A Confluence of Cultures: The Mahakali River Journey

 

An enriching experience designed for the adventurous traveler; showcasing a stunning river journey through Kumoan’s remote, north-eastern frontier bordering Nepal.

• Relax in secluded & private camps;
• Explore the river valley while taking beautiful hikes and village walks;
• Experience the soul of India while visiting ancient temples;
• Fish for legendary game fish, the Himalayan Golden Mahseer;
• Re-live the fascinating sporting-history of Jim Corbett’s man-eating tiger trail dating back to the 1930s.
  

  Your first view of the river...

All of this and more, designed with our hallmark of safely-first, high-quality & attention-to-detail that has come to be expected as The Himalayan Outback standard.

SNAP-SHOT SUMMARY:

• Airport: New Delhi
• Duration: 9-Days
• Region: Kumaon, Uttarakhand, Northern India
• Activities: Exploring historical monuments and architecture in India’s capital- New Delhi, non-strenuous Class 2 – 3 White Water Rafting, hiking, visiting ancient temples.
• Best Season: November, December, February, March & April
• Accommodation: B&B in New Delhi and Safari style tents with classic campaign furniture.
• Transport: Fly to New Delhi, where a Himalayan Outback representative will meet you. The Himalayan Outback will escort you by way of privately hired vehicles and train to get you to the Mahakali River. We make our way down river via rafts.

This was my first time outdoor experience. It was perfect. We were looked after sooo well. Thank you to the whole team of The Himalayan Outback. You made our entire trip simply AWESOME!!! Nida Patel, October 2011 – Mumbai, India

Trip of a lifetime made possible by Misty’s great attention to detail. Great staff, fantastic food. Will be back in 2013! Kevin Andrews, October 2011 – UK

TRIP OVERVIEW:

• Enjoy a warm welcome in New Delhi and spend the night, enjoying familiar amenities in a charming bed & breakfast in New Delhi.

• Spend an inspiring day discovering Delhi’s architectural wonders – the 11th century Qutob Minar, the 15th century Humayun’s tomb, the 16th century Red Ford as well as the more recent colonial architecture of New Delhi.

• Experience an enriching river safari while discovering the culturally rich region of Kumaon as your knowledgeable guide who will be accompanying you on this 7 day Himalayan river journey.

• Feel rejuvenated while soaking in the serene river journey while bonding with friends and family in the company of your attentive hosts.

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Day by Day:

Day One (1): Welcome to India !

• After a warm welcome you will be accompanied to Arun & Bani’s, centrally located Bed & Breakfast where you will meet your warm and knowledgeable hosts.

• Enjoy a traditional Indian dinner along with your attentive hosts and retire in your cozy and comfortable room for a well deserved night’s sleep.

Day Two (2): A journey through Delhi’s history…

• After a delicious breakfast with your host, begin your sightseeing tour of Delhi and experience some historical monuments that recall the days when India was the Jewel in the Crown of the British Empire.

• Choose from a variety of sites including the 11th century Qutab Minar, India Gate, the President’s House, Red
  

  Experiencing Delhi...

  fort, the Lotus Temple, Akshardam Temple, and the Mahatama Gandhi Memorial.

• Enjoy a traditional Indian lunch with your attentive guide at a fine and well know Indian restaurant and continue experiencing Delhi’s walls of history. Experience the colorful markets of Delhi before returning to your B&B in the evening and enjoy dinner with your hosts.

• Retire early in your comfortable room in preparation for your early start the following morning.

Day Three (3): New Delhi to Dhanachulli

• You will be chauffeured to the train station at 0500hrs; following which you will be boarding your train to
  

  A view of your hotel overlooking the Himalayan panorama...

  Kathgodam along with your guide. As you enjoy a relaxed journey in your linen furbished first-class compartment; your attentive guide will be at hand for any assistance.

• Upon arriving at 1130hrs; you will be met at the train station and driven for 3-hours to your hotel at Dhanachulli.

• On a clear day you will be enjoying breathtaking views of the greater Himalayan Ranges.

• Spend the night at the ideally placed hotel, Te Aroha that was once a summer house – now been restored to retain its original charm. Featuring huge decks, terraces, antique furniture, large glass windows with breathtaking views of the landscape and the high ceilinged lobby replete with carefully selected furniture can transport you through time to the bygone elegance of the colonial era – this is once of the finest hotels in the region.

Day four (4) Dhanachulli to Pancheshwar

• After a delicious breakfast, begin your drive to Pancheshwar. The confluence of the mighty Mahakali and the Saryu river – the starting point of your river-journey.

• During the picturesque drive to the river you will have the opportunity to stop to take pictures of dramatic terraced landscape, traditional Kumaoni architecture and on a clear day some of India’s highest snow caped peaks.

• After a warm welcome by The Himalayan Outback staff upon your arrival, you will be settled into your comfortable safari tents and served tea & coffee.

• Latter in the evening enjoy a short hike along the Saryu river to the ancient temple of Pancheshwar along with your knowledgeable guide.

• Feel enriched as your guide explains to you the local customs and traditions; inspiring you with his stories of legend and self-sustenance of cultures that surround this unique region.

Day five (5): A river safari into a forgotten land

• Enjoy a delicious breakfast and the chefs special Massala Cheese Omelet before preparing for your river-journey.

• As the staff breaks camp, the river-guides will be briefing about your Himalayan river journey while outfitting you with life-jackets, helmets and paddles.

• The Saryu enjoys a refreshing water temperature in the months of March & April.

• Lost in time and to the outside world – energizing both body and soul – today’s non-strenuous 4 hours on the river allows you to experience some of the rivers prolific bird life, including the Red Billed Blue Magpie and other birds of prey.

• After a stop for lunch the staff set up your private camp on a pristine sandy beach on the Indian side of the river.

• Enjoy a quite evening in a tranquil setting and unwind while the chef prepares a delicious meal for you.
  

  You will be enjoying your stay in comfortable river side camps...

Day six (6): Somewhere down a crazy river…

• As your staff & river guides prepare for another day on the river, enjoy a sumptuous breakfast fore embarking on today’s 5-hours on the Mahakali.

• Your enthusiastic and seasoned guide will be quick to point out to you the Ghural (Mountain Goat), the Yellow Throated Martin or then a Barking deer – some of the common wildlife you are likely to encounter on the river.

• Take a breaks from your river safari and enjoy a refreshing dip in aqua-marine waters of the Mahakali.

• After a delicious packed lunch especially packed by the chef; you will be floating into Chukka.

• Enjoy a relaxing and inspiring evening in this breathtaking location as The Himalayan Outback staff pampers you with top-notch service in the outback of the Himalayas.

Day seven (7): Chukka & the Man-eater of Thak

• Take a day discovering the some of the beautiful forest trails in the vicinity.

• You will have the opportunity of interacting with the locals and experiencing some of the local culture.

• Your insightful guide will be pointing out to you various aspects of the self-sustained rural life in the region along with historical relics of Jim Corbett’s man-eating tiger trail.

• Enjoy a refreshing hot bath after an enriching day’s exploring and hiking. Prepare for an exhilarating river safari the following day.

Day eight (8): Riding the dragon’s back

• Experience a day of some exhilarating white water with some 4-hours of fun-filled, class-3 white-water rafting as you float towards the end of an epic river journey into the ghats of Tanakpur.
  

  Rafting down the Mahakali...

• After a delicious picnic lunch, you will be chauffeured to your hotel in Kathgodam 3-hours.

• After an early dinner you will be driven to the railway station to board the overnight train with your guide to Delhi.

Day nine (9): There and Back Again – Delhi

• Arrive in Delhi by 0500hrs. You will be chauffeured to the Bed & Breakfast.

• Settle into your comfortable room and enjoy a well deserved breakfast with your hosts.

• Depart in the course of the day.