Kumaon Himalayan Escape (13 Days and 12 Nights)

You will catch an early morning train from New Delhi Railway Station to Kathgodam. The train journey will last 5.5 hours. Upon arrival in Kathgodam, you will be driven to Naukuchiatal, which is 26 km away and approximately a 1-hour drive, where you will check-in at a hotel. There are no planned excursions for the remaining half of the day.

During the day, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the village around the serene Naukuchiatal Lake. Naukuchiatal, which literally means a lake with nine corners, is one of the seven prominent lakes located in the district of Nainital. Following your stroll, there are no planned excursions, allowing for leisure time to relax and unwind. Feel free to plan your own activities during this time.

After breakfast, drive to Nainital (28 km, 1 hour). Nainital is a charming town nestled amidst the majestic Himalayas, known for its picturesque Naini Lake surrounded by lush greenery. A boat ride on Naini Lake will be followed by a visit to the Naina Devi Temple, located on the northern shore of the lake and dedicated to Goddess Sati. The Naina Devi Temple is one of the 51 special shrines dedicated to the worship of Goddess Sati in India and Nepal. You will then head to Kainchi (20 km, 45 minutes) to visit the ashram of the revered saint Neem Karoli Baba. The ashram is popularly known as Kainchi Dham. The ashram enshrines the mortal remains of Sri Neem Karoli Baba and houses shrines of Neem Karoli Baba, Lord Hanuman, and other Hindu deities. After lunch, return to the hotel in Naukuchiatal. Enjoy leisure time in the evening.

Check out from the hotel and drive to the outskirts of Almora (70 km, 2.15 hours) through scenic pathways. Upon arrival, check in at a quaint homestay with modern facilities. After lunch, relax and unwind at your own pace. No excursions are planned for the second half of the day.

Spend the morning at leisure, enjoying the tranquil beauty of the place. After lunch, visit the Kasar Devi Temple, an ancient temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga, perched atop a hill. Swami Vivekananda, the famous disciple of Sri Ramakrishna and a great proponent of Vedanta philosophy, stayed at the temple complex en route to the higher Himalayas. He was enamored by the beauty and powerful vibrations of the place, staying here for two weeks, mostly absorbed in a deep state of meditation. After an unhurried visit to this holy place, return to the homestay.

After breakfast, drive to Jageshwar (36 km, 1.15 hours) to pay obeisance at the ancient temple of Lord Shiva called Jageshwar Dham. Situated at an elevation of 1,900 meters, Jageshwar is a rustic little place surrounded by thick forests of deodar. The serenity of the valley is stirred by the burbling streams of the river Jata Ganga. The temple complex of Jageshwar Dham comprises 124 small stone temples dating back to the 9th-13th centuries AD. However, based on references in Hindu scriptures, it is known that the temple has existed here for thousands of years. Next, explore the Jageshwar Archaeological Museum, a small yet informative museum located outside the temple complex. Afterward, drive back to the homestay. Enjoy leisure time in the afternoon and evening to relax and do as you please.

Check out from the homestay to head to another interesting destination. You will undertake a road drive (80 km, 3 hours) to reach the small village of Rathal, located close to the cave of Mahavatar Babaji. Upon arrival, check in at a resort. The sparse population, scenic surroundings, and the deafening silence of the valley will transport you into a transcendental mental zone altogether. Relax and unwind at your own pace, as there are no excursions planned for the rest of the day.

After breakfast, undertake a trek to the holy cave of Sri Mahavatar Babaji. We recommend reading the book "The Autobiography of a Yogi” to learn more about Mahavatar Babaji and his cave in Kukuchhina. From the base of the mountain, the trek to the cave takes around 45 minutes. At the site where Babaji materialized a golden palace, a small temple dedicated to Babaji stands. This temple was constructed by the Yogoda Satsang Society of India. Return to the resort after the priceless visit to the cave. Enjoy the evening at leisure.

After a relaxed morning and a delicious breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Ranikhet (60 km, 2 hours). En route, visit the ancient temple of the Hindu goddess Vaishnavi, located atop the Dunagiri mountain and accessible by 300 steps. The temple structure is modest, but the spiritual significance of both the temple and the mountain is profound. From the temple premises, one can behold a panoramic view of the nearby mountains and valleys. Once in Ranikhet, check in at a heritage hotel for your stay. Situated at an elevation of 1,800 meters, Ranikhet is a charming town maintained by a regiment of the Indian Army. The fresh, cool air carries the scent of pine, the silence of the mountains is intermittently stirred by the chirping of Himalayan birds, and the thick green cover of pine and oak trees, along with the majestic view of the snow-clad Himalayan ranges, rejuvenates both mind and body.

After breakfast, drive to Ramnagar (89 km, 3 hours). Ramnagar is home to the world-famous Jim Corbett National Park. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel followed by lunch. There will be no excursions during the latter part of the day.
The Jim Corbett National Park is a part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve, a protected area dedicated to the conservation of Indian tigers. Located at the foothills of the Kumaon mountain ranges, the park is named after Jim Corbett, a British hunter turned conservationist, in honor of his contribution to establishing the protected area. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including Bengal tigers, elephants, bears, deer, otters, over 600 species of birds, and other animals.

Enjoy a jungle safari in the morning and another in the afternoon. There will be no other sightseeing activities during the day. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Drive to New Delhi (275 km, 6 hours) and check-in at a hotel upon arrival. In the evening, visit Dilli Haat – an open-air market complex run by the state government. Dilli Haat serves as a platform for sellers from across the country to showcase and sell unique handicraft items. Visitors can also explore ethnic cuisines from various states of India. Return to the hotel after the visit.

After breakfast, you will be driven to New Delhi International Airport, from where you will continue your onward journey. The tour concludes, marking the end of a memorable odyssey.