Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary

The protected Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary offers an impressive amount of wildlife and fauna for the outdoors enthusiast. Just 10km from Kashid beach in Maharashtra it’s a great spot to get back to nature. Our guide gives you the essential visitor information.

About the sanctuary

The wildlife sanctuary has four major trails and umpteen opportunities to spot wildlife. Though spread over only 52 sq km, the Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary is replete with a large variety of flora and fauna.

Butterfly-in-Phansad-wildlife-sanctuary

It is well known for its population of leopards, hyenas, jungle cats, barking deer, sambhar, wild boars, giant squirrels and bonnet macaque. Even the bird watchers have a notable list of avian friends to follow- Pied hornbills, three toed Kingfishers, Malkohas, Pittas and more. Almost 90 species of butterflies and a number of insects are also a part of the sanctuary. For herpetology enthusiasts, there are a large number of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes. With its growing popularity, specialists are at work in identification of all flora and fauna. The list of plants stands at about 710.

Getting Around

The Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary is a favourite with weekend photographers, who are free to take guided hikes around the forests on the specified trails. Private vehicles need prior permission from the Forest officials. Observation kiosks are made near the water bodies.

Phansad-wildlife-sanctuary

Location

The Phansad Wildlife sanctuary lies in Raigad, which is about 150 kms from Mumbai. The distance is convenient for also a weekend trip. It is just a short trip from the wonderful Kashid beach destination.

Best Season to Visit

The sanctuary is best to see in the warmer months of April and March before the rains, so that there are more chances to spot wildlife.

Tourism Ladakh : Hemis National Park

The stunningly beautiful Hemis National Park is located in the Eastern part of Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir. It is the only national park in India north of the Himalayas and lies at an altitude of up to 6,930m above sea level, covering an area of 600 sq kms.

Hemis-national-park-Ladakh

History

The park was founded in 1981 and is currently the largest national park in South Asia. Hemis was a destination and stopping point on the silk routes of Tibet and the park includes the famous 400-year old Hemis Gompa Monastery, for which it was named, within it’s boundaries.

Hemis_Gompa_India

Flora and Fauna

The park has been dubbed the “Snow Leopard Capital of India” and wide variety of flora and fauna can be seen here. The park is receives little rain fall and contains many dry forests, alpine grasslands and scrub lands. Wildlife lovers are drawn to this remote location are the park’s many endangered animals. Some of its inhabitants include the snow leopard, ibex, serow, Tibetan antelope and red fox. There have been 16 mammal species and 73 bird species recorded in the park so far.

Yak-hemis-national-park-wildlife

Natural Beauty

Views overlooking the Indus River and the surrounding area make Hemis National Park photographer’s delight. The park offers a number of routes for trekking from mid-June to mid-October.

Indus-River

When to Visit

Visitors should plan their trip from May to October. During winters the temperature goes well below zero and heavy snowfall is seen.

Best places to take a boat trip in India

The oceans, numerous lakes and rivers offer plenty of opportunities to take a boat ride in India. Just watch life go by as you lazily float along or take a raft to enjoy wildlife spotting, snorkelling or even to discover submerged temples. Here are our top five interesting boat trips you can do in India.


1. Shikara on the ‘Dal’ Lake – The Bollywood endorsed ‘Dal’ Lake in Kashmir has been a legendary spot for travellers. The thin Shikaras (boats) traverse through the water carrying tourists, vegetables, supplies and locals. The whole life system on the lake is supported by these unassuming boats, whether it’s supporting full-fledged markets or serving as a school bus for children. The rides on shikaras are extremely fascinating and help understand the local life better.

Boat-Trips-in-Kashmir

2. From the Himalayan foothills, it’s down to the tropical weather of Kerala. Alleppey, also known as the ‘Venice of the East’ is by far one of the best destinations to experience the tranquil backwaters of Kerala. Well equipped houseboats add to the charm of getting to know the vast network of backwater in and around the town. Recently, the house boats had come under the scanner for lack of a proper system to dispose waste from the boats. Now there are mandatory treatment methods without which these boats do not get permissions. Watch the local life pass on the banks of the waters, while you glide past in luxury. Off season rates for fully furnished house boats are quite affordable. Between October and March, it can cost anywhere between Rs 7500 to Rs 20,000/- depending on the number of hours on the boat.

Boat-Trips-in-Alleppey-Kerala

3. There are some very unique experiences with respect to boats in India. The famous rock temples of Mahabalipuram near Chennai have always garnered the interest of travellers. Two of the seven temples are said to be submerged in the sea. Few know that some fishermen take eager visitors out to sea, where one you have a look at the submerged temples. An experience which comes with serious caution, as there are no life jackets on these boats, it’s not for the faint hearted. A mere Rs. 100-200 for an adventure of a life time – try it!

Boat-trips-in-Mahabalipuram-Chennai

4. The Periyar Wildlife sanctuary in the Idduki District of Kerala is one of the most unassuming wildlife destinations of India. Without fanfare but with plenty of exciting experiences in store, there are a number of ways to see the jungle. One unique way, is wildlife watching on a huge bamboo raft, with a forest guide and copious amount of sunscreen. The Periyar Lake is flanked by thick forests and animals often come for a drink of water. The raft ride starts early in the morning and goes on till about 4.00 p.m with breakfast and lunch by the edge of the jungle. This trip needs to be booked in advance. You can also take a more conventional wildlife spotting boat trip here

Boat-Trips-in-Periyar-Lake

5. While Goa has always been on top of the list for many, its Southern neighbour Karwar in Karnataka is fairly unknown. Serene and relatively untouched by tourism, Karwar has several water based activities. One of them includes snorkelling off the quiet coastline. Trips go out on speed boats with trained instructors to help novices.

Boat-Trips-in-Karwar-Karnataka

Jammu & Kashmir Tourism: Dachigam National Park

The Northern most state of India is by far one of the most mesmerising in terms of its natural wonders. A mixture of of cold desert, verdant hills and the Dal Lake, Jammu and Kashmir is truly a travellers delight.

Amongst many other things to see in J & K, try the Dachigam National Park, just 22 kilometres from Srinagar, the capital of the state.

Dachigam-National-Park-location

Spanning a lifetime of over 100 years and an impressive coverage of 141 sq kms, Dachigam can be translated into meaning ‘ten villages’. With the mighty Himalayas as the backdrop of the National Park, the park is not only rich in flora and fauna but also makes a great place to just take in the varied landscapes of the region.

Sarband-kashmir

The terrain of the park ranges from grasslands to cliffs, making it uneven and exciting to traverse. Even amongst the flora, the forest is a mix of coniferous trees and grassy meadows. The forest opens out into the famous Marsar Lake which is the starting point of the Dagwan River. The river flows through a large part of the forest and is famous for its population of trout.

Formosan-Black-Bear

Wildlife: 

Where animal sightings are concerned, be prepared to look out for the famous endangered Hangul, or Kashmir stag. The Himalayan black bear, grey langur, weasel, jungle cat, musk deer, the elusive leopard, fox, marmot and musk deer are seen in plenty. The park also has a notable population of birds.

Moschustier

The national park makes for a good weekend getaway or day trip from Srinagar. It also gives you the opportunity to see the wide array of natural delights in the region without having to travel a large distance. Great for photography and wildlife enthusiasts, this is highly recommended. Try and explore this wonderful National Park on foot with a guide to get the best experience.

Timings: 

The Park is opened between 5.30 a.m to 6.30 p.m.

Fees: 

There are no fees to enter the park. However, the rules are subject to change, so please find out earlier.

Best Season: 

Dachigam cannot be visited during the winters due to heavy snow and windy climate. The best time to go is during the summers.

Top 10 National Parks for Wildlife Safari in India

India has more than 200 wildlife sanctuaries and about 100 of them are classified as National Parks. However some are better than others and still unexplored. National Parks in India spread across the country offer a fascinating diversity of terrain, which is houses of large number of wild rare and giant animal species. India is a great tourism destination in world. It attracts tourists with its unique cultural and geographical features.

Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest national park in India, located at Uttaranchal. Corbett has been a haunt for tourists and wildlife lovers for a long time. Its dense forest is the home for various species. The Corbett National Park is a heaven for the adventure and wildlife seeker. Tourists are not allowed to have a walk inside the park. Story of Jim Corbett to kill an Indian leopard is very famous. The pride of India, Great Tiger can be spotted here with some luck.

Deer in Jim Corbett National Park

Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga National Park is located in Assam. It has the highest density of Royal Bengal Tigers in the world. The park also hosts two-thirds of the world’s Great One-horned  Rhinoceroses, Indian elephants “The holy Animals“, wild water buffalo, and swamp deer. Kaziranga has achieved notable success in wildlife conservation as compare to other protected areas in India.

Buffalo in Kaziranga-National-Park

Sundarbans National Park

Sundarbans National Park is one of the largest reserves home for the Royal Bengal Tiger. This area is covered by dense rain forest,sunder ban is located in west Bengal. The park has got protection since its creation. The core area is free from all human disturbances and is habitat of many toxic reptiles in India. Man eater tigers stories belongs to sunder ban national park.

Ghadiyals in Sundarbans-National-Park

Kanha National Park

Kanha National Park is Tiger reserve park and located in the Mandla, Madhya Pradesh. The park has a significant population of Royal Bengal Tiger, leopards, Barasingha and Indian wild dog. A documentary has been cover by discovery on Indian wild dogs in Kanha National Park. This is one of India’s most visited wildlife area and best place to encounter with wild animals.

Indian Wild dog in Kanha-National-Park

Gir Wildlife Sanctuary

Gir Wildlife Sanctuary is the single home of the pure Asiatic Lions or Indian Lion and is considered to be one of the most important protected areas in India as well as in Asia. Ecosystem of Gir is prefect to support all species. The lion-count in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary is 411, an increase as compare to 2005. Gir also includes Sloth bears, Jungle cats, Striped Hyenas and some time black bucks also appear.

Striped Hyena in Gir-Wildlife-Sanctuary

Periyar National Park

Periyar National Park area lies in the middle of a mountainous area of the Cardamom Hills in Land of Attraction Kerala. This protected area is well famous for its diversity and natural beauty. Around 70% of the area is well covered by evergreen or rain forest,which is also home for the biggest snake in India, the Giant King Kobra. Periyar is one of the 27 tiger reserves in India, there are an estimated 53 tigers. A large number of Indian elephants can also be tourist attraction in periyar.

Giant King Kobra in Periyar-National-Park

Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh National Park located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh. Bandhavgarh has the highest density of Royal Bengal Tigers known in the world. A female Tiger known as Sita was covered by the National Geographic and considered as most photographed tiger in the world. The park has a large breeding population of monkey also called Langur “one of the holy animals of India“, Leopards and various species of deer and smbhar.

Langur sitting in Bandhavgarh-National-Park

Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary 

Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for its Royal Bengal Tigers and is one of the best places in India to see these Great Cats in the jungle. There is Ranthambore fort inside the park,hence its name become Ranthambore national park. Padam Talao is the biggest lake inside the park,other major wild animals are hyena, wild boar, sambar.

Wild boar in Ranthambore-Wildlife-Sanctuary

Hemis National Park

Hemis National Park is located at the high altitude in Ladakh region of J&K. This is the only national park which contain largest protected area in India, thus become the largest national park of India. The park is home for number of species of endangered mammals including the Indian Snow Leopard. Population of Snow Leopards in Hemis National Park are around 200. Tibetan Wolf, the Eurasian Brown Bear, Sheep and the Red Fox are also present in Hemis. The big flying Predators like Golden eagle and Vulture are also best part of Hemis.

Golden eagle flying high in Hemis-National-Park

Sariska Tiger Reserve

Sariska Tiger Reserve is one of the most famous national parks in India, located in Royal Rajasthan. It is home for wild animals leopard, chinkara, wild boar and plenty of bird species and unique reptiles like big snakes, monitor lizards and turtles. Sariska is famous as bird sanctuary in India. It was selected for tiger reserve under Project Tiger scheme, but now its finally declared that Sariska indeed did not have any tigers left.

Flamingos in Sariska-Tiger-Reserve

Unexplored wildlife sanctuaries of India

Wildlife Sanctuaries of India has a unique status worldwide, It has the second largest base of bio diversity in the world. These calm and peaceful wildlife sanctuaries are the home for some very giant animals and rare species of birds. India has some of the biggest National Parks like Hemis, Sundarbans and Gangotri National Park. Rann of Kutch, also known as the Indian Wild Ass sanctuary is the largest wildlife sanctuary in India.

Area wise wildlife sanctuaries of India:

Desert National Park: 

Desert National Park, Rajasthan covering an area of 3162 km. It is one of the largest protected areas for wild animals in India. The famous Desert National Park lies on the vast ocean of sands near Jaisalmer. Its is one of the major attractions of the Jaisalmer city another one is Jaisalmer fort. This is a only desert sanctuary of India, famous for its endangered species like the Great Indian bustard. An excellent example of the ecosystem of the Thar Great Desert and its rich habitat area offers the desert animals & birds including flying predators black and grey eagles, vultures, Indian peafowl, species of antelopes, monitor lizard, Russel viper and krait the most venomous snake in India.

Indian-peacock-Rajasthan

Namdapha National Park: 

Namdapha National Park is the largest protected area in the Eastern area of Arunachal Pradesh, lies on the Patkai range. It offers a wide spectrum of plants and animals and one of the richest areas in biodiversity in India. Namdapha is famous for its untouched wilderness, unexplored place and unseen natural beauty. It is the only one national park in which four Big Cats – tiger, leopard, snow leopard and clouded leopard are found. Other large predators are wolves, and Asiatic black bears. The great Hornbills and Red Giant Flying Squirrel is often seen in park.

Giant-Indian-flying-squirrel

Khangchendzonga National Park: 

Khangchendzonga National Park is the largest wildlife reserve in Sikkim in the bless by nature area of 1784 KM. It lies on one of the grandest and most unspoilt Himalayan mountain ranges called Khangchendzonga the third highest peak in the world. The park, along with its surrounding forests and mountains offers best beauty of nature. The park has the right mix of mountains, glaciers and forests, Snow leopard is the one of biggest cats found here.

Snow-Leopard-Himalayan-Region-India

Sanjay National Park: 

The Sanjay National Park in Chhattisgarh is spread over an area of 1471 km and is surrounded by Vindhyachal Mountain Ranges and rivers. After partition form madhay pradesh its name is now Guru Ghasidas national park. Main wild animals are Jackals, Sambar, Four-horned Antelopes, Jungle Cat, Monitor Lizard,Monkey, Striped Hyena and wild Dogs. It is also an ideal place to watch migratory birds. Sanjay National Park is one of the most important wild animal sanctuaries in central India. Indian Rock Python, Cobra and Russell’s Viper are the dangerous reptiles found here.

Indian-Monitor-Lizard

Indravati National Park: 

Indravati National Park is located in the Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh in area of 1258 KM. The park is known for the wide species of animals, birds and reptiles. The major wildlife attractions in Indravati National Park include the rare Wild Buffalo, Tigers, Leopards, Gaurs, Barasinghas and barking deer. reptiles in the park are freshwater crocodile, Indian Rock Python, Cobra and Russell’s Viper. It is the finest and most famous wildlife parks and also the only Tiger Reserve in the Tribal State Chhattisgarh.

Indian-rock-python

Things to do in Kottayam

Besides being the perfect conduit between Kerala’s most interesting places and home to its famous backwaters, Kottayam is a region rich in history and culture. No wonder it is one of Kerala’s most alluring destinations for travellers.

1. Enjoy some religious sightseeing

Kottayam is speckled with centuries-old churches, temples, and mosques. The most notable amongst these are two churches known as Valiyapalli and Cheriyapalli, near Kottayam town. Built in the 16th century, these churches are distinct in character. While Valiyapalli has rare antique carvings, murals and West Asian architecture, Cheriyapalli depicts Biblical themes but also features temple architecture. On the banks of the river Meenachil, you’ll find the Thazhathangady Juma Masjid. This mosque is over 1000 years old and is richly embellished by carvings and murals. Two important temples dedicated to Lord Shiva are the Vaikom Temple and Thirunakkara Shiva Temple. Besides their traditional architecture, these temples also attract people for their festival celebrations which are unique and moving.

church in Kottayam

2. See the backwaters

One of Kottayam’s most precious offerings is Kumarakom. Home of the backwaters, this area is famous for its serene cruises, divine landscapes and greenery. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and Pathiramanal Island are true delights for bird-watching enthusiasts as they attract migratory birds from as far away as Siberia and the Himalayas. Here you can also find countless reliable centres that will treat you with a relaxing Ayurvedic massage, a delightful way of starting your day.

Backwaters in Kottayam

3. Take a road trip

From languid backwaters to the majestic Western Ghats, Kottayam is a region which offers stunning natural beauty in a variety of forms. To experience Kottayam’s glory at its mesmerising best, rent a car. A drive on the stretch connecting Kottayam to the Periyar Sanctuary offers you Kottayam’s finest and most untouched landscapes. You’ll find yourself embraced by sky-high palm trees and plantations, convincing you that you’re in an artist’s masterpiece.

4. Visit the cave temple

Ayyappara is a cave-like temple, which is revered by people as a place of enormous historical and religious importance. This mythological place is believed to have sheltered the Pandavas during their exile and it attracts thousands of believers from far and wide, all year round. Located 2000 feet above sea level, Ayyappara is also popular amongst tourists for its splendid sunsets.

Caves in Kottayam

5. Get close to wildlife

An eternal favourite amongst travellers is the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, located a couple of hours from Kottayam. This expansive sanctuary is the home of many enchanting animals. Here, herds of elephants are often seen strolling by, and creatures including exotic birds, bison and wild boar are found. A cruise takes you along the divinely beautiful Periyar River as it bisects the sanctuary’s majestic mountains. A heavenly way of taking in the sights is by bamboo rafts, and camps can be set for the outdoorsy travellers. Owing to its idyllic beauty, it has long been a favourite amongst both amateur and accomplished photographers.

Wildlife of Kottayam

6. Trek through ‘God’s own country’

Love walking? Wagamon and Peermed are the ultimate hiking destinations in Kottayam. While Peermed is a popular hill station perched at an altitude of 1066 meters, Wagamon is 60 kms from Kottayam and offers delightful landscapes that can be scaled with ease.

Trekking Kottayam

7. Feast with a local family

Like most other parts of India, Kerala has its unique cuisine. The truly authentic way of experiencing the real local flavours is by staying with a friendly Kerala family in a Kottayam homestay. They will serve dishes from recipes perfected over time by past generations. The best part is, if you are lucky, you will be served vegetables that you helped pick or seafood that you caught with your own hands.

Feast in Kottayam

8. Marvel at the toddy tappers

Toddy is Kerala’s potent and locally produced alcohol. It has a very unique taste and is the perfect accompaniment to an authentic, local meal. The drink’s basic ingredient is actually collected by firm-footed men who effortlessly climb up towering trees and tap them. The process is as dangerous as it looks and very unique to the state. These nimble toddy tappers have become increasingly hard to find in the recent years, but with some inside information from your Kerala homestay host you should discover where to find them.

Toddy - Farmer

9. Join the festivities of Changanassery

During the festival of Deepam, people flock in large numbers to the beautiful town of Changanassery. The festival of lamps, named after the town’s old moniker ‘Town of five fire lamps’, is celebrated here every year between November and December. It’s less than 25 kms from Kottayam and also famous for the Thrikkodithanam temple, which is embellished with intriguing 18th century inscriptions.

Festival Kottayam

Things To Do in Madya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is one of India’s largest states and offers a variety of experiences to tourists. It boasts of a rich history, a wealth of fauna and innumerable things to do.

The most well known treasures of the State are the famous Khajuraho temples. The unique temples keep the world’s imagination captured even today due to their erotic art and lifelike carvings. However, there’s a lot more to the temples than just their art and architecture. A beautifully presented Light and Sound Show takes people through the mythical and factual history of the temples. The show is held twice a night on the ground of the main temple complex. A few hours’ drive from Khajuraho is Orchha, a city which exudes grandeur and history.

Khajuraho Temples

The Orchha Fort is one of India’s most spectacular. But what attracts people to Orchha in millions is the Ram Raja Temple. The temple is supposed to have wish-fulfilling abilities and it is the only place in the world where Rama is worshipped as a king and not a God. Another city that speaks of royal splendour, even today, is Gwalior. The city has an enviable history yet it has many modern developments. It has one of the most respected schools in India and palace which has some of the most spectacular artefacts. Mementos of the dynasties that ruled over Gwalior in the past can be seen in their grand creations such as palaces, temples and monuments.

Other than glimpses into the splendours of Indian royalty, Madhya Pradesh also possesses a chapter, invaluable to human history. One of the things to do in Madhya Pradesh is, without doubt, a trip to Bhimbetka.

The Orchha Fort

In this small city over 500 caves from the Neolithic age were recently found. In these caves we can see paintings made by pre-historic man. The paintings depict pre-historic life through scenes showing dancing, music, hunting, domestic life and so much more, a chilling sight to behold. Another such location is in Pachmarhi. In Pachmarhi’s Mahadeo Hills you can see a bounty of rock paintings. Many of these creations date back to as far as 10,000 years.

Comparatively close to Bhimbetka is Sanchi, a city famous world over for its treasure of Buddhist monuments. Here, you can find a plethora of Buddhist monasteries, stupas and architecture. A lot of these creations were built in the 3rd century B.C. and the most well known amongst them is the Sanchi Stupa 1, which was built by Emperor Ashoka. A sandstone pillar near the stupa bears Emperors Ashoka’s caveat against divisions in the Buddhist community.

Sanchi Stupa

Amongst Madhya Pradesh’s most valued treasures is Bandhavgarh, a small but rich national park where you have the highest chance of spotting a tiger in India. This National Park also houses a lavish Fort Bandhavgarh, which is about 2000 years old. Before leaving Bandhavgarh you must meet Mohan, a stuffed White Tiger that’s placed on display at the Palace of the Rewas. The Kanha National Park was created as a Tiger Reserve. Although Tiger spotting is rare here Kanha is the sole sanctuary for the hardground Barasingha and a haven for bird lovers. One of the most majestic natural wonders of the world is also located in Madhya Pradesh. This sight is none other than the Marble Rocks of Bhedaghat. Rising high above the Earth and bisected by River Narmada are these magnificent natural creations. The Marble cliffs, glittering brightly are an unforgettable and incomparable sight.

Bandhavgarh National Park

From natural wealth to prehistoric treasures, Madhya Pradesh is one of the richest States in India. Its vast array of wonders is nearly impossible to fit into a short trip and deserve at least a week to soak in comfortably.

Madhya Pradesh tourism: Practical Information

• Madhya Pradesh is a large State and it is well-connected to major Indian metros. Khajuraho and Gwalior have small airports. But flights to Gwalior are very few in number.
• To come in from Delhi one can take a train to Jhansi from where private cabs can take you to the Alipura Palace homestay. Alipura Palace is a good hub for those travelling to Orchha and Khajuraho, while those looking to cover Khajuraho and Bandhavgarh will find Mahindra homestays such as Rajmandir in Nagod a delightful option.
• Public transport is not easily accessible as the cities are far from each other. The best modes of transport are trains or, if the budget permits, private cabs. Bookings made by homestay owners go a long way in travelling safely yet at a reasonable price.
• The Light and Sound Show is performed twice a day and a ticket costs roughly Rs 90 per person.
• There are three major temple complexes in Khajuraho and one shouldn’t leave the place without seeing them all.
• Tripods are not allowed within the complex unless prior permission is obtained after going through a complex and tedious process.
• Travelling to the State between late March and July is ill-advised as the summers are unforgiving and the situation is worsened by daily power-cuts.

Things To Do in Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park has long been the favored getaway for explorers and wildlife lovers in India. Here are nine things that attract people to the wild adventure that is Corbett.

1. Jeep safari

Jim Corbett National Park is most famous for its flora and fauna. The park houses many endangered species such as tigers, chital, sambar and even the humble deer. A great way to explore the landscape and see these animals going about their daily life is on a jeep safari. Ask your driver to go off the fixed route and you’ll get some rare insights into the animals’ lives.

Jeep safari in corbett national park

2. On the shoulders of giants

An elephant safari lets you have an adventure within an adventure. The size of the creature deters predators from coming too close for comfort. They maneuver the grasslands with ease and in silence, with only the occasional sound of their trumpet aimed at a bully trying to intimidate the gentle giants.

elephant safari corbett national park

3. Camping in Corbett

There are plenty of resorts in Corbett, but camping is a great experience for those who like to rough it out – though they do have basic amenities.

resorts in corbett national park

4. Click away

Corbett is a favourite of wildlife photographers, who spend days looking for the illusive tiger, often in vain. But the region’s majestic terrain offers great landscape shots as well, like panoramic views of the Shivalik and the Himalayas. The lesser discovered Terai region is a great place to capture views that go beyond the frequently seen compositions.

bird watching corbett national park

5. Far away festivals

The resorts and campsites usually offer fantastic packages on festivals. Particularly around New Year and Christmas they offer plenty of holiday packages, complete with champagne, feasts and safaris. The music here isn’t played from giant speakers. Rather, the chirping birds and rustling leaves take on that role. For some, this is a luxurious and intimate way to enjoy the festivities, far from the hustle and bustle of the big, bad, cities.

Festive stay @ Corbett

6. Take the wheel

The rivers in and around Corbett are spectacular places to drive or walk by. If you can get the permission, you can have a cozy little picnic set to the sound of serene water flowing by. The rivers are rich in many forms of minerals and sand. The result of this is a vibrant location with countless hues of gold, brown, and rust.

rivers in and around corbett national park

7. See creatures

To spot Corbett’s exotic marine life you should dedicate a few hours to The Ramganga. This is home to the exotic mahseer fish, the endangered gharials, mugger crocodiles, otters and turtles amongst others.

crocs  corbett national park

8. Bird watching

Many species of rare birds call the Corbett their home. And owing to the Ramganga’s rich marine life, you can spot many birds feasting here. Kingfishers, fish-eagles, storks and many other birds are seen here in large numbers swooping down to grab a bite. In winters, this reservoir is visited by many migratory birds and the bird lovers that follow them. The birds come from as far away as Europe and Central Asia.

kingfisher corbett national park

9. Star gazing

The best part about places away from the big cities and their bright lights is gazing at a sky full of stars. For those who spend all their days in the urban world, this is a rare and welcome sight. You can spend hours spotting the different constellations. Some are visible with remarkable ease and unexpectedly bring out the child in you as you gaze in wonder.

night in corbett national park