HELP! Kanha/Varanasi/Agra OR Hardiwar/Corbett/Almora/Agra
 

We have 11 days. Which is the better trip? We are interested in photography. The key questions include:
1) Is Kanha more beautiful than Corbett?
2) Is it dangerous to drive in the mountains around Almora (the Kanha itinerary is all flights except the transfers to/from Raipur and Kanha)?

They have about the same travel time from my point of origin. Kanha/Varanasi/Agra is all flights, while Hardiwar/Corbett/Almora/Agra is via car and driver. My naïve impression is that the lodging in Kanha is more beautiful (Kanha Earth Lodge seems much nicer than Jim's Jungle Lodge in Corbett). Also, I'm a bit concerned with safety driving through the mountains around Almora.

Please let me know what you think.
Thank you!

I haven't been to Kanha and I haven't been to Agra, but I've been the other places you listed.

What time of year are you going because that will make a difference as to what the "jungle" surroundings will be like?

Varanasi is a photographer's dream and a truly fascinating place to be. It is one of my very favorite places in India! I can't tell you how many photos we took, but it was a lot.

We were disappointed in our experience in Corbett because of the way India runs its national parks. Last year we visited Chitwan in Nepal and it was a MUCH better experience. I think you need to be aware of the fact that national park visits in India typically revolve around people racing around in jeeps trying to sight that elusive tiger. And, there is even a pretty much mandatory stop at the snack stand. You'll need to specify very clearly that your goal is photography in general rather than just catching sight of a tiger.

To make your decision even more difficult, we also thoroughly enjoyed Haridwar as it seemed a more authentic town to observe the religious aarti service and the religious pilgrims. It was a great complement to Varanasi.

We did not think driving in the Almora area was at all difficult or scary.

We've spent two months in India and are returning for another six weeks this year. To us, the real essence of the country is its people and their lives rather than the monuments and parks. Hope this helps.

This is great advice, julies!

By the way, julies, did you love Almora or did you prefer other Himalayan destinations, e.g. in Nepal. Thank you!

Almora didn't call to us much at all.