Garhwal - Kumaon
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Tour Character:
Best Season:
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 - Departure
Depart from your home country for India.
Day 2 - Delhi
Arrival at the International Airport, where you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and transferred to hotel. Later, we do an amusing rickshaw ride in the narrow lanes of the medieval styled shopping haven of Chandni Chowk. The ride is a very interesting one. We also visit the largest mosque of India - Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque). The mosque can accommodate about 25,000 people at once. On our way back to New Delhi, we drive by India Gate, Parliament House and President's Estate. Overnight in hotel.
Day 3 - Delhi / Nainital
After breakfast, transfer to the Railway Station for a train to Kathgodam, located at the foothills of the Kumaon hills. From Kathgodam, we drive to the beautiful Nainital, which is Kumaon's largest town. Overnight in hotel.
Day 4 - Nainital / Pithoragarh
In the morning, we take a boat ride in Naini Lake. Legend has it that the lake is one of the emerald green eyes of Lord Shiva's wife that fell to Earth after her act of self - immolation. Later, we drive 180 km / 6 hrs to Pithoragarh. Pithoragarh is known for temples and an old fort. On reaching Pitthoragarh, we do sightseeing of these places. Overnight in hotel.
Day 5 - Pithoragarh / Chaukori
Today, we drive to a hill station called Chaukori, which is at a distance of 90 km / 3 hrs to Pithoragarh. Chaukori provides a spectacular panoramic view of the snowy peaks of Nanda Devi, Panchchuli group, etc.
Day 6 - Chaukori / Munsiyari
Drive 96 km / 3 hrs to Munsiyari, through a picturesque scenery. The village of Munsiyari is one of the most scenic in Uttarakhand.
Day 7 - Munsiyari / Kausani
After breakfast drive 130 km / 3 hr to Sawai Madhopur ( Ranthambhore National Park). The park is spread over 400 sq km and the wildlife and is home to animals that include herbivores like deers, sambhars, cheetal, blue bull, tigers, leopard etc. Chances of seeing tiger are better in this park due to scanty forest. Upon arrival check in to the hotel. Overnight in hotel.
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OPTIONAL: A short 3 hrs' up and down hike to Ranthambore Fort.
Day 8 - Kausani / Almora
In the morning, we take a Park Safari in the Ranthambore National Park. We have a chance of spotting the elusive tiger due to scanty vegetation. We also see other wildlife around, along with numerous species of birds. We go back to the hotel before taking another Safari later. In the afternoon, we do the Safari again. In case, we missed the tiger by a few seconds in the morning, we have another chance here. Overnight in hotel.
Day 9 - Almora / Ranikhet
After breakfast drive 120 km / 3 hr to Karauli – a quaint township founded in 1348 and famous for its pale red-sandstones and colourful bangles. In Karauli we visit 500 years old City Palace full of frescoes, fine stone carvings and paintings. On our way back from the City Palace we walk back through the local bazar watching many interesting motives of local products such as lacquer work, beautifully made multi coloured glass, bangles, colourful garments hanging in shops, cobbler mending shoes, tailors making clothes to your requirement, wooden toys, roasting peanuts, different types of local sweets made in Madan Mohan (Krishna) temple. Overnight in Palace Hotel.
Day 9 - Ranikhet / Jim Corbett
Drive 265 km/7 hrs. to Orchha. Orchha's grandeur has been captured in stones and frozen in time, a rich legacy of the ages. In this medieval city, the hand of time has rested lightly and the palaces and temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries retain much of their pristine perfection. Afternoon we make a sightseeing of some important temples and monuments of Orchha. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 10 - Jim Corbett
After breakfast drive 175 km / 4 hr to Khajuraho – famous for their erotic sculptures. Khajuraho Temples known for its erotic artwork are listed in the World Heritage sites and among the finest temples in the world. Out of the three groups of temples the Western group of temple contains some stunning artwork. Around the outside of the temples are bands of exceedingly artistic stonework showing a storyboard of life a millennium ago – gods, goddesses, warriors, musicians and real and mythological animals. Legend has it that Khajuraho was founded by the son of the Moon God Chandra who descended and saw beautiful maiden as she bathed in a stream. Khajuraho temples were built by Chandela Dynasty between 950 AD to 1050 AD and are associated with progeny. Upon arrival we do sightseeing of Eastern and Western block of temples. Overnight in hotel.
Day 11 - Jim Corbett / Nainital
After relaxed breakfast transfer to the Airport for Flight to Varanasi (Dep / Arr 1505 / 1555) – one of the holiest and oldest cities in India situated on the bank of River Ganga and considered as the Abode of Lord Shiva. The city is also nicknamed as the city of “learning and burning”- learning because from the ancient times Sages and Saints have meditated and acquired enlightenment in Benares, burning because according to Hindus, if the body is burnt on the banks of Ganga in Benares thy achieve Moksha (liberation of Soul). Photography of a burning man is not allowed in Benares and other parts of India. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Evening witness Ganga Arti at Dusmesh Ghat on the bank of River Ganga. Hundreds of oil lamps lit up by the devotees give a divine look to the river at the time of dusk.
Day 12 - Nainital / Delhi / Departure
Morning we visit Ghats to watch Sunrise by boat ride. Later on we walk through all the ghats from beginning till end. The walk would takes us about 45 minutes but this walk is a revelation to know about mysticism of 5000 years old Hindu religion. Come back to hotel. After breakfast we make a excursion to Sarnath where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining enlightenment at Boudhgaya. Afternoon we make city tour visiting Bharat Mata Temple, Durga Temple and Sankat Mochan Temple.sightseeing of Sarnath fter breakfast drive 160 km / 5 hr to Ramnagar. Overnight in hotel.