Things to do in Rajaji National Park include taking a safari drive and looking for wildlife in a broad forest landscape near Haridwar. The park spans about 820 square kilometres, and Chilla is an identified entry area for planning a visit from the city.
- Location: near Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun
- Park scale: about 820 square kilometres
- Entry area: Chilla is identified as an entry point
- Safari: a gypsy drive takes 2–3 hours, with a separate hire charge
Which Rajaji entry area suits your visit?
Chilla is an identified entry area for Rajaji National Park, making it a practical starting point to investigate for a visit from Haridwar. Confirm that the zone you plan to use is open before setting out.
Formed in 1983 by combining the Rajaji, Motichur and Chilla sanctuaries, the park includes forest crossed by the Ganga and Song rivers. The Haridwar district tourism page places it 8 km from the district headquarters, but does not give a route or current road restrictions.
Wildlife in the park includes elephants, tigers, leopards, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, wild boar and langurs. The Haridwar district tourism page reports 315 avifauna species, so a safari can offer a chance to look for both mammals and birds.
How do you arrange a Rajaji National Park safari?
A Rajaji National Park safari involves a park entry fee and separate charges for the vehicle and, where applicable, cameras. Gypsies are available at the gate for a 2–3 hour jungle drive, but advance booking is advised because demand can exceed the number of vehicles.
Published entrance fees differ: one figure is ₹1,200 for Indian nationals and ₹4,100 for foreign nationals, for groups of 1–6 people; another is ₹150 per person for Indian nationals. Gypsy charges are additional, and the published figures also differ, so confirm current rates before booking.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority identifies rajajitigerreserve.co.in as the Rajaji Tiger Reserve website. Before paying, confirm the current booking process, zone access, charges and safari availability through the reserve’s official channels.
When can you visit, and what should you bring?
Rajaji National Park’s safari season runs from mid-November to mid-June, with the park closed from mid-June to mid-November. Uttarakhand Tourism describes the park as closed during the monsoon and gives November to June as a visit window.
Safari entry hours vary by season. The morning periods begin between 6:00 and 6:30, with entry ending between 9:00 and 10:30; evening entry begins between 2:00 and 3:00 and ends between 3:30 and 5:00. These are entry windows, not a promise that every zone or vehicle is available.
Ticket prices and operating arrangements can change, so check the official site before you go. For an overnight stay in a forest rest house, book through the Director’s office preferably a month ahead. Stays are limited to three nights at a time, and the same rest house can be booked again only after three months.
How do you travel to Rajaji National Park from Haridwar?
Rajaji National Park is about 12.5 km from this hotel in Haridwar. Chilla is the entry area identified by the district tourism page, but it does not specify a route, so confirm the gate and current road access before you travel.
Haridwar Junction is a rail arrival point for the city, and you can plan your transfer from the station to your accommodation.
Rajaji’s location near Rishikesh makes it possible to consider the park alongside a Rishikesh day trip from Haridwar. Check the time and access arrangements for each stop before planning both into one day.
FAQs
What animals can you see in Rajaji National Park?
Wildlife includes elephants, tigers, leopards, deer, wild boar and langurs. The park is also home to 315 avifauna species.
How long is a Rajaji safari drive?
A gypsy jungle drive takes 2–3 hours, and vehicle hire costs extra.
Is Rajaji National Park open during the monsoon?
The park is closed from mid-June to mid-November, including the monsoon period. Confirm seasonal access before you plan a visit.