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When you think of tigers, you think of Corbett.
Corbett is beautiful destination for wildlife safari and a perfect place to
spot the tigers. The major attractions are the tigers, the tall sturdy Sal
trees line an otherwise bare terrain where fireflies lick at the darkness,
the smells of the forest and sounds of the river, winding road leads along a
dirty, unkempt town which transforms swiftly into wilderness.
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HOW
TO REACH
By Air - The nearest airport is at Pantnagar, 85-km away from the
resort. Flights from here are not currently operational.
By Rail - Ramnagar, the nearest railhead is 12 km from the resort. The
Ranikhet Express plies between Delhi and Ramnagar, departing from Delhi at
10.50 pm arrives at 4.35 am. The train from here for Delhi begins at 9.05
pm, reaching Delhi at 5 am. There are no air-conditioned coaches from Delhi
to Ramnagar but First Class coupes are available (Rs 350). Return tickets
have to be booked on reaching Ramnagar. The nearest meter gauge railhead is
at Haldwani.
By Road - Most people prefer to drive down to The Claridges Corbett
Hideaway. It takes approximately six hours from Delhi to cover the 260-km
stretch dotted with petrol pumps and dhabas. The road is reasonably good,
though it is best not to travel during the monsoons. The route takes you
through Gajraula (you must sample a thali at the Bhajan Dhaba here),
Moradabad, Kashipur and Ramnagar. Basant Continental and Midway Motels at
Gajraula are recommended stoppage points. Buses from Delhi depart for
Ramnagar from ISBT Anand Vihar, the ticket costs Rs 108. No deluxe buses are
available. Deluxe buses are available to Haldwani and you can hire a car
from here to the resort. Buses depart regularly from Ramnagar to Delhi,
between 5 am and 8 pm each day. The ticket cost is roughly the same.
WHEN TO GO
Wildlife sightings are maximum between March and June. Between September and
November, the weather is good, but suitable only if you are not keen on
spotting wildlife. The Corbett National Park remains closed between end-June
and November 15.
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WHAT TO SEE |
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The Corbett National Park : Corbett National
park is famous the world over as the 'Land of the trumpet, roar and
song'. In Corbett National Park apart from tigers some of the other
cats which can be seen are leopards, jungle cats and leopard cats.
Large herds of elephant are also found near Ramganga.
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The Park has a spectacular bird diversity. Over 500
species of resident and migratory birds have been recorded here.
Peacock, kaleej pheasant, block partridge, pallas's fishing eagle,
white collared falconet, storkbilled kingfisher, wall creeper, brown
fish owl, brown eared and block bulbul and several species of
woodpeckers & parakeets ore some of the attractive birds found within
Corbett National Park.
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In 1966 an additional area was added to Corbett
National Park bringing it to its present area of 520.82 sq. kms.
Corbett Tiger Reserve is spread over 1318.54 sq. kms. and includes
apart from Corbett National Park, additional areas of Sonanadi
Wildlife Sanctuary and Reserve Forest buffer zone .
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Corbett is the home of 580 species of birds including
water fowl, 17 types of woodpecker, raptors like the Pallas fishing
eagle, harries and kites, peafowl, kalij pheasant, the rare chir
pheasant, red jungle fowl, minivets, shrikes, cuckoos, drongos and
barbets. A fine reservoir on the river formed with the building of a
dam at Kalagarh now attracts diverse species of water birds - both
local and migratory. With its avian for bird watchers also.
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Dhikala - at the heart of the core area is picturesquely
located at the edge of a grassy plateau perched high above the
Ramganga reservoir and set into a bend in the river.
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This is a favourite viewing area. The Chaur and
surrounding forest support the highest density of tigers in the
country-about one every 5 Sq. km. Splendid herds of chital, hog deer
and elephants are also to be seen here. There are viewing tower as
well as elephant rides for visitors, every morning and evening. This
is perhaps the best way to see wildlife for it is possible to go deep
into the Park on elephants, to get close to the animals in an
unobtrusive manner and to get a clear view of them.
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WHERE TO EAT
You can try the restaurants at the luxury hotels. Gurney House and the Gol
Ghar restaurant at the Corbett Hideaway.
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