FSD 2020: EXTENDED TRIPS BIG HIMALAYAN ADVENTURE Delhi, Rishikesh & Corbett

8 nights & 7 days A perfect mix of adrenaline with HIKING & RIVER-RAFTING in the rapids of Rishikesh with WILDLIFE WATCHING in the Corbett National Park.

Highlights: ✴ Rafting in class 3 and 3+ rapids at Rishikesh ✴ Two days of game drives in open jeeps (Corbett) ✴ Small interest group with an escorting naturalist

Expected Weather: Delhi-Min.13°C-Max.30°CRishikesh-Min.13°C-Max.30°CCorbett-Min.13°C-Max.27°C

Physical Level: Easytomoderate,withwalkingoverhillypathsinforests.

Good for: Himalayanviews,rafting,wildlife,photography

FOOD & ACCOMMODATION Delhi Accommodation is in a smart and contemporary airport hotel in the Aerocity area of Delhi. Your accommodation will have modern amenities and food here caters to international travellers.

Atali Ganga Located at Atali Dogi in the valley of the upper Ganges, this boutique hotel is surrounded by reserve forests. In addition to wonderful beauty on the outside, the lodge has comfortable rooms with modern amenities including a library and a pool. They have an in-house cafe with a variety of refreshments and beverages.

Jim’s Jungle Retreat Jim’s Jungle Retreat is located in Dhela, the southern edge of Corbett near the park zones of Jhirna and Dhela. The landscape consists of grasslands, seasonal stream beds and low hillocks. The lodge has been designed with a focus on aesthetics, comfort and capturing the region’s history. The lodge overlooks the jungle on one end and has a viewing platform. A chic cafe, a restaurant that serves local farm-to-table fare grown in house, a pool, boutique, spa and a library.

GEOGRAPHY & NATURAL HISTORY Delhi Delhi is India’s capital city and is a metropolitan urban space while retaining old world charm with buildings dating back to the 1600s. It is bordered by Haryana on three sides and by Uttar Pradesh on the east. The Yamuna is the only major river flowing through the city of Delhi. It is one of the most densely populated cities and is home to many cultures. It houses exemplary contemporary artistic influences while also having sprawling Mughal & Turkish architectural marvels including the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s tomb & Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. Delhi is also known for its bazaars where shopping can be a never ending activity!

Rishikesh It is known as the gateway to the Garhwal and is located at the foothills of the Himalayas. The river Ganga flows through the city here. In fact, the Ganga takes its form here as a result of the confluence of rivers Bhagirathi and Alaknanda in the Garhwal Himalayas. It is considered to be one of the holiest places for the Hindu community and is therefore a pilgrimage town. Owing to the religious significance of the place, alcohol and meat is prohibited here.

Departure 2: Post-Conference06 Mar 20 Post conference, transfer to Jim’s Jungle Retreat.

07 & 08 Mar 20 Morning and evening jeep safaris into Corbett National park. (optional full day forest hike)

09 Mar 20 Drive from Corbett to Rishikesh and overnight at Atali.

10 Mar 20 River-Rafting at Rishikesh.

11 Mar 20 Full day hike at Rishikesh.

12 Mar 20 Train journey from Rishikesh to Delhi. Overnight at a hotel in Aerocity.

13 Mar 20 A visit to old & new Delhi, visiting famous monuments and bazaars.

14 Mar 20 Departure to your onward location.

23 Feb 20 Arrive at Delhi. Check-in and overnight at the hotel in Delhi Aerocity.

24 Feb 20 A site-seeing tour of Delhi’s history and contemporary culture.

25 Feb 20 Train journey from Delhi to Haridwar and then drive to Rishikesh. Overnight at Atali.

26 Feb 20 River-Rafting at Rishikesh.

27 Feb 20 Full day hike at Rishikesh.

28 Feb 20 Drive from Rishikesh to Corbett and overnight at Jim’s Jungle Retreat.

29 Feb & 1 Mar 20 Morning and evening jeep safaris into Corbett National park. (optional full day forest hike)

02 Mar 20 Transfer to the conference venue after breakfast.

Departure 1: Pre-Conference

It is the centre of a lot of yoga practices and hosts the International Yoga Festival every year in the month of March. Rishikesh attracts tourists from all over the country and the world for its religious significance and also for the adventure activities, river rafting being a significantly popular one.

Corbett Tiger Reserve It is India’s first and one of the finest Tiger Reserves. Nestling in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas, Corbett lies mainly in the hilly districts of Nainital, Almora and Pauri Garhwal. At present, the Tiger Reserve covers an area of 1318.54 sq. km and includes within it, the Corbett National Park (520.82 sq. km) and Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary (301.18 sq. km) and Reserve Forest (496.54 sq. km).

Three rivers feed Corbett Tiger Reserve - Ramganga, Sonanadi and Palain. Besides being home to the Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris), Corbett is also the northern most tract of habitat for the Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) and one can see large herds in the grasslands during the summer months. Other mammals of the reserve include the Leopard (Panthera pardus), Jungle Cat (Felis chaus), Leopard Cat (Felis bengalensis), 4 kinds of deer - Sambar (Cervus unicolor), Hog Deer (Axis porcinus), Spotted Deer (Axis axis), Barking Deer (Muntiacus muntjak), Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), Rhesus Monkey (Macaca mulatta) & Langur Monkey (Semnopithecus schistaceus), Ghoral or Mountain Goat (Nemorhaedus goral), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus), Indian Grey Mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii), Small Indian Civet (Viverricula indica), Indian Crested Porcupine (Hystrix indica), Asiatic Jackal (Canis aureus), Yellow-throated Marten (Martes flavigula) etc. There have also been rare sightings of Serow (Capricornis sumatraensis) and the Himalayan Black Bear (Selenarctos thibetanus).

The Mugger or the fresh water Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), Common Otter (Lutra lutra monticola), Smooth-coated Otter (Lutra perspicillata), Small-clawed Otter (Aonyx cinerea), turtles and a variety of fishes; Golden Masheer (Barbus tor putitora), Goonch (Bagarius yarelli), Trout, etc are seen in Ramganga River systems. Reptile species include Monitor Lizard or the Bengal Monitor (Varanus bengalensis), King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), Indian Rock Python (Python molurus), Common Trinket Snake (Coelognathus helena), Common Indian Krait (Bungarus caeruleus) and Spectacled or Indian Cobra (Naja naja).

Corbett is also a bird watchers paradise and some of the avian attractions include a variety of Woodpeckers, Kingfishers, Hornbills, Parakeets, Shrikes, Barbets, Drongos, Minivets, Storks, Owls, Pheasants, Eagles, Vultures and Harriers.

Tour price: Rs.1,11,827/- (incl of 5% GST)

NOTES: Trip price is per person based on double/twin occupancy This is a fixed departure trip and requires a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 12 travellers.

Tour Price Includes: • All accommodation on twin/double sharing basis. • All meals starting with breakfast on day 1 to breakfast on day 8. Tea/coffee included. • All entry fees and permit cost as per the itinerary. • Guided excursions as mentioned in the plan including Jeep safaris. • A naturalist guide for the entire duration of the tour. • Road transfers by air-conditioned vehicle and rail journeys by air-conditioned coaches between locations as specified in the

itinerary.

Tour Price Excludes Any expenses of a personal nature like beverages, laundry, telephone, souvenirs, gratuities and food/snacks beyond what is mentioned in the itinerary.

RitishSuriPhone:+91–8650350756Email:ritish@avisfera.com

ConanDumenilPhone:+91–9972068300

Email:conan@avisfera.com

www.avisfera.com

All pictures and content are used with permission. Designed by and property of Avisfera Adventures, 2019.