rajaji national park, your wild escape in rishikesh's backyard

Beneath the shadow of the majestic Himalayas and along the course of the sacred Ganges is a wilderness paradise, Rajaji National Park, which is often ignored for its more famous neighbours. A sprawling sanctuary devoted to a variety of wildlife and vegetation offers something unique for the visitors of Rishikesh, the spiritual hub. Sitting at the very top of your itinerary, if you’re looking for a thrilling jungle adventure along with some serene natural surroundings, there’s Rajaji National Park in Rishikesh.

The wilderness beckons: discovering Rajaji National Park

The location of Haridwar, Dehradun and Pauri Garhwal districts of Uttarakhand, along with the ecosystem of Rajaji National Park act as a testimony to India's and especially Uttarakhand in the world of wildlife conservation. The park was formed in 1983 with the merger of three wildlife sanctuaries, Rajaji, Motichur and Chilla. In 2015 it was designated a Tiger Reserve - and named after C. Rajagopalachari, a well-known freedom fighter. It is  1075 sq. km in total (820 sq. km park area with a buffered zone).

What makes Rajaji National Park a must-visit?

1. A rich tapestry of wildlife: Rajaji is well known for its large population of Asian elephants and is thus a great place to watch Asian elephants in all of India. The park also offers safari sightings of elusive Bengal tigers and leopards. The Himalayan black bear, sloth bear sambar deer, spotted deer (cheetal), barking deer (kakar), nilgai, wild boar goral and primates, including langurs and rhesus macaques, are some other interesting mammals of the Garhwal Himalayas.

2. A birdwatcher's paradise: A paradise for the ornithologists with over 315 species of resident and migrant birds, Rajaji National Park is a dream come true. Look out for a super variety of raptors, including vultures and eagles, but also vibrant species like Indian Peafowl, Great Hornbill, Lesser Florican and many woodpeckers. 

3. Thrilling jeep safaris: The jeep safaris of Rajaji National Park are what most people go for, for the purpose of exploring Rajaji National Park. There are a number of safari zones within the park, each with a different charm and, of course, different wildlife spotting potential.

   • Chilla Range: Most frequently and famously, this is the area to watch elephants and an impressive list of deer. It is about 20 km from Rishikesh.

   • Motichur Range: This zone is characterised by dense sal forests which provide good chances to spot leopards and other mammals.

   • Ranipur Range: This zone has a blend of grasslands and small hills which are ideal for spotting various deer species and, once in a while, leopards.

   • Jhilmil Range: This buffer zone is a marshy grassland, a conservation reserve for Swamp Deer and a good place to go birdwatching.

   • Mohand/Chillawali Zone: This zone, which is near Dehradun, is increasingly known for leopard sightings.

Best time to visit Rajaji National Park

The park is normally open to the public from November 15th to July 15th each year. The best time to visit is from December to March when there are pleasant conditions to go for safaris. Winter (November to February), when wildlife sightings — specifically of elephants, tigers and leopards — are more common as animals come out looking for water and food. Safety and conservation are reasons why the park is closed during the monsoon season (mid–June to mid–November).

Proximity to Rishikesh: A perfect combination

One great advantage of Rajaji National Park is that it is near Rishikesh. The Chilla Range gate, off one of the main entry points, is hardly 20-25 km from Rishikesh so it is an easy day trip. The strategic location lets you leverage the spiritual centre as well as the adventurous part of your Uttarakhand trip.

Your best stay option in Rishikesh: Clarks Inn Express, Rishikesh

After spending a day in Rajaji National Park, you need comfortable and elegant accommodation where you can enjoy necessary amenities and warm hospitality while in a natural setting. Clarks Inn Express in Rishikesh is the best stay option for those not wanting to spend money on a hotel but would like an equally comfortable stay.

Clarks Inn Express is strategically located on Dehradun Road in Ashutosh Nagar which provides its guests a very short drive access to both the spiritual heart of Rishikesh and safari access to Rajaji National Park. Your wildlife adventures could not be more easily accessible for your enjoyment since Chilla Range is a very short drive.

Clarks Inn Express, Rishikesh is ideally located right in between Rishikesh and Rajaji National Park, and provides guests a comfortable and serene base to transition from the idyllic peace and spirituality of Rishikesh to the jungle and adventure for wildlife encounters.