Elephant Safari III

Route
The Corbett Hideaway-Dhikala- Rathuadab-Halduparao

DAY 01: Delhi/Corbett: 260 Kms / Five & Half Hours by Road

Arrival and check in at Hotel The Corbett Hideaway. After a welcome drink and a short briefing on your stay at different lodges. Lunch is served. Afternoon is for jungle trekking. In the evening we present a Folk Show and talk on Corbett Tiger reserve.

DAY 02: Corbett; O/N DHIKALA FOREST REST HOUSE

Breakfast at 06:00 Am. Game View Drive in Corbett National Park for tiger tracking. Drive along Ramganga River to look for the fish eating gharial and marsh crocodiles. With the possibility of seeing 5 species of Kingfishers, Pallas & Himalayan Grey headed fishing eagles, Osprey, Crested serpent eagle and of course the mammalia, the safari is magical.

Arrive Dhikala, the natural setting is awesome and the location is picturesque. Lunch/rest/relax and enjoy the panoramic view of the grassland area and its abundant wildlife. The elephant ride from Dhikala provides the opportunity for close viewing of wildlife. O/N stay at Dhikala FRH.

DAY 03: O/N Rathuadab Forest Guest House

You wake up to the signing of a variety of birds. The morning air in the jungle is crisp and fresh. Have a steaming cup of tea before breakfast and you start off early, as it is more rewarding. You may spot chital returning to thick forest after having spent the night feeding in the open `chaurs` You may even catch a glimpse of a tiger returning after night’s hunt. Your elephant will follow game paths through the jungle before entering the Mandal Valley. This is the most picturesque valley in the Himalayas. The Mandal River flows through thick forest up to Maidavan where it reaches an old forest “chowky” (guard post). You stop there for lunch and short rest.

The afternoon safari takes you up a wooded hillside, which is ideal for bird watching. You descend into the same valley, which has high mountains and thick forests. The lower reaches are dotted with farmhouses surrounded by lush terraced rice fields. You follow the Mandal to Rathuadhab where your camp has been set up for the night.

DAY 04: O/N Halduparao

This is the most exciting day as you visit Sonanadi (River of Gold) Sanctuary. A heaven for wildlife, this sanctuary has recently been included in the Corbett Tiger Reserve because of abundance of game. On the morning Safari, your elephant follows the old bridle path used by British officers who traveled on horses, (their ladies followed in palanquins carried by camp followers) through the Palain river valley to Mondiapani. There is old forest rest house here where you can stretch your legs and have a quick lunch.

After lunch your safari continues through the most beautiful part of your trip. Because of the bamboo forests here, one can expect the wild elephants in this path. This sanctuary has the largest concentration of elephants. Herds of elephants gather here to satisfy their enormous appetite by feeding on the tender green bamboo. The Palain River is perennial and provides essential water for elephants. Your camp here is on the bank of the river. There is a “Machan” (watch tower) from where you can safely view the game coming to drink and bathe in the river. Stay at the FRH.

DAY 05: O/N THE Corbett Hideaway

(You sleep late today!). And after a leisurely breakfast, bid good-bye to your elephant and the mahout. Your jeep will take you back through another part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve to The Corbett Hideaway. On the way, stop for lunch at one of the forest bungalows. You arrive before sundown in time to have dinner and watch a Kumaoni cultural show. Overnight at Lodge.

DAY 06: Corbett - Delhi

Leave for Delhi after Breakfast.