Rajaji National Park Safari: The Chilla Zone from Haridwar and Rishikesh
Rajaji National Park's Chilla zone opens on 15 November: when to go, booking a jeep safari, what you may see, and staying in Haridwar or Rishikesh for it.
Rajaji National Park is the forest you see from Haridwar and Rishikesh: the sal-covered Shivalik hills on both banks of the Ganga. It is a tiger reserve and one of the best places in north India to see wild elephants, and its most visited gate, Chilla, is a short drive from both towns. That makes a safari easy to add to a trip to the Ganga: a morning in the forest, back in time for the evening aarti.
When the park is open
The Chilla zone is open to visitors from 15 November to 15 June and closed through the monsoon, from 16 June to 14 November. Safaris run in two shifts, early morning and afternoon. November to March is cool and green; animals are easier to spot from April to June, when the undergrowth thins and they come to water, but afternoons are hot. Opening dates and timings are set by the forest department, so confirm them on the Rajaji Tiger Reserve's official website before you book.
The Chilla zone
Chilla lies on the east bank of the Ganga between Haridwar and Rishikesh, by the Chilla barrage and its canal. Jeep safaris go into the forest on a fixed circuit of a couple of hours, through sal forest, grassland and dry stream beds. The reservoir near the gate is good for birds in winter. Other zones of the park, such as Motichur on the Haridwar–Rishikesh road and Asarori near Dehradun, have their own gates and seasons.
What you may see
| Animal | How likely |
|---|---|
| Asian elephant | Often, especially in herds near water |
| Spotted deer (chital) and sambar | Almost always |
| Wild boar and peafowl | Common |
| Leopard | Sometimes; more often seen at dusk |
| Tiger | Rare in Chilla; the park is a tiger reserve, but sightings are luck |
| Birds: hornbills, kingfishers, raptors, winter ducks | Many, especially from November to March |
Booking a safari
- Permits and jeep safaris are booked through the Rajaji Tiger Reserve's official website, or at the gate subject to seats.
- Carry the ID you booked with; every visitor in the jeep needs one.
- Weekend and holiday shifts fill first, especially around Christmas and New Year.
- Be wary of agents promising a tiger: no one can, and fees are set by the forest department.
On the safari
Wear dull greens and browns, not white or bright colours. Keep quiet, stay in the vehicle and follow the guide; elephants with calves need a wide berth. Mornings are cold in winter in an open jeep, so take a jacket and a cap. Leave no plastic in the forest, and do not feed animals at the gate or on the road.
Where to stay
Both towns work well. From Haridwar, Chilla is a short drive across the river, and the morning shift leaves time for the hill temples and the aarti; see our list of places to visit in Haridwar. From Rishikesh, it is a similar drive south, and the safari pairs well with a day of rafting or yoga. For an early start, stay on the side of town nearest the barrage road.
Rajaji or Corbett?
Corbett, further east near Ramnagar, has more tigers and the famous Dhikala zone, but needs a trip of its own; see our Corbett safari zones guide. Rajaji is the one you can do in a morning from the Ganga.
Where to stay on this route
- Kumbh Mela Luxury Camp by Pulp Hotels — Bairagi Camp, HaridwarHaridwarRates on request
- Kumbh Hotel Stays near Har Ki Pauri by Pulp HotelsHaridwarRates on request
- Kumbh Mela Luxury Camp by Pulp Hotels — RishikeshRishikeshRates on request
- Aroha Residency Inn White FlowerRishikeshRates on request
Before you go
- Chilla opens on 15 November and closes on 15 June; confirm on the official website.
- Book the morning shift from Haridwar and be back for the evening aarti.
- Carry the ID you booked with, and a jacket for winter mornings in an open jeep.
- Book weekend and holiday shifts early.
Good to know
- Rajaji is named after C. Rajagopalachari, independent India's first Indian Governor-General.
- Rajaji was declared a tiger reserve in 2015.
- The park lies across the Shivalik hills of Haridwar, Dehradun and Pauri Garhwal districts.
- Rajaji is one of the best places in north India to see wild elephants.
Frequently asked questions
When does Rajaji National Park open?
The Chilla zone is open from 15 November to 15 June and closed during the monsoon, from 16 June to 14 November. Confirm dates on the Rajaji Tiger Reserve's official website.
How far is Chilla from Haridwar and Rishikesh?
A short drive from either town: Chilla is on the east bank of the Ganga, between Haridwar and Rishikesh.
How do I book a Rajaji safari?
Through the Rajaji Tiger Reserve's official website, or at the gate when seats are left. Carry the ID you booked with.
Can I see a tiger in Rajaji National Park?
It is possible but rare in the Chilla zone. Elephants, deer, wild boar, peafowl and many birds are far more likely.
Is Rajaji better than Corbett?
Corbett has more tigers but needs its own trip. Rajaji is the easier choice from Haridwar or Rishikesh, a morning's outing from the Ganga.
About the author
Pulp Hotels Team
The Pulp Hotels Team is the desk that runs Pulp Hotels and the verified properties on this route — Barkot, Uttarkashi, Harsil, Guptkashi, Joshimath, Badrinath and the Kedarnath valley. We deal with the owners of those hotels, and with the pilgrims staying in them, through every day of the season, and these guides are written and corrected from that work and from the official notices each season brings. Fares and opening dates change every year, so we leave them out on purpose and point you at the source instead.
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