India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) - Keith Bain [577]
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.
The Solluna Resort Not as well known as neighbor Corbett Ramganga, this 10-hectare (25-acre) resort has better accommodations: gorgeous cottages (with bay window seats, furnished verandahs and a