Behind the wheel & Contributor

Vinod Kumar...know more about me

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Rajaji national park

Distance Delhi to Chilla - 303kms
Time - 5.5 hrs
Stay - GMVN Tourist Bungalow Chilla
The drive was a breeze in the begining, as we start at 5am and reach by 10:50. In between took a breakfast break at MacD. After Muffazarnagar, the usual drag traffic and then the diversions for the 4 laning work on till Haridwar. Our booking was in the GMVN Tourist bunglow. Its a beautiful place to stay.

Entry


Reception


Log huts


The log huts were awesome, beautiful gardens, the feel of staying in the midst of the jungle truly personified with the log hut feel and yet decently luxurious. The huts have double room with a wide balcony, and lots of birds and monkeys for company.

Some inmates






Egyptian vulture


Vinod's macro shots






The suites have two rooms with bathroom, AC, living area with tv and sofa. An electric kettle is available with supplies.

After checking in we took the afternoon safari to Rajaji which is just 1 km away. Insterd of opting for the jeep we took our car in, hired Satish a knowledgable guide, whose expertise is birds. He drove us through the park, but being just a single route and lush green spoting leopards, tigers and elephants were difficult to spot.







Jan end is not a good time to spot mammals as there are still waterbodies in the interiors so they would not venture to the outer sources of water, but there were lots of migratory birds. Peacocks, deers, boars, lizards, parakeets, kingfishers, hornbills, raptors you can spot easily.

Egyptian vulture


The drive through the park itself is an experience as it takes you through the waterbeds, dense forests, tracks meandering through tall grass.....



Except for the usual, the drive was uneventful....But to the end just a km before the gate, we see a leopard cross our path. It was quick and so photographs were out of question.

Back in room we plan to make a try the next morning at 6:30. Again spotting of a few birds and the usual, return back early and after breakfast plan to visit the buffer zone. Vinod was more interested in birds, and the drive.



We take to the bufferzone of Ganga Bhogalpur malla village and drive half way to Khimsar, the road is beautiful and the climb to the top brought us to a small clearing where work was on for a upcoming resort. The drive was around 22 kms..

Google map - https://www.google.co.in/maps/dir/Rajaji+National+Park,+Chila+Gate,+Reception,+Cheela+Colony,+Uttarakhand/29%C2%B059'05.1%22N+78%C2%B019'00.2%22E/@29.9999071,78.2301588,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m12!4m11!1m5!1m1!1s0x390940c858dc89b9:0x8f1b196e6e408623!2m2!1d78.2115836!2d29.9707883!1m3!2m2!1d78.3167222!2d29.98475!3e0

Views from top




In the afternoon, we drive to through the dry beds of the bufferzone, Satish guided us through the riverbeds...in search of birds. ...By evening back in room. The next day we return back.

River bed drive