When I first heard about Vanghat Jungle Lodge, said to be one of the remotest wildlife lodges in the country and located on the fringes of Jim Corbett National Park, I was intrigued and excited. However, the moment I got out of our vehicle near the Baluli suspension bridge and started the hike towards the lodge, I began wondering, “Where exactly are we going?” Accompanied by staff from the place, I made the 2-km hike, panting and struggling to keep up before we reached the Ramganga river. A makeshift bamboo raft ferried us across to the lodge, the mere sight of it makes the whole ‘ordeal’ worth it!
Conceptualised by Sumantha Ghosh, a renowned naturalist, Vanghat offers two kinds of stays – Stone Cottages and Mud Cottages. In fact, the lodge, led by concepts of conservation and maintaining harmony with the surroundings, is considered a pioneer in eco-friendly and sustainable tourism in the region. Constructed with locally-sourced clay and thatched roof, and inspired by the Van Gujjar tribal style, the Mud Cottage is where I settled in after an interesting chat with Sumantha.
Being in the buffer zone of the National Park, Vanghat is known for the walking safaris and trails {of differing difficulty levels} they offer for guests. I ventured into the jungle with a local who is also a well-versed birder {a term they prefer to birdwatcher} and gaped at the birds he pointed out, ranging from the Mountain Hawk Eagle and the Tawny Fish Owl to the Great Hornbill and the vibrant Long-Tailed Broadbill. While we didn’t manage to spot any animals, we did come across pug marks {exciting enough for me!} from the night before and signs of an elephant’s trampling.
After a whole day in the wild, birdwatching and taking in all the interesting facts, a meal of homemade dishes prepared with locally-sourced and organic ingredients awaited me when I got back to the lodge. Evenings here typically end with everyone gathering around a campfire, sharing stories and enjoying the eerie silence of the jungle all around.
Conceptualised by Sumantha Ghosh, a renowned naturalist, Vanghat offers two kinds of stays – Stone Cottages and Mud Cottages. In fact, the lodge, led by concepts of conservation and maintaining harmony with the surroundings, is considered a pioneer in eco-friendly and sustainable tourism in the region. Constructed with locally-sourced clay and thatched roof, and inspired by the Van Gujjar tribal style, the Mud Cottage is where I settled in after an interesting chat with Sumantha.
Being in the buffer zone of the National Park, Vanghat is known for the walking safaris and trails {of differing difficulty levels} they offer for guests. I ventured into the jungle with a local who is also a well-versed birder {a term they prefer to birdwatcher} and gaped at the birds he pointed out, ranging from the Mountain Hawk Eagle and the Tawny Fish Owl to the Great Hornbill and the vibrant Long-Tailed Broadbill. While we didn’t manage to spot any animals, we did come across pug marks {exciting enough for me!} from the night before and signs of an elephant’s trampling.
After a whole day in the wild, birdwatching and taking in all the interesting facts, a meal of homemade dishes prepared with locally-sourced and organic ingredients awaited me when I got back to the lodge. Evenings here typically end with everyone gathering around a campfire, sharing stories and enjoying the eerie silence of the jungle all around.
