• Overview
  • Trip Outline
  • Trip Includes
  • Trip Excludes
  • Important note
  • Things to carry
  • Cancellation policy
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Are you falling short on activities to do in Uttarakhand? Want an excuse to visit the beautiful forest of Corbett? Thus we have designed a fun learning expedition where you and your children can explore Vanghat. It is an internationally-acclaimed eco-lodge located on the bank of the Western Ramganga River deep inside the Kalagarh Tiger Reserve division of the Corbett Tiger Reserve.

This tour is designed for individuals interested in learning about birds and their habitats. If you believe in sustainable traveling and want your children to get introduced to this lifestyle, please check out our itinerary and learning module.

Module 1 : Eco-tourism/Sustainable traveling.

Tourism is a massive industry on which the Indian economy largely depends. But is it sustainable? The aim is to understand what differences it can make in the environment and communities when one consciously chooses to travel responsibly. We will also talk about the disastrous effects of mass tourism and how eco-tourism solves this problem.

Module 2 : Conservation practices.

Protecting wildlife and preserving it for future generations also means that the animals we love don't become a distant memory. In this module, you will learn a few techniques that provide us with data about wildlife activities. By analyzing wildlife activities, we enable ourselves to make better decisions concerning their conservation.

Module 3 : Forest ecology.

A healthy forest ecosystem produces and conserves soil, stabilizes stream flow and water runoff, prevents land degradation and desertification, and reduces the risks of natural disasters such as droughts, floods, and landslides. Many components in a forest play a crucial role in maintaining its health. During our stay in the national park, we will try and understand few systems.

Module 4 : Ornithology.

For young minds who love birds and nature, our purpose is to give them a fair advantage or a kick-start in the process of understanding and identifying birds. Secondly, we provide a platform for bird enthusiast who wants to travel and explore sustainably.

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Provides jungle experiences without disturbing wildlife
  • Practices sustainable life-style & community-based conservation
  • Promotes responsible tourism
  • Hosts wide varieties of flora and fauna
  • Facilitates a meaningful learning environment for children
  • Creates awareness about human and environmental health

WHY VANGAT:

  • EXPERIENCING THE DARKNESS OF THE FOREST
  • LISTENING TO NATURE’S MUSIC
  • MOBILE AND WI-FI FREE ZONE
  • CONSCIOUS CONSUMPTION
  • USING NATURAL SPRING WATER
  • WANDER WITHOUT WHEELS

 

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • Vanghat is a secluded forest lodge with no mobile & Wi-Fi connectivity. There is a signal spot (Jio Point) just 100mtrs from camp where one can use Jio 4G network or Airtel 4G network. Hence kindly be prepared and carry extra sim with these networks if you don’t have one.
  • To avoid usage of high electricity camp provides HOT WATER in a bucket for bathing on demand.
  • Do not carry too much for the trip. Travel light and preferably in a rucksack.
  • Do not carry lot of food items along even if you have please keep it with the restaurant staff since the food may attract lot of uninvited visitors in the cottages.

WALKING SAFARI

There is no better way to truly experience the forest than by walking through it. One will often see and learn more on 100m of a trail than on a 2-hour game drive. Exploring tiger-rich Jim Corbett National Park on foot is forbidden. However, as we are situated with in the Corbett Tiger Reserve and are a buffer zone to the national park, we offer expertly guided treks around Vanghat in an equally stunning and species-rich environment.

On foot, your senses are heightened in the wilderness, and will take in far more of your surroundings, from noticing lizards scuttle out of your path to the myriad of birdcalls and rustling in the undergrowth. Accompanied by a keen tracker, you will learn to identify species by their sounds, their footprints, and the evidence left in their wake, such as a tiger's scratch markings on trees, a wild boar's earthen excavations, or the aftermath of an elephant’s browsing on plant life. Compared to exploring in a 4x4, you may see fewer large mammals, but nothing quite tops the thrill of seeing wildlife on foot, and it is not unusual for safari-goers to find themselves sharing the landscape with deer, elephants, and occasionally, big cats.

There are a number of walking trails from the lodge, varying in difficulty, such as routes into the hills that surround us or along the river where numerous pug marks can often be seen. With new routes being added and the landscape changing with the seasons, no walk is ever the same; the unique draw of the forest can be strongly felt at Vanghat.

 

Guided Walking Safari – Vanghat

Kalagarh Tiger Reserve (Division Corbett Tiger Reserve), Uttarakhand

Landscape

Broad-leafed & riverine forest of the western Himalayan foothills.

Best Time

October till April.

Wildlife Expected

Goral Goat Antelope, Otters, and Rhesus & Langurs Primates. Over 400 bird species including 50 raptor species.

Wildlife Reported

Tiger, Leopard, Asian Elephant, Otters, and Serow etc.

Itineraries

Day 1

Camp arrival and Ice-breaker activities.

Arrive: Suspension bridge at Marchulla, near Solluna Resort, meet our representative and start to Vanghat.

Camp arrival and settle in followed by entertaining Ice breakers. Group games/ Team building games followed by Introductory forest walk.

Evening by campfire. Dinner and light out.

Day 2

Eco-tourism and Sustainable traveling

(After Breakfast)
Morning walk around the eco-lodge (Embracing the simplicity and earthiness of its construction). Studying factors which make the lodge environment friendly and sustainable.

Presentation (30 min). (Lunch)
Followed by safety briefing.

Evening trek: - Great Hornbill trail (2km.)
Gradient – Steep
This somewhat steep trail is amidst Sal Forest and offers a marvellous view of the meandering Ramganga. Common green Magpie, Red billed blue Magpie, long tailed Broadbill are often sighted here. It’s a wonderful sight to encounter Great Hornbills here since we are at a vantage point, so heavily built are these birds that one can hear their wings flapping when they fly over the forest.

A presentation on camera trapping and wildlife tracking
whilst your relish hot soup and & beverages followed by dinner.

Overnight at Vanghat (Dinner).

Day 3

Conservation Practices

Early tea/ coffee at our dining thatch.

Champions trail – 3 km.
Gradient – Gentle
This short but wholesome trail covers within itself three distinct habitats, namely Broad - leafed Moist, Grasslands and Riverine. It is a wonderful trail to acclimatize oneself to the forests of Vanghat. Pugmarks of Tigers, Leopards and signs of Elephant are regularly seen. Sambhar & Barking Deer signify the rich wildlife of the Valley.
Breakfast will be served in the forest.

Return back to lodge for lunch.

Studying conservation of Golden Mahseer.
The Golden Mahseer (Tiger of Indian rivers) is classified as critically endangered species category by IUCN. Mountain and sub-mountain environment are home to the Mahseer, the world’s longest living freshwater fish.
Learn about:
• Importance of the fish species.
• Reason behind its decline.
• Conservation issues and practices.
An Introduction to bird spotting and Identification.
Since our next day will begin early in the morning followed by a trail where we spot a variety of birds, this session will help participants to spot and identify some birds for themselves.
Followed by overnight at Vanghat (Dinner).

Day 4

Forest ecology and Ornithology.

Early tea/ coffee.

Ruskin Bond Trail – 8 km.
Gradient – Mostly Gentle with about 1.5 km of steep climb.
Few forest walks will be more beautiful than this one hence we named it after one of Uttarakhand favourite forest authors. We cross over the Ramganga over a bamboo raft and after the initial 100 meters of steep walk along an Elephant trail (yes, it’s amazing to realize that the Asian Elephant is such a hill animal). This forest hike goes up on the plateau of the abandoned Barasi village where we regularly spot Leaf Birds, Crimson Sunbird etc and often in the bushes Sambhar, Barking and locally rare Spotted Deer. As the trail runs along the Ramganga Lesser & Pallas’s fish eagle are often sighted as they scan over the fish rich river. We enter the dense patch of the Broadbill cascade. The cascade is a magnet for Gorals, Sambhar & Lagur. The elusive Himalayan Serow goat antelope has sometimes been spotted here.
Pallas’s and Lesser Fish Eagles regularly turn up. Do spend some quiet quality time at the stone benches we lovingly call the tea shop overlooking the Ramganga bend with great opportunity to observe wildlife as you sip a refreshing cup of tea.
Breakfast will be served in the forest.

Return back to lodge for lunch. Then study the images acquired from the camera traps.

Late afternoon rest, enjoy tea and coffee with cookies.

Wildlife presentation over campfire whilst your relish hot soup and & beverages followed by dinner.

Day 5

Jungle Safari - Delhi

After an early breakfast transfer to pick up point and drive to Forest gate for Full day Safari in Corbett National Park. Lunch inside the national park and return by evening. Transfer to Vehicle and drive to Delhi. Reach Delhi by 9pm and drop at Airport or Railway Station. 

  • Accommodation for 4 nights on twin/triple sharing basis in above mentioned Lodge
  • Return ground transfers by AC Vehicle from Delhi
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary as B,L,D (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
  • Guided Walking Safaris at Vanghat
  • Porters & helpers on arrival to transfer luggage to camp from Marchula
  • Professional Wildlife naturalist host of the trip
  • GST 5%
  • Convenience fee
  • Additional / personal use of vehicle.
  • Extended stay due to weather conditions or any situation not in human control.
  • Any personal expenses, room service and special orders, mineral waters, non-alcoholic beverages, tips, phone calls, laundry etc.
  • Any extra excursions or sightseeing apart from the above specified itinerary.
  • Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control.
  • Camera fees.
  • Airfare/Rail fare (Ex Delhi option)**
  • Anything Specifically NOT mentioned in includes.
  • Wildlife safaris/Bird watching is a matter of luck and opportunity. No guarantee of any sighting is made. Neither of our associates will quote that, although we try our best to spot and show you as much as nature allows us to.
  • Birdwatching is a hobby and not a race, hence request all birders to maintain discipline at all times.
  • Bird watching is an art of silence and key observation.
  • Avoid Pointing out directly to a bird that might flush the bird away.
  • Do not get too close to a bird for a photograph that you flush it away.
  • Birdwatching should be enjoyed by binoculars and the fun is to spot them, identify them and if you still have some time with the bird photograph them.
  • Never enter the forest with an intention of spotting a single species, it will only disappoint you. The forest is a gift packet with a lot to surprise with. Listen to our naturalist for more wonderful experience.
  • Our walks are not target species specific (Unless specified)
  • We explore everything we find uncommon and need to be explained.
  • Any demand for spotting a single species in any jeep will not be entertained by the guide or the tour leader as there are other travellers who would want to see the birds etc.
  • Respect & honour everything that is in the forest and it has to offer you.
  • Enjoy being in the forest and you will feel much happier away from the concrete chaos.
  • Respect the local, tribes, guards, guides, drivers, officers and all animals.
  • Front seat of the Gypsy is always reserved for the Guide or Guard.
  • No extra room will be made for photographers, respecting other travellers. (For photographers it is recommended to opt for higher options)
  • No littering in the forest strictly. (what goes comes back the same way)
  • Camera fees & guide tips to be paid separately & directly.
  • Kindly follow the instructions given by the tour leader and the guide for your own safety.
  • Vanghat is a secluded forest lodge with no mobile & Wi-Fi connectivity. There is a signal spot (Jio Point) just 100mtrs from camp where one can use Jio 4G network or Airtel 4G network. Hence kindly be prepared and carry extra sim with these networks if you don’t have one.
  • To avoid usage of high electricity camp provides HOT WATER in a bucket for bathing on demand.
  • Do not carry too much for the trip. Travel light and preferably in a rucksack.
  • Do not carry lot of food items along even if you have please keep it with the restaurant staff since the food may attract lot of uninvited visitors in the cottages.
  • A Hat
  • Sunglasses with UV protection
  • A dust protection mask
  • Personal Bottle (To avoid plastic use – 1LtrsX2)
  • Small backpack for trails (10Ltrs)
  • Bird books
  • Sun screen
  • Only dull coloured clothes (Green, brown, Beige, Camouflage)
  • Camera (At owners risk) with proper equipment for photography (As per need)
  • Fleece/Jacket (temperatures drop in the forest to below 10 degree Celsius
  • Binoculars
  • Energy bars for trails
  • A Hat
  • Sunglasses with UV protection
  • A dust protection mask
  • Personal Bottle (To avoid plastic use – 1LtrsX2)
  • Small backpack for trails (10Ltrs)
  • Bird books
  • Sun screen
  • Only dull coloured clothes (Green, brown, Beige, Camouflage)
  • Camera (At owners risk) with proper equipment for photography (As per need)
  • Fleece/Jacket (temperatures drop in the forest to below 10 degree Celsius
  • Binoculars
  • Energy bars for trails
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