Himalaya Elements (SMALL GROUP TOUR)
Mantra Himalaya Elements Experience
**Featured in The Sydney Morning Herald** (CLICK HERE TO READ)
Experience India and its unique spirituality, breathe the cleanest mountain air, taste the freshest food, and be astonished by the sheer majesty of the mountains. Go Searching for the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger, ride an elephant and go on a walking safari. The Promise we will make is that even before your journey ends, the Himalayas will change you forever.
Your journey starts in Delhi, India’s capital and largest city. Soak up the culture, history, architecture and unique human diversity of Delhi, one of the world’s greatest cities. The fragrances and taste of the food will seduce even the most experienced gourmet travellers.
At Haridwar, one of Hindu’s seven holiest places, you will experience the rituals and rich colour of Indian culture. On the bank of the Ganges you mingle with pilgrims and holy men and be touched by the spirituality of one of the great Hindu Gateways to God.
One promise we will make, is that after this journey ends, you know you will be back for more. A land so great, so enticing, so vibrant and so different is about to change you forever.
Visit Jim Corbett National Park to feel the adrenalin of searching for magnificent Bengal Tigers in the wild. It is a remarkable place to explore, particularly atop an elephant. Stay at Vanghat Lodge, a privately owned lodge inside Corbett National Park. Remote and unspoilt – it is a magical oasis in the jungle. Access is a 2km hike through forest. Elephant prints and tiger pug marks are common on the river bed in the mornings.
The natural beauty of the Himalayas is nowhere better experienced than at Nandadevi heritage estate inside the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. The awe-inspiring, unbroken chain of Himalayan peaks is experienced up close. The virgin Himalayan oak and rhododendron forests that surround the estate beckon you to explore their secrets. Enjoying the breathtaking surroundings, being pampered by old world luxury and delighting in the locally-grown, fresh, home-cooked food will make it hard for you to leave!
You finish the journey at Nainital, sometimes known as the Lake of the Eye, which sits in a valley surrounded by mountains. From here it is back to Delhi for your flight home.
Itinerary
Enjoy your first day absorbing the culture, history, beautiful architecture and human diversity of Delhi, one of the world’s great cities. Sample the abundance of foods.
Overnight at Hotel
After arriving proceed to an evening arti by the Ganges. An arti is a Hindu devotional song sung to show the highest love for God. In Sanskrit “Aa” means “towards”, and “rati” means “the highest love for God”.
Overnight at hotel.
Spend the day in Haridwar: shopping, eating, relaxing or sightseeing. There is the impressive Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar bird sanctuary.
For the spiritual, we recommend the Five Pilgrimages to Haridwar’s historic and religious sites: Har ki Pauri, Ghat in Kankhal, Mansa Devi Temple and Chandi Devi Temple. Please note that alcohol and non-vegetarian food is not permitted in Haridwar.
Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast.
Spend the morning in Hardiwar finishing your sightseeing.
Arrive Corbett and check into resort.
The 520 square kilometers of Jim Corbett National Park—named after the hunter-turned-conservationist Jim Corbett, who helped establish it—are heaven for adventure seekers and wildlife lovers alike. Evening elephant ride in the forest and by the river to observe the abundant plants and animals.
Overnight at resort..
Photo credit: Upjeet Singh
Back to Resort for breakfast.
After lunch depart for second Game drive in the National Park.
Overnight at Resort.
Later proceed to Vanghat and check in.
Walk in the surrounding forest and Riverside to observe the flora and fauna of the area.
Back to hotel.
Overnight at Vanghat.
Phot credit: Nandadevi estate
Walk in the forest and by the river, take photos, swim, practise yoga, study the birds and other wildlife, and dine on the excellent, fresh cuisine—Vanghat is all about relaxing.
Overnight at Vanghat.
More relaxing.
Overnight at Vanghat.
(Nandadevi is replaced with Mary Budden Estate due to renovations)
Optional morning activity: visit Ringora for the produce collective and the vulture conservation colony.
Nanda Devi is an exclusive heritage estate, for people with a love of the Himalayas and of nature. Experience farm life with organic vegetable gardens, fruits, vegetable crops and a dairy farm, poultry and horses. Nature trek at the Binsar Sanctuary.
Overnight at Homestay
Participate in a wide range of activities such as walking, birdwatching, camping, horse riding, mountain biking, and day trekking. Visit nearby places like Jageshwar, Almora and the Panchachuli Women’s Cooperative. Local village visits can be arranged.
Overnight at Nandadevi
Relax and take in the mountains or take a hike to Zero Point.
Overnight at Nanda Devi
Proceed to Nainital
Nainital was once a health resort favoured by the British soldiers and their families trying to escape the summer heat of the plains. It is a beautiful scenic location and a worthy place to farewell the Himalayas.
Overnight at Naini Retreat
Depart for Delhi International Airport for onward journey.
End of tour
Package Inclusions
- Exclusive custom designed pre departure gift – a beautiful necklace to wear on your journey, valued at $200
- Exclusive gift on arrival made by local community exclusive to Mantra Wild supporting conservation.
- Accommodation in all the hotels on twin sharing.
- Daily breakfast.
- All meals during your stay in Corbett.
- All meals at Vanghat Lodge.
- All meals at Nanda Devi estate/Mary Budden Estate
- All prevailing taxes like Luxury tax in all hotels and Service tax wherever applicable.
- All transfers to or from hotels, airport, railway station, sight seeing city tours, drives by air conditioned SUV/Minivan with basic English speaking driver.
- Road tax, toll tax, driver’s allowance, parking etc.
- 2 Jungle safaris with naturalist in Corbett.
- Elephant ride (subject to availability) in Corbett.
- Breathtaking memories of a lifetime.
Service Excludes
- All camera fees
- Tips & Gratuities & personal expenses
- Visa Fees & Airport tax or Airport improvement fees.
- Travel Insurance.
- All Expenses other than mentioned in What Price Includes.
Click Here to enquire about this package or to have us craft a personalised experience for you.
