Uttarakhand: 9 Days Offbeat Trekking And Camping Tour

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Mukteshwar

  Arrive at Kathgodam from Delhi by train in the morning. Get picked up and enjoy a jeep rive to Mukteshwar Camp for breakfast. (2 ½ hrs).

  You will be allotted to the respective tents and then settle down.

  Freshen up, listen to the introduction and discussion on the plan based on group interests.

  Indulge in some short walks along the ridge. (1 – 2 hours).

  Enjoy walking along the fruit orchards. (Plum –peach season is may – June).

  Return to the camp and have lunch.

  Engage in some exciting adventure and fun activities.

  Embark on walk to the forested estate around the campsite and those interested can indulge is adventure activities like Flying fox and other Rope games. (2 – 3 hrs).

  Return to the camp by evening for tea.

  Camp games like volleyball, basketball, archery etc can be arranged if you wish.

  Have dinner with your team mates near the campfire.

• Day 2 - Mukteshwar

  In the morning, head out for a hike for 1 hour to the meadows to watch the sunrise over the Himalayan snow peaks.

  Those interested can make their own kites and fly them.

  Have breakfast and then go for a walk along the ridge to the Chauli Ki Jaali cliffs.

  Enjoy rock climbing and rappelling (various grades possible from easy to very challenging.) (2 -3 hours).

  Post lunch, continue climbing. (2 hours).

  In the evening, walk back to the camp. At the campsite there will be singing and fun games around the campfire.

  Enjoy dinner following which there would be a night hike for one hour to the nearby forest.

• Day 3 - Mukteshwar

  In the morning, go for bird watching with the expert locals. (1-2 hours) and then have breakfast.

  Later, you have the time to plan for picnic lunch. Participants decide the menu and select rations from the camp kitchen.

  Post this, engage in a hike to the waterfall. (1 ½ hrs downhill along the ridge).

  Reach a deep hidden valley where you can see a small waterfall at its base.

  Also, you will see a natural waterslide and a splash in the pool.

  Then collect firewood to make a small fire and cook your lunch.

  Post lunch, hike back up to ‘Shashbani’ which is known as ‘forest of rabbits’.

  Set up camp in the meadows and then head out to have some informal interactions with the villagers.

  Visit a family where you will be having dinner.

  Stay overnight at the village.

• Day 4 - Ranikhet

  In the morning, pack up and hike up to the road head after breakfast.

  Drive (1.5 hr. approx) to Ranikhet. Upon arrival, settle down in your rooms and later lunch at the mango courtyard.

  Then, move to enjoy a brisk hike through the “valley of the sun” (2 – 3 hours).

  Walk to the Siddheshwar temple, the ancient Dev Kund (circular stone pool for locals deities) in the forest to reach the centre of the great valley bowl where the ruins of sun temple are located.

  Watch as the last rays of the sun touch the temple before setting over the hills.

  If you would like to do birding, take a separate route.

  In the evening, return to the camp. Bonfire will be arranged, have dinner in the mango courtyard.

• Day 5 - Ranikhet

  Post breakfast, head out for a short drive and hike to the Kosi river. (1 -2 hours).

  Set up camp on the riverside beach.

  Enjoy river crossing, slithering, fishing /angling, swimming and cooking on the beach.

  Stay overnight on the beach.

• Day 6 - Ranikhet

  Drive to visit the 13th century Katarmal temple complex. Witness the exemplary architecture in stone.

  Other option is to drive from the town to the Paragliding site (1 hr) and take a long flight (25 – 30 min).

  This is at least a half day exercise as you may have to wait on the meadows for the right wind conditions.

  Then, drive to the Ranikhet town.

  Visit local sites of interest like the Chaubatia garden, golf course etc.

  Have lunch in town and return to the house for the evening.

  Enjoy the acoustic musical evening around the campfire with villagers – traditional hill songs and instruments, drums, harmoniums.

  Join in with guitars, singing, dancing etc.

  Have a delicious dinner at the dining hut overlooking the valley.

• Day 7 - Saat Tal

  Bird watching trail (optional).

  Embark on a driving to the Paragliding take off point. (1.5 hour).

  Try making Indian fighter kites, flying dual string stunt kites.

  Later, partake in the Tandem Paragliding flight. (Spectacular site – the highest in Uttarakhand).

  Post lunch, take rest and then drive to Saat-tal. (2 hours).

  Upon arrival at the hilltop camp, settle down in tents overlooking the seven lakes.

  Stay overnight at the camp.

• Day 8 - Saat Tal

  In the morning, make your way to Saat Tal through Surya Gaon village (1.5 hours).

  Spend an exciting day in the forested valley and you are free to choose any of the adventure action happening around: Kayaking in the lakes.

  Enjoy the picnic Lunch in a lakeside garden.

  Follow a trail in the forest to a waterfall for a splash later.

  In the evening, hike back up to the hilltop camp.

  Relaxed evening around the campfire. (Option of a night trail in the forest)

• Day 9 -

  Late breakfast, pack up.

  Follow a trail with expert birders through the forest to Jantwal dhura (highest hill above the valley). (2 hours).

  Walk down the hill to the Garuda tal lake for a swim (with life jackets).

  Try Fishing in the local style.

  Enjoy a picnic lunch by the lake.

  Post lunch, drive to the butterfly museum.

  Buy souvenirs and interact with experts at the museum.

  Drive to Kathgodam to board overnight train to Delhi.