Curated Journeys

Ask any seasoned traveler and they will tell you that the difference between a “good trip” and an “amazing trip” is the quality of guides and the attention to detail put together to create that special journey that would qualify for “an adventure of a lifetime”.

Since our inception in 2004, passion for the outdoors and exploring the unexplored, is the main driving force behind “The Himalayan Outback”. We have committed ourselves to take our clients to the most exotic places to be found & provide them with world class service even in the remotest areas.

As you sweep around a corner, the sight of the magical massive mountains or the never ending ocean or dense jungles high up on a plateau will want you to pull over and take in the . Road-tripping is so much more than just the journey or the destination. It is all about embracing the unexpected and marveling at the everyday. It is about getting a high on the beauty of the landscape and the diversity of the culture coupled with the rich history of each area that you journey through.

Pulling over to buy wild strawberries, foraged mushrooms, or a cup of chai (tea) from kids at a makeshift roadside stall. Stopping to swim in a sea cove or soak in hot springs at sunset. Sighting a pheasant between snow-covered trees. Ditching well laid out tarmac for bone-rattling sections – these are all the things that make a journey special and are part of the master plan.

Our road-trip destinations deliver world-class motoring, spectacular scenery, access to wildlife, and side adventures to keep you busy for days. Hitting the open road here is not limited to one legendary route or itinerary. From “short-and-sweet” afternoon drives to exhilarating multi-day odysseys these road-trips cover all the bases.

Agra

A trip to India is incomplete without a visit to Agra to view the Taj Mahal, one of the “Wonders of the World”. The Taj Mahal is an immense mausoleum of white marble, built between 1631 and 1648 by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, in memory of his favorite wife. This monument is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage.

Agra Fort and Fathepur Sikri are two other sites that are not to be missed by anyone visiting the city of Agra

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Delhi

Delhi is a city where the modern and the ancient coexist side by side. This holds true in terms of lifestyles, culture or architecture.

Delhi has a lot to offer being one of the most historic living cities of the world. Wherever you go you will find contrast that will amaze you – broad boulevards that take you down the palatial houses of Lutyen’s Delhi and crowded & narrow alleyways of Chandni Chowk that boasts as one of the oldest markets in India – well over 350 year old. Agra Fort and Fathepur Sikri are two other sites that are not to be missed by anyone visiting the city of Agra

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The historic monuments built by the Mughal Emperors & the British even today hold visitors in awe in their attention to detail and magnificent craftsmanship and their size – the Red Fort, President’s Estate, Jama Masjid, Lodhi Garden, Humayun’s Tomb, just to name a few!

Religion has always played an important role in the life of ancient cultures and India is no exception. Hindu, Muslim and Sikh religions have some of their oldest and biggest shrines in Delhi – the Jama Masjid, Gauri Shankar Temple & Sisganj Gurudwara (all located at Chandini Chowk) are historically significant and a delight for those interested in architecture, as is the Lotus Temple.

Tombs of some of the Mughal emperors are beautiful and well preserved monuments – Humayum’s Tomb in particular is a place to enjoy the rich architecture of that era. The Lodhi Gardens has a number of tombs of the rulers of the Lodi Dynasty amongst beautifully laid out gardens.

The imposing Red Fort was the place that the Mughals built and was their seat of power after they moved their capital from Agra to Delhi.

The Qutab Minar is a 234 feet tall tower of victory. The top of this 5-storeyed tower is reached by a flight of 370 steps. Within the compound also stands the famous Iron Pillar of King Chandravarman, erected over 1500 years ago.

The Spice, Flower and Textile markets with their vibrant colours and smells are a treat for the senses and delight for photographers.

Whether your interest is art, architecture, food, music or history, Delhi has it all and more! Should you spend 2 days or 7 days exploring this ancient & modern city – it all depends on your interests and even 7 days may not be enough!

Amritsar

The ancient and historic city of Amritsar is a northwestern Indian state of Punjab, and less than 20 miles from the border with Pakistan. At the center of its walled old town, the gilded Golden Temple is the holiest gurdwara of the Sikh religion built in 1589.

Amritsar has been on the trading route for centuries and also on the path that the several armies (including those of Alexander and the Mughals) took to invade India.

Today it has a thriving population of almost 2 million and continues to be the center of India’s trade with Pakistan.

A major tourist destination, Amritsar’s attractions include the Golden Temple, Jalianwalla Bagh, Partition Museum and the Wagah border. Amritsar is also renowned for its cuisine.

The Golden temple is famous for its full golden dome, it is one of the most sacred pilgrim spots for Sikhs. The upper half of this two storied building is built with approximately 400 kg of gold leaf.

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Wagah Border or Wagah-Attari border is the last Indian area before the Pakistan mainland. It hosts a ceremony where the soldiers of India’s Border Security Force and Pakistan’s Pakistan Rangers march and parade making it among the top tourist attractions in Amritsar. The area is filled with people on both sides celebrating the patriotic vibe.

Jallianwala Bagh was built in the memory of those who were shot by the British during a peaceful protest on 13th April 1919. Gen Dyer, who ordered his troops to open fire on the defenseless people was assassinated in 1927, in England by Udham Singh, to avenge these deaths.

The Partition Museum is dedicated to the memory of the millions affected by the Partition of India & Pakistan in 1947. The Museum aims to tell the stories of the millions impacted by the partition through oral histories, refugee artifacts, personal artifacts, letters, photographs and original documents from that time.

Nainital

Nainital District is located in the Kumaon region of Uttrakhand in North India. It is surrounded by several lakes and is considered as the Lake District of India. Blessed with beautiful valleys, lakes and mountains this is a paradise for “nature lovers”.

The enchanting hill station of Nainital was built around the famous Naini Lake at an elevation of over 2,000 meters. In summer it is one of the most sought after places for visitors who wish to escape the scorching heat in the plains. In winter a white blanket of snow adorns Nainital giving it magical look.

Tourists, both domestic and foreign, flock to this picturesque city in all seasons. Historic buildings, churches and temples make this a delightful city to visit. Nainital was a favorite city with the British who built a number of prestigious educational institutions, which are even today considered amongst the best in India.

Mountains that encircle Nainital provide trekkers with some beautiful trails and absolutely breathtaking views of the city. Land’s End is just one such location from where you can get a spectacular view of this beautiful city – an absolutely unbelievable experience is watching sunrise from this point.

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Nainital and the area around have a large number of bird species throughout the year with the Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary located in its midst. The Himalayan Monal, Koklass pheasant, Himalayan Bulbul, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Maroon Oriole, a variety of woodpeckers and owls are just some of the birds that make this area a Birders paradise.

Sailing and boating in the Naini Lake, walks around the lake, Heritage walks on the city are just some of the other activities that visitors can enjoy when they visit Nainital.

Jim Corbett National Park

Named after the legendary hunter and conservationist, the Jim Corbett National Park was established in 1936 in the district of Nainital in Uttrakhand (Northern India).Spanning an area in access of 500 square kilometers this National Park is home to a variety of flora and fauna. It is also one of the National Parks that permits visitors to stay overnight inside the core zone of this park, thereby enhancing the experience of visitors.

The landscape of this park includes rivers, hills, grasslands and lakes. It is home a wide array of wildlife, including tigers, elephants, a variety of deer (sambar, spotted deer & barking deer), wild boars, black bears and sloth bears, monkeys (rhesus & langoors), otters, yellow-throated martens and many more.

Corbett is a haven for birds with over 600 species making it their home. Some are migratory while others are permanent residents. The best time for ardent birders is in winter (November through March) when the migratory birds turn this park into a paradise for birdwatchers! The golden oriole, green pigeon, tawny fish owl, a variety of fish eagles, hornbills, sunbirds, vultures and minivets can be found in Corbett.

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In 1971 Project Tiger was launched in Jim Corbett National Park in order to protect the depleting numbers of the Royal Bengal Tiger. The success of Project Tiger has seen a gradual increase in the tiger population in almost all the wildlife parks across India. Presently the population of tigers exceeds 250 in Corbett.

Not to be outdone, the rivers in Corbett abound with aquatic life – the beautiful Golden Mahseer and the Goonch (catfish) are just some of the few fish that can be found here. The mugger crocodile (marsh crocodile) and the ghariyal (fish eating crocodile) can be seen in the water bodies of the Jim Corbett National Park.

The Jim Corbett National Park is closed during the monsoon – from July 1^st to October 1^th . Safaris are permitted in jeeps that have been registered and approved by the Forest Department and visitors need to book and register themselves for all safaris.

Jaipur

Most tourists who visit India have Rajasthan on their “bucket list” & the city of Jaipur around which the entire culture and history of Rajasthan revolves around.

Jaipur was founded in 1727 by the king, Maharaj Sawai Jai Singh II. Jai Singh consulted various scholars in order to help design the city. Jaipur was built over a period of four years – in order to keep the city secure from enemy forces the city was designed with large walls in order to fortify it and gates were installed in order to check the flow of outsiders.

In 1876, when India was still under the rule of the British, it was planned that the Prince of Wales would visit Jaipur. Large portions of the city were painted in “terracotta pinkish” and it acquired the sobriquet of “Pink City” – a name that has endured for well over 300 years!

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Jaipur, part of the famous “Golden Triangle” (made up of the ancient cities of Delhi, Agra & Jaipur), is renowned for its architecture and the various palaces, forts & buildings that have made this city a “must visit” places for visitors. Jaipur is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The most famous of its buildings is the City Palace – part of this palace is open for visitors, giving them a glimpse into the opulent lifestyles of the rulers of Jaipur. The palace is a combination of Mughal and Rajput architecture. The present royal family still resides in part of the City Palace Another gem is the Jantar Mantar Observatory, located across from the City Palace.

This observatory is built outdoors and has various structures that enable astronomical calculation using the sun. The sundial is almost 80 feet high and can tell the time to an accuracy of 2 seconds Within the city limits the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Wind) is probably the most visited and photographed site in Jaipur. Built in 1799, its façade has rows of 953 windows from where the ladies of the royal household could watch the various festivals and processions – all this could be done from behind the latticed windows without any fear of being seen by anyone from outside.

Once you step outside the city the architectural wonders of Jaipur continue to amaze the travelers. Amer Fort was built in 1592 by Raja Man Singh I. Its sandstone walls and buildings, intricate gardens, underground tunnels, defensive walls that go from hill to hill are a tribute to the architects and the artisans who created this marvel over 600 years ago. This fort is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Ranthambore

Ranthambore National Park is a vast wildlife reserve near the town of Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan, northern India. It is a former royal hunting ground and home to tigers, leopards and marsh crocodiles. Its landmarks include the imposing 10th-century Ranthambore Fort, on a hilltop, and the Ganesh Mandir temple.

This Park is a natural habitat for several animals including the Royal Bengal Tiger, wild boar, hog deer, sloth bear and pangolin. It is also home to around 320 species of birds that include Falcons, Shrikes, Finches, Eagles and many more.. Most of the birds inhabit the areas around three large lakes inside the Park.

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Testimonials

Great experience, excellent fishing on the Saryu River. Big Mahseer. Five star staff, five star fishing guides and an unforgettable 10 day expedition.

What a magnificent 10 days. We had a great time fishing both on the Ramganga and the Saryu rivers. An experience I will never forget.The highlight being – of course my44.5 lbs Golden Mahseer!!
Misty you are the best host in the world and your guides and crew are world class.
Thanks once again, and we will stay in touch!!

Everyday was an adventure and we were looked after by the nicest best bunch of staff/ guides possible, who gave 110% at all times.

The views and location speak for themselves. But the food and the fantastic service from the friendly and helpful staff makes this a truly magical experience- Perfect!!

To all at HO- A truly unforgettable experience. Every aspect superb down to the last detail. Thank You.

Fantastic experience to come back to India and The Himalayan Outback,very good food,fantastic nature. Excellent hospitality.Hope to be back.Thanks

Enjoyed a great celebration of Norman’s 80th. birthday,in one of the most unique places in the world.
Our whole family had an extraordinarily time, each day filled with new and fun experiences,great food, comfort and wonderful care from all of the staff. Truly a memory that will be with us in many ways in the years to come. Thank you.

What an adventure! 4 days at the Saryu river camp, 2 days at the Ram Ganga lodge , 2 days in the Corbett Tiger Reserve. 4 Mahseer ,plus the big one ,that got away and FOUR TIGERS in the Corbett!! Amazing!Thank You!!

This is my second trip with Himalayan outback ( Saryu + Ramganga) and this was amazing!I had such a great time here away from everything! Great landscapes and perfect service great people, what else do I need?thanks to all of you for making these trips unforgettable!Himalayan Outback camp s clearly my favourite place in India! Looking forward to my third with you!

Thank you Misty and the amazing Himalayan Outback team,it has been an incredible adventure and a v special way to spend our Honeymoon! Great beauty,great food and lovely friends made.The mighty Mahseer we will be back!

What a fabulous stay we had . Fishing, fresh air and some great walking,sitting around the fire telling stories,the stuff childhood memories are made of !Thank you to your amazing team who have been so welcoming.See you again.

Life takes on a new meaning when one visits a place as beautiful, isolated,peaceful & exotic as this fishing camp. Thank you all for making it an experience we will remember & cherish forever.The mighty Mahseer won this round, but we lol be back!!

This is a place of such majesty and grandeur and at the same time we have been so well and kindly and attentively looked after- a perfect combination. Mahseer, the warrior fish – tigers, flying squirrels, Mongoose, deer and birds, birds, birds. But topped of by the most charming group of hosts. Thank You All!

A treat for the senses , clean sweet air, unbelievable scenery, delicious food, warm sun, cool nights, all details carefully selected and attententive, caring staff. What an oasis !

What a fantastic 2 weeks!!We have been totally spoiled by the staff.Wonderful scenery & stunning wild life topped by a birthday to remember.Thank you all.

Just to say we enjoyed ourselves would be a serious understatement-Stunning scenery, fantastic wildlife and above all I don’t think we ve ever been looked after so well. Truly a holiday to cherish in the memory.

A fabulous stay and wonderful hospitality and care from all your staff.A perfect end to our 2 week Safari in western Ram Ganga.We look forward to seeing you in Kenya very soon. Thank you so ,so much!

A great experience in all aspects.The combination of fishing and exposure to Indian culture was unique. The staff from the driver to the camp personnel were simply outstanding ! Sundar and the rest of the staff made things go so smoothly and the cooking was amazing.Bobby( and Sanjay) were totally committed and so very knowledgeable about the waters and the guidance was outstanding.It took a while to get accustomed to the fishing style on the lake but once accomplished the fishing was incredible with unlimited possibilities to fish to stunning pods of fish.Lots of fish caught and a few big ones to hand as well.In addy to some sight fishing to larger fish on the river. A first class operation with excellent fishing.

I don’t want to leave . That is how wonderful I am here.
I appreciate the great attention to detail and safety’s.From the wonderful pillows on the bed , to a walking guide who sets a good pace yet is aware of the client at every step, this place, this team – excellent.

A beautiful place . Every detail of the including the staff s alertness, the beautiful food and of e the fishing was exceptional. Our first time in India and what a fantastic showcase of food, fishing and Indian hospitality culture.Will highly recommend to our family and e. Thank you all for a wonderful experience.