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Jim Corbett National Park Travel Guide
If there is one place in India where the beauty of wilderness is mushrooming with each passing day, it’s the ever so famous Jim Corbett National Park. India’s oldest national park and certainly the most famous one, Jim Corbett National Park offers you a life time opportunity to get up close with rare wildlife including tigers, Asiatic elephants, sloth bear and leopards. The main highlight of the park is its location, situated in the foothills of the Himalayas in the district of Nainital, Jim Corbett National Park offers the perfect respite from the routine hustle bustle of your city life.
The park offers diverse landscapes to tourists including mountainous ranges, rivers, ridges and forests, providing habitat to beautiful plants and animal species. The park is spread across an area of more than 340 miles and boasts of more than 550 bird species, 50 species of mammals and about 20 species of reptiles. For wildlife lovers, there are various ways to explore the beauty of the park including elephant safaris, jeep safaris and canter safaris. There are also various accommodation facilities available in and outside the park ranging from budget hotels to luxurious resorts. So if you are looking to venture into the wild and want to hear the tiger roar, then a trip to Corbett National Park is just what the travel doctor ordered for you.
What to See
Dhikala
One of the largest grasslands in Corbett National Park, Dhikala is considered the perfect place to spot rare wildlife in action. Travelers can enjoy amazing views of the Kanda Ridge from the Dhikala Watchtower or drive through the forests to catch glimpse of rare wildlife including tigers, chital, raptors, elephants and many more species. There is also a small guest house situated in Dhikala which offers outstanding views of the valley. Though the park is filled with various species of animals, birds and plants, the fully enjoy the diversity arrange for a guided tour or a jeep safari.
Address: Situated in the middle of the park, about 18 miles from Dhangadi Gate
Opening Hours: 10 AM to 6:30 PM
Entry Fee: You’ll require a permit to enter Dhikhala. Travelers have to book their accommodation well in advance. While the entry fees for guests is about 400 Rs for a couple of days, the vehicle entry fees is about 500 Rs.
Garjia Temple
After a day of exploring the gorgeous wilderness, make your way to the cal Garjia Temple. For the spiritually inclined, there is no better place than Garjia Temple which is dedicated to Goddess Parvati. Built on a beautiful hill, the temple faces the Kosi River and is particularly famous among the followers of Goddess Parvati and Baba Bhairon. It’s said that people whose wishes come true dedicate bells to this famous temple. An amazing place to let your hair down and mediate.
Address: Garjia Village, Uttarakhand
Opening Hours: 24 hours open
Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary
Perfect to indulge in that action packed outdoor getaway, Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary is magnificent and filled with nature’s wonders. Located on the outskirts of Corbett Tiger Reserve, Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for its population of tigers and elephants. Spread across an area of more than 200 miles, the sanctuary is also considered a haven for bird lovers housing more than 500 species of birds including flycatchers and pheasants. Travelers can also explore rich flora and fauna in the area including bamboo, jamun, figs and much more. Arrange for a guided tour or a jeep safari.
Address: Outskirts of Corbett Tiger Reserve, Nainital, Uttarakhand
Corbett Waterfall
Spend an afternoon at the Corbett Waterfall and be amazed at the sight of the waterfall. A prominent picnic spot, Corbett Waterfall will certainly drive you crazy with its beauty. The waterfall makes its way through rocks and trees and boasts of an altitude of 20m. Travelers can swim in its waters or just sit and appreciate its beauty. To reach the spot, you have to walk through dense jungle which is home to rare wildlife and plant species. Reaching this spot can be quite a task. If you are planning on going their by your own, do check with the guides there and get a good map. Travellers are advised to take a guide along.
Address: Situated near Kaladhungi-Ramnagar Highway
Opening Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM
Corbett Museum
Enjoy the story and the history of Jim Corbett through various exciting exhibits at the Corbett Museum. Explore the life of the famous conservationist and hunter Jim Corbett who played a big role in the development of the national park. From going through his photographs and letters to gaining enlightenment on the role played by him towards tiger conservation, there is a lot to do and explore in the Corbett Museum. If you are visiting with your kids, do take them here.
Address: Kaladhungi Town, Nainital, Uttarakhand
Opening Hours: 8 AM to 6 PM
Where to Dine?
Jungle Shack Restaurant, Corbett Woods Resort
Situated near the Ramnagar-Jhirna Gate, Jungle Shack is a multi-cuisine restaurant that is surrounded with lush green forests and overlooks a beautiful river. The restaurant offers delicious local cuisine and also offers Chinese, Continental and many other cuisines. If sitting under clear skies in the middle of the jungle is your idea of a perfect dining experience, then do take out time for the Jungle Shack. Dining here after an action packed day in the wilderness is an experience of a lifetime. For family vacationers, a visit here is a mus.t
Address: Corbett Woods Resort, Ramnagar-Jhirna Road, Ramnagar
Opening Hours: Open 24 x 7
Foodies
Considered by many as one of the best restaurants in Ramnagar, Foodies offers Indian, Chinese, Continental, Italian and many other cuisines. The restaurant is particularly famous for its desserts and fast food experience and is a favorite among foreign tourists. Make sure you try the Indian delicacies like gulab jamun and kadhai paneer in the restaurant.
Address: Lakhanpur, Jim Corbett National Park
Corbett Fun Resort
Looking for a place where you can treat your self with an assortment of cuisine from different parts of the country? Whether you want to taste delicious uttarakhandi cuisine or enjoy north Indian and south Indian food, Corbett Fun Resort is the place for you. The restaurant also specializes in Chinese and Continental cuisines and can accommodate more than 50 people at a time. So get ready for an amazing vegetarian food experience in Corbett Fun Resort and treat your taste buds to irresistible delicacies.
Address: Teda Village, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand
Club House Restaurant, Wild Crest Resort
Club House Restaurant is a multi-cuisine restaurant that offers fresh vegetarian food straight from the farm. Famous for its barbeque experience, the restaurant is situated in the Wild Crest Resort which is a 4 star accommodation and promises excellent customer service and hygiene. The restaurant offers a wide range of cuisines including Indian and western and also has a snacks counter which overlooks the swimming pool.
Address: Dhikuli Village, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand
Where to Stay?
Budget
Dhikala Forest Lodge
Situated in the core forest area of Jim Corbett National Park, Dhikala Forest Lodge is the most popular accommodation in the area. Although the lodge doesn’t provide luxurious suites, it provides scenic natural beauty and exotic wildlife that is unmatched by any other destination. The lodge has more than 30 rooms that come with basic amenities like attached bathroom, hot/cold water and an excellent view. Some of the amenities provided by the lodge are a restaurant, library, amphitheater and much more. Tourists can also book jeep safaris through the jungle at the Dhikala Forest Lodge. This is among one of those places where you can experience the beauty of the park at its best. s
Address: Situated about 11 miles from Ramnagar, near the Dhangari Gate
Hotel Arsh International
Budget friendly, clean and with all the basic amenities, Hotel Arsh International is perfect for every budget conscious travellers. Situated at an altitude of more than 6,000 feet, Hotel Arsh International provides tourists with amazing views of Nainital. Rooms of the hotel are equipped with attached bathrooms, cable television, laundered beddings and much more. The hotel also features a multi-cuisine restaurant that offers Indian, Chinese, Continental and many more cuisines. Some of the other facilities provided by the hotel are parking, luggage storage, doctor and call and much more. Do call the hotel in advance.
Address: Ramgarh Road, Nainital
Jhirna Forest House
Surrounded with beautiful bamboo forests and offering the perfect chance to spot rare wildlife including tigers, Jhirna Forest House is certainly one haven of a destination. Although it doesn’t provide luxurious rooms, it does provide all the basic amenities like attached bathrooms and hot water facility. The forest house also contains a restaurant to take care of your taste buds. So get ready to travel deep into the wild and explore the park’s natural beauty at its best. As a favorite among budget travelers, finding a room can be bit tough. Call the hotel in advance and try to make a reservation before reaching here.
Address: Situated on the southern edge of Corbett National Park, Ramnagar, Nainital
Midrange
Corbett Comfortable Resort
If you are looking for the perfect blend of peace, comfort and luxury, then make sure you fix a date with Corbett Comfortable Resort. Rooms are equipped with attached bathrooms and come with many amenities including cable television, telephone, geyser, dining table, heater and study table. Some of the other facilities offered by the resort are parking, multi-cuisine restaurant, laundry, massage center and doctor on call. The resort also organizes adventure activities like rafting, hiking, jeep safaris and much more. The hotel has everything to make this trip truly a memorable one.
Address: Balprow Corbett Fall Road, Nainital
Corbett Jungle Club
Decorated against the backdrop of beautiful Shivalik Ranges, Corbett Jungle Club is a 3 star facility that offers the perfect combo of scenic setting and luxurious rooms. The resort is spread across an area of more than 5 acres and offers rooms that come with amenities like attached bathroom, cable television, hot water and air conditioning. There are plenty of recreational facilities available too including swimming pool, playground, jungle safaris and a multi-cuisine restaurant.
Address: Corbett Fall Road, Ramnagar, Nainital
Corbett View Resort
There are three types of accommodation available in Corbett View Resort: Mud huts, AC huts and Machan rooms. Each and every room of the hotel is decorated with numerous amenities like attached bathroom, cable television, coffee maker, intercom and study table. Corbett View Resort also offers taxi services, doctor on call and parking facilities to guests.
Address: Village Dhela, Ramnagar, Nainital
Upscale
Corbett Aroma Havens
Located in the foothills of Himalayas, Corbett Aroma Havens is the perfect place to relax after a tiring jeep safari in Corbett National Park. The hotel offers air-conditioned cottages that come with attached bathrooms, cable television, telephone, music system and much more. The hotel also arranges adventure activities including hiking, rafting, paragliding and elephant safaris for its guests. Some of the other facilities offered to the guest are parking, laundry and doctor on call. If you are looking for a place to get pampered, this is where you should be heading.
Address: Village Dhikuli, Ramnagar, Nainital
Tiger Camp
Situated inside dense forest and decorated with rare wildlife, Tiger Camp is a treat for wildlife lovers. Tiger Camp offers more than 30 cottages and deluxe rooms and is equipped with a multi-cuisine restaurant that offers everything from Indian, Chinese to Continental cuisines. Rooms are extremely luxurious and come with attached bathroom, air conditioning, sofa set, phone, refrigerator, cable television and study table. The hotel also arranges beautiful jeep and elephant safaris for those who like to get up close with rare wildlife. Do make your reservation in advance.
Address: Village Dhikuli, Ramnagar, Nainital
The Den, Corbett
Rejuvenating spa centre, amazing restaurant and host of adventurous activities attract travelers to The Den. The hotel offers the perfect blend of luxury and economy and offers rooms that feature many amenities including attached bathroom, cable television, study table, sofa chair, geyser and much more. The hotel is famous for organizing adventure tours for its guests including bird watching tours, trekking, rafting, jeep safaris and camping adventures. Some of the other amenities offered are laundry, car parking, swimming pool, doctor on call and souvenir shop.
Address: Kumeria Reserve Forest, District Almora, Uttarakhand
Getting Here
By Plane
The nearest airport to Jim Corbett National Park is the Pantnagar Airport which is situated about 35 miles away. Travelers can board flights to major cities in India from the airport including Delhi, Lucknow and many more. From the airport passengers can board taxis or public buses to reach the Jim Corbett National Park.
By Train
The nearest railway station to the park is Ramnagar which is situated about 5 miles away. The station is well connected with all the major Indian cities and is also the last station for those traveling to Nainital. Those coming from Delhi can board the Ranikhet Express which operates regular trains and is famous for its excellent customer service. Do make sure that you book your train tickets well in advance as the train in this route are always packed.
By Road
Jim Corbett National Park is well connected by road with several private bus operators offering frequent services between Delhi-Ramnagar. Passengers can board the bus from ISBT, Anand Vihar in Delhi. Those looking for extra comfort can hire private taxis to cover the 175 miles distance between Corbett National Park and Delhi. Compare to flight and train, driving or taking a bus is much fun as you get to enjoy all the amazing views along the way.
Quick Travel Guide
Best time to Visit
The best time to visit Jim Corbett National Park is from 15 November to 15 June when all the forest zones including Dhikala, Bijrani and Durgadevi are open. The period is free of rain which means less chances of floods and no broken roads for tourists. For viewing tigers, the period between January and June is considered the best time. So book your date with Jim Corbett National Park during this season and get ready to experience the world of majestic wildlife and scenic natural beauty.
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