Rajaji National Park Safari & Rishikesh, India: A 4-Day Travel Experience

(13th April - 16th April, 2025)

A short journey through the forests of Rajaji and the riverbanks of Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, India.

Day 1 – April 13, 2025 | Arrival in Dehradun

The journey began with an arrival in Dehradun around 11:00 a.m., stepping off the bus into a city full of movement—honking horns, busy streets, and people going about their day.

My first stop was the Forest Research Institute (FRI), an iconic landmark set amidst a sprawling, serene campus. The transition from the noisy bus station to the FRI's peaceful, colonial-era architecture was stark and welcome. I spent a couple of hours exploring the on-site museums, which offered engaging exhibits on forestry, entomology, and natural history—informative and immersive in equal measure.

By mid-afternoon, I checked into my hotel and met up with family. We headed out together for a late lunch at Kalsang Restaurant, a beloved local spot known for its Tibetan and pan-Asian cuisine. The food was excellent—warm, flavorful, and deeply satisfying.

We wrapped up the evening at the hotel, catching up and relaxing in anticipation of our journey into the wild the next day.

Day 2 – April 14, 2025 | Into the Wild

The morning began on a lovely note, with a visit to Dr. Rajeev Bharthari’s residence. We were welcomed with heartfelt hospitality and a delicious, home-cooked breakfast. It was a warm and grounding start to what would become a day of thrilling encounters with nature.

By 1:00 p.m., we arrived at Rajaji National Park, checked into our modest but air-conditioned lodging, and enjoyed a quick meal. The cool interiors were a welcome respite from the April heat. Soon after, we met our guide, climbed into an open-top Gypsy, and drove to the park gate for our first afternoon safari.

At around 2:00 p.m., with paperwork completed, we entered the park—and within minutes, nature offered its first spectacle. A monitor lizard was ambushed by a dozen green bee-eaters in the middle of the road, a flurry of wings and color that set the tone for the next four hours.

We meandered through dense sal forests, spotting 34 species of birds. But the day’s highlight came in the form of two leopards. The first was perched in a tree above a watering hole, calmly watching a large herd of elephants wallow below. After the elephants moved on, the leopard languidly shifted to a shadier branch, a moment of serene observation we felt privileged to witness.

We returned to camp by 6:00 p.m., exhilarated and humbled. A simple yet delicious dinner awaited us, and after such a sensory-rich afternoon, sleep came quickly.

Day 3 – April 15, 2025 | A Day of Safaris

We were up before dawn and reached the park gate by 6:00 a.m., ready for another immersion into the wild. This safari was a birdwatcher’s dream—we recorded 53 species, including the flamboyant Indian roller, rosy minivet, small minivet, and a majestic great hornbill nesting in a tall shisham tree. A lone leopard crossing an open patch added drama to the serene morning.

Back at the lodge, we enjoyed a hearty lunch and rested—perhaps a little too deeply.

We departed an hour late, reaching the park by 3:00 p.m., but luck smiled on us again. Within 30 minutes, we encountered a female leopard resting beneath a tree, barely ten feet from our Gypsy. She rose, snarled, mock-charged us, and then slipped silently into the underbrush, leaving only her presence in the heavy air.

Further along, another leopard crouched at the edge of a dry riverbed, nearly invisible among the shrubs. On the way out, we paused to watch a crow picking mites from a sambar deer—a quiet, intimate moment that showcased the park’s rich web of life.

We exited the park at 6:00 p.m. for the final time, already nostalgic for the wild wonders of Rajaji.

Day 4 – April 16, 2025 | Rishikesh

We left early the next morning for Rishikesh, a serene town nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. Known as the "Yoga Capital of the World," Rishikesh draws seekers and wanderers alike, offering a space for reflection, healing, and spiritual discovery.

Our journey to town was peaceful, with the Ganga River flowing alongside the road and the air growing crisper as we approached. Upon arrival, we headed straight to the riverbank, where people from all walks of life gathered—some offering prayers, others lost in quiet contemplation.

As we strolled along the banks, a Pied Kingfisher darted across the water, diving gracefully into the river in search of prey. Soon after, the sharp alarm call of a deer across the river suggested the presence of a predator—a stark reminder of the wildness that still resides in these sacred hills.

That evening, we joined the crowd at Triveni Ghat for the famous Ganga Aarti. The scent of incense, rhythmic chanting, and flickering oil lamps created an atmosphere of reverence and unity. The ceremony—honoring the river as a living goddess—was deeply moving and spiritually grounding.

Reflections

Over four days, we experienced the full spectrum of northern India’s beauty—from the scientific grandeur of the Forest Research Institute to the untamed splendor of Rajaji, and finally, the spiritual serenity of Rishikesh.

Rajaji National Park was a highlight—three safaris yielded leopard sightings on each trip, an impressive bird list topping 80 species, and countless smaller, tender encounters with nature. In Rishikesh, the Ganga reminded us that some forces, like rivers and faith, run deeper than we can understand.

I returned home feeling both awed and grateful—for the wildlife, the hospitality, and the rare chance to witness the world at its wildest and most sacred.

Planning a Similar Journey

If this is your kind of experience, we’d be happy to help you plan a journey like this.

Images source:- Alfie Myers

Tour Map

(Delhi - Dehradun FRI - Rajaji National Park - Rishikesh - Delhi)