AAW Classic Itineraries- India 17 day

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Destination: India
Details: Dehli, Corbett National Park, Rikesh, Rishikesh,
Description: 17 Days/16 Nights
Clients: This trip was designed for a family of five to Western and Northern India with private transportation and guides throughout their time in India. Accommodations varied from 4-star hotels to deluxe camping.
Activity Level: Moderate

India is an enormous country with a kaleidoscope of cultures and languages. This custom adventure encompasses the heart and soul of India with a variety of activities and unique cultural experiences. With high Himalayan mountains, raging rivers, rolling sand dunes and vibrant temples, India is an adventurer’s paradise. Your adventure is tailored for those who like avoiding the crowds and desire to experience the culture as well as the country. In between trekking isolated valleys and remote camel treks, you will visit pulsating cities and enjoy all that this stunning country has to offer.

India 17-Day Trekking Adventure

Day 1: Arrival in Dehli, received at IGI Airport by local guide & drive to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 2: Corbett National Park and Jungle Resort. After breakfast, drive to Corbett National Park. Arrive by late afternoon and check into Jungle Resort. In the evening, take a walking tour in the buffer zone of National Park. The park was established in 1935 along the river Ramganga and is dedicated to British Hunter Jim Corbett. It has the dense Sal forest and sub Himalayan Ranges as its background. Arrive and check into forest lodge for overnight stay.

Day 3: Corbett Jeep and Elephant Ride Tour. In the morning, visit the park on elephant back for game viewing. This park is known mainly for tigers, but panthers, wild boar, spotted deer, Sambar, fox and more are also found with 585 species of birds. Return to the Bungalow for breakfast and rest. In the afternoon visit Crocodile breeding farm, called Crocodile High Bank.

Day 4: Corbett to Rikesh and arrival at Rafting Camp. After breakfast, drive to Shivpuri via Rishikesh. Arrive at Rafting Camp for late lunch. After lunch, rafting camp orientation, briefing on safety, environment and short training session on rafting or kayaking. Overnight in beach camp.

Day 5: Rafting Ganga River. After breakfast, drive to Kaudiyala. An exciting day on the river. Raft through some of the most exciting rapids on the Ganga river, such as Daniel's Dip, The Wall, The Three Blind Mice and more. River lunch. Overnight in camp.

Day 6: Rafting and then travel to Rishikesh. Another extremely exciting day on the river. Begin the day’s rafting from camp and run some of the best rapids on the river like Return to Sender, Roller Coaster and Golf Course. Raft for about two hours. Picnic lunch. Finish the white water challenge at Rishikesh and transfer to hotel. In the evening, witness the Ganga Aarti (prayer offered to Holy Ganges with lighted lamps and chanting of Mantra). Overnight stay in hotel.

Day 7: Rishikesh - Chamba - Dhanaulti (approx. 3-hour drive) and trek to Bykhal (trek 5-6 hours). After breakfast, drive to Khad via Dhanolti (109 km) and start your first-day trek through the forest to Morina Dhar (2350 mt). This 6 km trek stretch is on a good packed track. From Morina Dhar, climb steeply for about 1/2 hour to Bykhal. Bykhal is the summer grazing ground for local shephards and has some huts. Bykhal offers 180-degree views of the snowcapped Himalayan Range. Overnight stay in tented camp.

Day 8: Bykhal to Ghodiappa to Moldhar (16 km). Start early for a long trek to Moldhar via Ghodiappa. Trek passes through thick forest for 2-3 hours before coming out on a ridge. The ridge is parallel to high Himalayan Ranges of Nanda Devi and Swargarohini. From the ridge, descend down steeply to Moldhar Village. If time permit, visit the village temple which is built in Kinnaur style and very uncommon in Garhwal. Cross the village and camp near the stream for overnight stay.

Day 9: Moldhar to Nag Tibba (15 km). Trek 15 km to Nag Tibba (3048 mt). The first 1 km trek is a well-built concrete track. Trek for the next 2 hours to a Chhanni (shepherd hut). From the hut, it’s a steep climb for about 2-3 hours to Nag Tibba rest camp. From rest camp, Nag Tibba is visible. Climb steeply for another 45 minutes to reach Nag Tibba. The camping area is a very beautiful meadow. However, views of mountains are blocked by thick pine forest. Set-up camp for overnight stay.

Day 10: Nag Tibba to Patwari to Nainbagh. After breakfast, trek down to Panthwari, which takes about 3-4 hours. Meet on arrival at road head and drive to Nainbagh (1115 mt). If time permits, visit Lakha Mandal (place associated with Mahabharata) after visiting Lakha Mandal. Drive to Mussorie and check-into hotel for overnight stay.

Day 11: Mussoori to Dehradun to Dehli. Day at leisure to explore Mussoorie—Queen of Hills. Late afternoon transfer to Dehradun railway station to board Shatabdi Exp. to Delhi. Meet on arrival at New Delhi railway station and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 12: Delhi to Mukundgarh (drive 260 km). After breakfast, drive to reach Mukundgarh by covering approx. 260 kms. Mukundgarh is in the Shekhawati region. Arrive and check into hotel. In the afternoon, proceed for a tour of the Havelis known for their fresco painting. Overnight in hotel.

Day 13: Mukundgarh to Dhakas (Camel Ride 18 km). After breakfast, drive to Mandawa and start camel safari to reach Dakhas by covering approx. 18 kms. Dakhas is a small desert village with a mixture of traditional and modern houses. Lunch enroute. Enjoy dinner around campfire and interact with locals. Overnight in tents.

Day 14: Dhakas to Khotia to Jaipur (Camel Ride 12 km and drive 205 km). After breakfast, start camel safari to reach Khotia by covering appox 12 kms. Khotia is a typical sleepy village. Lunch upon arrival. After lunch, drive to reach Jaipur. Arrive and check-into hotel for overnight stay.

Day 15: Jaipur. After breakfast, proceed for full-day guided tour of Amer Fort with elephant ride and Jaipur city. The origin of the beautiful city of JAIPUR can be traced back to the 18th century during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the throne in 1699. Jaipur today epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains its character and history—a beautiful fusion of yesteryears and modernity. The pink city, literally blushed pink when Prince Albert stepped on its soil in 1883. Jaipur is the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe through nine rectangular sectors subdividing it. Visit Amer Palace (the royal family's earlier residence), Hawa Mahal (multi-layered with a profusion of windows and stone screens), City Palace (the principal residence of the former ruling family and known for its stunning architecture) and Jantar Mantar (stone observatory raised in the 18th century by an astronomer King). Return back to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 16: Jaipur to Fatehpur Sikri to Agra (Drive 235 km). After breakfast, leave for Agra via Fatehpursikri, a city built between 1570 and 1585, during the reign of Emperor Akbar. The capital of the Mughal Empire was situated here, 40 kms west of Agra. Then, as suddenly and dramatically as this new city had been built, it was abandoned mainly due to water. Today it is a perfectly preserved example of Mughal architecture, which was at height during that era. Legend says that Akbar was without a male heir, and so he made a pilgrimage to this spot to see a saint, Shaikh Salim Chisti. The saint foretold the birth of Emperor Akbar's son, the future Emperor Jehangir. Akbar transfered his capital to Sikri and built a new and splendid city. Visit Jama Masjid or Dargarh Mosque, which is similar to the mosque in Mecca and is a beautiful building containing elements of Persian and Hindu reign. The main entrance is Buland Darwza (the Gate of Victory, constructed to commemorate Akbar's victory in Gujarat), Palace of Jodha Bai (north east of the mosque named after Jehangir's mother who was the daughter of the Maharaja of Amber). Here again, the architecture is a blend of styles with Hindu columns and Muslims cupolas, The palace of Christian Bride (close to Jodha Bai Palace) was used by Akbar Goan’s wife, Maryam, and at one time was gilded throughout, thus giving it the name, the Golden House. There are many other monuments that are artistically rich in details. Arrive into Agra late afternoon. In the afternoon, visit Agra Fort (built by the great Emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, which is a masterpiece of design and construction).

Day 17: Agra to Delhi (205 km) and return home. After breakfast, proceed for a tour of Taj Mahal (the world famous monument built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his beloved wife, Queen Mumtaz Mahal who died while giving birth to their 14th child). The whole monument took approx. 22 years to be constructed, and it is believed that the main architect was maimed so that the drawings of the structure would not be forwarded to the any other person. Enjoy a tonga ride (horse pulled cart) from the Taj Mahal parking area to the entrance gate. Later, drive back to Delhi and transfer to the international airport to board a flight to an onward destination.

Tour Includes:

Accommodations:
One night 5-star accommodations in Thimphu; two nights luxury accommodation in Punakha; one night luxury accommodation in Bumthang; one night luxury accommodation in Gangtey; one night accommodation in Gogona; one night accommodation in Khotokha; one night 5-star accommodation in Paro.

Transportation:
All private transportation between destinations.

Guides:
AAW private guide services and local Indian guides

*Adventures Around the World has created this classic itinerary as a rough example to give travelers a basic sense of an adventure to this destination. All schedules and prices are subject to change due to seasons and booking availability at all destinations.

India 17 day Grand Adventure