ToRoots - Discover Experiences | The Folktales of Kumaon

Overview

Kumaon valley is often called the fruit bowl of India. It spans from the foot hills to the greater Himalayan snow peaks. Experience its culture and people change after every few villages as you travel through the kingdom of Himalayan foot hills.

Kumaon valley in northern India is also known as the fruit basket of the state of Uttarakhand. You can see farms, valleys and even house gardens filled with trees of apple, peach and plum between months of May and July. You will always find yourself travelling in the midst of fruit orchards and lush green step farms of wheat. We will take you to see the traditional Kumaoni homes with doors and windows carved in ancient Likhai craft. Eat local organic food grown in your own farm and cooked in Kumaoni style.

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Highlights

Enjoy village life experience.
Have tribal experience and cultural immersion.
Traditional Kumaoni cooking class Cycling across village trials Farming Traditional ‘Jagar’ ritual.
Traditional homestay experience Experience Binsar sanctuary with a rich flora and fauna or Stone temples of Jageshwar.
Experience Binsar sanctuary with a rich flora and fauna or Stone temples of Jageshwar

Stay: Homestays (Facilities: Hot/cold water, double or twin beds, western washrooms, 3G data connectivity available)

Meals: Home cooked (veg & non veg) cuisine

Activities: Hiking, Nature Walk, Wildlife, Cooking, Cultural Tour, Traditional Stay

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Itinerary

Day 1 & 2: Arrival at Kathgodam

Today we begin our journey from Kathgodam. We spend next few days in the foothills of Himalayas acclimatizing and exploring the fruit and flower belt in various villages around Kosi River and Bhimtal. We get our hands dirty in the farms and also go on many hiking and bicycling expeditions before we start our journey to the next destination. "Jagar" is a form of worship of “Kul Devta” to call them from their resting stage. It’s a team of 2-3 people called “Jagriaya or Dagriya” with instruments like traditional drum. It is performed at village temple during festival or village families organize at their house to keep evils and bad souls away. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Homestay
Day 3: Drive down to Peora village

After breakfast, drive down to Peora village and check in to your accommodation. Rest of the day will be available at leisure. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Stay: Homestay will be available at leisure.
Day 4: Explore Binsar wildlife sanctuary

Explore Binsar wildlife sanctuary, which hosts one of the most flourishing wildlife sanctuaries of Uttarakhand that was established for conservation of many plant, animal and bird species. It is also the summer capital of Chand Kings who ruled over Kumaon valley between 11th and 18th centuries. Our activities will involve wildlife expeditions in the sanctuary and storytelling before your onward journey via Kathgodam or Pantnagar Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Stay: Homestay
Day 5: Start Journey to Delhi via Kathgodam

After breakfast, we start our return journey to Delhi via Kathgodam, followed by late night onward flight to home country. We will provide drop till the airport in Delhi. Meals: Breakfast | Stay

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Inclusions

Stay at the homestay for 4 nights
All meals as mentioned in the itinerary
All activities mentioned above
All transportation included in private AC SUV or AC Sedan
All inter-city travel in AC luxury train
Reusable H2O stainless steel water bottle (we encourage you to refill your bottle and not use disposable mineral water bottles) – one bottle per person
All applicable taxes

Exclusions

Domestic or International flight(s), trains
Anything else not mentioned explicitly in the itinerary above

Other Important Information

Our guides and custodians of knowledge are from the local community, thus we support their families
All the raw material for meals is sourced from local markets and villages thus reducing the carbon emission by transporting it from a distant city
The performing artists and singers are handpicked from the local community rather than being invited from another city
Your trip has been designed as per the international standards of responsible tourism – Cape Town Agreement 2002. Therefore it ensures that the money you pay has a direct social, economical and environmental benefit locally
75% of the money is directly given back to the community