Rajaji National Park has been named after C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji), a prominent leader of the Freedom Struggle, and occupies 830 sq kms across the hills of Shivalik, foothills of Himalayas. The Rajaji National Park spans across three districts of Garhwal in Uttarakhand namely- Hardwar, Dehradun and Pauri Garhwal. In the year 1983, the three wildlife sanctuaries in the shivalik range -Rajaji, Motichur, and Chila were amalgamated into a large protected area named Rajaji National Park. The green cover falling within the Rajaji National Park area is an amalgam of Sal forest, Mixed forest , Riverine forest, Scrub forest , Grassland and Sub-tropical pine forest. The Motichur and Rajaji sanctuaries are contiguous, and are separated from the Chilla Sanctuary to the south-east by the Ganges River and the Chilla River.
Motichur and Rajaji wildlife sanctuaries are located to the north and south of the Siwalik Ridge and fall within the course of many rivulets and seasonal streams, that lose most of their water on entering the plains. These streams remain as wide beds of gravels and river pebbles for most of the year but become fierce torrents during the monsoons. The area is covered with diverse forest types ranging from semi-evergreen to deciduous and from mixed broad-leaved to Terai grassland and has been classified as Indus-Ganges Monsoon Forest type. Lofty strands of sal dominate in many parts.
Wildlife in the Park :
Rajaji National Park is distinct for its undisturbed scenic beauty and rich biodiversity. Known for its high number and an even higher density of Elephants the park boasts of 23 sprices of mammals like Tigers, Wild boar, Sloth bear, Leopards, Elephants, Cheetal, Hog deer, Barking deer, Sambar deer, Antelopes such as the Nilgai, Goral , Deer, Jungle cat and more The park is also home to lesser carnivores like the Jackal, Hyena, Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, Civets, and more! The primates found in this park are -the Rhesus Macaque and the Hanuman Langur. The Indian hare and the Indian Porcupine are among the small mammals found here.
The most prominent avian species include 324 species and includes birds like Greater Scaup, White-naped Woodpecker, Great Hornbill, Black-bellied Tern, Pallas's Fish Eagle, Northern Goshawk, Black-necked Stork, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Scaly Thrush, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Rusty-flanked Treecreeper, Pale-footed Bush Warbler, Tytler's Leaf Warbler, Green Avadavat and Reed Bunting, Woodpeckers, Barbets, Peafowl, Pheasants and Kingfishers supplemented by a number of itinerant species during the winter months.
The reptiles in Rajaji include Pythons, King Cobra, Common Krait, Indian Cobra , Monitor Lizard, and a large variety of other snakes and other cold blooded creatures!
Owing to the Ganga and Song rivers, flowing through the park, a wide variety of fish, like Goonch, Trout, Kalabanse, Mahaseer and Chilwa are found in these unpolluted waters.
Best Time To Visit :
Rajaji National Park is open between November to June for visitors.
Accommodation :
For accommodation in Rajaji National Park there are ten forest rest house near the national park- Motichur FRH, Kansaro FRH, Asarordi FRH, Ranifur FRH, Dhaulkhand FRH, Beribara FRH, Chilla FRH, Kunnao FRH, Phandowala FRH and Satyanarayan FRH.
How To Reach There
Airport : Nearest Airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 221 kms.
Railways : Nearest railway station is at Hardwar (8 kms) and Dehradun (24 kms).
Road : Well connected to Hardwar, Dehradun, Rishikesh, Nainital, Almora and other destinations.
Day 01 - Delhi - Rishikesh
Early morning meet with our company driver/ representative than drive to Rishiksh .On arrival check in at hotel. Evening visit Triveni Ghat by the Ganges River to witness evening "aarti". Overnight stay at hotels.
Day 02 - Rishikesh
After breakfast proceed to visit the nearby temples and the suspension bridge, Lakshman Jhula, which was built in 1929 to replace the rope bridge. This is where Lord Rama's brother Lakshman is said to have crossed the river on a jute rope, and the old Lakshman Temple is on the west bank. Evening at leisure for own activities and to enjoy the facilities of the resort, overnight wstay at hotel.
Day 03 - Rishikesh- Rajaji National Park
After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Rajajai national park. On arrival visit the settlement of "Gujjars" a local tribe. Just see the lifestyle of local people who live inside the jungle and are one of the most friendly of all Indian tribes. Spend the morning with them and then come back to hotel for lunch. In the evening proceed for the elephant safari in the Rajaji national park. If one is lucky then you can see a big cat like a tiger or leopard or wild asian elephants, along with the antelopes, spotted deers, sambhars, wild baors, jungle fowls, porcupine, wolf, jackals, and a score of migratory birds. Come back to hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 04 - Rajaji National Park - Haridwar- Delhi
This day after breakfast once have a short visit of Raja Ji National Park for enjoying the scenic beauty of this beautiful park later proceed to Haridwar situated right on the banks of holy river Ganges.. On arrival check-in your hotel. Evening visit to see the beautiful Aaarti at Harkipauri, overnight stay will be at hotel.
