Home Tour Packages Cultural Heritage Corbett & Foot Hills Tour Plan

Delhi (1n) >> Amritsar (2n) >> Dharamshala (2n) >> Pragpur (1n) >> Farm stay (2n) >> Shimla (3n) >> Rishikesh (1n) >> Haridwar (1n) >> Ramnagar (1n) >> Dhikala (2n) >> Delhi (0n). Tour Duration : 18 Days / 16 nights. Best Time : 15 March – 30 April for Corbett. Accommodation : : Deluxe/Heritage Hotels/FRH Corbett. Transport : One air-conditioned SUV. Laundry : Available at all locations Trip Style : Independent.

DAY 01	Abroad >> New Delhi.. Arrival at the IGI Int’l airport at late into the evening. Reception at the airport by our representative & transfer to hotel. Overnight in Hotel The Manor.
DAY 02	Delhi >> Amritsar. After B’fast, this morning, transfer to the domestic a/port to catch the flight to Amritsar. On arrival, meet & greet. Transfer to your hotel. Refresh yourself with a complimentary Spa Message at Svaasa Spa (25 minutes). Long strokes soothe and glide the calves and feet reviving diminished energy levels. Continuous movements with strong and gentle pressure recoup tired feet. Get rid of your day’s fatigue with a revitalizing foot massage. This evening, after an early dinner, proceed to the Golden Temple, to witness the ceremony of ‘Palki Sahib’ whereby the Holy Granth (book) of the Sikhs is taken in a Golden Palanquin to it’s nightly abode, amidst the chanting of hymns, cattle drums & ‘nagaras’ (trumpets). The Golden Temple, ‘built from white marble and crowned with a gold bengaldar pavilion. The temple is further decorated on the outside and inside by floral patterns composed of precious stones and verses from the holy book…despite the splendour, an atmosphere of deep religiousness envelops the temple. Dinners & overnight in Hotel Ranjit Svaasa (B, D). (Note: a pair of sandals come handy as shoes need to be removed and kept at ‘shoe-house’ & your head covered as mark of respect, at the Golden Temple complex)
DAY 03	Amritsar . After a leisurely B’fast, we shall drive into the city, take a horse-driven buggy or the duggiwallah, savouring as we do the sights & sounds of Amritsar. The programme includes, a visit the Jallian Wala Bagh where, most unfortunately, the firing on 13th April 1919 on a political congregation of Sikhs led to deterioration of relations with the British, " The bitter debate that followed the shootings, the worst atrocity perpetrated, almost brought down the liberal government and was a decisive turning point in India’s march to independence," Nigel Collett (oxford University); Visit the Golden Temple kitchen, where thousands of devotees are served meals every day totally free of costs. lunch at ‘Bharawan Ka Dhaba’ typically serving Amritsari food. This evening proceed to the Wagah border to witness the Flag lowering ceremony. Return to your hotel for overnight. (B, D).
DAY 04	Amritsar >> Nurpur >> Dharamsala (116miles / 7 hours approx). After B’fast, drive to Dhramshala. Arrival early evening. Overnight in Hotel White Haven Estate (B). Hotel White Haven is a part of the 1200 acre tea estate & the bird sanctuary at a height of 4500 feet asl. This estate was set up by an Englishman to escape from the heat of the Punjab plains, at the very onset of the British discovery of Dharamsala. The suites have Burma teak floors & private sit-outs. Great ambience! (B, D).
DAY 05	Dharamshala . Founded in 1855, a spectacular hill Station, Dharamsala is built on the spur of Dhauladhar mountain ranges, varying in height from 1200 to 1800 mtrs. Full day sight seeing to include a visit to the Norbulingka Tebetan Institute, established to teach & preserve traditional Tibetan art, such as wood carving, Thangka painting, goldsmithing & embroidery. The Tebetan Doll Museum & the Tibetan temple at Norbulingka visit Mcleodganj, where is located the Palace of His Holiness The Dalai Lama; Tibetan market; Do not forget to visit Naorojee & Sons, right in the Mcleodganj chowk, the oldest shop in Dharamsala established in 1860 & yet retaining the flavours of the bygone era! Do buy some picture postcards from the elderly Parsi gentleman. Visit the Church of St. john-in-the-wilderness built in 1860, destroyed by an earthquake & rebuilt in 1905. Some touching obelisks on the walls of this church are telling reminders of the life & times of the British in India. Lord Elgin lies buried here, as per his own wish, for Dharamsala reminded him of his own native Scotland; Visit the British cemetery in it’s compound. Overnight in hotel. (B, D).
DAY 06	Dharamshala >> Kangra >> Pragpur(40miles). After B’fast, drive to Pragpur. On the way, visit the Kangra Fort, well known for it’s beautiful architecture including strains of Islamic, Hindu & English. Perched atop a high cliff, it overlooks the confluence of two rivers, Ban Ganga & Manjhi, the fort passed into the hands of the British in early 19th century & was a garrison fort, ultimately destroyed by the calamitous earthquake of 1905. Continue your travels to Pragpur. After refreshing yourself at your hotel, explore the 300 year old Heritage Village in Pragpur. "The village of Pragpur was classified as a heritage zone in 1997 and for good reason - caught in a charming time warp, there is little to mark the advent of the modern age in the aspect of the unchanged shops, mud-plastered and slate-roofed houses, ornamental tank and the cobbled streets leading to the village courtyard of this seeming medieval village". Overnight in Hotel Judge’s Court, 5 must-stay properties in northern Himachal Pradesh. (B, L, D).
DAY 07	Pragpur >> Hoshiarpur Farm Stay (45miles / 2 hrs).After a leisurely B’fast, drive into the plains of the Punjab, a state well known for it’s agricultural produce & the ‘finest peasantry world has ever known’. Your farm stay locates in a 70 acre Kinnow Farm, a fruit produced in California in 1935 by cross-pollinating the Kings & Willow Leaf varieties of Oranges. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinners & overnight at Citrus County Farms (B, L, D).
DAY 08	Hoshiarpur . After B’fast this morning, you shall be taken around on the farm to see the various processes of farming. Also on offer is a short trip to the village ‘chaupal’ or common area, seeing daily village activities, ride on a tractor, walk through the kinnow farm and an adventurous jeep safari through farm and forest land in which some wildlife can be spotted. The safari also includes a drive through the dry-bed of a ‘choe’ or seasonal rivulets that Hoshiarpur district is famous for. Bonfire & dinners (B,L,D).
DAY 09	Hoshiarpur >> Anandpur Sahib >> Shimla (125miles approx). After an early B’fast, drive to Shimla. On the way, visit Anandpur Sahib Sikh Heritage Memorial complex. Continue your travels to Shimla. Overnight in Hotel Oberois Cecil (B).
DAY 10	Shimla . After a leisurely B’fast, walk to the Mall & the ridge towards the Christ Church. ‘The walk shall take you through dense clumps of cedar trees and past the Municipal buildings, ‘ with Scottish baronial brick overlaid by Swiss chalet’; the ‘ wobbly wooden post office, like a monster tree house, which for many summers handled the supreme dispatches of the earth’s most powerful empire’; The Town Hall, ‘ by no means free of structural defects, nevertheless housed, until 1911 they lopped off it’s upper floor for safety’s sake, not only the municipal offices proper, but also the supper-room, a freemason’s Hall, a library and the Gaiety theatre, the place for amateur dramatics in Anglo-India’. Our slow but pleasant walk takes us to the Christ Church, ‘built to a Gothic design…with bells cast from the cannons, confiscated during the Anglo Sikh wars’. Drive back in your car to ‘Joeys Sars Lodge’ for lunch. The little place offers Shimla’s best grilled trout with mashed potatoes & chicken in black bean sauce! Walk up to the Viceregal Lodge for sight seeing. ‘The Scottish baronial style…built in 1880’s under the auspices of Lord Duffrin and enthusiastic architects in the person of Henry Irvine & HH Cole’. Overnight in your hotel. (B).
DAY 11	Shimla . Forenoon at leisure. Evenings spent on the Mall looking for handicrafts etc. Overnight in your hotel. (B).
DAY 12	Shimla >> Rishikesh (148 miles / 8 hours approx). After an early B’fast, drive to Rishikesh. Overnight in Hotel Glass House of the Ganges (B, D).
DAY 13	Rishikesh >> Haridwar (25miles). Complete relaxation this fore-noon on the beach of the river. Proceed to Rishikesh, at about 02:00pm. On arrival, proceed to the Lachman Jhula & visit the oriental hill markets. The market is colourful & invariably crowded, stalls selling coloured powder piled high in carefully made cones. This powder is used to make the ‘tikka’ & sect marks on the forehead of sadhus & devotees. Visit the igloo like ruins of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi ashram, where the Beatles arrived in 1968 to meditate & compose some amazing songs! This evening at 4:00pm??, visit the ‘Parmarth Niketan’ the biggest ashram in Rishikesh. The Ganga ‘aarti’ commences at 5:00pm & continues for about one hour. Watch the devotees singing hymns, this evening, on the banks of river Ganges. The chief pontiff or representative takes part in the proceedings of ‘Ganga Aarti’, leaving an impact of intense ‘spiritual reawakening’ with in. At sunset, drive to Haridwar. Dinner & overnight in Hotel Hariganga Haveli (B, D).
DAY 14	Haridwar >> (Village Dhikuli) Ramnagar(110 miles approx). After B’fast, drive to Ramnagar. Arrival at The Infinity Resort, situated on the banks of river Kosi. In the back drop of well wooded hillside. The design & location reminds one of the famous African jungle lodges. From the upper storey one can have a panoramic view of the surrounding wooded valley, the river & the hillside & the mysticism associated with an Indian jungle. Great ambience. Visit the Mahseer breeding farm this evening & a wildlife movie, before calling it a day. Dinner & overnight at Infinity Resort (B, L, D).
DAY 15	Village Dhikuli (Infinity resort) >> Dhikala (26miles). This morning the guide will take you on the trails along the river Kosi for bird watching. Get back for B’fast. Check out and drive to Dhikala. The dense forests of the Corbett National park, supports some 100 species of trees including Haldu, Dhak, Sal, Bargad, Rohini, Tendu, etc. This vast variety explains the fact that out of some 1300 species of Birds found in India, almost 500 species are concentrated in this park, making it a birder’s paradise. Some of these birds, which are on the list of highly endangered species, like the Ferruginous Pochard, Spot-Billed Eagle Owl, Tawny Fish Owl, Wood Snipe, Long Billed Plover, Black-Bellied Tern, Palla’s Fish Eagle, Pallied Harrier, Imperial Eagle, Red-Necked Falcon, find their final refuge in the Corbett National Park. Of aquatic life, we have the Mahaseer, a tough game fish, Gharial (Indian Alligator) & the Crocodile, in the rivers of Ramganga, Kosi & Mundal. Of the animals, you will see the Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephants, Cheetal, Sambhar, Leopards, Black Himalayan Bear, Leopard Cat, Otters, and Pine Marten etc. On arrival at Dhangarhi gate you shall enter the core area of this amazing park, through a meandering forest road & with animals hiding in the roadside lantana & the red jungle fowls turning up the leaves looking for grub. Take the evening safari in the jeep to see wildlife. Dinner & overnight in Dhikala Camp (B, L, D).
DAY 16	Dhikala . This morning at 6:00am, you shall be given a cup of tea & taken on a safari on the back of a pad elephant. On returning back from the safari take your breakfast, refresh yourself & You may either rest or sit on the high tower above the river Ramganga watching animals in the river basin, through field glasses. Lunch is partaken of. This evening the jeep safari takes you to another part of the forests. Do ask your guide to show you the spot where David Hunt of the BBC lost his life when tried to take a close-up of the tiger in the dense clump of trees. The Kanda FRH lies on the highest peak on the hill across the river basin. Corbett stayed here in the year 1933 while hunting for the Kanda Man Eater. Also, before him, stayed here FW Champion, who wrote the book “With a camera in Tiger land”. Some of the rare books gifted by the British officers, now lying in the Dhikala library, have been part of the Kanda FRH memorabilia. Dinner & overnight in Camp. (B, L, D).
DAY 17	Dhikala >> New Delhi (168miles). This morning you shall be given an early tea & thereafter proceed to the jungle in a jeep. On return, have your B’’fast & Check out. Drive to Delhi. ‘Day Use’ in Hotel The Manor. Transfer to the int’l airport after dinners (B).
DAY 18	Delhi >> Abroad. Catch the midnight flight to next destination Note: 1. The accommodation at Corbett Park (Dhikala), is quite basic & vegetarian meals are served. 2. The distances in mountains take longer time. However, the sceneries are enough compensation.

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