
Accommodation: Forest Lodge
Hike Duration: 5 km/ 3-4 hours
Morning after breakfast, we will check out from the retreat and start out hike to Gaunap, via Katdhara. The hike goes through Oak and Rhododendron forest. In Spring, the trail is laid with red Rhododendrons, like a carpet. At some places the moss on Oak trees shows the density of the forest. The initial climb will be steep till Zero point, the highest point of the Sanctuary. From there it’s a gentle hike downhill that will take us to the village of Katdhara, a quaint village in the middle of nowhere. We will have lunch at a local home here and interact with the villagers. Gaunap is couple of hours walk from here.
Our night stay will be at a village homestay at Gaunap.
Accommodation: Village Homestay
Altitude: 1886m
Hike duration: 10 km / 5 hrs
Post breakfast we will visit the local families in the village and carry on with our hike to Dhaulchhina. Today’s walk through meandering paths , mixed forests of Pine, Cedar and Oak. It’s an easy hike that offers great views of snow-clad peaks and terraced fields.
Once we arrive Dhaulchinna, we’ll have picnic lunch at the view point. After lunch, a short hike to Anandmayee ashram, a serene place with great Himalayan views and a birders paradise.
Board awaiting car and drive to Jageshwar. We will spend the night at an Eco lodge, surrounded by lush Cedar forest. It’s built in a traditional Kumaoni architectural style and offers quiet and serene environment. It also offers meditation on the property.
Later in the afternoon, we will walk a short distance to the cluster of 200-odd temples (many of them dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva) built from 7th to 12th century AD.
Accommodation: Jungle Lodge
Altitude: 1840m
Hike duration: 12 km / 4-5 hours
Today’s drive to Supi via Bageshwar should take about 5 to 6 hours. We shall start immediately after breakfast and reach Kapkot by afternoon. From there we’ll take a short hike to Supi Village.
Supi is a remote village in Saryu valley. Check into a humble homestay at the village and spend the rest of the evening exploring the serene surroundings of the village.
(The Supi community has renovated a traditional Berklay house into an attractive four-bedroom guest house, complete with simple en-suite bathrooms. They aim to develop a sustainable form of tourism and introduce the visitors to local people, culture, walks and wildlife).
Overnight in Village Homestay. Campfire dinner.
Accommodation: Village Homestay
Altitude: 2100m
Drive Duration: : 109 km
Hike Duration: : 45 minutes
Today we'll explore the Supi village in the morning – walk through terraced fields, mingle with the village folk and visit the local craftsman.
After an early lunch, we shall set off on a hike to Bhadratunga – a temple situated by Saryu river, in a neighbouring village. The walk should take about 3.5 hours.
Accommodation: Village Homestay
Altitude: 2100m
Hike duration: 3.5 hours
After breakfast we will bid goodbye to our host family and walk to the road head to board the awaiting cars and drive to Ranikhet, a cantonment town in the hills, evoking images of India's colonial past. We will stay at an old British era bungalow, located in the middle of Oak and Cedar forest. We’ll get a beautiful view of Mt. Nanda Devi (7816m), the part of greater Himalayas.
Enroute we will visit an NGO empowering women in the Kumaon region- UMANG. It’s a collective of self-help group of a network of women entrepreneurs, producing different products. Its main mission is to empower the women of Kumaon with sustainable employment.
Later in the evening, we will meet a women entrepreneur living there and training the village women for Hand knits and Hand weaves.
Accommodation: Heritage Hotel
Altitude: 1870m
Drive Duration: 100 km
Hike Duration: 45 minutes
In the morning we will take a short bike ride in the Cedar forest around the Lodge.
After breakfast, we will drive towards Shivalik range, to Jim Corbett National park, named after conservationist and hunter, Edward James Corbett.
We arrive at the National park and hike for 40 minutes to reach our Eco lodge, nestled deep in the awe inspiring Ramganga valley. This walk through a village and riverine forest is an excellent introduction to the valley. It’s a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, anglers, birders and nature lovers. The location of the lodge affords long walks in the wild country and unexplored territories.
Check into the lodge. Evening nature walk alongside Ramganga river.
Accommodation: Eco Lodge
Drive duration: 80 km
Hike duration: 2 km
After a relaxed breakfast we will hike in the buffer area of Corbett park. The hike takes you through dense forest, villages and river. Chances of spotting wildlife and birds are high in this area. We will carry a packed lunch with us for you to enjoy at a scenic spot, whilst soaking in the sounds of the jungle. Return to the camp by late afternoon. The lodge echo’s with alarm calls of prey species at twilight hours, indicating the presence of carnivore.
Campfire dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation: Eco Lodge
Hike duration: 6 km / 4 hrs
After breakfast, we will head towards the road head. It’s the same walk of 2 km that we did while coming in. Board the awaiting vehicles and drive towards the holy city of Rishikesh. We continue towards Shivpuri, situated along the Ganges.
Check into a Lodge / Luxury Camping for next two nights.
We’ll take a short walk to the beach to enjoy the calm and pristine River Ganges.
Accommodation: Cottage tents
Drive duration: 260 km
Morning Yoga & meditation session on the beach, followed by breakfast.
It’s going to be a leisurely morning today. Spend the time at the campsite or walk along the Ganges.
Optional activity for morning: Zip line across Ganges.
Post lunch, after a thorough safety briefing for white water rafting, we drive for about 20 minutes to the put-in point for an exhilarating rafting experience on the mighty river Ganges. (2 ½ hrs duration). You’ll be provided with life jacket, helmet, wet suit and paddles. Each raft will be accompanied by experienced guides and a safety kayak. We’ll be going through grade III & IV rapids.
The rafting session will end at Rishikesh, where you’ll be provided with a changing tent & hot tea/coffee.
We’ll walk in the most pious and celebrated place in Hindu Mythology - Rishikesh. We visit the Ashrams and marvel at the Sadhus and Monks who have made this heavenly place their holy abode. We attend the “Ganga Aarti” the reverence to the holy Ganges.
Drive back to the camp for bonfire dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Cottage Tents
Morning Yoga & meditation on the beach.
After breakfast, we check out of the camp and drive to Jolly grant airport to board our flight back to Delhi.
Afternoon is free for some final shopping. There are bargains galore to be found in the shops and markets close to the hotel. The Group Leader will arrange a ‘last supper’ where you can look back over the trip.
Drive Durstion: 33 km
Flight Duration: 01 hour
You will be given a departure transfer to International airport to board your flight back home.
FAQ's
It’s an easy hike through terraced fields, Oak, Pine and Rhododendron forests. Each day you will walk for four to five hours between villages, on forest/cobbled path. Couple of paths inside the Binsar forest are a bit steep & rocky, but not difficult. Anyone with reasonable fitness level can easily complete the hike. Overland journey will be in comfortable cars for not more than 3-4 hours, except for the drive from Jim Corbett to Rishikesh, which will take around 5 hours.
At Delhi we use 4* hotel, other accommodation in Kumaon is a mix of Jungle retreats, British Bungalows, Village Homestays & Eco lodges.
During the course of your trip, overland journey will be in a private MPV or Tempo traveller, depending on the size of the group. Train journey to Kathgodam will be in A/c chair car coach.
November to March offers the best views of the greater Himalayas.
Average temperature from Oct to Dec is Max 20 C and Min 5 C, days being sunny with a sudden dip in temperatures towards the evening.
Average temperature from Feb to Mar is Max 10-14 degree C & Min 0-5 degree C. February have wonderfully clear days, with cold nights. In March, the slopes are splashed with a variety of colour as the rhododendrons bloom.
This tour goes into the Kumaon region in India, where government hospitals are available at Almora, Ranikhet and Haldwani. During the hike, basic professional medical help will be available. In case of an emergency, guest can be taken to the nearest good hospital available. It is the guest’s responsibility to ensure that they are in good health and physically & mentally fit to join the trip.
In case they have an existing medical condition, then they must consult their doctor before coming on the trip.
It is possible that a route change may become necessary due to inclement weather, inaccessibility of the roads due to snow (winters), condition of the trail and physical fitness of the clients, political restrictions and other cause beyond human control.
The tour leader’s decision will be the final one.
India must be one of the most photogenic countries in the world but take care before you click photographs. Taking pictures at some airports and railway stations is prohibited. During the hike, you will get many opportunities to take photographs of village life & people. Although many may like having their photograph taken, others may be shy; ask with a smile and you’re more likely to get results!
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