Planning the Big Uttarakhand Adventure:
It all started a couple of months back when Peeyush and I decided - let’s do a family trip! Since both of us have two daughters of almost the same age, this was kind of an experiment for us. 😄 Would they bond? Would they fight over silly things? Only time would tell!
Uttarakhand was always the dream, and we wanted to make Jim Corbett National Park the heart of our trip - to give the kids a hatke experience. But then came the big decision: North or South Uttarakhand?
After a lot of brainstorming over multiple calls, we locked in the Southern circuit.
Next came the booking frenzy! Flight and train tickets to Delhi were sorted first. Then hotel hunting and car rentals began. Everything was pretty straightforward except for one tricky mission - booking a stay inside Jim Corbett forest.
Now, there are tons of fancy resorts around Ramnagar, but we wanted the real deal - forest cottages inside the national park itself. This led us down an internet rabbit hole of too many websites, all claiming to handle bookings. After lots of research, we zeroed in on Dhikala and Bijrani zones for our stay. (Here’s the official booking link: https://corbettgov.org/)
Just when things seemed set,
news of the Pulwama terror attack shook North India. Uncertainty loomed
over our trip. Should we cancel? Should we wait? After much discussion, we
decided to go ahead - adventure waits for no one!
Quick Snapshot of Our Itinerary:
- Day 1 – Flight to Delhi, then car ride to Haldwani
- Day 2 – Haldwani to Kasardevi via Mukteshwar
- Day 3 – Exploring Kasardevi & Binsar
- Day 4 – Off to Kausani / Ranikhet
- Day 5 – Heading to Nainital
- Day 6 – Finally reaching Jim Corbett
- Day 7 – Back to Delhi
- Day 8 – Delhi sightseeing
- Day 9 – Flying back home
Day 1: 24-May-2025 – Ahmedabad to Haldwani
Our adventure kicked off with an early morning flight from Ahmedabad,
and before we knew it, we landed in Delhi around 11:30 AM. The
moment we stepped out, our driver was already waiting - no time to waste!
Next stop: Noida, where we picked up Peeyush’s
family. And with that, the trip officially began.
Now, the interesting part - the kids! Since this was the first
time they were meeting in person, there was this awkward silence in the car. 😅
For the first few minutes (or should I say hours?), they barely exchanged
words. But we knew it wouldn’t stay that way for long.
On the way, hunger struck, and we took a break at Shiva
Dhaba (which, by the way, is one of MANY Shiva Dhabas on this route!). A
good meal later, a few short stops here and there, and finally, by 8 PM,
we arrived at our hotel in Haldwani - exhausted but excited!
After checking in, we took a quick evening stroll
nearby in search of food. For dinner, we found this cozy café, Himalaya
Roots, where we filled up on some delicious food before calling it a night.
And just like that, Day 1 came to an end - bags
unpacked, hearts full, and the real adventure waiting ahead!
Day 2: 25-May-2025 – A Rainy Start & Unexpected Adventures
Waking up to rain wasn’t exactly the vibe we imagined
for our Uttarakhand trip! The first thought - "Will it rain every
day?" - sent a tiny wave of worry through us. But arre yaar, a
trip is all about embracing surprises, right?
We went down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast, only to
find the floor soaked with rainwater. The staff quickly arranged a table, and we had our breakfast while watching the rain drizzle
outside.
By 8:30 AM, we checked out and hit the road towards Kasar
Devi, choosing the Mukteshwar route with hopes of finding an apple-picking
garden along the way. But Google Maps played a prank on us - when we reached
the supposed spot, there was nothing. 🤦♂️ Asked a few locals,
but even they were clueless.
Nearby was Bhalugaad Waterfall, which sounded
tempting, but a 1 km trek didn’t excite our kids much, so we ditched it.
Instead, we carried on toward the famous Mukteshwar Temple, passing Bhimtal
on the way - a beautiful lake that just popped into view like a hidden
treasure.
We stopped for lunch just a few kilometers before
Mukteshwar, and soon realized we had a traffic nightmare ahead. The last
3-4 km were completely jammed - thanks to weekend tourists parking on both
sides of the road. With zero space to drive, we had no choice but to ditch
the car and walk.
Now, here’s where India’s jugaad spirit kicked in!
Some local guys saw an opportunity in this chaos and started offering bike
rides to the temple - ₹100 for a 1 km ride. 😆
Considering the kids weren’t thrilled about walking, we happily took the shortcut-on-wheels.
At the Mukteshwar Temple, the queue was long, and
darshan took 40-50 minutes. But the wait was worth it - the view from
the top was breathtaking! With the prasad in hand and hearts full, we
headed back to the car.
Next up: Kasar Devi via Almora. The winding hill
roads were lush green and picturesque, but motion sickness hit quite a few of
us, forcing a couple of short breaks. To add to the adventure, a landslide
repair delayed us by another 30-40 minutes.
Once in Almora, we made a mandatory foodie stop - the famous Kheem Singh Routela shop for Bal Mithai and Shingadi! (Because kuch meetha ho jaaye is a must.)
Finally, around 7:30 – 8:00 PM, we reached our resort
in Kasar Devi. After a relaxing check-in, we enjoyed a peaceful dinner at
the restaurant and called it a night - ready for more adventures ahead!
Day 3: 26-May-2025 – A Laid-Back Himalayan Retreat
After two days of non-stop traveling, Day 3 was meant
to be a chilled-out one. And guess what? Nature had a surprise waiting
for us!
We woke up to crystal-clear visibility, and right
from our resort, we could see the mighty Himalayas standing tall. Peaks
like Trishul were right there in front of us - what a breathtaking view! 🌄
Late morning, we headed to the famous Kasar Devi Temple - an ancient place that’s been a spiritual haven for great minds like Swami Vivekananda and other philosophers. The climb to the temple is around 200 steps, but with family around, it was more of a fun trek than a tough climb. The moment we reached the top, the serenity of the place hit us - it was peaceful, calming, and had this divine energy in the air. No wonder this spot was part of Vivekananda’s enlightenment journey!
After a soul-soothing temple visit, we grabbed a hearty brunch and geared up for our next adventure -Binsar Zero Point.
To reach Zero Point, we drove 17 km into the forest, entering a world of tall trees, winding roads, and untouched nature. From the parking area, a 2 km trail led us deeper into the jungle towards the watchtower at Zero Point. Walking through the jungle was an experience in itself - the fresh air, the silence, the rustling of leaves. It felt like we had stepped into nature’s own secret hideaway!
But nature had another surprise - we reached Zero Point, only
to find that the visibility wasn’t great at that moment. 😔
No grand Himalayan views this time. A little disappointing, but hey, the trek
itself was worth it!
In the evening, we found another hidden gem - a small
hill and a trail right next to our resort. So, with the kids full of
energy, we set off for a spontaneous climb, enjoying the thrill of going
up and down, laughing, and making the most of the moment. It was one of those simple
yet unforgettable experiences - sometimes, the best memories are made without
a plan!
After heading back to the resort, we stepped out for dinner
at a nearby restaurant, then spent the evening enjoying card games
with family.
With laughter, relaxed vibes, and the Himalayas quietly watching over us, Day 3 came to a peaceful end.
Day 4: 27-May-2025 – A Sun Temple, A Leopard & A
Twist in Plans
We kicked off Day 4 around 8:30 AM, after a
hearty breakfast at our resort, and set off for Katarmal Sun Temple.
This ancient gem, built around the 9th century,
is one of the few Sun Temples in India! As we walked around, soaking in
its grand architecture, it truly felt like stepping back in time - reminding us
of the legacy and magnificence of this place.
Our original plan was to head toward Kausani, but the next day’s travel was looking way too hectic - with a whopping 125 km in the hills! Given our average of 60 km per day, this would have drained all our energy. So, in true road trip spontaneity, we made a quick change - instead of going all the way to Kausani, we decided to explore Guldaar Valley first and then head back to Ranikhet for the night.
Guldaar Valley was an absolute delight! We splashed
around in the shallow river, let the kids play freely, and enjoyed some light
snacks while basking in the beauty of nature.
And then, out of nowhere - excitement buzzed in the air.
People suddenly started pointing towards a hill across
the river - a Leopard! 🐆
At first, it was hard to spot, but then there it was, blending effortlessly into the surroundings. Later, we learned a cool fact - the word “Guldaar” in Pahadi means Leopard, and apparently, leopard sightings are quite common here. What a thrilling surprise!
With the leopard encounter fresh in our minds, we set
off for Ranikhet, which wasn’t part of our original plan. That meant - hotel
hunting time!
Before searching for accommodation, we visited the Jhuladevi
Temple, known for its beautiful bells and local legends of granting
wishes.
Since an apple garden was nearby, we took a guided
tour, learning about different varieties of apples and other local plants.
The scenery? Absolutely postcard-worthy!
As the sun started dipping, we quickly began looking for a
stay. Luckily, we spotted a KMVN resort -while the rooms were quite old,
it had a decent setup, so we settled in for the night.
Before dinner, we decided to do some quick sightseeing
in Ranikhet and visited Raani Jheel.
Honestly? It was just another small lake with a basic
play area for kids. Nothing too exciting. In hindsight, spending that time relaxing
at the resort would’ve been better - but hey, some experiences are worth discovering
for yourself!
To wrap up the day, we enjoyed a cozy dinner at the resort and spent the night playing card games in our rooms - ending the day on a warm, happy note.
Day 5: 28-May-2025 – To Nainital (Taalon mein Nainital
baki sab talaiya)
After enjoying a relaxed breakfast at the resort, we set off
toward Nainital, making a few delightful stops along the way. Roadside
fruit stalls were brimming with fresh plums and peaches, so we grabbed
some - it doesn’t get better than biting into juicy, locally grown fruit on a
road trip!
As we approached Kaichi Dhaam, we asked our driver to
halt near the entrance so we could get down for darshan. But the place
was packed, traffic was chaotic, and stopping for long wasn’t an option, so we
quickly made our way inside while he drove ahead. After offering prayers and
soaking in the spiritual energy, we walked along the road for a while before
reconnecting with him.
Just as we were about to enter Nainital, we hit an
unexpected snag - the main route was blocked. Traffic police were
diverting all vehicles to an alternate road to ease congestion, forcing us to
take a 20 km detour. Instead of heading straight to the lake, we first
visited Hanuman Garhi Temple, a peaceful spot with stunning views,
before finally making our way to the heart of Nainital.
Nicknamed the Queen of Lakes, Nainital greeted us
with its signature charm. We asked our driver to drop us off on Mall Road,
while he waited at the parking area. Wandering through the bustling shops, we
indulged in a little shopping, took a boat ride on the famous Naini
Lake, and soaked in the lively atmosphere.
Before calling it a day, we visited the revered Naina Devi Temple, a place deeply rooted in local legends and spirituality. By the time we finished, it was already dark, so we headed straight to our hotel for some much-needed rest.
Day 6: 28-May-2025 – Jim Corbett
This was the big day - finally heading to Jim
Corbett, the epicenter of our trip! We started around 8:30 AM, but
thanks to the steep descent, most of us in the car weren’t feeling too
great, so we made a couple of stops to steady ourselves.
After about 2-2.5 hours of driving, we reached the foot
of the hills, where the sudden temperature shift hit us. Five days of cool
mountain air had spoiled us, and for the first time, we had to turn on the
AC!
Our first stop was Girja Devi Temple, but seeing the
long queue, we skipped darshan and dipped our feet in the Kosi River instead - a
refreshing little break before heading to lunch. Just as we were about to leave
the restaurant, rain poured down like crazy, making us anxious about our
jungle safari plans. But the moment we drove out, the rain vanished,
the roads were dry, and just like that, our excitement returned!
At the safari main gate, we hopped out of the car and
told our driver to stay nearby for the night. Just when we thought we
were all set - kahani mein twist! As we climbed into our open-top Gypsy,
heavy rain returned with full force. While the kids managed to get into
a covered vehicle, my wife and I got completely drenched before
the driver finally fixed the hood.
Thankfully, within 15-20 minutes, the rain vanished
again, the sun came out strong, and our safari was saved!
We headed straight to our forest rest house cottage,
checked in, and immediately set out on our jungle adventure with a
guide. The buzz was high - the guide told us that a tigress had been spotted
near the river in the last couple of days. There were clear callings in
the woods, so we waited with hope.
And then - magic happened.
Out of nowhere, a tigress emerged, gracefully walking
by the riverside before vanishing into the bushes! We rushed to another
section where she might cross again, holding our breath in anticipation.
Soon, the guide heard the calls again - this time, two cubs! They
moved quickly, and while I missed the first one, I managed to spot the second
cub crossing the road behind us.
Seeing a tigress and her cubs in the wild - nothing
beats that thrill!
Jim Corbett, India's first national park, has been
preserved in its pure natural state, without human interference. The
untouched wilderness added to the raw beauty of the experience.
As we continued, we spotted tons of deer, playful
monkeys, and even jackals. But with dark clouds rolling in again,
we wrapped up our safari a little early and returned to the cottage.
Deep inside the jungle, there was no electricity, just solar-powered basics - which made the experience even more wild and authentic.
At around 1 AM, I suddenly woke up to the sound of heavy
rain and constant lightning. The view outside was truly eerie - pitch
black, with flashes of light revealing trees, cottages, and frightened deer
running around. It looked straight out of a Bhoot Bangla scene!
I sat there watching for about 15 minutes, taking it all in, before the exhaustion kicked in again. Sleep took over, and I drifted back into the heart of the jungle night.
Day 7: 30-May-2025 – Morning safari and back to Delhi
We woke up early for the morning safari, kicking off
the day at 5:30 AM. As we ventured deeper into the jungle, the
wilderness greeted us in its own quiet way - sleeping monkeys, peacocks
dancing gracefully, and the crisp freshness of the jungle air.
I was really hoping to see elephants, but the guide mentioned they had likely moved out of this zone. After spotting the tiger the previous evening, there was a sense of relaxed satisfaction - even the guide felt his job was done, and we felt like our mission had been accomplished. So, the morning safari turned into a pleasant jungle drive, simply soaking in the surroundings.
We spotted more deer, a green duck, a kingfisher,
an eagle, and several other birds, all adding to the serenity of the
experience. After wrapping up the safari, we enjoyed a simple breakfast at
the forest rest house, soaking in the last bit of untouched nature. With no
mobile network, no gadgets, and no electronics, this truly felt like a pure,
unplugged experience - just us and the wilderness.
By 11 AM, it was time to leave. We started our return journey, taking our first break at Rajaji Dhaba around 1:30 PM for lunch. From there, we dropped Peeyush in Noida and finally reached my hotel near CP by 7 PM. Exhausted from the early start and a long day of travel, I crashed early around 9 PM, wrapping up another memorable day.
Day 8: 31-May-2025 – Delhi Sightseeing
With a day and a half in Delhi, my original plan was
to explore a few places on my own. But at the last minute, I decided to book
a cab for a full-day Delhi sightseeing tour - a great way to cover
more ground without worrying about logistics.
We checked off many of Delhi’s iconic landmarks - Jantar
Mantar, India Gate, the Parliament, PM Museum, Qutub Minar, and Humayun’s Tomb - each
with its own slice of history and grandeur.
By evening, I asked the driver to drop us at Akshardham
Temple, where we spent a peaceful, reflective time in its beautiful
premises. The atmosphere, the architecture, and the spiritual vibes made it a
perfect way to wind down the day.
Instead of taking the cab back, we chose to return to the
hotel via Delhi Metro, experiencing a bit of the city's daily buzz before
calling it a night.
It was another tiring yet eventful day, packed with
history, culture, and the pulse of Delhi!
Day 9: 1-Jun-2025 – A Flavorful Farewell
With no major plans left for the final day, we decided to go
all in on Delhi’s famous food and shopping scene. Our first stop - Paranthe
Wali Gali, where we indulged in some exquisite, stuffed parathas dripping
with ghee.
After filling up on parathas, we strolled through the
bustling streets of Chandni Chowk, hunting for souvenirs and
experiencing its lively chaos one last time. Later, we made our way to Connaught
Place, exploring its vibrant markets, soaking in the city’s energy, and
just letting the day flow without a rush.
With our Delhi exploration complete, we headed back to the hotel, packed up our bags, and set off for the airport. The flight got delayed by an hour, stretching the final leg of our journey a bit longer, but eventually, we landed home around midnight, wrapping up an incredible, adventure-filled trip.
This trip was full of adventure, beautiful places, and fun
surprises! From peaceful temples to spotting a tigress and her cubs,
every moment was special. And without a doubt, Jim Corbett was everyone's
favorite part - a truly unforgettable experience.
This is just the beginning - many more trips to come!
There’s so much more to explore, and the excitement for the next adventure has
already begun.
Very well covered Dhaval
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