Nitin’s Family Adventure in the Hills and Wilderness
I have always had a love for exploring new places, and I have long wanted to take my family on a memorable trip. We wanted something that would bring us closer and give us a chance to create lasting memories.
So, when I came across a Nainital-Kausani-Corbett itinerary online, I knew instantly that this was perfect. The combination of lakes, mountains, and wildlife had all the elements of an adventure just waiting to happen.
I remember sitting with my wife, going over the details and thinking, “This is exactly what we need.” The places that we chose to explore had it all - reconnecting, unwinding, and embracing the little adventure together.
The Excitement Begins
We kicked off our journey on 5th November 2023 from Surat and flew to Delhi.
As we made our way through the winding roads, the landscape began to change - flat roads giving way to the hills and the air became cooler. My son was glued to the window, pointing at the hills in excitement as we got close to Nainital, while my wife could not stop taking pictures.
“Look at the view!” she exclaimed every few minutes.
I could not agree more as the sight of the valleys and the first glimpse of the pristine Naini Lake set the tone for the rest of the trip.
After arriving in Nainital, we were greeted by the cool mountain breeze and the charm of a small hill town. I could see the joy on Neha’s face as she stood by the window, taking it all in.
A Glimpse of Naini Lake with its calm waters situated between misty hills was pure magic. We could see nature in its purest form, and Nainital seemed to be hand-painted by an extraordinary artist. We even enjoyed a boat ride on Naini Lake - an experience that left my son bubbling with excitement.
“Dad, I want to paddle!” he insisted, his hand clutching the oars. The calm waters surrounded by misty hills felt like a painting come to life.
From Caves to Scenic Peaks
The next day was packed with adventure as we visited the famous Cave Garden. This place was a real surprise! It is a collection of interconnected caves, each shaped like different animals - tigers, panthers, and more. My son loved crawling through the dark and narrow passages, imagining himself as a jungle explorer. Neha and I laughed as we followed him, realising that even a simple place like this could become an exciting world through a child’s eyes.
Next, we visited Tiffin Top, which required a horse ride up the hill. I was initially sceptical about the horse ride, but it turned out to be a memorable experience. We could see the entire town below, with the lake shimmering in the sunlight and the dense forest stretching out into the horizon.
Neha is usually a bit nervous about heights, but her words, “This was worth the climb!” made me realise that even she loved the overall experience.
The Call of the Wild
It was time to leave the hills behind and head into the wilderness. Jim Corbett National Park had always been on my travel bucket list, and I was excited to finally experience it. As we drove toward Ramnagar, the landscape shifted from mountains to forests, and the air seemed to buzz with excitement.
Upon checking into our cosy resort, we visited the Girija Devi Temple that evening. We spent some time there while soaking in the peace and beauty of the place.
The next day was the most exciting part of our trip: a safari adventure through Jim Corbett National Park.
Just like us, my son was delighted.
He asked with excitement in his eyes, “Are we going to see a tiger, Dad?”
I replied, “Maybe.” as I did not want to dampen his enthusiasm.
As we ventured deeper into the forest, the sense of adventure grew. The jeep bounced along the rugged trails, and we spotted deer, peacocks, and even a family of wild elephants. But the ultimate thrill came when our guide pointed out fresh tiger tracks on the ground. We followed the trail cautiously, but the tiger remained hidden that day.
Still, my son did not mind.
“Maybe next time,” he said optimistically as we snapped pictures of elephants grazing in the distance.
Reflecting on Our Adventure
By the time our trip came to an end, we had experienced more than I could have ever hoped for. We laughed, explored, and created memories that will last forever. Neha summed it up perfectly when she said, “This was not just a vacation. It was a chance for us to be together, away from everything.”
The mountains, lakes, and forests of Nainital and Corbett gave us more than just a break from our routine. They gave us an experience that bonded us in new ways. As we packed our bags and made the long drive back to Delhi, my son looked up at me and asked, “When can we come back?”
And honestly, I did not have an answer, but I knew it would not be long.
Read More: Thrillophilia Nainital Reviews