India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) (371 page)

Corbett Hideaway
The Hideaway is essentially your best located choice (the other options are all some distance from the gates); other than this it is slightly cheaper than Ramganga (and certainly very affordable option relative to Ranthambore and Madhya Pradesh’s best!). Pebbled pathways interweave with pretty gardens and cozy mustard-colored cottages in a mango orchard. The older, “jungle-themed” cottages have thatched pitched ceilings, stone-tile flooring, comfortable beds, and separate sitting areas with fireplaces. A lovely place to relax is the thatched-roof bar; there’s also a well-stocked library with a selection of Jim Corbett’s books to get you in the mood for tiger-spotting. If you don’t feel like lazing you can go river rafting on the Kosi River, or check out the resort’s resident herd of water buffalo. The evening’s entertainment features Kumaoni folk dancing, a wildlife movie, or a rather uninspiring slide show.

Zero Garjia, Dhikuli 224 715.
05947/28-4132
or -4134. Fax 05947/28-4133.
www.leisurehotels.in
. 52 cottages. $170 deluxe double; $210 superior double; $250 suite; $280 family (room only). Taxes extra. AE, MC, V.
Amenities:
2 restaurants, bar; railway transfer (Rs 650); archery; badminton; billiards; bird-watching; cultural performances; doctor-on-call; fishing; Ayurvedic massage; pool; kids’ pool; river rafting; safaris; table tennis; nature walks. In room: A/C.

Corbett Ramganga Resort
Not only tiger-spotters but die-hard anglers head here in hope of bagging India’s ultimate big-game fishing trophy: the mighty
mahseer.
This decade-old resort, on the banks of the Ramganga River, is not as attractive as its riverfront neighbor Solluna, but it draws an interesting mix of people, many here only to fish—the world record
mahseer
was bagged just 500m (1,600 ft.) from the Corbett Resort. Of the two options available, we prefer the tented accommodations to the concrete cottages—each large, air-cooled, army-style structure is encased in a thatch shell, with a tiny dressing room and a small shower room attached; mattresses here are also more comfortable. At night, guests—mostly moneyed Indians and diplomats—gather around a bonfire and share rum-induced fishing tales; in the background, the gurgling Ramganga reminds you that you’re miles away from the city. (
Note:
It can take almost an hour to get to the Park from here.)

Village Jhamaria, P.O. Sankar, Marchula. Info
93/1051-0582.
Reservations: Surbhi Adventures, No. 5, C-1 Lane, Sainik Farms, Khanpur Gate, New Delhi 110 062.
011/3298-9876.
Fax 011/2955-1428.
www.ramganga.com
. 30 units. Rs 6,000 air-cooled safari tent double; Rs 7,250 air-conditioned double; Rs 8,250 super deluxe double; Rs 10,000 suite. Rs 2,000 extra bed. Rates include all meals, bed tea. Taxes extra; separate summer/winter package rates available. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
Restaurant, bar; railway transfer (Rs 800); adventure activities for groups only; badminton; cycling; doctor-on-call; fishing; pool; children’s pool; room service; river-rafting; night safaris; outdoor tennis court. In room: A/C (tents are air-cooled only), heater, suites have kitchenettes.

The Hideaway River Lodge
If you want a back-to-basics authentic safari, with a little more luxury than Camp Forktail, Hideaway River Lodge is the place to book. Besides offering pleasing digs and the best meals you’ll find in the area (not to mention the only alcohol!), the lodge is located right on the Ramganga River and spread out over 1.2 hectares (3 acres) on the periphery of the park—at night animal calls are unnervingly loud and thrilling. Accommodations are in en-suite tents (specify of you want a double bed); while all tents have a private veranda, the deluxe category has a clear view of the river which makes it worth the extra buck. There is no electricity and hot water is only available in the mornings and evenings, but this should not be a major drawback. Besides the regular safari activities (in a jeep or on an elephant), the lodge also offers fishing, and the location is ideal for birders; there’s also a natural pool where you can laze away the hotter parts of the day or alternatively accompany the mahouts to bathe the elephants.

Zero Garjia, Dhikuli 224 715.
05947/28-4132 or -4134.
www.leisurehotels.in
;
www.corbetthideaway.com
. Reservations: 011/4652-0000. 10 Units (bucket bath only): $450 deluxe double, $500 superior double (direct river view); rates include meals, transfers from Corbett Hideaway, entrance fees, tea and coffee, two safaris/day, naturalist, angling, and all taxes. AE, MC, V. In room: flashlight, hot-water bottle.

Infinity Resorts
Another option catering essentially to the domestic tourist market, activities at this pleasant riverside hotel center around a huge enclosed octagonal building with a terrace and indoor bonfire; this is where meals are served, wildlife movies are shown, and cultural performances are held. The deluxe guest rooms are worth paying a little more for; they lead off open corridors on the floor above the standard units. They’re spacious (though not particularly tasteful), and each one has a large terrace with a river view. From your room, you can hear the river and enjoy great bird-watching. The setting is peaceful, perhaps more so than at Corbett Hideaway, with a relaxing swimming pool area, riverside pond filled with
mahseer
and hammocks strung up between the mango trees and rhododendrons.

P.O. Dhikuli, Ramnagar 244 715.
05947/25-1279
or
-1280. Fax 05947/25-1280.
www.infinityresorts.com
. Reservations: C-32 Sushant Lok, Phase-I, Gurgaon 122 002.
0124/4655-800
or 0124/4655-801.
Fax 0124/4655-804.
32 units. Oct 1–June 30: $400 luxury double. Rates include all meals and taxes. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
Restaurant, bar; railway transfer (Rs 600); billiards; cultural events; fishing; health club; medical center; pool; pool table; room service; jeep safaris, nature walks; wildlife film shows. In room: A/C, heater.