Nature India Tours: (2nd Batch) CORBETT National Park- Wildlifer's Paradise : 11th to 17th Apr, 2011

Once again ....After an overwhelming response to our 1st batch to one of our most popular Nature India trips - The Corbett National Park and with a pressing demand from many..... we are compelled to put up a 2nd batch. Only few seats remaining as the 1st batch wait listers have already confirmed their participation :-)

Dates: 11th Apr, 2011 to 17th Apr 2011 (Mumbai to Delhi & Back travel days excluded)The bookings for Corbett National Park Wildlife trip is on…..book your seats NOW to get the desired train bookings (see the details at the end).....The Corbett National park trip is defined as a complete Wildlife Package trip.

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Imagine a Park with over 500 species of Birds (That’s an astounding 1/3^rd of the total species of birds found in India), more than 50 mammal species including Tiger, Leopard, Bears and Elephants and more than 40 species of reptiles including the rare Gharial …… Where the terai grasslands are surrounded by the tall Sal trees nestled in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas in the rugged “Shivalik hills’ …… It’s a sheer wild poetry in front of you. One of the finest Wildlife reserves inIndia, Corbett has a distinction of been the country's firstNational park. Formerly called as “Hailey national Park” it was established in 1936 in consultation with the legendary Hunter / Naturalist Jim Corbett…… it was aptly renamed “Jim Corbett National Park” in 1972.

In 1972, PROJECT TIGER the most prestigious and biggest total environmental conservation project ever was launched in India. The Jim Corbett National Park has another distinction of having been chosen the venue for the inauguration of this project.

With its impressive list of wildlife species and very well managed wildlife tourism, Corbett is renowned as one of the best National Parks in the world. It boosts of a very healthy populations of Tigers, Elephants, Gharials, Otters, Swamp Deers, King Cobras, Birds and variety of vegetation. Just Google the word CorbettNational Park and you will get a hint of its popularity :-)

The park spans across some 920.9 square kmswith a core area of about 520 Sq.kms at an altitude of 600 to 1100 metres about the foothills of the western Himalayas in the districts of Nainital and Pauri Garhwal in the state of Uttaranchal (formerly part of Uttar Pradesh). In its eventful 64-year life, it has grown considerably in size and now includes the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary as a part of its 1,319 sq km of reserved forest area. The terrain includes picturesque hilly ridges covered by Sal trees. Lower down are the grasslands and bamboo growth.

Nature India has organized a meticulously planned and exciting wildlife trip to this paradise from 7th - 13th March 2011 (excluding travel from Mumbai to Delhi & Back). We shall cover the prime spots in Corbett including 3 full Days in Dhikala (the place of action), Sarpduli, Gairal, Garjia, Dhikuli, Sambar Road, Kumeria, Kosy Barrage, Mohan (the famous “Mohan Man-eater” fame), Champion Road… That completes most of the prime locations here. What more, the renowned birder of the region Mr.Manoj Sharma has agreed to take time from his busy schedule to join us.

Please note, that the places selected are the hot spots and there is a high rush to get permits to these places, but we have managed to get this for your maximum gains.

Target Mammal Species: Tiger, Elephants, Leopards, Hog Deer, Sambar, Barking deer, Wild Boar, Yellow throated Martin, Jungle Cat, Fishing Cat, Dhole, Spotted Deers, Otters etc.

Target Bird Species : Ibisbill, Green Magpie, Rosy & Long-tailed Minivets, Red Jungle-fowl, Khaleej Pheasant, Collared Falconet, Hodgson’s Bushchat, Wallcreeper, Great thick-knee, Common Merganser, Brown Fish Owl, Tawny fish Owl, Brown Hawk Owl, Great slaty woodpecker, Green-tailed Sunbird, Himalayan Barbet, Woodpeckers (Great Slaty, Himalayan, Grey-headed, Lesser Yellownape, Greater Yellownape, Grey-capped Pigmy) , River Lapwing, Sand Martins, Russet Sparrows, Orange-breasted Green Pigeons, Eagles (Palla’s Fish, Lesser Fish, Rufous-bellied, Mountain Hawk) ,Vultures(Himalayan Griffon, Cinereous, Egyptian, Red-headed Vulture) , Himalayan Griffon Vultures,Bright-headed Cisticola, Siberian & White-tailed Rubythroat, Black francolin,Speckled Piculet, Mallard duck, Red-crested Pochard, Barbets (Himalayan, Lineated, Blue-throated), Oriental Pied & Great Hornbill, Dollar Bird, Crested or Himalayan Kingfisher,Blue-bearded bee-eater, Long-tailed Broadbill, Lesser Coucal, Red-breasted Parakeet,Himalayan Swiftlet, Small Pratincoles, Hen Harrier, Northern Goshawk, Besra, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Great Crested Grebe, Black Stork, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Eurasian Jay, Grey Tree pie, Maroon Oriole, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Drongos (Lesser Racket-tailed, Spangled), Brown Dipper, Thrush (Scaly, Dark-throated, Long-billed, Tickel’s, Blue Whistling), Grey-winged Blackbird, Flycatchers (Dark-sided, Rufous-gorgeted, Ultramarine), Small & Rufous-bellied Niltava, Whiskered Yuhina,White-capped Water Redstart, Plumbeous Water Redstart, Forktails, Tree Creepers, Himalayan Bulbuls,Various species of Tits, Nuthaches …….. and an Incredibly Looooonggggg List

We had an approx. sightings of 200 + species on average in our last 3 visits each in 5 days:-)

Target Reptile Species: Gharial and Marsh Crocodile, Indian Monitor Lizard, Rock Agama, King Cobra etc….

Flora: Corbett National Park is rich in vegetation. The lower reaches of the Park, where the land is flat compared to the upper reaches, consists of tall and slender Sal (Shorea robusta) trees. Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) and Khair (Acacia katechu) trees are found in the middle reaches, while the upper reaches of the mountains are full of bakli (Anogeissus latifolia), chir (Pinus roxburghii), gurail (Bauhinia racemosa) and bamboo trees. The Park is dotted with lantana shrubs, a species that is a great cause for concern. In Park also boosts of over 33 species of bamboo and grass that are mostly found in chours, or meadows.

Click here to get a detailed information of Corbett National Park…..

http://www.corbettnationalpark.com/about-corbett-park.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Corbett_National_Park

http://www.corbettpark.com/

You can also view Some of the wonderful trip reports by our participants who came last year to Corbett.

http://natureindia-tours.blogspot.com/2009/07/final-trip-reports.html#corbett

http://birdsonthebrainetc.wordpress.com/2009/06/11/glorious-corbett-ii/

Some wonderful experiences by Nature India trip participants

http://natureindia-tours.blogspot.com/2009/07/trip-experiences-by-nature-india-tours.html

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Tour Itinerary & Other Details: (Delhi to Delhi)

Date: 11th Apr 2011 eve. 21:35 pm to 17th Apr 2011 mor. 06.00 am (travel days included)

Mode of Travel: Train uptil Ramnagar from Delhi and local travel by 4x4 gypsies.

Overnight train travel can be booked from Mumbai to Delhi..... however since it is a busy sector, the train bookings should be done soon to get the desired train and class. The most ideal train is 2903 / 2904 Golden Temple Exp. .... ....Nature India can ASSIST in bookings if required.

TRIP ITINERARY:

11th Apr'11: Board 5013 Jim Corbett Park Link Exp from old Delhi station leaving 2240 hrs.

12th Apr'11: Reach Ramnagar at 5.00 am, Drive for 1 Hrs to the camp, Full day birding at Kosi barrage and along the banks of Kosi River, Near Garjia Temple , Mohan - Kumeria.

13th Apr'11: Full day birding along Kosi River, Garjia Temple area, Mohan, Kumeria and along the Lohachaur Road.

14th Apr'11: Check-out of Camp and Proceed to Drive towards Dhikala via Gairal, Crocodile Pool, Sarpdauli, Champion Road, High Bank, full day game-drive at Dhikala.

15th Apr'11: Full day game-drive at Dhikala, Sambar Road, Thandi Sadak, Chaurs (Terai grasslands)

16th Apr'11: Full day game-drive at Dhikala, Sarpdauli, checkout from park late evening by 6.00pm. Board 5014 Jim Corbett Park Link Exp at 2140 hrs from Ramnagar for old Delhi.

17th Apr'11: Reach old Delhi at 0430 hrs.

Trip charges (Delhi to Delhi only) : Rs.16400/- (Includes Non- A/C room stay on Triple Sharing Basis in Dhikala FRH and Corbett Nature Camp, Ramnagar, 3rd AC Train travel from Delhi to Ramnagar and Back in Ranikhet Express, Local travel by 4x4 jeeps, Veg. meals, Breakfast, Fruits, Park Permits, Park entry charges, Photography charges, Guide charges, Information articles & on board snacks and mineral water)…….

This does not include Travel charges from Mumbai to Delhi and Back or any charges other than the above.

Note:

1) Nature India can assist you for your train travel bookings from Mumbai to Delhi if required.

2) If required, Twin sharing stay can be arranged with an additional amount of Rs.3750 each.

Registration: You can register by sending a confirmation mail to natureindiatours@gmail.comwith contact details and by paying a non refundable Advance of Rs.7500/- and only after getting a registration mail by us (The seats will only be confirmed after receiving the advance amount) …..The remaining amount will be collected on the day of travel.

Kindly register soon to avoid the rush for train bookings……….

Group Size: Max 13 Pax only

Stay Arrangement: Dhikala Forest Camp (It is actually a resort) inside Corbett N.P.and Corbett Nature Camp, Ramnagar on a triple sharing basis (Twin sharing can be arranged if required with Rs.3750/- extra per person). Both the stays are amazing……. (see below image)

Resource Persons: Mr.Manoj Sharma, Mr.Adesh Shivkar & Mr.Mandar Khadilkar

Mode of Payment: You can either

1) Transfer the advance money directly to my HDFC A/c (please call Adesh @ 9869071091 for A/c no.).. please mention your name, date and other details….
2) Courier a cheque of Rs.7500/- as advance amount to the following address

Name: Mr.Adesh Shivkar
Address: D-8, The Adi Janata Society, Behind HP Petrolpump, Opp. Hotel Shangrilla, Sion (East), Mumbai-400022.

Please Note:

1. Once registered, the advance amount of Rs. 7500/- is strictly non-refunadable
2. Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on Nature India Tours
3. Visit http://natureindia.ning.com/notes/Nature_India_Policies

Please revert on natureindiatours@gmail.com ID, in case you need any clarification …..also sign up on http://natureindia.ning.com/ to know more about Nature India & to get regular updates.

For any other queries we are available on 9930318665 / 9967518665 (Mandar) or 9869071091 (Adesh)

Thanks for your patience. We Value your time and faith on us......

Looking forward for a very rewarding trip with you all !!

Warm Regards,

Adesh Shivkar & Mandar Khadilkar
Nature India
Appreciate, Respect & Conserve

http://natureindia.ning.com/