Corbett Tiger Tracking and Elephant Back Safaris

Corbett Tiger Tracking and Elephant Back Safari - From £2,150 Per Person Sharing (Excluding International Flights

Day 1
Upon arrival into Delhi International Airport you will be met and transfer to your hotel where you will be briefed on your upcoming safari. The rest of the day will be yours to relax and unwind after your long flight.
Overnight: The Claridges – Deluxe room

Day 2
You will be met at your met at your hotel and will be driven to Corbett National Park (approximately six hours).Corbett is one of the finest National Parks in India with a core area covering 500 sq. km. The park consists of the beautiful broad valley of the Ramganga River in the foothills of the Himalayas. Having such a fantastic water source means the park has great habitat diversity and some magnificent sub-mountain and riverine views. One can see Himalayan animals along with numerous other animals and flora of peninsular India. The park was established in 1936 and later renamed after Jim Corbett, who spent many years in this area and wrote the book ‘The Man Eaters of Kumaon’. The park has always been noted for its tigers and it was here that the prestigious ‘Project Tiger’ was launched in 1973. The wildlife in the park includes tiger, leopard, jungle cat, Asiatic elephants and a variety of deer including muntjac (barking deer), spotted deer and hog deer. The park is also home to some fantastic birdlife which includes over 500 species of resident and migratory birds.

Upon arrival you will be taken to The Corbett Hideaway Hotel where, after a welcome drink you will be briefed on your elephant safari. Lunch will be served after your briefing and once you have finished you will be transferred by Jeep to Hideaway River Lodge. (Please note electricity will be limited over the next few days. If you need to charge your phones and cameras please ask the staff at the Hideaway Hotel to do this for you whilst you have lunch before being transferred to the Hideaway River Lodge).
Overnight: Hideaway River Lodge – Tents – Set on the banks of the river overlooking the jungle this camp is the perfect place to start an Indian safari. All tents have comfortable double beds and en-suite bathrooms with hot and cold running water on request. The camp is run solely on solar power and each evening two lamps will be placed in your tents. Each tent has a patio to the front which looks down over the river. From your tent it is possible to see a variety of birds (B/L/D)

Day 3
Spend a full day exploring the beautiful Corbett National Park on both morning and afternoon game drives to see what fauna and flora you can spot. Corbett National Park offers some fantastic game viewing and is also fantastic for birds.
Overnight: Hideaway River Lodge – Tents (B/L/D)

Day 4
Today at 0600hrs you will be woken with tea in your tent. After breakfast you will set off by jeep into Corbett Tiger Reserve where you will start your Elephant Safari and trek. The Himalayan foothills are one of the natural wonders of the earth, with lush Sub Tropical forests and the bountiful flora and avifauna. If you are feeling a little adventurous, why not change seats with the Mahout so you can get the feel of what it is like to drive an elephant! One can also try and catch the "Mighty Mahseer", the famous fresh water fighting fish, on the Ramganga River. Fishing is allowed but only on a "catch and release" system. Equipment, tackle and expertise will be provided (on advance notice).

You will stop in the afternoon for a hot lunch which will be served on the banks of the Ramganga River. Following lunch head back into the jungle in search of the elusive tiger. As you are both keen birders do tell your guide and he would be more than happy to stop and explain the variety of birds you will come across on your safari. The experience of just being on an Elephant, a silent giant who has unmatched cross-country abilities is unexplainable in words.
Overnight: Lohachaur Forest House – Standard room – Built in 1899 in the typical British bungalow style; the Lohachaur Forest House is basic with simple beds (all linen provided) and bathrooms. The location is ideal and means you are at the centre of the National Park. Please note there is limited electricity in all rest houses and advanced battery charging for phones and cameras is required (B/L/D)

Day 5
An early morning wake up with tea will be at 0600hrs and after breakfast you will head out on your second day on elephant back. The Bird life in this lower altitude wilderness is rich and as the sun rises over the hills and the mist begins to fade they start their morning chorus. The rough rocky terrain and the land formations are unbelievable and travelling through it on elephant back is an experience not to be missed. After giving your elephant a nice scrub and bath in the Mandal River your chef will prepare you a hot, fresh lunch.

After lunch you will continue along the Mandal River where you will pass local villages and farms and lots of friendly and curious children. Here you have the opportunity to learn about the Kumaon culture and way of life. In the late afternoon you will leave your Elephant and will continue your safari by 4WD Jeep to Kanda FRH.
Overnight: Kanda Forest Rest House – Standard room – Built in characteristic British bungalow style; Kanda is the highest point of the Park. Situated at an altitude of 1020m, the view of the Ramganga valley and the grassland areas of Dhikala are mesmerizing (B/L/D)

Day 6
After another 0600hrs wakeup call, you will be able to have some breakfast before heading out by jeep into Corbett National Park.  The bird life in this area is different and the chances of seeing leopard and ghoral are high. You will be driven down to the Ramganga River, to look for the long snouted, fish eating Gharial and Marsh Crocodiles.

You will arrive at in time for lunch; the natural setting is awesome and the location is picturesque. The elephant ride from Dhikala provides the opportunity for close viewing of wildlife.
Overnight: Dhikala Forest Rest House – Located on bank of Ramganga River is the largest accommodation facility in Corbett Park; having 30 rooms and 24 dormitories.   The Rest House provides fantastic views of the Ramganga River and valley surrounding the Forest Rest House. Other added attractions are the huge Dhikala Chaur and Dhikala Watchtower. The rooms have constant supply of water and electricity. There is a provision for watching wildlife films in open air theatre (B/L/D)

Day 7
Today at 0600hrs you will be woken with tea in your room. The early morning elephant ride from Dhikala provides a unique opportunity to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. Dhikala is the perfect location for an elephant safari and this particular zone of the park is jeep free meaning the wildlife is undisturbed. The morning elephant ride in this pollution free environment certainly builds up the appetite to enjoy a sumptuous breakfast. After breakfast you will head out on a guided walk to a watchtower which overlooks the Ramganga River and a water hole. The watch tower gives you the opportunity to observe wildlife, in true blend with nature. Corbett is a paradise for the avid birdwatcher and watchtowers are excellent for this purpose. After leaving the Dhikala zone you will set off on a jeep safari on the lower jungle track along the Ramganga River, this provides a great opportunity for viewing game, especially the tigers in their natural habitat.

Later in the evening you will arrive at the Hideaway River Lodge where you will be greeted with a welcome drink. The rest of the evening is yours to relax and unwind by the camp fire.
Overnight: Hideaway River Lodge – Tents (B/L/D)

Day 8
Spend two full days in this beautiful area of Corbett National Park. The guides and Naturalists here are fantastic and there are a variety of activities available to give you the full experience of the area of the park. Birding walks are available along the River below the lodge. A trek (around 3 hours and the terrain is steep) up to the top of the mountain behind the camp is well worth it is you are feeling up to it. From the top you can see the entire park on one side and, providing it is a clear day, the snow capped peaks of the Himalayas on the other. If you feel up to this walk make sure you set of early in the morning so you can take your time to enjoy it at the top. As well as the walks, you are able to go on morning and afternoon game drives, picnics by the river, fishing (catch and release) and even swimming!

The evening will be spent enjoying the delicious freshly cooked food and sitting around the camp fire listening to the sounds of the Indian jungle. Tigers are often heard from camp so make sure you listen out for them!
Overnight: Hideaway River Lodge – Tents (B/L/D)

Day 9
Today you will leave Corbett National Park and will head back to Delhi where you will spend the night (approximately 6 hours drive). You will have the rest of the day to relax before your flight home the following day.
Overnight: The Claridges – Deluxe room (B)

Day 10
Today you will be transferred to the International airport for your flight back home. (B)

Notes:

• Why not combine this safari with a luxury beach breaks to Kerala or Goa?