Kumaon Village Walk
In 2000, the Himalayan region of Northern India’s Uttar Pradesh was given statehood, comprising what is today known as Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand is divided into two distinct regions—Garhwal to the west and Kumaon to the east. Garhwal is almost entirely covered in rugged peaks and narrow valleys, while Kumaon is a maze of mountains and dense forest, with Tibet to the north and Nepal to the east. Kumaon offers some of the most stunning mountain scenery in the world, from the perennially snowcapped peaks of the Great Himalaya Range to the pretty hill stations of Almora and Nainital in the foothills. This Himalayan village walk is designed to offer an authentic "underfoot" experience and provide a snapshot of daily life in the Himalayan mountains of Uttarakhand. The walks traverse the terraced foothills with overnight home stays in various villages where, as an honored guest, you will witness mountain life unembellished. Accommodation is basic, clean, and comfortable, and your hosts are incredibly accommodating and eager to share with you their way of life.
DAY ONE
Upon your arrival in Delhi, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Rest up after dinner this evening: Your first full day in India awaits!
Overnight The Claridges
DAY TWO
Early this morning you will be met and transferred to Anand Vihar railway station for your day train to Kathgodam, departing Anand Vihar (Dehli) at 6:00 AM and arriving just before noon.
On arrival in Kathgodam (the last station on the line), please wait in your compartment as your guide will come onboard to collect you. You will then be driven three hours to the Almora region, where your village walk begins.
Setting off from the road head on the Kasar Devi Ridge (6108ft), where on a clear day, a grand sweep of the Great Himalayan Range is visible, you will begin by walking down through the pretty village of Maath, scenically positioned on a ridge. The walk continues downhill through terraced fields and into a chir (pine) forest, where you will stop for a rest and a drink.
Continuing on from the forest, the path becomes slightly dry and rocky before passing the village of Bimtola and climbing 20-minutes to your resting point.
Lunch will be served in the grounds of a temple, approximately two hours after you set off from the Kasar Devi ridge.
You will then be driven 30 minutes to the road head of your charming village house in Jwalabanj.
Overnight Jwalabanj Village House
DAY THREE
This morning walk 30-minutes to the road head where you will be met by your private car and driver for the scenic five-hour drive to Leti.
On arrival at the road head in Leti you will have a chance to stretch your legs and immerse yourself in these peaceful surroundings with a leisurely one-hour walk to the resort along a dramatic mountain trail. You will be greeted by hotel staff at the road head and assisted with your luggage en route.
An innovative language of architecture that combines age-old local building techniques with contemporary design and structural technologies, set in a stunning mountain wilderness at 8,000 feet, 360° Leti is a place where you can take time to reflect, and allow the space, peace and astonishingly beautiful landscape to work their magic around you. With only four private guest pavilions and a main lounge/dining area, 360° Leti provides an exclusive mountain experience – the first and only place of its kind in the Himalayas. Indoors, there’s gourmet cooking and fine wine, as well as beds adorned with pashmina blankets and fluffy duvets. Outdoors are mountain walks (with private guides), delicious picnics, fabulous views, peaceful moments to lounge – and, if you wish, yoga and meditation sessions by arrangement.
A fabulous dinner awaits upon arrival.
Overnight 360° Leti
DAY FOUR
Wake up this morning to a yoga or meditation session, followed by a full breakfast at the camp.
Accompanied by a guide, and with a picnic lunch provided, you’ll take a leisurely walk through the lush Indian countryside today.
Return to the camp in time to rest before dinner.
Overnight 360° Leti
DAY FIVE
Enjoy another yoga or meditation session this morning before breakfast.
You may wish to set out with your guide on a day hike to the summit of Nanda Devi, one of the world’s highest mountains. Weather permitting, you may also wish to hike to a waterfall, where you can swim in pure Himalayan water.
Overnight 360° Leti
DAY SIX
This morning after breakfast walk to the head of the road where you will meet your private car and driver for the five-hour drive to Kana. Upon arrival walk 20 minutes from the head of the road to the village house where you will spend the remainder of your day at leisure.
On arrival in Kana, enjoy lunch after which you may relax or explore the village.
This evening walk with your guide or on your own to the nearby villages stopping en route for a picnic at tea time.
Overnight Kana Village House
DAY SEVEN
After an early breakfast, you will be driven back to Kathgodam Railway Station, a three-hour drive, for your journey back to Delhi
Your train departs Kathgodam at 8:50 am. On arrival at the Delhi railway station you will be met and assisted by our representative and transferred to the hotel.
Overnight The Claridges
DAY EIGHT
Today will be spent at your leisure in Delhi, wandering the wide tree-lined boulevards and exploring the various temples and tombs of one of the world’s fastest growing cosmopolitan cities. While New Delhi was established by the British as the imperial capital of India, Old Delhi served as the capital of Islamic India; you can spend the day dipping back and forth between the two, visiting ancient monuments, museums, and colorful bazaars. Your room will be held for day use until 6 PM this evening.
This afternoon you will be assisted and transferred to the airport in time to board your flight back home.
DETAIL PAGE
*Price is subject to change due to date and time of year of booking as well as to currency fluctuation. The price is only an estimate at this time and an accurate costing will be provided when itineraries are chosen and submitted. Prices are based on double occupancy.
Inclusions:
- Accommodation: 7 nights
- Guide services
- All transfers
- Monument entrance fees
- Porters' fee at the airports only
- 1st Air conditioned class train tickets for travel on sector Delhi / Kathgodam return
- All currently applicable taxes
- Days 3-9: Breakfast
- Days 3-7: Lunch
- Days 3-7: Dinner
Exclusions:
- International and domestic airfare
- Airport entrance and exit fees
- Visa (if required)
- Trip cancellation insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Liability for change in itinerary due to reasons beyond our control like change in flight and train schedule; cancellation of flights/trains, political disturbances, natural phenomenon, etc
Please Note:
We recommend that our clients consult their General Practitioner or Travel Clinic for advice on necessary vaccinations or medicines depending on the region to which they are traveling.
All guests are strongly advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance covering them for all personal effects, personal accident, medical and emergency travel expenses, cancellation, and curtailment.
Self-drive passengers renting a car are required to carry a valid international driver's lice