Grand Uttarakhand: Hills, Ganga & Tigers

Mussoorie, Ganga aarti in Haridwar, Rishikesh, three nights in Nainital and a Corbett safari.

Your route

1. 1 Mussoorie 2 nights
2. 2 Haridwar 2 nights
3. 3 Nainital 3 nights
4. 4 Corbett 2 nights

1. Day 1 Mussoorie

   Drive from Delhi to Mussoorie.

   Our driver picks you up at Delhi airport or railway station for the drive to Mussoorie, about 290 km and seven to eight hours, through Meerut and Dehradun. Mussoorie, the Queen of the Hills, sits on a horseshoe-shaped ridge above the Doon valley with views of the snow peaks. Check in and take an evening walk on the Mall Road. Lunch on the way is at your own cost, and the last stretch from Dehradun climbs steeply through the hills. Overnight in Mussoorie.

2. Day 2 Mussoorie

   Kempty Falls, Gun Hill, Landour.

   A day in Mussoorie. Visit Kempty Falls, ride the ropeway up Gun Hill for views of the Himalaya, and walk through Landour, a quiet cantonment where Ruskin Bond lives, with old churches and bakeries. Lal Tibba offers the best mountain views on clear days. Mussoorie was a favourite summer retreat of the British, and its colonial buildings still line the Mall. Evenings are cool even in summer, so carry a light jacket for the Mall Road. Keep a camera ready on clear days. Overnight in Mussoorie.

3. Day 3 Haridwar

   Drive to Haridwar, Ganga aarti.

   After breakfast, drive down to Haridwar, about 90 km and three hours. Check in to your hotel. In the evening, walk to Har Ki Pauri, the most sacred ghat in Haridwar, for the Ganga Aarti, when hundreds of lamps are raised and leaf boats with diyas float down the river. Find a spot on the steps early. Haridwar is one of the seven holiest cities in Hinduism and hosts the Kumbh Mela every twelve years. Carry a shawl for the cool riverside evening. Overnight in Haridwar.

4. Day 4 Rishikesh

   Day trip to Rishikesh.

   After an early breakfast, take an excursion to Rishikesh, about 25 km away, the Yoga Capital of the World. Walk across Ram Jhula to the ashrams and temples, and visit the Beatles Ashram. River rafting on the Ganga can be added at extra cost. In the evening, attend the Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan or Triveni Ghat before returning to Haridwar. Rishikesh is a vegetarian and alcohol-free town, so plan your meals accordingly. Carry snacks, water and motion sickness tablets for the hill roads. Overnight in Haridwar.

5. Day 5 Nainital

   Long drive to Nainital.

   After an early breakfast, drive to Nainital, about 300 km and eight to nine hours, across the foothills to the Kumaon region. Break for lunch on the way. Arrive in Nainital by evening and check in. Take a short walk along the Mall Road around Naini Lake if you have energy left. It is a long travel day. We leave early, with breaks for tea and meals on the way, and the last part climbs into the hills. Overnight in Nainital.

6. Day 6 Nainital

   Lakes tour around Nainital.

   After breakfast, enjoy an excursion to the lakes around Nainital: Sat Tal, a group of seven lakes in the forest, Bhimtal with its island aquarium, and Naukuchiatal, the lake of nine corners. Return to Nainital and take a boat ride on Naini Lake at extra cost. Spend the evening at leisure on the Mall Road. Sat Tal is a favourite spot for birdwatchers, and paddle boats are available on Bhimtal for a relaxed hour on the water. Overnight in Nainital.

7. Day 7 Nainital

   Naina Devi temple, Snow View.

   After breakfast, explore Nainital town. Visit the Naina Devi temple on the lake shore and the Hanuman Garhi temple, known for its sunset views. Ride the ropeway to Snow View Point for views of the Himalaya on clear days, at extra cost. The afternoon is free for shopping for candles, woollens and local jams. The Mall Road is busiest in the evening, when the lights reflect on the lake and families gather for snacks and shopping. Keep a warm layer handy. Overnight in Nainital.

8. Day 8 Corbett

   Drive to Corbett.

   After breakfast, drive to Jim Corbett National Park, about 65 km and two to three hours, India's oldest national park. Check in to your resort near Ramnagar, where breakfast and dinner are included. In the afternoon, relax by the pool or walk along the Kosi river. Visit the Garjiya Devi temple if time allows. The road descends from the cool Kumaon hills to the forested plains of the Terai, with views of the Kosi river along the way. Overnight in Corbett.

9. Day 9 Corbett

   Morning safari.

   Wake early for a jeep safari in the park, booked in advance with ID proof, to look for tigers, elephants, deer and many birds. Corbett's core zones are mainly open from mid November to mid June. Return to the resort for breakfast and relax in the afternoon. Visit the Corbett Museum at Kaladhungi, the former home of Jim Corbett. Dinner at the resort. Safari zones are allotted by the forest department, and permits need ID proof for every guest. Overnight in Corbett.

10. Day 10 Delhi

    Drive back to Delhi.

    After breakfast, check out and drive back to Delhi, about 250 km and six to seven hours, with lunch on the way at your own cost. Our driver drops you at Delhi airport or railway station for your journey home. Please plan evening departures to allow for traffic. Please keep your tickets and ID handy. Keep snacks for the drive. Your grand journey through Uttarakhand ends here, from the hills of Mussoorie and Nainital to the Ganga at Haridwar and the forests of Corbett.

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