This is not the happiest of times; thanks to Covid-19 we’re grounded and all short term travel plans have had to be cancelled.
Worse still, just about the only calls we’re getting from clients are to rearrange (or even cancel) trips that are already booked, not to book new ones.
Of course we understand the situation and we’re doing all we can to smooth the process but that doesn’t make it any more enjoyable.
Work days are inevitably shorter and we find ourselves with time kill. So, rather than succumbing to the doom & gloom, we’re taking this opportunity to put together a selection of new itineraries that we hope will tempt you, once freedom is restored.
Here’s the first of them.
Foothills of the Himalaya
A private safari for wildlife lovers and birding enthusiasts
Wildlife areas visited:
Corbett Tiger Reserve, Vanghat, Pangot, Sattal
10 nights / 11 days – starting and ending in Delhi.
Day 1: Arrive Delhi and transfer to The Pride, Aerocity. Depending on arrival times we can visit Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary. Overnight at Pride Aerocity.
** This is an optional arrival day. Many flights arrive in New Delhi early in the morning, in which case it is possible to depart directly from the airport to Corbett.
Day 2: An early start for the drive to Corbett Tiger Reserve. On arrival, check-in at Jim’s Jungle Retreat. This afternoon begin our exploration of Corbett Tiger Reserve. India’s oldest tiger reserve is justifiably famous for its healthy population of large mammals, including the Indian Tiger and Asian Elephant, but it is also famous for its bird life, with more than 600 species being recorded in the area. Overnight at Jim’s Jungle Retreat.
Species to look out for in Corbett Tiger Reserve
Mammals: Elephant, Leopard, Tiger, Indian Jungle Cat, Mongoose and various deer and antelope.
Birds: Spot-billed Pelican, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Sarus Crane, White-tailed Sea Eagle, Tawny Fish Owl, Great Hornbill, Scarlet Minivet, Scaly-bellied Woodpecker.
Day 3: Morning and evening safari. Overnight at Jim’s Jungle Retreat**.
** Depending on local regulations, we may be able to spend one night in a Rest House inside the reserve itself. Although the rest houses are quite basic there are advantages to staying inside the reserve as it gives us opportunities for wildlife viewing without other visitors.
Day 4: Morning and evening safari. Overnight at Jim’s Jungle Retreat.
Day 5: After a morning game activity and breakfast at Jim’s we transfer by road to Vanghat. Vanghat is an internationally-acclaimed eco-lodge located on a secluded bank of the Western Ramganga River deep inside Kalagarh Tiger Reserve division of the Corbett Tiger Reserve. This evening our guide will takes us for a walk to explore the lodge surroundings. Overnight at Vanghat.
Species to look out for at Vanghat:
Mammals: Tiger, Leopard, Smooth-coated Otter, Giant Flying Fox, Porcupine
Birds: Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Green Magpie, Black Bulbul, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Red-billed Leiothrix, White-throated Kingfisher
Day 6: Morning and Evening walks. Overnight at Vanghat.
Day 7: After an early morning walk and breakfast, drive to Pangot. Evening explore the lodge surroundings. Overnight at Jungle Lore Birding Lodge.
Species to look out for at Pangot:
Birds: Black Francolin, Blue-throated Barbet, Brown-fronted Pied Woodpecker, Streak-throated Woodpecker, Long-tailed Minivet, Leaf Warbler, Hodgson’s Treecreeper, Whiskered Yuhina
Day 8: Full Day explore the area with naturalist. Overnight at Jungle Lore Birding Lodge
Day 9: After morning walk and breakfast, it is a fairly short drive to Nainital, which will our base for our visits to Sattal.
Nainital is a hill station located at an elevation of around 1938 metres in the green foothills of the Kumaon ranges in the Himalayas. Named after Naini Lake, the town was founded by the British in part because of its resemblance to the UKs famous Lake District and also because the climate made it a popular summer getaway from the oppressive heat at lower altitudes. The town has many elegant reminders of its colonial past.
We’ll be staying at Abbotsford, a private heritage home on an estate tucked away in the quiet corner of the Pangot-Kilbury trail bordering the outskirts of Nainital. Overnight at Abbotsford.
Species to look out for at Sattal:
Streaked Laughingthrush, Greyheaded Canary Flycatcher, Rufous Sibia, Green-backed Tit, Brown Wood Owl, Crested Kingfisher, Kalij Pheasant, Himalayan Pied Woodpecker
Day10: Accompanied by our local guide we explore Sattal. Overnight at Abbotsford.
Day 11: After morning walk and breakfast, return by road to Delhi airport to board the flight for back home.
Prices:
Cost per person sharing, based on 2 people travelling together – GBP2,850 / USD3,250
Cost per person sharing, based on 4 people travelling together – GBP2,420 / USD2,765
* Private transport throughout, with private guides at each wildlife area.
** Please note that as exchange rates are fluctuating drastically at the moment these are guideline prices. At the time of booking we will confirm the actual price based upon the prevailing rates of exchange.
If you like the idea of escaping to the Himalayan Foothills, we’d love to help you make it happen.
Just email us or phone us.
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or give us a call on +44 7775565375