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.
Day 1: Delhi/Corbett
Early morning depart by surface for Corbett. Arrive
and check in at Hotel The Claridges Corbett Hideaway
in time for lunch. 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 2: Corbett
Breakfast at 06:00 Am. At 08:00 Am we leave by jeep
for 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. His trained eye can detect
the slightest movements in the thick forest, which
you may miss.
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. O/N at our
Camp Lohachaur.
Day 3:
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 4:
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 5:
(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 Claridges 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 6:
Leave for Delhi after Breakfast.
