WEEKEND GATEWAYS FROM DELHI: Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand)

“The oldest National Park in India”Jim Corbett National Park Tourism

Overview:

Corbett National Park, set amidst the foothills of Himalayas, houses a variety of flora and fauna including rare ones such as tigers, and is a treat for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.

The oldest National Park in India, Jim Corbett National Park was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park and is home to the critically endangered species of the Royal Bengal Tiger.

Located in the foothills of the Himalayas and along the banks of Ramaganga River, it is home to around 50 species of trees, 580 bird species, and 50 species of animals along with 25 reptile species spread over an area of more than 500 sq km covering riverine belts, hills, marshy depressions, lakes, streams, and grasslands. The Park is divided into 5 zones namely Bijrani, Dhikala, Jhirna, Domunda, and Sonanandi and all of them have different gates. A visit to Corbett National Park is incomplete without a jungle safari, so make sure you go for a safari.

 

Places to Visit:

1. Jungle Safari:

Covering a vast area of the ecologically rich and diverse foothills of the Himalayas, the Jim Corbett National Park, part of the enormous and all-inclusive Corbett Tiger Reserve.

The coexistence of the resident animals, birds, and reptiles with the vast ecosphere combining the ravines and ridges of the lesser Himalayas with the subtropical and deciduous forests and minor streams makes it worth spending a good chunk of the day traversing the area.

The only permissible way to do so is to avail of the safari services offered at the park. There are five safari zones in the Corbett National park: the Bijrani zone, the Jhirna zone, the Durgadevi zone, the Dhela zone, and the Dhikala zone. Additionally, the Corbett Tiger Reserve also holds the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as the Sitabani Zone, though this falls outside the Corbett National Park.

There are three types of Safaris one can opt for to explore these zones: the Canter Safari, the Jeep Safari, and the Elephant Safari.

The safaris need to be an essential part of the visit to this park if one wishes to see the exquisite species of animals like the Royal Bengal Tiger, jackal, wild boar, Himalayan bear, elephant, barking deer, sambar deer, hog deer, Sloth, Himalayan goral and many other species of animals, birds, and reptiles roaming about naturally in this protected area.

The safaris are organized once in the morning and the evening, and each zone has a restriction on the number of vehicles allowed within at a given point in time. Due to the varied topography of the region, the safaris are limited to the sunshine period of the day. This makes it easier for tourists to notice scampering wildlife as well.

2. Elephant Ride in Corbett National Park:

Often enjoyed as safaris, these gentle animals are up for a tour in the Bijrani, Khinanauli, Gairal, Jhirna, and Dhikala regions.

3. Corbett Waterfall:

This 66 ft. high waterfall is a sight to witness, especially on full-moon nights. Nature lovers often camp and come on a picnic near this falls. This place is surrounded by dense forests and offers a very serene environment.

4. River Rafting:

River rafting in the Kosi is one of the most beautiful ways to enjoy the speedy waters. Some adventure water sports are also organized on the river.

5. Garija Temple:

Dedicated to Goddess Parvati, Garjia Devi temple perched atop a huge rock in the midst of Kosi River is also home to the deities of Baba Bhairon, Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, and Goddess Saraswati. A large fair is conducted in the temple on Karthik Poornima.

6. Angling (Fishing) in Corbett:

The catchment area of Kosi offers many Fishing camps and is popular for Mahseer fishing.

7. Others:

• Corbett Museum
• Dhikala
• KosiRever
• Sitabani Temple
• GyanYatra

 

Events in Jim Corbett National Park:

Tiger Spotting at Corbett-National-Park

December – May

The oldest tiger reserve in India, Corbett comprises marshes, hills, riverine belts, and lakes. The best chance to get a spotting of the elusive Tiger is during the winter months. You should avoid going during monsoons as most zones are closed, and even the ones which are open are subject to cancellation depending upon weather conditions.

 

Best time to visit Jim Corbett National Park:

• October to February is a good time to Visit in Jim Corbett National Park in Winter
• June to August is a good time to Visit in Jim Corbett National Park in Monsoon
• March to May is a good time to Visit in Jim Corbett National Park in Summer.

 

How to Reach:

How to Reach Jim Corbett National Park by Flight

Jim Corbett doesn’t have an airport of its own. The nearest airport to the town is the Dehradun Airport, Uttrakhand, located at a distance of 156 km from NH34. Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, is the second nearest and the major airport, located at a distance of 243 km.

Flights from all over the country fly down to Delhi airport, and a number of them also go down to Dehradun Airport. These airports are further linked to Jim Corbett by the means of roadways, with a road journey of a maximum of 5 hours between two cities. The airplane is one of the most preferred options by the tourists keeping in mind the convenience and the time taken by the mode to complete the journey.

Nearest Airport: Dehradun – 123 km from Jim Corbett National Park

How to Reach Jim Corbett National Park by Road

Roadways are one of the most preferred options for tourists to travel down to Jim Corbett. Instead of a private taxi, jeeps are widely popular amongst tourists to explore Jim Corbett, for the convenience it gives in the area. Many buses, ranging from Government to Private and AC to Sleeper, ply down to Corbett from Delhi, Ramnagar, Dehradun, Gaushala, and Kotdwar, the major connecting links to Corbett. Roadways are the most direct way to make it to Jim Corbett.

 

How to Reach Jim Corbett National Park by Train

The three major railheads located in the proximity of Jim Corbett are Ramnagar, Gaushala, and Kotdwar at a distance of 86 km, 69 km, and 110 km respectively. Some trains from several adjoining areas come down to these stations, thus offering better connectivity to the tourists for reaching Jim Corbett. Regular bus services and taxi/jeep services are available from these cities to help visitors travel down to Jim Corbett quickly.