Are you looking for a wild life weekend getaway that will take you closer to nature and its wonders? Do you want to experience the thrill of spotting wild elephants, tigers, leopards and other animals in their natural habitat? Do you want to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Himalayan foothills, the Ganga river and the lush green forests? If yes, then Rajaji National Park is the perfect destination for you. Rajaji National Park is one of the most diverse and pristine wildlife sanctuaries in India, located in the state of Uttarakhand. It is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, including some of the endangered and endemic species.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Rajaji National Park, from its history and features to its attractions and activities. Read on to find out why Rajaji National Park should be on your bucket list.
Why Visit Rajaji National Park
Rajaji National Park is not just a national park, but also a tiger reserve, a leopard habitat, an elephant corridor and a birding paradise. Here are some of the reasons why you should visit Rajaji National Park:
Wildlife Safari: Rajaji National Park offers you an opportunity to witness the wildlife in its natural glory. You can go for a jungle safari in one of the five zones of the park: Chaurasi Kutiya, Chilla, Motichur, Haridwar and Chillawali. Each zone has its own charm and attractions. You can spot wild elephants, tigers, leopards, deer, bears, monkeys, crocodiles and many more animals. You can also see some of the rare and endangered species such as the Himalayan black bear, the Asiatic elephant, the Bengal tiger and the king cobra. The park has over 500 species of birds, making it a heaven for birdwatchers. You can see colourful birds such as the great hornbill, the peacock, the kingfisher, the parakeet and the woodpecker. You can also hear their melodious songs and calls.
Flora and Fauna: Rajaji National Park is blessed with a diverse and rich flora and fauna. The park covers an area of 820 sq km, spanning across three districts of Uttarakhand: Haridwar, Dehradun and Pauri Garhwal. The park has three major rivers flowing through it: the Ganga, the Song and the Suswa. The park has a variety of ecosystems, such as tropical moist deciduous forests, riverine forests, scrublands, grasslands and wetlands. The park has over 1000 species of plants, including some of the medicinal and aromatic ones. You can see trees such as sal, shisham, khair, semal and bamboo. You can also see flowers such as orchids, lilies, roses and marigolds.
Yoga by the Ganga: Rajaji National Park is not only a place for wildlife lovers, but also for spiritual seekers. The park is located near Rishikesh, which is known as the yoga capital of the world. You can enjoy yoga by the banks of the holy Ganga river, which flows through the park. You can feel the peace and tranquility of nature as you practice yoga poses and breathing exercises. You can also meditate and relax your mind and body in the serene surroundings.
Ganga Aarti: Rajaji National Park is also a place for cultural enthusiasts. The park is located near Haridwar, which is one of the seven holy cities in India. You can witness the Ganga Aarti, which is a ritual performed every evening at Har ki Pauri ghat. You can see thousands of devotees offering prayers and lamps to the Ganga river, which is considered as a goddess in Hinduism. You can also join them in singing hymns and chants in praise of the river. You can feel the spiritual energy and vibrancy of the place as you watch the river glittering with lights.
How to Reach Rajaji National Park
Rajaji National Park is easily accessible from different cities by road, rail and air. Here are some of the ways to reach Rajaji National Park:
By Road: Rajaji National Park is well connected by road with major cities such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur and Lucknow. You can take a bus or a taxi from these cities to reach Rajaji National Park. The nearest bus station is at Haridwar, which is about 10 km from Chilla gate, the main entrance to the park. You can also drive your own car or bike to reach Rajaji National Park. The distance from Delhi to Rajaji National Park is about 230 km, which takes about 5 hours by road.
By Rail: Rajaji National Park is also well connected by rail with major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. You can take a train to Haridwar, which is the nearest railway station to Rajaji National Park. The distance from Haridwar to Rajaji National Park is about 10 km, which takes about 15 minutes by road. You can take a taxi or an auto rickshaw from Haridwar to reach Rajaji National Park.
By Air: Rajaji National Park is also well connected by air with major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. You can take a flight to Dehradun, which is the nearest airport to Rajaji National Park. The distance from Dehradun to Rajaji National Park is about 35 km, which takes about an hour by road. You can take a taxi or a bus from Dehradun to reach Rajaji National Park.
What to Know About Rajaji National Park
Rajaji National Park is not only a wildlife sanctuary, but also a historical and cultural site. Here are some of the things you should know about Rajaji National Park:
History: Rajaji National Park was established in 1983 by merging three wildlife sanctuaries: Chilla, Motichur and Rajaji. The park was named after C. Rajagopalachari, who was the last Governor-General of India and a freedom fighter. He was also known as Rajaji, and was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour in India, in 1954.
Tiger Reserve: Rajaji National Park was declared as a tiger reserve in 2015, making it the second tiger reserve in Uttarakhand after Corbett National Park. The park has a population of about 50 tigers, which are monitored by camera traps and patrolling teams. The park also has a tiger conservation plan, which aims to protect and increase the tiger population and habitat in the park.
Park Rules and Regulations: Rajaji National Park has some rules and regulations for visitors, which are meant to ensure the safety and conservation of the wildlife and the environment. Some of the rules and regulations are:
- The park is open from November to June, and closed during monsoon.
- The park timings are from 6 am to 10 am and from 2 pm to 6 pm.
- The entry fee for Indian nationals is Rs. 150 per person, and for foreign nationals is Rs. 600 per person.
- The safari fee for Indian nationals is Rs. 800 per vehicle, and for foreign nationals is Rs. 1500 per vehicle.
- The safari vehicles are provided by the park authorities, and no private vehicles are allowed inside the park.
- The safari vehicles can accommodate up to six persons, excluding the driver and the guide.
- The safari bookings can be done online or at the park gate, subject to availability.
- The visitors should carry their identity proof and booking confirmation with them.
- The visitors should follow the instructions of the driver and the guide, and not disturb or harm the wildlife or the environment.
- The visitors should not litter or make noise inside the park.
- The visitors should not carry any weapons, alcohol, drugs or firecrackers inside the park.
- The visitors should not feed or touch any animals or plants inside the park.
Where to Stay in Rajaji National Park
Rajaji National Park offers you a range of options for staying in the park, from forest rest houses to log huts to resorts. Here are some of the options for staying in Rajaji National Park:
Forest Rest Houses: Rajaji National Park has four forest rest houses, which are located at Chilla, Ranipur, Beribara and Kunao. These rest houses are managed by the forest department, and offer basic amenities such as beds, toilets, electricity and water. These rest houses are ideal for those who want to experience the wilderness and solitude of the park. The tariff for these rest houses ranges from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 2000 per night, depending on the season and availability.
Log Huts: Rajaji National Park has two log huts, which are located at Chilla and Kunao. These log huts are made of wood and bamboo, and offer comfortable amenities such as beds, toilets, electricity, water and heaters. These log huts are ideal for those who want to enjoy the rustic charm and cozy atmosphere of the park. The tariff for these log huts ranges from Rs. 3000 to Rs. 4000 per night, depending on the season and availability.
Resorts: Rajaji National Park has several resorts near its vicinity, which offer luxurious amenities such as rooms, cottages, tents, swimming pools, spas, restaurants and bars. These resorts are ideal for those who want to indulge in the comfort and luxury of the park. The tariff for these resorts ranges from Rs. 5000 to Rs. 10000 per night, depending on the season and availability. Some of the popular resorts near Rajaji National Park are:
V Resorts Rajaji National Park: This resort is located at Ganga Bhogpur, about 15 km from Chilla gate. It offers spacious rooms, cottages and tents with modern amenities and views of the forest and the river. It also has a swimming pool, a spa, a restaurant and a bar. It also organizes activities such as jungle safari, birding, rafting, cycling and yoga.
Wild Brook Retreat: This resort is located at Pachwadoon Valley, about 25 km from Chilla gate. It offers cozy cottages and tents with rustic amenities and views of the hills and the stream. It also has a dining area, a library, a bonfire and a barbecue. It also organizes activities such as jungle safari, birding, trekking, fishing and meditation.
The Forrest: This resort is located at Rishikesh Road, about 20 km from Chilla gate. It offers elegant rooms, cottages and villas with contemporary amenities and views of the garden and the pool. It also has a swimming pool, a spa, a restaurant and a lounge. It also organizes activities such as jungle safari, birding, rafting, bungee jumping and camping.
What to Do in Rajaji National Park
Rajaji National Park offers you a range of activities and attractions that will make your visit memorable and enjoyable. Here are some of the things you can do in Rajaji National Park:
Jungle Safari: Jungle safari is the main attraction of Rajaji National Park, as it gives you a chance to explore the wilderness and spot the wildlife. You can choose from five zones of the park: Chaurasi Kutiya, Chilla, Motichur, Haridwar and Chillawali. Each zone has its own charm and attractions. You can book your safari online or at the park gate, subject to availability. The safari timings are from 6 am to 10 am and from 2 pm to 6 pm. The safari fee for Indian nationals is Rs. 800 per vehicle, and for foreign nationals is Rs. 1500 per vehicle. The safari vehicles are provided by the park authorities, and no private vehicles are allowed inside the park. The safari vehicles can accommodate up to six persons, excluding the driver and the guide. You should carry your identity proof and booking confirmation with you.
Birding: Birding is another attraction of Rajaji National Park, as it boasts of over 500 species of birds, making it a heaven for birdwatchers. You can see colourful birds such as the great hornbill, the peacock, the kingfisher, the parakeet and the woodpecker. You can also hear their melodious songs and calls. You can go for birding in any of the zones of the park, but some of the best places are Chaurasi Kutiya, Beribara and Kunao. You should carry your binoculars and camera with you.
Trekking: Trekking is another activity that you can enjoy in Rajaji National Park, as it offers you an opportunity to experience the beauty and diversity of the park. You can go for trekking in any of the zones of the park, but some of the best trails are Chaurasi Kutiya to Kunao (12 km), Chilla to Motichur (8 km) and Motichur to Haridwar (15 km). You should wear comfortable shoes and clothes, carry water and snacks with you.
Ganga Aarti: Ganga Aarti is another attraction that you can witness near Rajaji National Park, as it is a ritual performed every evening at Har ki Pauri ghat in Haridwar. You can see thousands of devotees offering prayers and lamps to the Ganga river, which is considered as a goddess in Hinduism. You can also join them in singing hymns and chants in praise of the river. You can feel the spiritual energy and vibrancy of the place as you watch the river glittering with lights.
Nearby Destinations to Explore
Rajaji National Park is not only a wildlife sanctuary, but also a gateway to some of the most popular and beautiful destinations in Uttarakhand. Here are some of the nearby destinations that you can explore along with Rajaji National Park:
Rishikesh: Rishikesh is a city located about 20 km from Rajaji National Park, on the banks of the Ganga river. It is known as the yoga capital of the world, as it has many ashrams and centres that offer yoga and meditation courses. It is also a hub for adventure sports, such as rafting, bungee jumping, camping and hiking. You can visit some of the famous attractions in Rishikesh, such as Lakshman Jhula, Ram Jhula, Triveni Ghat, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple and Beatles Ashram.
Haridwar: Haridwar is a city located about 10 km from Rajaji National Park, on the banks of the Ganga river. It is one of the seven holy cities in India, as it is believed to be the place where the Ganga descended from heaven to earth. It is also a place of pilgrimage, as it hosts the Kumbh Mela, which is the largest religious gathering in the world. You can visit some of the famous attractions in Haridwar, such as Har ki Pauri, Mansa Devi Temple, Chandi Devi Temple and Bharat Mata Mandir.
Dehradun: Dehradun is a city located about 35 km from Rajaji National Park, at the foothills of the Himalayas. It is the capital of Uttarakhand, and a centre of education, culture and tourism. It is also a gateway to some of the hill stations and valleys in Uttarakhand, such as Mussoorie, Dhanaulti and Chakrata. You can visit some of the famous attractions in Dehradun, such as Robber’s Cave, Sahastradhara, Tapkeshwar Temple and Forest Research Institute.
Conclusion
Rajaji National Park is a wildlife paradise in Uttarakhand, that offers you a range of experiences and attractions that will make your visit unforgettable. You can enjoy wildlife safari, birding, yoga by the Ganga, Ganga aarti and trekking in Rajaji National Park. You can also explore nearby destinations such as Rishikesh, Haridwar and Dehradun along with Rajaji National Park.
So what are you waiting for? Book your trip to Rajaji National Park with Tripoto today and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime.
