Kumaon's Lake District & India's Oldest National Park
Six unhurried days through two of Uttarakhand's most rewarding regions — the Kumaon lake district around Nainital, and Corbett National Park, India's oldest national park and the birthplace of Project Tiger.
Three nights in Nainital allow proper exploration: Naini Lake boating, the Naina Devi Temple, Snow View Point and Naina Peak for Himalayan panoramas, and a day excursion to the quieter lakes of Bhimtal and Sattal, set in pine forest and considerably less crowded than Nainital itself.
Two full nights in Corbett — rather than the rushed single-night version many tours offer — allow two complete safari days: a total of four jeep safaris across different zones (Bijrani, Dhikala, Jhirna, or Dhela depending on season), maximising your chances of a tiger sighting and giving time to properly appreciate the park's exceptional birdlife (over 600 species) and riverine landscape along the Ramganga.
What makes this journey special
Your journey, unfolded
Depart Delhi early morning for Nainital (290 km, ~7 hrs). Arrive by evening and check in to your lakeside hotel. Evening stroll along Mall Road and the lake promenade.
Morning boat ride on Naini Lake. Naina Devi Temple on the lake's northern shore. Snow View Point (cable car) for Nanda Devi views. Naina Peak (2,611m) for the highest panorama above Nainital, or a relaxed Mall Road walk.
Drive to Bhimtal (22 km) — a larger, quieter lake with an island temple. Continue to Sattal (10 km further) — seven interconnected lakes in dense pine forest, one of Kumaon's finest birdwatching spots. Return to Nainital for the evening.
Drive from Nainital to Corbett National Park (75 km, ~2.5 hrs). Check in to your jungle resort. Afternoon jeep safari into one of Corbett's zones — sal forest, grassland, and the Ramganga river system, with chances of tigers, elephants, sambar deer, and exceptional birdlife.
Dawn jeep safari — the best time for tiger activity as the forest wakes. Return for breakfast, then visit the Corbett Museum at Kaladhungi (Jim Corbett's former home, documenting the life of the hunter-turned-conservationist) and the Garjiya Devi Temple — a riverside shrine perched on a rock island in the middle of the Kosi River, a beautiful and peaceful spot. Afternoon jeep safari into a different zone for a second wildlife opportunity.
A final dawn jeep safari for one more chance at a tiger sighting, or simply the pleasure of the forest waking in golden morning light. Return for breakfast and checkout. Drive back to Delhi (300 km, ~7 hrs). Tour concludes.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included ✓
- ✓ 5 nights accommodation in handpicked hotels & jungle resort
- ✓ Daily breakfast throughout; full board on safari days
- ✓ Private vehicle for all transfers
- ✓ 4 jeep safaris across two full days in Corbett (different zones)
- ✓ Corbett Museum & Garjiya Devi Temple entry
- ✓ Naini Lake boating, Bhimtal & Sattal excursion
- ✓ All applicable park fees & taxes
Not Included ✗
- ✗ Flights / trains (not required — included drive from Delhi)
- ✗ Travel insurance
- ✗ Lunches on non-safari days
- ✗ Snow View cable car (optional, payable locally)
- ✗ Personal expenses & gratuities
- ✗ Camera fees inside Corbett (nominal)
Your questions, answered
Most short Corbett add-on tours only include one overnight (2 safaris). We deliberately extended this itinerary to two full nights in Corbett, giving 4 safaris across different zones. This significantly improves your chances of a tiger sighting — Corbett's tigers move across large territories and aren't visible on every drive, so more safaris in more zones genuinely increases the odds. It also gives time to properly appreciate the park's exceptional birdlife, which many single-overnight visitors miss entirely.
Zone allocation depends on season, availability, and permits (which are limited daily and allocated by the Forest Department). We typically combine zones like Bijrani, Jhirna, Dhela, or Dhikala (when open, October–June) to give you varied terrain and maximise wildlife opportunities. Our team books permits in advance to secure the best available zones for your dates.
March–June: pleasant temperatures, rhododendrons in bloom, clear mountain views. September–November: post-monsoon clarity, the best Himalayan visibility of the year, crisp air. December–February: cold, occasional snow in Nainital/Mussoorie, atmospheric but some activities limited. Avoid July–August (monsoon) — heavy rain, landslide risk on hill roads, and reduced visibility.
Absolutely — every tour is fully private and tailored to you. We can adjust duration, add Ranikhet, Almora, or Kausani, or combine with a Char Dham pilgrimage. Enquire at no obligation.
Most of our tours include private vehicle transfers throughout from Delhi. Alternatively, Kathgodam (for Nainital/Corbett) and Haridwar/Dehradun (for Mussoorie/Rishikesh) have direct train connections from Delhi — a comfortable overnight or day train followed by a short drive is a popular option.
60+ days: full refund minus admin fee. 30–59 days: 75% refund. 15–29 days: 50%. Under 15 days: no refund. Travel insurance strongly recommended.
