Jim Corbett tourism and travel guide

Corbett: In line with increasing tourists` influx, and with the aim of promoting eco-tourism, Corbett National Park has been well facilitated with all modes of transportation. Be it any mode of transportation- rail, road, and airway-reaching to Corbett National Park has been eased out for tourists’ privileged, catering to their comforts.

Click on the low downs for a well-planned travel blueprint to Corbett.

How to Reach Corbett by Airways

How to Reach Corbett by Railways

How to Reach Corbett by Road

The nearest Airstrip serving Corbett National Sanctuary is at Phoolbag (Pantnagar), 80 km from the park. Currently, Pantnagar Airport has charter flight facilities from Mumbai and Delhi available for business class. Flight arrangement for general passengers has been terminated currently by Jagsons Airlines with the hope to revive the facilities soon. The major air link for tourists coming from northern parts of India is at Dehradun and Lucknow. Preferably, passengers availing flight from within India, or other parts of the world, should land down either to Palam Airport (domestic) or to Indira Gandhi International Airport (International), New Delhi, accordingly. Both the airports have well-facilitated air links within as well as outside India. 

Note: There are no flights operational from Delhi to Pantnagar currently. For more details please contact Pantnagar Airport on 91-5944-233760 

The nearest railhead to Corbett is Ramnagar, this is 51 km from Dhikala

There are many options for tourists traveling by road. Since Corbett National Park falls in an accessible circuit of 300 km from Delhi, there are many easily available ways to reach the National Park.

Traveling to Corbett on road is a fantabulous experience. The National Park is well linked by state and national highways.

An enormous wilderness all along, the mellifluous notes of cuckoo’s song in the woods, the gentle whistle of crisp clean air, rustling leaves… Corbett National Park is just not about tigers, but a lot more… How about meeting elephant cows and shaking hands with untamed tuskers, deciphering tweeters of the birds and skipping a beat on hearing the roars…Take an off from maddening city rush and gear your ways to the wildest natural haven on earth- The Corbett National Park.

Buffer Zone: Corbett Tiger Reserves covers a colossal area of 1318.54 sq km in total and is segregated in two parts: the Core area (520.82 sq km) and Buffer Area (792 sq km). Corbett Buffer Zone spans from reserves forests and Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and constitutes 19 villages in all. Unlike reserve area, it is the lesser-known delights, alongside Main Park, underlined with an official title—the Buffer Zone. Interestingly, unlike the main park Buffer Zone area only two modes of transport—four-legged (elephant safari) and another four-wheeled (jeep) are allowed—the buffer zone allows only walking. This surrounding area to the park can be strolled on foot `unencumbered`. Not to be missed, the buffer zone is loaded with nature`s wonders and borders the main attraction of the park. Of all the major avian species found in Corbett and areas abutting Corbett, the buffer zone shelters around 600 species of birds, most of which are migratory birds. Sprawling with vast acres of wilderness, dotted with villages and sunrays filtering amidst the tall sal woods, it is truly magical to go a walk on the lanes here. And, there is no better way to bird watching than this. 

Dhikala: One of the gateways to Corbett National Park, Dhikala happens to be a tempting attraction at Corbett, just at 40 km northwest of Ramnagar. Situated on the edge of Patlidun Valley, Dhikala is punctuated by the concurrence of Ramganga River channels and is known to be the largest and most popular grassland of the park. Cloaked with vast grassland, it proves to be a great spot for wildlife viewing. To top the beauty strokes at Dhikala, the Kanda ridges provide a breathtaking backdrop here. To have an awesome view of the place one can watch it from the watchtower near Dhikala. 

It can be accessed through Dhangarhi Gate and is not open to those who have a permit to stay overnight in one of the Forest Rest Houses. The Tourist Complex overlooks Dhikala Chaur (one of the largest remaining grasslands of the Park) and Phulai Chaur. A walk or drive through these trails makes you see some of the prized wildlife possessions like elephants, chital, hog deer and numerous grassland bird species and raptors. All seen and done you can’t ignore the beauty of old Forest Rest House, constructed by Britishers long, long ago. 

Bijrani: An excellent hunting ground of the erstwhile British rulers, Bijrani is another place that permits day visits. Its landscape comprises dry forest vegetation with diverse flora and fauna species. The area falling under Bijrani is inundated with pocket-sized water bodies generally referred to as Tal- a Hindi version for streams and water bodies. Dotted with Mailani Tal and Phul Tal and many seasonal ponds like Kithcher Sot, Reethapani Sot, Khina Sot & Malani Sot, Bijrani attracts lot of wildlife residents like sambar, deer, chital, para, barking deer, India python, viper, cobra, krait, and the dreaded king cobra and various type of lizards. Alongside this, it throws chances to spot tigers, elephants. Drawn in by sweet nectar of Mahua flowers, the sloth bears and normal bears are often found in an intoxicated state after they consume Mahua. Nature Beckons!!! 

Jhirna: Commonly known for its Forest Rest House, Jhirna is extensive grassland with much drier vegetation than that found in Bijrani. The whole of Jhirna can be accessed from Amanda gate and if you intend to find the Forest Rest House, located within, you must proceed on the southern boundary of the park, on the road from Ramnagar to Kalagarh that spans through the east-west direction of the park. In much similar pulse to Bijrani, Jhirna too is decked with perennial and seasonal sots and gorges running across it. Watching toward the north of Jhirna tourists can find a picturesque scene of thick bamboo plantations. There are quite bright chances to spot leopards, tigers, sambar, and other mammals too. Jhirna treasures flocks of avifauna species seen mostly in the evenings. 

Crocodile Pool: A vast pool of clean freshwater, Crocodile Pool is a breeding area of crocs and many other reptile species. It happens to fall en route the elephant safari path and is a must-see place for wildlife enthusiasts. It is situated on the short cut path from Gairal to other Rest House on the west of the pool. The view is appealing with a balcony like natural construction to it, which provides an elevated look to the pool inhabited by the crocodiles. The sight of crocodiles lying by the pool and inside the water is both attention capturing and scary! One can easily spot male members because of its giant size. Some claim he is almost 18 feet from the tip of his snout to the tip of his tail. The pool also has many muggers, Mahseer carps and giant catfishes. The area near the stream and closer to upstream is inhabited by small fishes. Also, if lucky enough you can spot the happy-go-lucky elephants cooling off in the water. Beware of not playing or nearing the water as crocs are very receptive to their baits above water. 

Gettheryo: Gettheryo is the name of the riverbed located toward the west of Khinnanauli nearing Sambar Trail. To reach to Gettheryo you must take the right of the forked path that comes 200 yards off the Sambar Trail. It is a huge stretch of dry land and rocky riverbed, inundated by seasonal stream water throughout. There is a high possibility of seeing tigers and elephants here. Often, one can spot herd and pack of animals drinking water nearby. Sitting on the bank of the stream and nearby water body zero in chances of viewing animals and beautiful locale decked with many twisting streams and elongated islands of Khair Sissoo trees. 

Dhangarhi Museum: Located at Dhangarhi, the museum at Dhangarhi is a good stoppage for watching one-time wildlife species. The museum has glass boxes containing the head of tigers and elephants, killed in the fight long back. 

Note: Entry Fee is Rs 5 for Indians and Rs 10 for foreigners. Children below 5 are exempted from paying the fee and children in the age group of 5-12 years are charged a nominal fee of Rs 1. Photography is permitted in the museum without any extra charge. 

Kaladhungi Museum: Placed at a distance of 3 km after Kaladhungi town toward Nainital, opposite to the crossroad from where the road moves to Nainital via Khurptal, the Kaladhungi Museum is a place worth visiting. A hunt for historians, backpackers, and travelers, Kaladhungi Museum is also Jim Corbett’s winter retreat displaying personal articles, paintings, sketches, manuscripts and last hunt of its owner. The whole of the museum is a historical site that lends an insight into Jim Corbett’s life and era he lived in. 

The bungalow is of lime mortar color and has preserved many personal items such as original manuscripts artifacts, palanquin (doli) and letters written by Corbett. The edifice was converted and declared as a museum by the Forest Department of India in 1967 and thereon is considered as a Government property. Interestingly, one can find a souvenir (Mothi Souvenir) shop attached to the museum; it has a dial-up internet facility. 

Note: Entry Fee is Rs 5 for Indians and Rs 10 for foreigners. Children below 5 are exempted from paying the fee and children in the age group of 5-12 years are charged a nominal fee of Rs 1. The visiting time is 7.00 am – 6.00 pm and the museum remains closed on Sunday. The kaladhungi museum observes no holidays except that of Holi, in the month of March. The best time to visit is the months of January through March. Photography is permitted in the museum without any extra charge. 

Corbett Falls: Go ahead 3 km from Kalahandi and you will be welcomed by nature’s sound of water. Yes, you are at Corbett Falls. Visiting the fall might put your idea of Kempty Fall on a stake as it is much enticing than Kempty Falls of Mussoorie. The cool clear water cascading from a height is a beauty worth admiring. Above all, the passage that leads you to the Fall will mesmerize you much before you reach there. The 1.7 km long path with chirping and flights of birds send you a clarion call for heaven ahead. Corbett Fall is undoubtedly beautiful; rustling leaves and killing silence definitely charm every visitor here. 

Note: Entry Fees is Rs 5.00 for Indians and Rs 10 for foreigners. Photography is allowed free of cost. Bathing is permitted but be careful of slippery-moss-gathered stones as they might make you slip.

We have zeroed on 10 activities which in our opinion is an absolute must if you happen to be in the Corbett National Park. Take your pick from the following: 

Jim Corbett National Park has facilities for food and restaurants within the park. There are four eateries, namely Gairal Forest Rest House, Bijrani Tourist Complex Restaurant, Dhikala Tourist Complex Restaurant, and Dhikala Canteen and Grocery Store. The food here is prepared hygienically and is less spicy. In some Guest Houses, where food is not available, cooking utensils and crockery are provided to the visitors.  

Dhikala Canteen and Grocery Store: A famous and favorite canteen with park visitors, the canteen offers delicious dishes with “Aloo-ka-paranthas” being the specialty of the canteen. The canteen is set against a beautiful backdrop and the food quality is well and hygienically prepared.

 

Bijrani Tourist Complex Restaurant: The restaurant in Bijrani is quiet well-equipped and food quality and the menu remains the same as the Dhikala Tourist complex Restaurant. Some times customers here have to wait for a long time before getting their chance.

 

Dhikala Tourist Complex Restaurant: This is a wonderful restaurant offering a variety of dishes along with a couple of Chinese dishes. The restaurant is a little expensive than the others in Corbett.

 

Gairal Forest Rest House: The canteen is recently constructed and the specialty of this canteen is "poori bhaji". It is a great help for people staying in Gairal Forest House as they can get food easily. The menu is quite similar to that of the Dhikala restaurant. 

 

Ramnagar Restaurants: Ramnagar is a small-time place and doesn’t offer much to its visitors with respect to mouthwatering dishes. The restaurants in Ramnagar are plebian and serve standard Butter-Chicken-Biryani-Shahi-Paneer within a fair price range. The best places to try would be hotels where one is staying and places around it. Besides, the best two picks are Gol Ghar (multi-cuisine) at the Infinity Resort and Jim`s Grill House (Continental) at the Corbett Hideaway.

Situated in Northern India, Jim Corbett National Park experiences extreme climate with three different seasons: summer, winter, and monsoon. 

Summer Season in Corbett

Summer Temperature: 20°C to 40°C

Summer months onsets from March onwards, lasting till middle June. The temperature during the summers reaches 40 degrees and beyond on days. Days are scorching hot whereas evening can bring some respite with occasional thunderstorms and rains. 

Rainfall: 1400 mm - 2800 mm

Monsoon month commences from mid-June and, generally, closes during October after a drenching shower. Normally, the rains showers bring remittance from heat and dust. During these months, the park remains closed from June 16th to Nov 16th every year due to the risk of heavy floods and animal mating season. The dense jungle region and greenery make the whole area susceptible to humidity; this may rise as high as 98% during monsoon. Weather remains sultry and uncomfortable. 

Winter Temperature: 5°C to 30°C

Winters oncoming can be felt between October ends and mid-November. Temperature drops can be expected below 5 degrees in this season. Drop-in humidity by 50% soothes the monsoon sultry, and the days remain warm and sunny. Winter nights have low temperatures and are airy as cold mountain waves lower the temperature significantly.

With an area of 521 sq km and more than 75-year-old history, Corbett National Park is India’s wild pride. Having celebrated its diamond jubilee recently, Corbett is considered as a ‘jewel in the crown’ of India. Established in the year 1936, Corbett National Park is an awesome sanctuary which has Ram Ganga River along the upper Ganges as its core and Himalayan Mountain as its backdrop. Located in the Nainital district of Uttrakhand, the park is the mammoth reservoir of endangered Bengal tiger and part of Patlidun Valley. Better known as “Corbett National Park & Tiger Reserve”, the main target is preserving royal tigers of Bengal. Spanning across a huge area, the park shelters many endangered species: 50 mammal species, 549 bird species, and 26 reptile species. Amidst these treasured charms of hariyali (greenery) and dense jungles, Corbett displays a unique allure of being India’s first and foremost National Park.

Since its establishment in 1936, the park has changed several names before finally taking its honor as Corbett National Park. Initially, the park was named as Hailey National Park, covering not-so-wide areas of 323.75 sq km, followed by another renaming as Ramganga National Park in the year 1954–55 and finally as Corbett National Park in 1955-56 by the angrez (British).

Corbett Tiger Reserve has an area of 1300 sq km covering forest, hills, and grassland that is fed by the frisky river. It has a biodiversity that is rich and rare. The ambiance is a simple retreat for city dwellers and wildlife lovers, far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Corbett is, in fact, a large valley with a long axis from east to west, with an elevation ranging from 400 meters to 1210, meters. The park teems with 110 species of trees, 51 shrubs, 27 of climbers, 37 kinds of grass and bamboos. Some of the prime plantations that catch one’s attention are haldu adina cardifolia, pipal ficus religiosa, rohini mallotus philipensis, and mango Mangifera indica are also commonly found. Sheesham dalbergia sissoo is found along the Ramganga River.

Other common and trees of important uses are Rohini, mainly converted to vermillion or sindoor, used by women on their foreheads. Kattha, which is used for chewing with a beetle (paan) in India, is also found here. This is a good herb used for a mouth infection. Bel, a hard-shelled fruit grows quite wild here. Trees like amla and Sanjana are also found growing abundantly in the jungle riches. The park is noticeable for its sal, bakli, khweta, pula, dhauri, bhilawa, ber, papri, Mumbai, manhwa, trichoniya, Rohani, and Jamun.

The silence of jungles, flora and highly favorable climate spells magic on wildlife species in Corbett, for Corbett is kneaded with innumerable wildlife species. Presently, 549 species of birds, 26 reptile species, 50 mammal species, and 7 species of amphibians are housed in the sanctuary. Besides the regular species found in the dense jungles, there are many species like elephants, tigers chitals, sambars, hog deer and barking deer, crocodiles, gharials, monitor lizards, wild boars, and jackals. Also found are nocturnals like the leopard cat, jungle cat, fishing cat, and sloth bear, Himalayan black bear. Some of the small residents of the park are dhole, Himalayan palm civet, Indian gray mongoose, common otter, black napped hare, and porcupine. Along the Ramganga River, one can spot fish-eating crocodiles and mugger crocodiles. The Langur and rhesus monkeys are well distributed through the park.