Visit to Corbett National Park

Corbett National Park is my favourite tourist destination since I first time visited there in 1984 when I was very young. I was so fascinated with the place, the virgin beauty of the jungle attracted me to that much extent, that I make it a point to visit there as and when I find the time.

Tourism zones in Jim Corbett National Park

For better tourism management and convenience of visitors Jim Corbett National Park has been divided into five tourism zones each having separate entry gate.

Tourism zone	Entry Gate
Dhikala	Dhangari
Jhirna	Khara,Kalagarh
Bijrani	Amadanda
Sonanadi	Vatanvasa
Domunda	Durgadevi

FOREST REST HOUSES IN JIM CORBETT NATIONAL PARK


Rest Houses in Dhikala Zone

Dhikala: Dhikala is the most well known of the destinations in Corbett. It is located at the edge of the broad Patli Dun valley through which the Ramganga flows in numerous channels. Dhikala offers an awesome uninterrupted panoramic view of the valley, with the Kanda ridge in the backdrop. This sight appears all the more imposing from the watchtower near Dhikala. The Tourist Complex overlooks Dhikala chaur (one of the largest remaining grasslands of the Park) and Phulai chaur. A drive through the numerous trails through chaurs is rewarded with sightings of wild elephants, chital, hog deer and numerous grassland bird species and raptors. The old rest house at Dhikala is a historic structure, having been built over a hundred years ago.

Sarapduli: This rest house lies on the Dhangarhi-Dhikala road. It is located downstream of Gairal on the flat southern bank of the Ramganga while the opposite northern bank rises steeply to a ridge. Movement of large mammals (tiger, elephant included) is quite high at Sarapduli. It is also a good place to see crocodiles and also good for birdwatching.

Sultan: Sultan is the first rest house during the drive from Dhangarhi to Dhikala. It is named after the Sultan Sot, the seasonal stream running through that area. It typifies dense forest area and is located in one of the best stretches in the Park.

Gairal: This rest house is reached by a short detour off the Dhangarhi-Dhikala main forest road. It lies on the banks of the Ramganga near the place where it first enters the Park. At Gairal the Ramganga portrays a different character than it does at places downstream (like Dhikala). Here, it is a crystal-clear, fast-flowing mountain river flowing through scenic forests. Being out of the way, Gairal presents ideal conditions for viewing wildlife and birds in tranquillity.

Khinnanauli: Located in the middle of Khinnanauli chaur, this rest house is an excellent tiger territory. It is one of the most recently built rest houses of Corbett. Its strategic location provides an easy getaway to various parts of the Park.

Kanda: Kanda lies in the northern part of the Park flanking the Himalayas. It is the highest rest house in the Park at about 1100 m. due to its elevation one can get a bird’s-eye view of the Park and the Ramganga valley below. While most of Corbett has a Shiwalik type of vegetation and topography, the forests at Kanda show characteristics that are Himalayan. The fauna also is typically Himalayan, with mammals like goral, Himalayan black bear and leopards occurring here. Although the road to Kanda is bumpy and narrow the surroundings are extremely serene.