Garhwal Kumaon In the Heart of the Himalayan Foothills

Departure from your home destination on a scheduled flight to Delhi. Arrival in Delhi, the capital of India, which offers a rich image of culture, architecture, and great human diversity. Its history, monuments, museums, art galleries, gardens, and exotic shows make Delhi a privileged destination. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Delhi.

Today, an extensive city tour of the Indian capital awaits us. We begin with the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India and an impressive example of Mughal architecture. We'll immerse ourselves in the hustle and bustle of the old town and experience the colorful, vibrant chaos of the capital up close during a rickshaw ride through the narrow streets of Chandni Chowk – an unforgettable experience! We'll then travel to the more modern part of the city and stop at the striking India Gate, India's national monument commemorating the fallen soldiers of the First World War. We'll continue to the Qutub Minar, the world's tallest brick minaret, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and awe-inspiring with its intricate stone carvings. To conclude the day, we'll visit the important Sikh temple, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, where we'll not only experience the spiritual atmosphere but also glimpse into the huge community kitchen, where thousands of free meals are distributed to the needy every day. A moving insight into the values ​​of the Sikh community. Overnight in Delhi.

Early in the morning, we transfer to the train station and take the Shatabdi Express to Kathgodam (estimated train times 6:20 - 11:30). Upon arrival, we continue to Nainital (35 km, approx. 1.5 hours), a charming mountain town picturesquely nestled around the emerald-green Naini Lake. Nainital was the British summer headquarters as early as 1841 – a legacy that is still reflected in its colonial flair today. In the afternoon, we stroll leisurely through the Tibetan refugee market and the local bazaars that stretch along the famous Naini Lake. To round off the day, we enjoy an atmospheric rowboat ride

In the morning, we embark on a four-hour hike to Naina Peak (2,610 m), known for its breathtaking, bird's-eye view of the city. On a clear day, we'll enjoy a stunning panorama of some of the highest Himalayan peaks over 7,000 meters from here: the majestic Nanda Devi (7,816 m), the imposing Trishul (7,120 m), Nanda Ghunti (6,309 m), Panchachuli (6,909 m), and many other snow-capped giants in the region. We'll then continue along the ridge to the Snow View viewpoint (2,270 m) and then leisurely descend back to town. We'll then continue to Kasardevi. Along the way, we'll stop at the famous Kainchi Temple (Baba Neemkaroli Ashram). Our journey continues to the historic town of Almora. There, we'll discover a fascinating, almost one-kilometer-long traditional market with everything your heart desires: from fresh vegetables and sweet treats, clothing, jewelry, and household goods to grains. In small teahouses, we'll sample local specialties and immerse ourselves in the bustling lives of the locals. In the late afternoon, we reach Kasar Devi, where we end the day leisurely – with a spectacular sunset and a sweeping view of the majestic Himalayan mountains.

We drive to the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. Upon arrival, we shoulder our backpacks and climb a hill for half an hour. At the top, a majestic panorama opens up: the peaks of the Himalayas, over 7,000 meters high, tower before us in silent majesty. Then our descent begins – a three-hour trail down to the remote village of Dhaulchina, where we can relax with a tea break. In the late afternoon, we set off back towards Kasar Devi.

Early in the morning, we enjoy the magnificent view of the snow-capped mountain peaks. After breakfast, we depart for Rudraprayag. En route, we visit the Baijnath Temple complex, an impressive collection of 18 Hindu temples dating back to the 12th century. These temples are particularly noteworthy as they are among the few in the world where Parvati is depicted together with her consort Shiva.

We then continue our journey to Rudraprayag – an ancient holy city at the confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers. Upon arrival, we visit the Shiva and Jagdamba temples. (195 km, approx. 5.5 hours)

We drive to Ukhimath. En route, we take a four-hour hike to the legendary Tungnath Temple, one of the highest Shiva temples in the world. Tungnath stands at an altitude of 3,680 meters and has a history spanning over 1,000 years. This sacred place attracts both worshippers and hikers – the trail leads through dense forests and offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan panorama.

We then continue to Ukhimath, a small but important Hindu pilgrimage site. During the winter months, the Utsava idols from the Kedarnath Temple and the Madhyamaheshwar Temple are brought to Ukhimath and venerated for six months.

After breakfast, we drive about half an hour to the small village of Sari. From here, we begin our approximately three-hour hike to Deoria Tal – a hidden gem in Uttarakhand with an idyllic lake that impresses us with crystal-clear reflections of the snow-capped Chaukhamba peaks (7,138 m). The easy, approximately 2.5-kilometer climb from Sari is short but rewarding: peaceful nature, lush greenery, and breathtaking views await us. We then drive back to Ukhimath. Along the way, we discover small, pristine Himalayan villages and immerse ourselves in the authentic life of the region.

Our journey to Rishikesh takes about five hours. Upon arrival, we'll enjoy an orientation walk through the colorful markets along the Ganges. In the evening, we'll enjoy a "Ganga Aarti," a prayer ceremony.

We have a full day at our disposal in Rishikesh, the "yoga capital." During an extensive walking tour, we'll visit meditation centers and ashrams. Rishikesh surprises us with its tranquility, which the Beatles also enjoyed during their stay. Our walking tour takes us over the famous Ram Jhula and Laxma Jhula bridges.

On our way to Corbett (190 km, approx. 4.5 hours), we'll visit Haridwar, one of the seven holiest cities for Hindus, idyllically situated on the banks of the Ganges. We visit the famous Har-ki-Pauri, Haridwar's most important pilgrimage site, where thousands of devotees bathe in the holy Ganga River in the firm belief that this is the path to salvation. In the winding alleys of Moti Bazar, we discover numerous small stalls. A colorful variety of pooja accessories (worship items), intricately carved stone statues, and traditional copperware await us here.

Jim Corbett National Park covers an area of ​​more than 500 square kilometers in the foothills of the Himalayas and is known for its diverse wildlife. Among the most important wildlife species in Corbett National Park are tigers, elephants, sambar deer, gharials, king cobras, fruit bats, the Indian pangolin, and nearly 600 species of birds. A jeep safari awaits us in the early morning and afternoon.

Our return journey to Delhi takes approximately 6 hours. In the evening we review our trip and have the opportunity to do some last-minute shopping in the city. Overnight Delhi.

Breakfast at hotel. If you still have enough time, take the opportunity to do some last-minute shopping before heading to Delhi International Airport for your return flight. Have a safe trip back and see you soon in India!