Corbett — Travel Guide
Corbett (centered around the historic gateway of Ramnagar in Uttarakhand) is the legendary home of Jim Corbett National Park — India's oldest and most prestigious national park, established in 1936 as Hailey National Park and later renamed in honor of the revered author, hunter-turned-conservationist, and naturalist Jim Corbett. Nestled in the dramatic Shivalik foothills across Nainital and Pauri Garhwal districts, this sprawling 1,288 sq km tiger reserve stands as the proud birthplace of Project Tiger (launched in 1973).
The Magnificent Royal Bengal Tiger in its Natural Habitat — Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
Corbett is globally celebrated for boasting the highest density of Royal Bengal Tigers in the world, with over 250 majestic tigers roaming its virgin Sal forests, expansive Chaurs (open savannah grasslands), and glistening streams of the Ramganga and Kosi rivers. In addition to tigers, the reserve provides a thriving sanctuary for over 1,000 wild Asian Elephants, Indian Leopards, Sloth Bears, Sambar Deer, Hog Deer, Gharials, and an astonishing 600+ species of resident and migratory birds, earning it the reputation of an international ornithological paradise.
Divided into six distinct ecotourism safari zones — including the legendary Dhikala, Bijrani, Jhirna, Dhela, Garjiya, and Durga Devi — Corbett offers exhilarating open-top 4x4 Gypsy safaris, historic British-era colonial Forest Rest House night stays, and visits to sacred heritage landmarks like the rock-perched Maa Garjiya Devi Temple and the cascading Corbett Falls.
Located just 245 km from Delhi NCR, 80 km from Pantnagar Airport, and seamlessly connected by direct overnight express trains to Ramnagar Railway Station, Corbett is India's ultimate wilderness haven for wildlife photographers, luxury eco-resort travelers, and adventure enthusiasts.
Best Time to Visit Jim Corbett National Park:
Corbett offers distinct seasonal safari experiences throughout the year:
- November 15 to June 15 (Peak Wildlife & Tiger Sighting Season): The world-famous Dhikala and Bijrani zones are fully open during this period. Temperatures range between 10°C and 32°C in winter and spring, offering crystal-clear visibility and the highest probability of spotting Royal Bengal Tigers and wild elephants around natural river waterholes.
- October to February (Winter Wilderness & Bird Watching): Crisp sunny days and chilly nights with temperatures between 5°C and 25°C. Over 600 migratory bird species arrive in the Ramganga reservoir, making it the supreme season for birders and landscape photographers.
- July to September (Monsoon Ecotourism): Jhirna, Dhela, and Sitabani zones remain open year-round. Monsoons transform Corbett into a lush emerald jungle paradise with cascading seasonal waterfalls.
Official Safari Timings:
- Morning Safari: 6:00 AM to 9:30 AM (Winter) / 5:30 AM to 9:00 AM (Summer)
- Afternoon Safari: 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM (Winter) / 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM (Summer)
By Air:
The nearest domestic airport is Pantnagar Airport (Airport Code: PGH), situated approximately 80 km south of Corbett / Ramnagar (around 2 hours drive via Bazpur and Kashipur on smooth state highways). Pantnagar Airport connects regular scheduled flights from New Delhi (IGI) and Dehradun. Alternatively, New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is 245 km away, offering comprehensive global flight connectivity.
By Train:
Ramnagar Railway Station (Station Code: RMR) is the dedicated railhead for Jim Corbett National Park, located just 1 km from the tiger reserve reception counters. Key direct train connections include:
- Ranikhet Express (Train 15014): Convenient daily overnight express train from Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Gurgaon, and Delhi Cantt directly to Ramnagar.
- Corbett Park Link Express (Train 25014): Direct daily train connecting New Delhi / Old Delhi Junction (DLI) to Ramnagar in under 6 hours.
- Pre-paid taxis, gypsy operators, and luxury resort shuttle vehicles are readily available outside Ramnagar Railway Station.
By Road:
Corbett enjoys excellent multi-lane highway connectivity from Delhi NCR and major northern cities:
- From Delhi NCR (~245 km / 5 to 5.5 hours): Drive via the Delhi-Meerut Expressway (NE-3), NH-9 through Hapur, Moradabad bypass, and NH-309 through Kashipur and Ramnagar.
- State & Private Luxury Buses: Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) and private luxury Volvo AC coaches operate regular scheduled services from ISBT Anand Vihar, New Delhi, directly to Ramnagar Bus Stand.
Shopping and cultural souvenirs in Corbett are centered along Ramnagar Main Bazaar, Ranikhet Road, and the heritage craft centers near Kaladhungi:
- Handcrafted Wooden Wildlife Art & Pine Crafts: Beautiful hand-carved wooden tiger figurines, elephant statues, handcrafted walking sticks, and decorative pine cone home decor crafted by local Kumaoni artisans.
- Organic Pahadi Spices, Herbs & Honey: Pure wild multi-flora forest honey, authentic Himalayan rock salt (Pahadi Namak with roasted herbs), aromatic Jakhiya seeds, organic turmeric, and pure Buransh (rhododendron) squash.
- Corbett Wildlife Memorabilia & Books: Classic illustrated nature books by Jim Corbett (such as Man-Eaters of Kumaon), professional wildlife field guides, safari jungle hats, binoculars, and customized safari t-shirts.
- Traditional Kumaoni Sweets: Authentic Baal Mithai (roasted milk fudge coated with white sugar globules) and Singori (sweet khoya wrapped in aromatic Maalu leaves) from historic sweet shops in Ramnagar.
Must-Visit Places in Corbett
Jim Corbett National Park and its surrounding buffer valleys offer an extraordinary array of wildlife safari zones, historic forest lodges, sacred river temples, and nature cascades:
1. Dhikala Ecotourism Safari Zone & Ramganga River Valley
The crown jewel of Jim Corbett National Park, Dhikala Zone is world-renowned for its vast panoramic grasslands (Dhikala Chaur), dense Sal woodlands, and meandering Ramganga River reservoir. Dhikala offers unmatched wildlife sightings of Royal Bengal Tigers, wild elephant herds swimming across the river, and endangered Gharials basking on gravel banks. Open exclusively from November 15 to June 15, day visits are conducted via authorized open Canters, while wildlife enthusiasts can book coveted overnight stays in the historic 1890s British Forest Rest House.
Panoramic Morning Mist Over the Vast Grasslands of Dhikala Safari Zone, Corbett
2. Bijrani Safari Zone (Premier Tiger Tracking & Open Jeep Safari)
Located just 1 km from Ramnagar town, the Bijrani Ecotourism Zone is celebrated as the premier open-top 4x4 Gypsy safari zone for tiger tracking. Featuring a magnificent mix of dense Sal forests, wide riverbeds, and lush bamboo brakes, Bijrani offers exceptional wildlife sightings including Tigers, Leopards, Black Bears, Chital (spotted deer), and hundreds of vibrant forest birds. Morning and afternoon jeep safaris operate daily from mid-October to June end.
Royal Bengal Tiger Sighting on Forest Tracks in Bijrani Zone, Corbett
3. Jhirna & Dhela Ecotourism Safari Zones (Year-Round Safari Hub)
Situated in the southern boundary of the reserve, Jhirna Zone and the adjacent Dhela Zone remain open throughout the entire year (including the monsoon season). Characterized by deciduous scrub forests, open valleys, and natural waterholes, Jhirna is particularly famous for frequent sightings of Sloth Bears, Wild Elephants, Nilgai, and soaring Raptors.
4. Maa Garjiya Devi Temple (Sacred Rock Island on Kosi River)
Perched dramatically atop a massive standalone rock monolith in the middle of the rushing Kosi River (14 km from Ramnagar), the Garjiya Devi Temple is a revered Shakti Peeth dedicated to Goddess Parvati (Garjiya Devi). Devotees climb a flight of stone stairs surrounded by turquoise waters to seek blessings, with the temple drawing massive crowds during the grand annual Kartik Poornima fair.
Maa Garjiya Devi Sacred Rock Temple on the Kosi River, Ramnagar, Corbett
5. Corbett Waterfalls & Dense Teak Forest Nature Trail
Tucked away 25 km from Ramnagar on the Kaladhungi highway, Corbett Falls is a pristine 66-foot natural waterfall cascading into a crystal-clear plunge pool surrounded by dense, fragrant teak and Sal woods. A peaceful 1.5 km nature walking trail with wooden footbridges, picnic pavilions, and melodic bird calls leads to the falls, offering a refreshing eco-escape.
Corbett Waterfalls Cascading Through Dense Teak Forests Near Kaladhungi
6. Jim Corbett Heritage Museum (Kaladhungi Estate)
Located in Kaladhungi (30 km from Ramnagar), the Jim Corbett Heritage Museum is housed in the charming stone bungalow that was the winter ancestral home of legendary conservationist Jim Corbett. The museum preserves his personal belongings, handwritten manuscripts, original hunting photographs, antique furniture, and the famous letters detailing his man-eater tracking expeditions across Kumaon.
7. Durga Devi Ecotourism Safari Zone & Golden Mahseer Angling
Located 36 km northeast of Ramnagar along the Mandal River, Durga Devi Zone is a hilly mountainous safari sector known for dramatic river canyons, deep gorges, and lush elevation flora. It is an internationally famous habitat for the endangered Golden Mahseer fish and a paradise for birders seeking the Crested Laughingthrush, Great Hornbill, and Forktails.
8. Kosi River Adventure Corridor & Suspension Bridge
Flowing alongside the eastern fringe of Corbett National Park, the crystal-clear Kosi River serves as the premier hub for adventure activities including river rafting (during monsoon and post-monsoon), kayaking, cliff jumping, and bridge slithering. Luxury eco-resorts lining the riverbanks offer private pebble beach relaxation and tranquil bonfires under starlit Himalayan skies.
9. Sitabani Landscape & Valmiki Ashram (Mythological Forest Reserve)
Encompassing the peaceful buffer forest of the Shivalik foothills, Sitabani is steeped in Ramayana mythology as the forest hermitage where Goddess Sita spent her days of exile and gave birth to Luv and Kush. Visitors can enjoy open jeep safaris through Sitabani without the rigid permit caps of the core zone, encountering wild elephants, leopards, and over 400 species of avian life.
Wild Asian Elephant Herd Grazing in the Forested Shivalik Foothills of Corbett
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