Kumaon Lakes, Corbett & Mussoorie

Nainital's lakes, Almora, a Corbett safari stay and Mussoorie, Queen of the Hills.

Your route

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

1. Day 1 Nainital

   Drive from Delhi, lakeside evening.

   Our driver picks you up at Delhi airport or railway station for the drive to Nainital, about 300 km and seven to eight hours. Lunch on the way is at your own cost. The road climbs into the Kumaon hills after Kathgodam. Check in to your hotel and spend the evening at leisure, walking along the Mall Road around Naini Lake. Evenings are cool, so carry warm layers. Try the local bal mithai and singori sweets from the Mall Road. Overnight in Nainital.

2. Day 2 Nainital

   Sat Tal, Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal.

   After breakfast, enjoy an excursion to the lakes around Nainital. Visit 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 to visit the Naina Devi temple and ride the ropeway to Snow View Point for Himalayan views on clear days, at extra cost. Sat Tal is also a favourite spot for birdwatchers, with over 500 species in the area. Paddle boats are available on Bhimtal. Overnight in Nainital.

3. Day 3 Almora

   Day trip to Almora.

   After breakfast, drive to Almora, about 65 km and two to three hours, a hill town on a ridge with views of the snow peaks. Visit the Deer Park, the Kasar Devi temple on its hilltop and the old Bright End Corner viewpoint, famous for sunsets. Walk through the old bazaar with its stone-paved lanes, known for its sweet bal mithai. Return to Nainital in the evening. Swami Vivekananda meditated here in the 1890s. Carry a warm layer for the evening. Overnight in Nainital.

4. Day 4 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. Lunch on the way is at your own cost. Check in to your resort near Ramnagar, where breakfast and dinner are included. In the afternoon, relax or walk along the Kosi river. Corbett's core zones are mainly open from mid November to mid June. The road descends from the hills to the forested plains of the Terai. Overnight in Corbett.

5. Day 5 Corbett

   Morning safari, Corbett museum.

   Wake early for a jeep safari in the park, booked in advance with ID proof, to look for tigers, elephants, deer and many birds. Return to the resort for breakfast. In the afternoon, visit the Corbett Museum at Kaladhungi, the former home of the hunter and naturalist Jim Corbett, and the Garjiya Devi temple in the Kosi river. Dinner at the resort. Safari zones are allotted by the forest department, and permits need ID proof for every guest. Overnight in Corbett.

6. Day 6 Mussoorie

   Long drive to Mussoorie.

   After breakfast, drive to Mussoorie, about 260 km and seven to eight hours, through Haridwar 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 along the Mall Road. It is a long travel day, so we leave early, with breaks for tea and lunch on the way at your own cost. The last stretch from Dehradun climbs steeply through the hills. Overnight in Mussoorie.

7. Day 7 Mussoorie

   Kempty Falls, Gun Hill, Mall Road.

   A day to explore Mussoorie. Visit Kempty Falls, about 15 km away, ride the ropeway up Gun Hill for views of the Himalaya, and walk through Landour, a quiet cantonment with old churches and bakeries. Lal Tibba offers the best mountain views on clear days. The afternoon is free for shopping or cafes on the Mall Road. Landour is where the author Ruskin Bond lives, and its quiet roads are lovely for a slow walk among the deodar trees. Overnight in Mussoorie.

8. Day 8 Delhi

   Drive back to Delhi.

   After breakfast, check out and drive back to Delhi, about 290 km and seven to eight 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. Pick up local jams, pickles and woollens from the Mall Road before leaving. Keep your tickets ready. Your journey through the lakes of Kumaon, the forests of Corbett and the hills of Mussoorie ends here.

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