Experience 820 sq km of pristine Himalayan Shivalik wilderness. Home to 500+ wild Asian elephants, Royal Bengal tigers, leopards, and over 315 bird species. Book authorized 4x4 open Gypsy safaris across Chilla and Motichur zones.
Rajaji National Park sits right where the Shivalik foothills of the Himalayas start sliding down into the fertile Indo Gangetic plains, and the place came together in 1983 from three older sanctuaries stitched into one: Chilla, Motichur, and Rajaji. It spreads across Dehradun, Haridwar, and Pauri Garhwal districts, and the year 2015 is when it picked up its title as India's 48th Tiger Reserve.
This park draws the north western ecological line for both Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) and the Great Indian Hornbill, and once you're bumping along the tracks you'll see why. Perennial streams cut through, elephant corridors stretch wide, Sal forests grow thick, and those broad rocky riverbeds locals call Raus open up everywhere. It's raw Himalayan biodiversity, just a 30 minute drive from Rishikesh and Haridwar.
Each tourism range inside this tiger reserve has its own terrain, its own trees, its own luck with sightings.
The most celebrated safari zone in Rajaji. Features a 36 km jungle track along riverine grasslands and Mundal water stream.
Encompasses majestic, dense Sal forest canopies and deep ravines right along the Haridwar Rishikesh highway corridor.
Rugged Shivalik foothill terrain comprising mixed scrublands, dry deciduous forests, and scenic elevated ridges.
A saucer-shaped wetland sanctuary adjoining Rajaji, world-famous for conserving the endangered Swamp Deer.
From gentle pachyderms to elusive apex predators, encounter the rich mix of Himalayan Shivalik fauna.
North India doesn't have many places where you can watch wild Asian elephants this consistently, and Rajaji is one of them. Herds cross the Chilla riverbed pretty much every afternoon, and they pile up around the Mundal waterholes when the sun gets high.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has been running active tiger augmentation programs here, and the breeding population keeps ticking upward across both the western and eastern sectors.
Leopards read the rocky ridges of Ranipur and Motichur like a map, picking tree boughs and dry riverbeds during the twilight shifts where you can sometimes spot them if you're lucky and quiet.
Over 315 bird species recorded, including the grand Great Hornbill, Crested Serpent Eagle, Pallas's Fish Eagle, Kalij Pheasant, Emerald Dove, and migratory winter waterfowl.
Abundant prey base including large herds of Chital (Spotted Deer), majestic Sambar deer in forest clearings, elusive Kakar (Barking Deer), and Goral mountain goats on rocky cliffs.
Nocturnal mammals active in deep riverine valleys, alongside Wild Boars, Indian Porcupines, Yellow throated Martens, Rhesus Macaques, and Hanuman Langurs.
Official Forest Department entry permits, 4x4 open Gypsy rental, and registered naturalist guide fees.
| Package Category | Permit & Road Tax | 4x4 Open Gypsy Hire | Nature Guide Fee | Total Gypsy Price (Up to 6 Persons) | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Indian Citizens (Exclusive Gypsy) Chilla or Motichur Zone Safari |
₹150 / Person + ₹250 Road Tax | ₹2,400 – ₹2,800 / Vehicle | ₹600 / Vehicle | ₹3,500 – ₹4,500 / Gypsy | Book Now |
|
Foreign Nationals (Exclusive Gypsy) Chilla or Motichur Zone Safari |
₹600 / Person + ₹500 Road Tax | ₹3,200 – ₹3,800 / Vehicle | ₹800 / Vehicle | ₹6,500 – ₹8,500 / Gypsy | Book Now |
|
Shared Safari Seat (Per Person) Subject to group availability at Chilla Gate |
Included in Ticket | Shared Gypsy Seat | Included | ₹1,200 – ₹1,600 / Person | Inquire Seat |
|
Rishikesh / Tapovan Hotel Pick & Drop Private AC Cab to Chilla Gate & Back |
— | AC Sedan / Ertiga Cab | — | ₹1,800 – ₹2,500 / Round Trip | Add Cab |
Safaris operate strictly in two daily shifts. Gates open and close precisely on time under Uttarakhand Forest Department regulations.
Optimal for birdwatching, crisp mountain air, and spotting animals heading toward morning watering holes.
Reporting time at gate: 20 minutes prior to shift start for permit verification.
Prime time for sighting wild elephant herds congregating across the Chilla riverbed and golden hour photography.
Gates strictly close at sunset; no vehicles are permitted inside after dusk.
Pleasant temperatures (10°C to 22°C), misty morning Sal forests, peak migratory bird arrivals, and comfortable open Gypsy rides. Warm jacket recommended.
Warm weather (24°C to 38°C). Highest wildlife sighting probability as waterholes shrink and elephants/tigers frequent the Ganga and Mundal streams.
The park remains strictly closed from July 1st to November 14th for annual breeding seasons, heavy rain track rejuvenation, and river flooding.
Combine thrilling river rapids, luxury Swiss glamping, and wilderness safari in one smooth Himalayan itinerary.
1 Night Riverside Camp + 16km Shivpuri Rafting + Chilla Jungle Safari
2 Nights AC Luxury Tent + 26km Marine Drive Rafting + Safari + Bungee
Private Campsite Booking + Dedicated Naturalist Safari + Transfers
Convenient road, rail, and air access from Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun, and Delhi NCR.
22 km (approx. 35 mins) via the scenic AIIMS, Pashulok Barrage, Chilla Road that follows the Ganga canal.
14 km (approx. 20 mins) via the Chilla Dam bridge road. Direct auto rickshaws and taxis available from Har Ki Pauri.
35 km (approx. 45 mins). Dehradun Airport connects daily non stop flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
230 km (approx. 4.5 to 5.5 hours) via Delhi Meerut Expressway (NE 3), then Roorkee, Haridwar Bypass, Chilla.
Rajaji is a protected tiger reserve. Please observe these mandatory rules for your safety and wildlife preservation.
Everything you need to know about Rajaji National Park, tariffs, bookings, and guidelines.
Rajaji National Park is officially open for tourism from November 15th to June 15th every year. The park remains closed during the monsoon season (July to mid-November). The winter months (November to February) offer pleasant crisp weather and migratory bird sightings, while summer months (March to June) offer the highest probability of spotting wild elephants and tigers near natural waterholes and the Ganga channels.
Safaris operate in two daily shifts: Morning Shift from 06:00 AM to 09:30 AM (Summer) / 06:30 AM to 10:00 AM (Winter), and Afternoon Shift from 03:00 PM to 06:00 PM (Summer) / 02:30 PM to 05:30 PM (Winter). Entry gates strictly close after shift commencement.
For Indian nationals, an exclusive 4x4 open Gypsy safari costs approximately ?3,500 to ?4,800 per vehicle (accommodating up to 6 persons), including forest entry permits, vehicle entry tax, Gypsy hire, and registered nature guide charges. For foreign nationals, the package is approximately ?6,500 to ?8,500 per Gypsy due to higher Forest Department international permit tariffs.
Chilla Tourism Zone is the most popular and scenic safari zone in Rajaji. It features a 36 km rugged forest track winding through riverine grasslands, scenic watchtowers, and Mundal water streams, offering the highest chances of sighting wild Asian elephant herds, spotted deer, and leopards. Motichur Zone offers dense Sal forest canopies and peaceful birding.
Chilla Safari Gate is located about 22 km from Tapovan/Rishikesh (approx. 35 minutes via the scenic Barrage-Chilla road) and just 14 km from Haridwar (approx. 20 minutes across the Ganga canal bridge). Motichur Gate is located directly on NH-58, approximately 18 km from Rishikesh.
No, private personal cars and motorcycles are strictly prohibited inside the core wildlife zones. Visitors must travel inside authorized, commercial 4x4 open safari Gypsies registered with the Uttarakhand Forest Department and accompanied by a licensed local nature guide.
Every participant must provide a valid government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License) during booking and carry the original physical document to the forest entry checkpoint for permit verification.
Yes! Our most popular 2-Day/1-Night and 3-Day/2-Night adventure combos combine riverside Swiss tent camping in Shivpuri with 16 km white water rafting, evening campfire dinners, and an early morning or afternoon Chilla Jungle Safari.