Corbett and the Kumaon Hills tour in India

Environment:
The main components of this itinerary are Corbett National Park and the Kumaon Hills both of which are focused on responsible tourism and supporting the local environment and community. The staff recruited from the local town of Ramnagar are aware of conservation issues and how this can fit in with the needs of clients. Their encouragement comes through a share in the profits so it is in everyone's best interests to endorse responsible practices. The owner here works very closely with wildlife conservation projects in the area and has done for years, with the primary concern in this area being the conservation of tiger habitats, which has benefited all the wildlife as a result.

Leti - The luxury retreat is built to fit in with the local environment. Energy is provided through solar panels and a small generator, while evening light comes from candles, the fire and solar lamps. Leti really is a very responsible project and combined with the village walks it is a hugely responsible and extremely beneficial venture for all involved.

Community:
During your time at Corbett you will be staying in a fairly new property which has been well designed to fit in with its surroundings, with the buildings made of local materials and constructed by local people. During your time here you will eat fruit and vegetables grown on the property.

In the Kumaon Hills - you will be spending the first three nights in different village houses of which there are only three, each sleeping four people. These were once used by local families and have since been leased for our use, and although they have been decorated and furnished to suit western needs, no physical changes have been made and visitors will still experience the true Kumaon Hills way of life. The families are around in some houses during the evenings so clients and families can interact with one another. During time on the walks visitors will have minimal impact on the environment, with concrete water channels or old forestry roads often used as paths. Nothing has been created for visitors other than the opportunity to explore this wonderful hidden part of the country. Clients can make donations to a central pot which is shared between the houses and their families, the local community and for general maintenance of the area.

Leti - Not only has the property been designed to have minimum impact on the surroundings, it has also been constructed out of local materials and by local craftsmen. Any food that is not grown on site is bought locally and walked in by local porters and the number of other employees recruited has had a great benefit on the local community and economy.