Nainital- Corbett Trek
Maximum Altitude : 450 Mtrs to 2500 Mtrs
Best Time to visit : November to March
Grade : Moderate Trek
Duration : (10 days/09 nights)
Views
of peaks, Tiger sighting in open jeeps & elephant ride, rich
Himalayan flora, altitude migrant birds and occasional sightings
of endangered mammals like Himalayan Black Bear and Serow,
Homestays and eco-tourism projects like Mahseer Conservation.
Unlike most other treks that are done in summer for easier
access, this trek is best enjoyed around winter months as high
altitude birds migrate to lower regions and the forests are in
bloom. This forest trek has great altitudinal variation, 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 from the right bank of the Kosi River this
trek involves walking through dense broadleaf forest rich in
wildlife, and forging through shallow streams. As we gain
altitude, vegetation & landscape go through considerable
change and you move on to conifer forests of oak and pine that
open into scenic valleys & gorges. You finally end the trek
at temperate forest higher up that offer 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.
The hike takes you through forests dominated by dense
undergrowth of Ringal, bamboo and ferns and you can encounter a
variety of wildlife such as barking deer and pheasants. The
forest stretch between Vinayak and Patahriya is of great
ornithological importance as the once-considered extinct
Himalayan Quail was reported here. You pass through small
villages and hamlets, where you can see people lead a simple
symbiotic life in harmony with their wild surroundings.
Day 01- Delhi – Nainital- 320 Kms- 7 Hrs Drive
Morning
depart by surface for Nainital (320 km/7 hrs drive) and check in
at the resort. In the evening, you can walk into the surrounding
forest to observe the flora and fauna of the area accompanied by
a naturalist. You get back to camp by sundown for campfire and
barbecue. Dinner and overnight at the beautiful heritage mansion
– The Naini Retreat.
Day 02- Nainital
The main hub of Nainital is the Naini
Lake, which according to a mythological story marks the spot
where the Goddess Sati's eye (naina in Hindi) fell and thus
reflects its emerald green colour. A temple dedicated to Naina
Devi lies on the edge of the lake. While Nainital is a bustling
township and offers many tourist distractions like boating on
the lake and shopping in its busy streets, you must take time
out to visit Guerney House, the place where the legendary Jim
Corbett was born. Overnight at The Naini Retreat.
Day 03-Nainital - Pathariya ( 2200 Mtrs)
Early
morning, you leave Nainital for Pathariya, your first camp
perched at a height of 2200 m, with spectacular views of
Nainital town. Overnight at Pathariya.
Day 04- Pathariya - Vinayak ( 2600 Mtrs)(14 km/ 9 hrs)
This day's trek takes you through one of the finest patches of
cedar forest, crisscrossed by streams to the highest ridge of
Vinayak (2600m), with stunning views of the Himalayas. Here is
your best chance to find the elusive Serow and while you do so
look out for signs of the Himalayan Black Bear. The trail from
Pathariya leads up to the popular Naina/Cheena peak (2600 m),
from where you trek further on a narrow trail along the ridge to
Sigri (2350m), Guhugu Khan and Pangot.
At Vinayak you stay in the beautiful forest bungalow or camp
out in the compound of the nursery. Evenings are magical as the
setting sun transforms the icy Himalayas across Vinayak into
gold. Overnight at Vinayak campsite.
Day 05- Vinayak - Kunjkharak (16 km/ 5 hrs)
From
Vinayak the main trail runs east along the ridge to Kunjkharak,
your next campsite. Though this is a motorable track, chances of
coming across any vehicle are very bleak. Barely a kilometer
before Kunjkharak you get a magnificent 380 km broad view of the
Himalayan range. A unique feature of this moist temperate forest
is the Khoola (Jhoola) moss that carpets the floor below. This
moss absorbs water and helps in retaining moisture in the
forest. Camp for the night at the clearing in the forest
department compound of Kunjkharak, Kharak in Kumaoni means pass.
Overnight at Kunjkharak campsite.
Day 06- Kunjkharak - Akashkhanda (9 km/ 6 hrs)
From
Kunjkharak, the trek starts on a steep descent to the south, the
temperature begins to drop and the views get spectacular. The
trail takes you to dense temperate forests dominated by oak,
chestnut and rhododendron. Birds commonly seen here include the
colourful Jays, Magpie and Thrushes. Halfway through the trek
you find some mountain streams with clear water, which are good
places to stop for lunch. The campsite at Akashkhanda (1600 m)
has a beautiful forest bungalow set amidst pine trees that
offers complete solitude. On a clear day you get spectacular
views of Nanda Ghunti (20,700 ft) and Trishul (23,360 ft) peaks.
Overnight at Akashkhanda campsite.
Day 07- Akashkhanda - Kumeria (16 km/5 hrs) – Hideaway
River Lodge
The trek from Akashkhanda is a sharp narrow
decline to Mon through coniferous forests. The verandah at the
primary school of Mon is a welcome site to rest for a while. You
soon get on to the old district board road that meanders along
the Kosi and leads to the village of Okhaldhunga (500m). From
here a fire lane soon merges with a narrow broken trail that
takes you to the relatively large riverside village of Kunkhet,
finally ending on the other side of the suspension bridge over
the Kosi at Kumeria. Transfer to waiting vehicle and drive to
The Hideaway River Lodge a wilderness lodge inside The Reserve
Forest near Ramganga River.
Day 08-The Hideaway River Lodge
Hemmed
in between the Ramganga river and the Kalagarh Tiger Reserve,
The Hideaway River Lodge can be accessed through various walks
that descend into the Ramganga Valley. You have the advantage of
doing nature hikes in the surrounding forests - something not
permitted inside the Park - to explore prime wildlife habitats
on foot. A walk by the river gives you a chance to explore the
Mahseer pools, with scenes of fish eagles hovering in the air
and the occasional tiger pugmark on the riverbed. Look out for
well-concealed Ghoral (a rare species of goat antelope) in the
steep rock facing the river.
Day 09- The Corbett Hideaway
Arrive to a Luxury
Wildlife resort – The Corbett Hideaway by Jeep. Rest &
Relax take an Elephant Ride or rejuvenate in the Spa.
Day 10- Corbett - Delhi
Early morning game view drive
by Elephant or 4WD Jeep. Post Breakfast leave for onward
journey.
