Places to visit in Jim Corbett

Places to visit in Jim Corbett at a glance

Most people come for the tiger, but the places to visit in Jim Corbett go well beyond the safari gate. Safaris run only in the early morning and late afternoon, so you have the middle of the day free, and a whole second trip’s worth of sights lies within 30 km of Ramnagar.

The table below lists the main spots with their approximate road distance from Ramnagar and how long to set aside, not counting the drive.

Sights within 30 km of Ramnagar

Garjia Devi temple

A small shrine perched on a rock mound in the middle of the Kosi river, reached by a footbridge and a steep flight of steps. Go early in the morning, before the tour buses and the heat. Read the full Garjia Devi temple guide.

Dhangarhi museum

The interpretation centre beside the Dhangarhi gate, the entry point for the Dhikala zone, has displays on the park’s wildlife, habitats and history. It makes a good 45-minute stop for children before their first safari. It usually opens in the daytime even for visitors without a safari permit.

Sitabani temple

An old temple in the Sitabani forest, linked by local tradition to Sita and the sage Valmiki. The drive and the streams around it are as much of a draw as the temple, and it is one of the few areas near Corbett where birders can walk with a local guide.

Chunakhan falls

Nicknamed the “Virgin falls” because far fewer people make it here. You reach it by a forest trail of a few kilometres from Chunakhan village. Go with a local guide, in dry weather, and start by mid-morning.

Corbett Falls

A 20-metre-plus cascade near Kaladhungi, reached by a short, shaded walk from the road. It is at its fullest just after the monsoon. See the Corbett Falls guide.

Corbett Museum, Kaladhungi

Jim Corbett’s old winter home, now a museum of his letters, photographs and belongings. Pair it with Corbett Falls, a few kilometres away. Details in our Corbett Museum guide.

Kosi barrage, Hanuman Dham and Kyari

In Ramnagar itself, the Kosi barrage is a pleasant spot for a sunset walk, and in winter keen birders scan the stony river bed for the ibisbill. Hanuman Dham, a large, modern temple complex on the edge of town, is busy on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Kyari, a village in the forest fringe, has homestays, fields and excellent birding at dawn.

Hill stations and day trips further away

Nainital

About two hours’ drive uphill, Nainital gives you the lake, boating, the Naina Devi temple, Mall Road shopping and the Snow View point. Weekends and school holidays bring heavy traffic, so leave Ramnagar by 8 AM.

Kainchi Dham

The ashram of Neem Karoli Baba lies about 17 km beyond Nainital on the Almora road, via Bhowali. It fits neatly into a Nainital day. Mid-June, around its foundation day, draws very large crowds.

Bhimtal and Naukuchiatal

Two calmer lakes south-east of Nainital. Bhimtal has an island café and boating; Naukuchiatal, the “lake of nine corners”, is quieter still and popular for paragliding in season.

Pangot and Kilbury

Oak and rhododendron forests above Nainital, famous among birders for Himalayan species such as the khalij pheasant and various laughingthrushes. Stay overnight if you can, as the birding is best at first light.

Ranikhet

A cantonment town about 95 km away by road via Mohan, with pine walks, the Chaubatia orchards and, on clear days, a line of snow peaks. It is best as an overnight trip, and you can go on to Kausani or Binsar if you have more time.

Ramnagar to Nainital is an easy cab routes. If you want the hills and the jungle together, look at the Corbett + Nainital combo.

One-day Corbett sightseeing itinerary

1. 7:00 AM: Garjia Devi temple, before the crowds.
2. 8:30 AM: Dhangarhi museum, then breakfast back at your resort.
3. 11:30 AM: Drive to Kaladhungi for the Corbett Museum and a walk into Chhoti Haldwani village.
4. 1:30 PM: Lunch at a dhaba on the Kaladhungi road, then Corbett Falls.
5. 5:00 PM: Sunset at the Kosi barrage and an evening visit to Hanuman Dham.

If you have a morning safari booked, drop Garjia and Dhangarhi and start the plan at Kaladhungi.

Two-day sightseeing plan

Day 1 follows the one-day plan above. Day 2 heads for the hills:

• Leave Ramnagar about 8 AM and reach Nainital by 10 AM for boating and Naina Devi.
• Lunch on Mall Road, then drive on to Kainchi Dham via Bhowali.
• Return through Bhimtal for a quiet lakeside tea.
• Back in Ramnagar by around 7 PM, or stay the night in the hills and bird at Pangot next morning.

For more ideas beyond sightseeing, such as rafting, angling and village walks, see things to do in Jim Corbett.

Tips for sightseeing around Corbett

• Hire a cab for the day rather than going by bus. The sights are spread out along different roads.
• Many forest-run sites close by late afternoon, so do those first and keep temples and the barrage for the evening.
• In the monsoon, check road and river conditions: Garjia can be closed when the Kosi is high, and hill roads see landslides.
• Carry cash. Small entry fees and parking are often cash only.
• Stay on paths at forest sites. These are wild elephant and leopard areas, and dusk is when animals move.