Adventure Travel-Jim Corbett. Review on Jim Corbett National Park

ADVENTURE TRAVEL- JIM CORBETT

· By Rupali Dean

FAST FACTS

Location: The Corbett Hideaway is located 350 km from Delhi in Garjia village, in the Kumaon district of Uttaranchal. Ramnagar, the closest town is about 10 Kms away. (Delhi-Hapur-Gajraula-Moradabad-Kashipur-Ramnagar-Corbett)

Best Way to Reach: Drive in your own car (start early in the morning) and it takes approx 5 and half hours to reach including a short breakfast break at Gajraula. How to Book: Make a booking from the Leisure Hotels Limited office in Kalkaji New-Delhi, contact your nearest travel agent or do a net search.

Adventure Activities - Jeep Safari, Elephant Safari, Guided Nature Walk, River Rafting, Rock climbing and Rappelling, Abseiling/Slithering, River crossing and Transversing, Cycling, Angling n the Kosi River.

Inter-Activities- Get a massage at the Spa, Shop at the Nature shop, Swim, chill out in the evenings by Jim’s Grill. Every Evening there is some entertainment or the other for the residents ranging from a wild life movie/Kumaon dance performance/Tambola/ live guitarist etc. Enjoy being in the cottage, believe me if I had more time on me I’d love to have stayed for longer.

I had always wanted to visit the Corbett National Park in order to stay close to the tranquility of nature. My husband who’s a wild life freak got me curious and interested in going to Jim Corbett, infact his idea of being more adventurous was to stay inside the forest without much luxuries and feel like a part of wild life. I chose the latter as with a child it’s much more convenient. Began my search on the web to make a booking and came across Corbett Hideaway as an option.The Leisure Hotels has been awarded with the prestigious membership of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), USA, for its eco-friendly luxury resort Corbett Hideaway. The location too is perfect it’s right in the heart of Corbett National Park, and is flooded with both domestic and international travelers to Uttaranchal. So an easy way to book is from the Leisure Hotels, DD-29, Nehru Enclave, Kalkaji.

As for us we chose to drive, we started from Gurgaon at about 5- 15 Am in the morning on NH 24 past Hapur and stopped over at Gajraula for breakfast where cheerful dhabas dot all around. After Chai and Paranthas Drove past Moradabad onto kashipur and Ramnagar and reached Corbett Hideaway (indeed a Hideaway) at around 11- 3o Am.

It was my first encounter in the wilderness, and I must confess that my obsession with the wild didn’t ebb even on the drive back after 3 days. The Hideaway is spread over an area of 13 acres and is concealed in the thick of a mango grove. The first thing we did was check into our cottage, crossing over a white-pebbled path, which interestingly was called Mohan Man-Eater, Vow! And my daughter said “Enter The Tiger”.

Day 1

The first thing we checked out at the Resort was the facilities on offer and things to do and trust me there’s enough to do as far as adventure is concerned Jeep and Elephant Safari, Guided Nature Walk, River Rafting, Rock climbing and Rappelling, Abseiling/Slithering, River crossing and Transversing, Cycling, Angling at the Kosi River. And in the evenings or afternoons when there are no safaris happening one can enjoy a Kerela massage at the Spa, pick up souvenirs from the Nature shop, Swim, chill out in the evenings by Jim’s Grill. Every Evening there is some entertainment or the other for the residents ranging from a wild life movie/Kumaon dance performance/Tambola/ live guitarist etc. Anyway we booked ourselves an afternoon Jeep Safari to Jhirna which was to start at about 2-30 PM and in the meanwhile bought some interesting books and souvenirs from the nature shop, had amazing Masala fish at the Jim’s Grill, lazed a bit in the cottage and went on our for our Safari. Jhirna Falls within the southern part of the Corbett Park. Topography is mainly dry deciduous and secondary with large open grasslands. We saw a few wild monkeys, deer’s, Tiger Pugmarks, a barking deer and some unusual birds. From the Towers set up one can view wild animals in their natural habitat. Vast streambeds and steep cliff edges provide good opportunity for bird watching. It is open throughout the year and the total distance is about 90 Kms.

Came back, had a wash, a cup of tea, and enjoyed the variety programme, the resort had arranged at the Jim’s Grill. It was indeed fun.

Day 2

We set out early morning for the Sitavani Safari- that is Beautiful dense forests of sal and mixed vegetation with open grasslands and riverbeds. It is also a Proposed area for Elephant reserve. The safari takes one to the ancient temple of Goddess Sita. According to a legend, this is the place where Goddess Sita disappeared into the earth. Open throughout the year. Total distance is about 80 Kms. It was great fun, trying to spot a Tiger but unfortunately could not, though we did spot a few other animals. Came back to the resort and after Breakfast and freshening up went angling next to river RamGanga that is just behind the resort, it sure was fun. After lunch and a short nap, went on a guided nature walk that the resort arranges, it was a great walk amidst forests and we spotted a Bear crossing over from one side to the other. Totally recharged after the walk, went in for a Spa treatment at the resort and today there was a different programme arranged by the resort which was entertaining indeed.

Day 3

Went for the Bijrani Safari in the morning, this has mixed topography with thick sal forests interspersed with grasslands. There are large numbers of streambeds, which are mainly boulder-strewn paths. Alongside streams are riparian forests and thick lantana bushes due to which tiger sighting chances as compared to other tourism zones is higher. One can avail an Elephant ride to at the Bijrani Guest house. Open from 15th October to 30th Zone. Total distance is about 60 Kms. Swam like fishes in the morning and got ready for Breakfast. After Breakfast it was time to leave .If you are a nature or a wild life lover you’d never want to leave Corbett and the Hideaway’s homelike food and pampering leaves one craving for more but I guess all good things have to come to an end, just like our visit to Corbett. However if you have an extra day or two on you a great idea is to go to Nainital which is only an hour and a half’s drive from the resort and what’s more you can ensure your booking right from the resort as they have a beautiful property called Naini Retreat at Nainital too. (The drive back could be a wee bit longer but so what enjoy!) And on your way to Nainital you could also go on a Corbett village heritage trail. The trail takes you along the Bour River through choti Haldwani in Kaladhungi, which was settled by Jim Corbett. The trail offers glimpses into the typical Kumaoni Village culture and also provides bird watching opportunities. Ends with a visit to Jim Corbett’s home. Today it is a comprehensive museum housing souvenirs, relics, momentos related to Jim Corbett and his famous exploits. I must say that the Leisure Hotels true to its name have properties where one can be at leisure, Iam looking forward for it to unveil its new weekend destination ‘Unchagaon’ which is a fort- turned-resort, at a distance of 110 km from Delhi. The best part about the Corbett Hideaway is that there are no Television sets thus making one give more quality time to each other and the holiday. It’s a good way to rejuvenate, be adventurous and bond with the family.

Bon Voyage!