Rajaji National Park - Elephants You will Never Forget

(A Weekend Destination for Delhites)

State : Uttarakhand

Distance from Delhi : 208 Km

Journey Time : By Road : 6 Hrs, By Rail : 7.5 Hrs + 0.5 Hrs by road

Route : NH 58 to Haridwar via Meerut, Muzaffarnagar and Roorkee, state road to chilla, the main entrance of Rajaji.

 

The park has been created in 1983 by amalgamation of three sanctuaries- Rajaji sanctuary, Motichur sanctuary and Chilla sanctuary after the name of renowned statesman and freedom fighter Sri C. Rajgopalachariya - The first and last Governor General of independent India popularly known as "Rajaji". The park is spread over an area of 820.42 sq. km. in three Districts- Dehradun, Haridwar & Pauri Garhwal of Uttaranchal State, India.

The area is covered with diverse forest types ranging from semi-evergreen to deciduous and from mixed broad-leaved to terai grassland and has been classified as Indus-Ganges Monsoon Forest type. Lofty strands of sal dominate in many parts.

Rajaji is home to avian species which are found in forested foothills and in open grassland. It's location in a transition zone between temperate western Himalaya and central Himalaya enhances the species diversity and consequently the viewing prospects. Rajaji's checklist has 324 species and includes good birds like Greater Scaup, White-naped Woodpecker, Great Hornbill, Black-bellied Tern, Pallas's Fish Eagle, Northern Goshawk, Black-necked Stork, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Scaly Thrush, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Rusty-flanked Treecreeper, Pale-footed Bush Warbler, Tytler's Leaf Warbler, Green Avadavat and Reed Bunting.

 

The park is home to the Tiger, Leopard, Himalayan Bear, Cheetal, hog deer, barking deer, Sambar deer, wild boar, antelopes such as the Nilgai, Goral , Jackal, Hyena, Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, Civets, Himalayan Yellow-Throated Marten, Sloth Bears, Pythons, King Cobra, Common Krait, Indian Cobra and the Monitor Lizard and above All the Asian Elephant.

 

 

 

Dodital Trek (Angler’s Paradise)

 

Dodital, literally meaning the Dodi Lake, is at an elevation of 3024 mts north of Uttarkashi. Crystal clear waters are surrounded by dense oakwoods, pine, deodar and rhododendrons. The lake is full of fish and is known for some rare species like the Himalayan Golden Trout. The forest surrounding the lake is also full of wildlife. It provides an idyllic set up for rest and recreational activities like angling, boating and bird-watching.

 

The walk to Darwa top is 5 kms (2-3 hrs). It is a pass at a height of 4150 mts. The entire walk is an uphill climb. It starts with the climb along the feeder to Dodital breaking into a thick birch forest opening into the high meadows. A perfect setting for Himalayan wild flowers, Darwa top offers an amphi-theatre view of the Bandarpunch and Swargarohini range of peaks.

 

Getting There and Out

 

From Uttarkashi to Sangam Chatti (Kalyani), its 15Km/45 mins by car (Taxi Rs. 200) or 1.5 Hrs by bus (Rs. 15).

 

Delhi to Haridwar is 203 Km/5 Hrs by road. Taxi Rs. 2600 ; deluxe bus from ISBT Kashmere Gate. Rs. 127, its 4.5 hrs by rail (Shatabdi Rs. 465)

 

Haridwar to Uttarkashi is 173 Km/6 hrs by taxi (rs. 1500) or 8 hrs by bus (Rs. 150). The main route to uttarkashi via New Tehri and Dobata no longer exists, instead head left directly via Bhaldiana.

 

Alternate Route

 

Mussorie to Uttarkashi via Dhanaulti is 125 Km/4 hrs by taxi (Rs. 800) or 5 hrs by bus (Rs. 80)

 

Dhanaulti is 125 Km/4 hrs by taxi (rs. 800) or 5 hrs by bus (Rs. 80)

 

Return from Hanuman Chatti you can either get to Haridwar (taxi 9 Hrs/Rs. 3500; bus 11 hrs/Rs. 160) via Chamba and Narendranagar or drive down to Mussoorie (taxi 4 hrs / Rs. 800; bus 5 hrs / Rs. 80) via barkot.

 

TIP L You can break journey at Uttarkashi for the night, going to and coming back from the trek.

 

Chopta – The Mini Switzerland

Chopta is situated in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand and popularly known as "mini Switzerland". Chopta is situated at an located at an altitute of 2600 mts above sea level amidst dense forest. Enchanting views of the Himalayas is visible from Chopta. Rhododendron and deodar trees are found in abundant here.It is one of the most picturesque spot of Uttaranchal as the natural splendours seen from here are very diverse. Chopta is situated on the Chandra Parbat and its most popular excursion are Tungnath Mandir dedicated to Lord Shiva and Chandrashila is the highest point of the mountain on which Chopta is situated.

 

Getting There

From Rudraprayag to Gopeshwar : It's 74 Km/3 hrs by car (Rs. 400 by Taxi, Negotiable) or 3.5 hrs by bus (Rs. 60) From here Chopta (39Kms) lies on the crest of a road that runs from Gopeshwar via Mandal down to Okhimath, before meeting the Rudraprayag-Kedarnath route. A jeep taxi (Rs. 300) should have you there in 1/5 hrs and a bus (rs. 20) in 2 HRs.

Alternate Route
Rudraprayag to Okhimath is 42 km/1.5 hrs by taxi (rs. 300, shared taxi, Rs. 30). From Okhimath, Chopta is 30 Km via Dubalbitta. 1 Hr by Taxi (Rs. 200) or 1.5 hrs by bus (Rs. 20). There are two buses from Gopeshwar to Chopta (12.30 and 1.30 pm) and two from Okhimath to Chopta (7.30 and 8.30 am)

Return the same way from Gopeshwar or Okhimath to Rudraprayag, Buses leave chopta for Gopeshwar (9.30 and 10 am) and Okhimath (1.40 adn 2.30 PM)

U-trip (www.utripindia.in)  is a young and dynamic destination management company, we show you the best of destinations, be it a well known tourist spot or the journey to virgin land. Travel business with a dab of adventure is natural for us as our Team is from Himalayas and engaged in various adventure activities in different Himalayan regions. Their love for traveling to beautiful landscapes and passion for adventure is the reason for the establishment of U-Trip.

Services we offer :-

•      U-Trip Events

•      Fixed Itineraries

•      Ladies Spl

     •      Khanabadosh – the Nomads Tour

•      U -Bikers

U-Trip Events

Utrip Events are the list of events where the departure dates are decided by Utrip Team keeping in view the upcoming holidays so that leaves doesn’t becomes a problem for the participants. Also sometimes the date of departures is decided as per the suitable weather condition for particular trek. Join our Events and meet other like minded travelers & share your experiences. The theme for the events could vary from thrilling jungle safari to leisure beach camp to tiring mountain biking or to a trip to popular tourist destination.

 Fixed Itineraries :

If you have a group, leave rest on us. We have documented several itineraries of some known and unknown destinations. All you have to do is select Itineraries from our list of various destinations that suit you best & leave with your group with your choice of date that is convenient to you. This is the ideal choice for Corporates, Group of friends or couples.

Ladies Spl :

Ladies Spl is for  all those women who want a break from their daily office /domestic routine and have interest in travelling. This is a great way to experience new exotic locations and make new like minded friends. 

We at U-trip understand that women usually have different needs than men, both in terms of what they want to experience in a new place and how they want to go about experiencing it. A trip with only women makes you feel more secure, and convincing your family for the getaway wont be a hassle. You can freely discuss any topic or any health issues.

The itineraries are designed keeping in mind all age groups and fitness levels. So, even if  you have crossed your sixties, but are young at heart, you can sign up for these trips and watch yourself become a girl once again.

Women bond really fast and really well. They also make great travel companions. So, at the end of a trip you are definitely going to have great friends.

Whether you are a single woman or a group of friends, there is enough place and plenty of reasons for you to come for our trips and join the other girls.

Khanabadosh – the Nomads Tour

The Khanabadosh Tour is part of  U-Trips exploratory tours. We undertake  Khanabadosh Tours on trails that are relatively unknown. Khanabadosh Tour happens in small team that is assembled together and led by an experienced trekker. Each member of the Khanabadosh team is assigned a role. For example, you may be assigned the task to photograph the trail; another may be assigned the task to gather factual details about the trek (names of villages, streams on the way), other one may be given a responsibility of transportation etc.

U-Bikers

The U-Bikers Tour is for all those biking enthusiasts. We select route and trails very carefully that is still unexplored, preserved and hidden on map and we share our passion and adventure for motorcycling touring. You get freedom to explore scenic beauty of the route & discover great picturesque with U-Bikers. We make each & every itinerary with great care & that suit our guest requirements & expectations on Motorcycle. We mix adventure, culture, beautiful accommodation so that every riders can enjoy their memorable Motorcycle holidays with us.