Garjiya Devi Temple
30 minA small temple to the goddess Garjiya, built on top of a big rock in the middle of the Kosi river. You cross a bridge and climb steps up the rock. It is the best-known temple near Corbett.
In the 1-day planJim Corbett sightseeing by cab
Places to visit in Jim Corbett, and the order to see them
For a first safari, book the Bijrani zone in the morning; for a second, book Jhirna, which is a different forest and the one open all year. Around the safaris, Corbett's other sights fit in two days: Garjiya Devi Temple and the park museum at Dhangarhi gate on one, and Jim Corbett's house, his village of Chhoti Haldwani and Corbett Falls at Kaladhungi on the other. A cab cannot enter the park, so book safaris in registered jeeps on booking.corbettgov.org.
8 placesroutes from road routing, timed against opening hours
How many days do you need?
Each plan is a real route by cab, timed against opening hours.
Cab for Jim Corbett sightseeing
Call or message a local Jim Corbett operator with this plan. Tell them your hotel and dates, and they send a price for the car and driver.
Full day, 8 h / 80 kmSedan, SUV or InnovaPrice from the operator
We are still listing Jim Corbett operators. Write to [email protected] and we will put you in touch.
Opening times of Jim Corbett's top sights
With the best time to go and how long to stay.
| Place | Open | Best time | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garjiya Devi Temple | About 06:00 to 12:00 and 16:00 to 20:00; some listings say open all day to 18:00 | Morning, before the midday closure and the tour groups. | 30 min |
| Dhangarhi Museum | About 09:00 to 17:00 (one listing says from 08:00) | Late morning, after it opens. | 45 min |
| Corbett Falls | About 07:00 to 17:00 (one listing says from 06:00) | July to October, when the water is high. | 1 h |
| Jim Corbett Museum, Kaladhungi | About 09:00 to 17:00; the park's site says 07:00 to 18:00, closed only on Holi | Any time it is open. | 45 min |
| Chhoti Haldwani Village | A village; visit in daylight? | Afternoon, for a slow walk. | 1 h |
| Bijrani safari zone (Amdanda Gate) | Two shifts a day, from 15 October to 30 June. From October to mid-February about 06:30 to 10:30 and 13:30 or 14:00 to 17:30 or 18:00; later in the year from about 05:45 and to 19:00 | The morning shift, when animals are most active. | 4 h |
| Jhirna and Dhela safari zones (Dhela Gate) | Two shifts a day, all year when the roads allow. Same shift times as the other zones | The morning shift. From July to mid-October these are the only zones open for jeep safaris. | 4 h |
| Durga Devi safari zone | Two shifts a day, from 15 November to 15 June (one park page says from 15 October) | The morning shift, for birds along the Ramganga river. | 4 h |
All 8 places to visit in Jim Corbett
Temples
Dhangarhi Museum
45 minThe park's visitor centre at Dhangarhi gate, on the road north of Garjiya. It explains the forest and its animals, with a room that shows the jungle at night and plays animal calls. It is a good stop for children.
Day 1 of the 2-day planCorbett Falls
1 hA waterfall in a teak forest near Kaladhungi, where the water drops about 20 m into a pool. The forest department runs it as an eco park with a path through the trees.
In the 1-day planJim Corbett Museum, Kaladhungi
45 minThe winter home of Jim Corbett, the hunter who became a writer and helped save this forest. The old stone house keeps his letters, photos and furniture, with a small garden around it.
In the 1-day planChhoti Haldwani Village
1 hThe village Jim Corbett built for local farmers, right behind his house. You can still see the stone wall he put up to keep wild animals out of the fields, and the meeting place where he sat with the villagers.
Day 2 of the 2-day planBijrani safari zone (Amdanda Gate)
4 hThe most popular jeep safari zone, a few minutes from Ramnagar. It has open grassland, sal forest and streams, and is one of the better zones for seeing tigers and elephants.
In the 1-day planJhirna and Dhela safari zones (Dhela Gate)
4 hTwo safari zones on the south-west side of the park, entered from Dhela gate, about 13 km west of Ramnagar by road. Jhirna is mostly dry forest and grassland, and both stay open in the monsoon.
Day 2 of the 2-day planDurga Devi safari zone
4 hA hilly zone in the north-east of the park, along the Ramganga and Mandal rivers. It is known for birds, and the drive to its gate passes Garjiya and Dhangarhi.
Not in our plans. Add it if you have time.Questions people ask
Can I take my cab into Jim Corbett National Park?
No. Private cars are not allowed inside for tourism. Jeep safaris run only in registered jeeps with a park guide, booked on booking.corbettgov.org. Your cab covers the sights outside the park and the drive to and from Ramnagar.
Which safari zone should I book?
For a first safari, Bijrani: it is close to Ramnagar and good for tigers and elephants, open from 15 October to 30 June. For a second, Jhirna: a different, drier forest, open all year, so it is also the zone to book from July to mid-October. Dhela is next to Jhirna and also open all year. Durga Devi, from mid-November to mid-June, is best for birds. Dhikala has no day jeep safaris, only the Canter bus tour or a night stay.
What are the jeep safari timings?
There are two shifts a day, each about 3 to 4 hours. From October to mid-February the morning shift starts at about 06:30 and the evening one at 13:30 or 14:00. From mid-April the morning starts at about 05:45 and the evening ends at about 19:00. Online booking closes at 06:30 for the morning and 16:00 for the afternoon.
Can I visit Sitabani Temple?
Yes, but it is not in these plans. It is about 25 km from Ramnagar on a slow forest road, and the forest department must let you in. Ask your driver to check the day before.
What about Hanuman Dham and the Kosi Barrage?
Hanuman Dham is a large temple at Chhoi, just south of Ramnagar, open from about 06:00 to 20:00. The Kosi Barrage in Ramnagar is a good place for birds in the early morning, mostly October to November and February to March. Both are short stops your driver can add.
Can I visit Nainital from Corbett?
Yes, as a separate day. Nainital is about 65 km from Ramnagar by road through Kaladhungi, so you can see Corbett Falls and the museum on the way up. Kainchi Dham is about as far again on a different road.
When is the best time to visit Corbett?
November to June, when every safari zone is open. November to February is cool and clear, and April to June is hot but the best time to see animals near water. From July to mid-October only Jhirna and Dhela are open, and heavy rain can close them.