We meet you at Kathgodam railway station and drive to our first destination. Welcome to Kumaon, also called the fruit bowl of the Himalayas for its apple, pear, plum, and apricot orchards. Over the next few days, you live with a local family and the activities would include –

• Traditional homestays
• Cooking experiences with the family
• Agrarian experiences
• Experiences traditional dances and music
• Village walks and storytelling
• Day tours of Nainital town. It’s a great place to see the remains of the British presence in India and explore local markets.

Note: We can also set up accommodations, pickup, and transfers from New Delhi on request.

Travel medium: Private car | Difficulty: Easy

We drive to Choukori, a beautiful town with clear views of the Panchchuli mountains. Spend overnight in the town.

Travel medium: Private car | Difficulty: Easy

The next day we drive to Munsiyari after breakfast. We cross the beautiful glacier-fed rivers, hairpin mountain bends, and views of stunning meadows. Arrive by afternoon with the rest of the evening at leisure. Over the next few days, we will involve you in the following activities based on your preferences –

• Nature walks with storytelling on local herbs and trees and how the community depends on them.
• Craft experiences.
• Visit the museum of tribal heritage.
• Local festivals (seasonal activity).

Optional: High altitude multi-day treks.

Travel medium: Private car | Difficulty: Easy

We drive down to the Binsar sanctuary and spend a few days experiencing the wildlife and nearby village life. Kumaon has over 350 species of indigenous and migratory birds such as parakeets, Khalij pheasants, forktail, eagles, monal, woodpeckers, Eurasian jays, and blackbirds. The mammals you can expect are the leopard, flying squirrel, musk deer, Himalayan goral, jungle cat, macaque, and gray langur. You can expect to see these on a guided walking tour of the sanctuary.

Go for a guided tour of Jageshwar, a 7th-century group of Shaivite temples made out of stone blocks. There are numerous other smaller shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Shakti, and Surya traditions of Hinduism. The drive to Jageshwar temples itself is scenic as you travel through beautiful step farms, remote villages, and eventually the Himalayan cedar tree forests.

Travel medium: Private car | Difficulty: Easy

We say goodbye to the beautiful Kumaon and its people, and drive back to Kathgodam railway station or back to Delhi for onward journey.