Journeys on the Elephant
Safari on Elephant back through the Corbett Tiger Reserve
November to March

AREA
Kumaon Himalaya, Hills of Uttar Pradesh.

SEASON
November to March.

Journeys on the elephant is an exclusive safari on elephant back through the famous Corbett Tiger Reserve, India's first and one of its finest Tiger Reserve. Nesting in the foothills of the Mighty Himalayas, the Corbett Tiger Reserve lies mainly in the hilly districts of Nainital, Almora and Pauri Garhwal in the state of Uttaranchal. The Safari is a great combination of various ways to observe wildlife, the main attraction being riding the Pachyderm for a whole week. The Safari starts from the Northeastern side part of the reserve from the Durgadevi gate and continuous along the northern boundary ending at Halduparao on the northwestern boundary. Besides being on the elephant the tour plan includes various activities including Game drives into the national park and Birdwatching hikes, Village visits, Visits to various tribes in the area, learning to ride the elephant, elephant baths to name a few.

The Journey begins as we enter the Ramganga valley and onwards crossing over to the Mandal valley, covering some varied tracts of forest and ending in the Beautiful Forest Resthouse of Halduparao in the Palain Valley. The wildlife observed on the trip also varies as we pass through different terriens and some common species sighted are the the Elephant, Spotted deer, Barking deer, Sambar, Ghoral (Mountain goat), Rhesus & Langur monkey, Wild boar, Jackal, Civets, Porcupine, etc. The Rare ones include the Bengal Tiger, Leopard and a variety of lesser cats, Hog deer, Sloth & Himalayan bear. The Mugger or the fresh water Crocodile, Gharial, Otters, turtles and a variety of fishes (Masheer, Goonch, Trout, etc.) are seen in and around the Ramganga River. Reptile species include Monitor Lizard king Cobra, Python, etc. Corbett is also a bird watchers paradise and some of the Avian attractions include Woodpeckers, Kingfishers, Hornbills Parakeets, Shrikes, Barbets, Drongos, Minivets, Barheaded Goose, Black necked Storks, Variety of Owls, Peacocks, Kaleej Pheasants, Black Partridge, etc. Raptors like Pallas Fishing Eagle, Serpent Eagle, harriers and Kites are also commonly seen.
Sample Tour Plan
Seven nights and Eight Days

Itinerary
Day 01 : Arrive at Camp Forktail Creek.Depart Delhi early morning. Arrive at the Camp Forktail Creek by lunch. Evening walk into the surrounding forest to observe the flora and fauna of the area. Back to camp by sundown for campfire and barbecue. Dinner and overnight at Camp.
Day 02 : Camp Forktail Creek to Lohachaur .Early morning depart for the Durgadevi gate and enter the tiger reserve on the Elephants. The journey takes you through a stretch of about 16 Kms through the Ramganga valley to Lohachaur - an Old forest rest house built in the early 1900's. Enroute you shall pass through some excellent patches of fern laden moist sub tropical jungles and would hope to encounter a variety of wildlife. Lunch is served at Domunda - The confluence point of the Ramganga and Mandal rivers. Post lunch we trudge up the Mandal valley where we visit the 'chunars' - a Hill tribe who carve pots out of wood. Arrive at Lohachaur by evening. Overnight in the forest rest house / tents.
Day 03 :

Lohachaur to Kanda.Depart early morning upstream along the Mandal River towards maidavan chowki. The Mandal River forms a part of the northern boundary of the tiger reserve. Breakfast enroute. Post breakfast travel on through small hamlets and patches of thick Sal forest to arrive at Maidavan chowki. Lunch is served at Maidavan and post lunch we drive in jeeps to Kanda the Highest forest rest house in the Tiger reserve. Kanda located atop a ridge on the Shivalik ranges is at an altitude of about 1100 mtrs and commands a breathtaking view of the Dhikala chaur and the Ramganga reservoir. Overnight in the forest rest house/tents.
Day 04 : Kanda to Dhikala and back.Early morning game drives into the national park with a packed breakfast. Lunch at Dhikala and evening game drive back to Kanda. Overnight in the forest rest house/ tents.
Day 05 : Kanda to Mundiapani .Early morning depart by jeeps to Rathuadhab forest rest house where we meet the Elephants and the Mahouts. Breakfast at Rathuadhab and onward we travel on the elephant to Mundiapani Forest Rest house.
Day 06 : Mundiapani to Gujjar Dera ( Palain Valley).Early morning ride the Elephants towards the Palain valley. Breakfast at Vatanvasa gate. After breakfast we carry on upstream along the Palain River. Arrive at the Gujjar dera by lunch. The rest of the afternoon is spent with the Gujjars - a semi nomadic tribe that is also the most prominent tribe in the area. Overnight at the Gujjar dera in tents.
Day 07 : Gujjar Dera to Haldupardao.Early morning ride the Elephants downstream on the Palain River towards Haldupardao Forest rest house. This is pure Elephant country and one can expect to see Elephant herds besides other wildlife enroute. Arrive at the Haldupardao Forest rest house by noon. Post lunch a game drive into the Sonanadi wildlife sanctuary - a buffer sanctuary to the Corbett National Park. Overnight in the forest rest house and tents.

Day 08 : Depart for Delhi.Bid goodbye to the Elephants, Mahouts, Naturalist and the rest of the team and depart for Delhi after breakfast. Packed lunch enroute. Arrive at Delhi via Kotdwar by evening.


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