National park · India
Rajaji National Park
Enter Rajaji National Park for a half‑day jeep safari (₹300 per person, book at the gate) or a full‑day trek to Chilla Barrage (₹500 guide fee) – go in winter months to avoid heat and crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
960 km² (371 sq mi)371 sq mi (960 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Oct–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 960 km² (371 sq mi)371 sq mi (960 km²)
- The park covers roughly 960 km² of mixed forest, grassland and riverine habitats (official figure, check for recent revisions).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Dehradun
Rajaji National Park, established in 2000 in Uttarakhand's Garhwal region, protects a mosaic of Shivalik and Indo‑Gangetic ecosystems, hosting tigers, elephants, diverse ungulates and over 300 bird species, and offers jeep safaris and guided treks such as the Chilla Barrage route.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteSecond tiger reserve in Uttarakhand (check).
Size and age
960 km² (371 sq mi)371 sq mi (960 km²) · national park since 2000
The park covers roughly 960 km² of mixed forest, grassland and riverine habitats (official figure, check for recent revisions).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Dehradun.
Why go
- Spot tigers, elephants and a wide range of ungulates in mixed forest.
- Birdwatch over 300 species, including rare woodpeckers.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry, good wildlife visibility
- FebCool, dry
- MarMild, occasional rain
- AprWarming, some showers
- MayHeat rises, early monsoon
- JunMonsoon onset, trails slippery
- JulHeavy rains, road closures
- AugHeavy rains
- SepRain tapers, still humid
- OctPost‑monsoon, clear skies
- NovCool, dry
- DecCool, dry
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengal tiger, Indian elephant, sloth bearOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Goral, Himalayan tahr, chitalOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Greater Scaup, White‑naped Woodpecker, Great HornbillMar–May, Oct–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters (Kashipur) | Visitor centre, entry gate, short forest trails. | Open with ticket. |
| Chilla Barrage area | Riverine habitat, birdwatching points. | Guided only. |
| Jhimli Jheel | Lake with wildlife sightings. | Open, no permit needed. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on park centre.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (gate) | INR 300 (≈ US$4) | person | Covers jeep safari; check for seasonal variation |
| Guide for full‑day trek | INR 500 (≈ US$6) | group | Required for trails beyond headquarters |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Trek permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹300≈ US$4
- ₹500≈ US$6
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the headquarters area.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated stoves only.
- Clothing
- Avoid bright colours; wear neutral tones.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; stay in nearby towns.
Where to stay
Near the park
Kashipur town
Budget hotels and guesthouses 15 km (9.3 mi) from gate.Budget hotels and guesthouses 9.3 mi (15 km) from gate.
Near the park
Haridwar
Wide range of accommodation, good train links.
Safety
Wild animal encounters medium
Monsoon floods high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Headquarters area reachable by car with short walks.
- Trails are uneven; not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Use park‑approved guides only.
- Do not feed wildlife.
- Carry reusable water bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Rajaji National Park?
Entry at the gate is ₹300 per adult; a guided trek costs about ₹500 per group (prices 2026 estimate, check for updates).
What are the best hikes in Rajaji National Park?
The Chilla Barrage trek (5–6 h, moderate) and the Jhimli Jheel walk (1–2 h, easy) are the main marked routes; both need a guide for the longer trek.
When is the best time to visit Rajaji National Park?
Winter months (Nov–Feb) offer cool, dry weather and good wildlife visibility; October and March are also suitable.
Do I need a guide for a jeep safari?
No guide required for the short jeep safari; you can hire a driver at the gate.
Is camping allowed inside the park?
Camping is prohibited; stay in nearby towns such as Kashipur or Haridwar.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Rajaji National Park
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