An exclusive elephant safari in the periphery areas
of Corbett Tiger reserve - the Elephant Safari takes
you through mysterious thick forests, deep valleys
and the rugged trails that offer a lingering thrill
to the adventure seeker. This is enhancing by the
cultural enigma of the land.
We take you to this thrilling elephant safari in
the style of yesteryears, from the first ray of
the rising sun to evening's deepest glow; the landscape
unravels the untaught harmony of the primitive wild.
The grandeur of the' British Raj' is relived in
old forest rest houses (FRH) built in 1890's, which
compliment the aura with lanterns and fireplaces
instead of electricity supplemented with hot buckets
baths to add to your comforts .To satiate the jungle
appetite you are accompanied by our cook specializing
in Indian and continental cuisine. For transport
and back up service we provide 4 WD jeeps that are
best suited for the rugged terrain of Corbett.
The abundant Airborne Species, the mysterious wild
and the picturesque valley come together to offer
a romantic hitherto unseen, unheard or untold. To
enhance this unique experience a language-speaking
naturalist accompanies you.
Routes
Durgadevi, Lohachaur, Rathuadhab, Mondiapani, Halduparao.
Climate
Like most of North India, Corbett has three seasons
-
Winter (November to February)
Summer (March to June)
Autumn (October)
Day 01 Arrive Delhi
Met upon arrival in Delhi and transferred to your
hotel
Stay at The Hans Plaza for two nights.
(Standard grade modern hotel)
Day 02 Delhi
Enjoy a sightseeing of Old Delhi in the morning.
(Including the Red Fort, Jama Masjid and the bazaars
of Chandni Chowk)
Enjoy a sightseeing of New Delhi in the afternoon.
(Including the Qutb Minar, Humayun's tomb and Lutyen's
buildings)
Day 03 Delhi - Corbett
Early morning depart by surface for Corbett (296
kilometres, approximately 7 hours driving distance).
Stay at Hotel The Claridges Corbett Hideaway for
the night.
Standard grade resort
Day 04 Corbett - Durgadevi - Mandal
- Lohachaur
After breakfast travel by jeep to Durgadevi from
where you start your elephant safari. The elephant
departs from Durgadevi following the traditional
routes of the Gujjar - wandering shepherds of the
high Himalayas who trade with Tibet. They take salt
and tea during their summer migration and return
with Tibetan arts and crafts with their flocks of
sheep to spend the winter at Corbett Tiger Reserve.
You may come across their camps on the way, usually
guarded by the ever-loyal "Bhutia" dogs.
These animals are known to keep even a tiger at
bay!
Your nature guide / tracker will point our wildlife
hiding in the thickets.
By mid-morning, you will reach the banks of the
Ramganga River where it meets the Mandal River before
entering Corbett National Park. This is an ideal
spot for the famous game fish - masher, we can make
arrangements (if notified in advance) you can enjoy
swimming or paddling in the river before lunch.
Packed lunch is carried with you and usually consists
of "puri bhaji" (spiced potato with Indian
bread) or as specified.
In the afternoon, the safari takes you up the Mandal
to a beautiful "chaur" (grassland). Here
you may spot a herd of chital grazing or even elephants.
You will arrive at your camp before dark. This forest
bungalow is at Loha Chaur, which is protected by
an elephant moat. During the monsoons, herds of
elephant usually visit this bungalow and cause damage
to it.
After tea and biscuit, you can enjoy a hot bath;
hot water is brought in buckets! Relax and watch
the mahouts prepare dinner for your elephants. As
darkness falls you may sit around a campfire chatting
with friends or your guide about the day's adventure
or enjoy a drink before dinner. Dinner consists
of very simple but wholesome food. Winter nights
are cold in the hills. Now is the time when the
denizens of the presence of a predator. Overnight
in the tented accommodation at Lohachaur.
Day 05 Lohachaur - Mandal - Ranthuadhab
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 Ranthuadhab where your camp has been
set up for the night.
Day 06 Ranthuadhab - Sonanadi Sanctuary
- Mondiapani
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.
Day 07 Mondiapani - Corbett
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.
Stay at the The Claridges Corbett Hideaway for
the night. On the way, stop for lunch at one of
the forest bungalows.
Day 08 Corbett - Delhi / Onward
Destination
Morning is at leisure.
Later travel by car to Delhi (296 kilometres, approximately
7 hours driving distance)
Transfer to the International Airport in time to
board your flight to onward destination.
Day 09 Delhi / Onward Destination
Fly Delhi / Onward Destination
