Rajaji National Park in Rishikesh – Chilla Park, Wild Life Tour Rishikesh, India

Raja Ji National Park is one of the biggest parks in north India situated at the meeting point of Himalayan foothills and Indo Gangetic plains, the venue for migratory birds from world over. The core zone & one of the main gates of the national park is Chilla. Chilla is 17 kms from Rishikesh on the east western side.

Rajaji is one of northern India’s major wildlife reserves and the best places to see the fauna and flora of the terai region and spread over an area of 820.42 sq km. The park named after the great freedom fighter Late Sri C. Rajgopalachari; popularly known as "Rajaji" was created after joining the three sanctuaries in the Western UP, Shivaliks - Rajaji, Motichur and Chilla into a large protected area in the year 1983. Rajaji National Park is distinct for its pristine scenic beauty and rich bio-diversity and it’s a paradise for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, the ecosystem of the park is adorned with Elephants, Tigers, Leopards, Deer and Ghorals as its best known life forms. Rajaji Park is the best place to see 23 mammal’s species and 315 species of bird including pea fowl, woodpeckers, pheasants, kingfishers and barbets, supplemented by a number of migratory species during the winter months.

Rajaji is a magnificient ecosystem nestled in the Shivalik ranges and the beginning of the vast Indo–Gangetic plains, thus representing vegetation of several distinct zones and forest types like sal forests, riverine forests, board–leaved mixed forests, scrubland and grassy.

Location:

Rajaji National Park is situated along the hills and foothills of Shivalik ranges in the Himalayan foothills and represents the Shivalik eco-system. On the map it is located between Haridwar (Latitude 290 56’ 40”) and Dehradun (Latitude 300 20’ North) and 790 80’ E Longitude (Dehradun 780 01’ 15” E (Ramgarh), Chillawali- 770 54’ 30” East).

Key Factors:

State: Uttarakhand / Uttaranchal
Climate: The climate is pleasant through out the year.
Minimum Temperature: 13.1°C;
Maximum Temperature: 38.9°C.
Summer: Max. 42°C;
Winter: Min O°C.
Area: 820.42 sq km.
Travel Tips: Consult the Doctor before you leave for the trip. Get enough information about the place you are going to visit.
Best Time to Visit: 15th November to 15th June.
Nearest Town: Rishikesh (6 km).

Accessibility (How to Reach):

Rajaji National park is accessible from many directions by road, rail and air. The national capital is just only 231 km distant from the park. Bus services and overnight trains are available for Dehradun and Haridwar from Delhi and Lucknow.

The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, at Dehradun, while the most convenient railheads are Haridwar and Dehradun. Both have railway connections to the rest of the country.

* International Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport (231 km).
* Airport: 38 km from Jolly Grant Airport
* Railways: Haridwar (8 km) & Dehradun (24 km).
* Road: The Park is easily accessible from Haridwar, Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Mussoorie.

Following are the main roads by which one can go to the different areas of Rajaji Park:

1) Dehradun Delhi State Highway: It almost forms the western boundary of Rajaji Park. Mohand is the important station on this road where a forest road goes inside the park.

2) Dehradun, Doiwala, Rishikesh, Haridwar State Highway: This is the most convenient road. By this road one can go to the Ramgarh, Motichur, Kunao and Chila Forests of Rajaji Park.

3) Moradabad, Haridwar State Highway: This is a connecting road between Lucknow-Delhi highway and Haridwar. By this road one can go to the Chila, Gohri, Ranipur forests and forest areas adjoining Haridwar of the Rajaji Park.

For easy approach and access, there are several entry gates to the park given below:

Name of Entry Gate	Approach Town and Distance Gate	Route
Ramgarh Gate	From Dehradun 14 km	Delhi-Dehradun highway via Clement Town.
Mohand Gate	From Dehradun 25 km	Delhi-Dehradun highway
Ranipur Gate	From Haridwar 9 km	Haridwar-BHEL Mohand Road
Motichur Gate	From Haridwar 9 km	Haridwar-Rishikesh or Dehradun Haridwar Highway
Chila Gate	From Haridwar 9 km	Via private bus route to Rishikes
Kunao Gate	From Rishikesh 6 km	Via private bus route on Rishikesh-Pashulok route
Laldhang Gate	From Kotdwara 25 km	Via private bus route to Kotdwara Chila

Venture into the Rajaji National Park:

Elephant Rides are conducted in morning and evening. So get ready well in time to book one. Ride through the magnificent ecosystem of Rajaji National Park nestled in the Shivalik ranges and the beginning of the vast Indo – Gangetic plains. This varied topography represents vegetation of several distinct zones and forest types like Sal forests, Reverine forests, Board-leaved mixed forests, scrubland and grassland. In Rajaji you will see as many as 23 species of mammals and 315 birds’ species. The abundance of nature’s bounties heaped in and around this park, is bound to beckon a large number of wildlife conservationists, nature lovers and environmentalists to visit this most awesome wilderness area.

There are impressive arrays of furred & feathered, docile & dangerous creatures, which wander freely in the park. The animals you will come across are - tigers, leopards, elephants, deer, jungle cat, wild boar and sloth bear. The most prominent avian species include pea fowl, woodpeckers, pheasants, kingfishers and barbets, supplemented by a number of migratory species during the winter months.

Besides that, the rivers which flow through the park harbour fish such as trout and mahseer. This also offers an opportunity of fishing and angling.

Accommodation:

Rajaji National park takes pride in offering its guests a peaceful and tranquil heaven. There are many AC, Delux, Executive rooms and dormotary facilities alongwith 6 Gujjar Huts. Within the Rajaji National Park there are ten forest rest houses, at Beribara, Chilla, Ranipur, Dholkhand, Kunnao, Motichur, Kansrao, Satyanarain, Phandowala and Kasarodi, where visitors can stay.

In addition there are many hotels and tourist complexes around Rajaji National Park at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun and Mussoorie which makes it very convenient to visit the Park.

Entry Charges (Fee and Tariff):

All visitors to Rajaji National Park need entry permits in order to be allowed into the park. Permits are available at each gate at cost of Rupees 30 for Indians and Rupees 350 for foreigners. These permits are valid only for three days; if you wish to stay longer, you will have to pay Rupees 20 per day for an Indian and Rupees 175 per day for foreigners.

Tariff according to the Director of Rajaji National Park:

Fee and Tariff	Indian (in Rs.)	Foreigner (in Rs.)
1. Entrance free (a) For first 3 days (b) For every additional day	40.00 25.00	350.00 150.00
2. Road Fee for vehicle (Light, Heavy)	100.00/500.00	100.00/500.00
3. Camera Fee (a) Still (b) Movie/Video	- 2500.00	50.00 5000.00
4. Filming Charges (a) Feature Film (b) Documentary	20000.00 2500.00/- per day	20000.00 5000.00/- per day
5. Security for above (a) Feature Film (b) Documentary	25000.00 15000.00	40000.00 40000.00
6. Elephant Ride (a) Per person per trip (2.5 hrs.) Minimum charges per trip (b) Per student in a group of 6 (1 hrs.) Minimum charges per trip	200.00 200.00 200.00 200.00	200.00 200.00 200.00 200.00