11/01/2013
A 09 day tour of the Northern India starts with arriving into Delhi – an International gateway into India and easiest way to get to Corbett National Park which is located in the foothills of the Himalayas. Corbett in the only National Park where one can stay inside the reserve and enjoy the wildlife to the fullest. You spend 02 nights inside the reserve and 01 night in the resort outside. Game viewing is by jeeps or on elephant backs. Besides having the highest density of Tigers, Corbett is still not known for Tiger sighting due to the hilly terrain. Corbett is commonly known for the herds of Wild Elephants, jungle cats, different varieties of deer, crocodiles, species of snakes and birds not only native Himalayan species but migratory birds as well. Bird life includes parakeets, flycatchers, babblers, cuckoos, robins, bulbuls, Indian and Great Pied hornbills, warblers and finches, to name a few.Travel back to Delhi via Agra to visit the most famous Moghul monument Taj Mahal which was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal “the lady of the Taj”. Fly back from Delhi.
Day 1 : Arrive Delhi
Arrive: Delhi late in the evening. On arrival you will be received by our representative for transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 : Delhi
Morning you will be taken to visit Old Delhi Former centre of Mughal Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Drive past the Red Fort, built in 1648 and board the ‘rickshaw ride’ for a unique experience from the Red Fort, through “Chandni Chowk” or Silver Street, experiencing the sights and sounds of this very busy avenue-heading west from the Fort. Later visit the Jama Masjid, the greatest mosque in India and completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan.This afternoon you will be taken to visit New Delhi drive past the stately government buildings of the British Era designed by Lutyens, including the India Gate & the Presidential Palace. Continue onto the beautiful Humayun’s tomb of the Mughal era & predecessor of the world famous Taj Mahal. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 : Delhi – Corbett National Park
Morning drive to Corbett (295 kms) and once at Corbett your time will be spent between Corbett hotel where you spend three nights and the government run guesthouses of Dhikala Guest House where you spend two nights. Upon arrival in Corbett, check into the hotel.Corbett – India’s oldest and one of the best parks covering 1318 sq. kms is situated in the Himalayan foothills with open grasslands & river Ramganga flowing through its entire length. It is named after the famous hunter naturalist Corbett who, between 1907 & 1939 tracked down and killed man eaters which had claimed an aggregate of 1300 human lives. It is India’s first & biggest Tiger reserve sponsored by ‘World Wildlife Fund’ supporting 50 mammals, 580 birds & 25 reptile species. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 – 7 : Corbett National Park
Wildlife viewing is by open-topped jeep and on Elephant-back.Corbett has the highest density of Tiger in the country– approximately one every 10 sq km and it was here that the prestigious “Project Tiger” was launched in 1973. Four species of deer – hog deer, sambar, chital and barking deer and other prey like the wild boar, are fodder for the tiger.Besides the tiger, Corbett is a haven for 50 mammals, 580 kinds of birds and 25 reptile species. The park has elephants, the Himalayan black bear in the higher elevations, sloth bear, varieties of lesser cats, dhole the wild dog and an entire spectrum of colourful birds including water birds, pheasants, jungle fowl and the Indian hornbill. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 : Corbett National Park – Agra
Met upon arrival in Agra and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon visit the famous Taj Mahal – This most famous Moghul monument was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal “the lady of the Taj”. It has been described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love, for the emperor was heartbroken when Mumtaz died after 17 years of marriage, during the birth of her 14th child. (Taj Mahal is closed on Friday).Also visit the Red Fort built by three generations of Mughal Emperors starting from Akbar the Great in 1565 AD, which is a masterpiece of design and construction. It housed both the residential Palaces of the Royal family, and the military quarters. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 : Agra – Delhi
Morning is at your leisure. Later drive to Delhi (203 kms). Upon arrival in Delhi – transfer to the airport/ railway station for your onward journey.
