Day 01: Delhi-Sat Tal
Meals: lunch & dinner
Drive from Delhi to Sat Tal (6 hours). The last 30 km drive from Kathgodam is through the hills, the main habitats for excellent birding. Go for a short trek with our guide for birding or opt for a boat ride in Sat Tal lake or if you are an angler enjoy fishing in the lake. Overnight in Sat Tal Birding Camp.
www.sattalbirdingcamp.com

Day 02: Sat Tal-Abbott Mount
Meals: breakfast & dinner
Enjoy rappelling and rock climbing this morning in Sat Tal. Drive to Abbott Mount (6 hr.) via Danachuli and Devidhura. Overnight stay in Abbott Mount Cottage.
www.abbottmountcottage.com

This historic hamlet of Abbott Mount is situated at an altitude of about 6600 ft above sea level in the eastern part of the Kumaon Hills near the small town of Lohaghat in Champavat District. Abbott Mount was founded by and named after Mr. John Harold Abbott of Jhansi. An English businessman who wanted to start a hill station for the European community at the turn of the 20th century. Unlike many Indian hill stations Abbott Mount has changed little since its inception. There are only thirteen secluded cottages spread over this private hill. There is a picturesque church set amidst the forest and an ancient cricket pitch with an unsurpassed view of the mountains.

Day 03: Abbott Mount
Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day will be spent rafting from Rameshwar to Pancheshwar in Saryu river ending in a confluence of Mahakali and Saryu. Overnight stay in Abbott Mount Cottage.

Day 04: Abbott Mount-Pangot
Meals: breakfast, packed lunch & dinner
Drive from Abbott Mount to Pangot (6-8 hours). Visit Mayawati Ashram, the headquarters of Adwait Ashram, it was sanctified by Swami Vivekanand and is also known for its charming surroundings. Visit Jageshwar enroute. Counted among the 12 Jyotirlings in the country, Jageshwar lies in a beautiful narrow valley hedged by monarch-sized, ancient deodars. Of the over 100 small and large shrines of this complex, the three outstanding ones, in terms of sculpture, are dedicated of Jageshwar, Mrityunjaya and Pushtidevi. Jageshwar temple has sculpted dwarpals standing guard at its entrance . Although the presiding deity at Jageshwar is shiva a strong Buddhist influence is visible in the carvings.
The entire drive is almost through the forested area of Cheena Peak Range via Snow View Point and Kilbury, the main habitats for wildlife. Overnight in Jungle Lore Birding Lodge.
www.pangot.com

Day 05: Trek
Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
This forest trek has an altitudinal variation of 450 m to 2500 m, 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 leads through dense broadleaf forest rich in wildlife, forging through shallow streams. As we go, vegetation & landscape go through considerable change and you move from conifer forests of oak and pine that open into scenic valleys & gorges. You start 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. You pass through small villages and hamlets, where you can see people lead a simple symbiotic life in harmony with their wild surroundings.

Vinayak to Kunjkharak (16 km)
Time: 5 hrs
Level: Easy
Since this area is actually a high pass, it can get very windy and winter temperatures may drop to 0 degrees, with occasional snowfall in the area. Huge rocks in forested ridges make it a good place to sight high altitude birds like Lammergeier, Himalyan and Eurasian Griffon. Other raptors you may see are Tawny Eagle, Steppe eagle and Kestrel. The main trail runs all along the ridge to Vinayak. Though this is a motorable track, chances of coming come across any vehicle are very slim indeed. Barely a kilometer after Kunjkharak you get a magnificent 380 km broad view of the Himalayan range. A unique feature of this moist temperate forest is the Khoola moss that carpets the floor below. This moss absorbs water and helps in retaining moisture in the forest. However, due to indiscriminate extraction and collection for its use in several cosmetic products, this moss has become highly endangered. Evenings are magical as the setting sun transforms the icy Himalayas across Kunjkharak into gold.

Day 06: Trek
Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Kunjkharak to Akashkhanda
Time: 6 hours
Level: Easy
Being miles away from road, the forest bungalow at Akashkhanda is seldom visited by tourists or even forest officials. Though in a dilapidated state now, this beautiful bungalow is set amidst pine trees and offers complete solitude. On a clear day you get spectacular views of Nanda Ghunti (20,700 ft) and Trishul (23,360 ft). From here the trek took us to dense temperate forests dominated by oak, chestnut and rhododendron, which is a riot of red when in bloom. Birds commonly seen here include the colourful Jays, Magpie and Thrushes. This area also supports rich mammal life; on the hill slopes you can try to spot the ghoral (goat antelope) and on the trail you stumble upon the occasional pugmarks of the leopard. We camp for the night at Akashkhanda (1600 m).

Day 07: Trek
Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Akashkhanda to Kumeria
Time: 8 hours
Level: Moderate
There is a small tea stall here, which is of strategic importance because it is the only one in the area. From here the vegetation gets scanty and the steep ascent can get quite exhausting by the time you reach the small village of Mon. The verandah at the primary school of Mon is a welcome site to rest for a while. After Mon the trail gets narrow and the climb gets steeper. The vegetation transforms from coniferous forest to Sal from here all the way till Kumeria. From here we go downhill through a narrow broken trail that soon merged with a fire lane and led to the village of Okhaldhunga (500m). Still used by villagers to carry supplies on packhorses and mules, this is a fairly broad trail and leads to the village of Babas (600m). The trek ends at Kumeria, relatively large riverside village of Kunkhet from where a suspension bridge over the Kosi leads you to the trail leading you to the roadhead. We pick you up and take you to the most fascinating place within Corbett Tiger Reserve called Riverine Woods for overnight stay.
www.riverinewoods.com

Day 08: Corbett Tiger Reserve
Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Morning walk for animal tracking or fishing with your guide at Riverine Woods. After lunch drive to Tarangi Retreat, a safari in itself. Overnight stay in Tarangi Retreat.
www.tarangi.com

Day 09: Corbett Tiger Reserve
Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Morning Yoga session and spa (optional). Afternoon wildlife safari in Bijrani Range Forest or go for wildlife ride to Dhikala in an open truck. Overnight stay in Tarangi Retreat.

Day 10: Corbett Tiger Reserve-Delhi
Morning nature walk or a safari into the jungle. Leave for Delhi after breakfast (6 hours).


How to book

The booking of this itinerary is with Asian Adventures, F-313, Lado Sarai, New Delhi - 110030.
Tel : +91-120-252 4874; 322 5387. Fax: +91-120-252 4878.
Email: wildindiatours@vsnl.com

To confirm your booking please send a 25% deposit by wire transfer to Standard Chartered Bank, Account No 52805001839 which is in the name of "Asian Adventures", using Swift Code "SCBLINBBDEL". Branch address: M-1 NDSE Part I, New Delhi-110049. India. Or you can send a cheque payable to Asian Adventures at F-313, Lado Sarai, New Delhi - 110030.

Cancellation charges are 30 days before arrival date 25%, 21 days before arrival date 50%, 15 days before arrival date 90%, 7 days before arrival date 100% of the total itinerary cost.

Remaining balance to reach Asian Adventures at least 30 days before tour commencement by wire transfer (to bank account stated above) or by sending a cheque made payable to Asian Adventures to the above address. Alternatively you can pay the balance in cash upon arrival.