Address
kashipur Road Ramnagar, Distt Nanital Uttarakhand 244715
Dhikala Forest Rest House
There are 5 forest rest houses at Dhikala Zone which provide accommodation to visitors. Dhikala forest rest house and Gairal forest rest house are the larger facilities with canteen services. The other rest houses are smaller with kitchen facilities for visitors to prepare their own meals.
Dhikala FRH
Dhikala, renowned for its panoramic landscape, is located at the edge of the Patli Dun valley along the Ramganga River with the Kanda ridge as a stunning backdrop. The heritage building of the old FRH was constructed in the 1890s. Though it was one of the first accommodation facilities built inside the park, staff did not reside here during monsoon seasons until 1963 due to severe malaria infestations. The ground floor previously served as the DFO office while the top floor accommodated forest officers. This historic location holds the unique distinction of being the venue for the launch of "Project Tiger." Following 1975, Dhikala was formally opened to tourism, with accommodation expanded to meet growing demand. Beyond the original FRH building, several additional accommodation types have been added over time. The complex functions as a self-contained entity with restaurants, nature guides, jeep safaris, a well-stocked library, evening movie screenings, and walking trails. A post office allows visitors to share their park experiences via mail. Nearby watchtowers provide excellent vantage points overlooking the entire Ramganga riverbed and the magnificent chaurs (grasslands).
HUTMENT
Room Type:
HUTMENT (Double Bed)
Location:
Dhikala
Entry Gate:
Dhangari Gate
Distance from Ramnagar:
40 km
No. of Rooms:
6
Restaurant and Canteen:
Yes
CABIN - Double Bed
Room Type:
CABIN (Double Bed)
Location:
Dhikala
Entry Gate:
Dhangari Gate
Distance from Ramnagar:
40 km
No. of Rooms:
3
Restaurant and Canteen:
Yes
NEW FRH - Double Bed
Room Type:
NEW FRH - Double Bed
Location:
Dhikala
Entry Gate:
Dhangari Gate
Distance from Ramnagar:
40 km
No. of Rooms:
4
Restaurant and Canteen:
Yes
OLD FRH - Double Bed
Room Type:
OLD FRH - Double Bed
Location:
Dhikala
Entry Gate:
Dhangari Gate
Distance from Ramnagar:
40 km
No. of Rooms:
5
Restaurant and Canteen:
Yes
ANNEXI Room - Double Bed
Room Type:
ANNEXI Room - Double Bed
Location:
Dhikala
Entry Gate:
Dhangari Gate
Distance from Ramnagar:
40 km
No. of Rooms:
7
Restaurant and Canteen:
Yes
DHIKALA Dormitory (LOG HUT)
Room Type:
LOG HUT (Double Bed)
Location:
Dhikala
Entry Gate:
Dhangari Gate
Distance from Ramnagar:
40 km
No. of Rooms:
12
Restaurant and Canteen:
Yes
GAIRAL
The original Gairal Forest complex dates back to 1903. The New FRH, featuring four rooms and an eight-bed dormitory, is situated adjacent to the Ramganga River where it enters the National Park. This FRH enjoys a tranquil environment of exceptional natural beauty and provides excellent bird watching opportunities. The nearby crocodile pool offers visitors chances to observe gharials either in the water or basking on adjacent rocks.
GAIRAL (NEW FRH)
Room Type:
NEW FRH (Double Bed)
Location:
Gairal
Entry Gate:
Dhangari Gate
Distance from Ramnagar:
30 km
No. of Rooms:
4
Restaurant and Canteen:
Yes
GAIRAL Dormitory
Room Type:
Dormitory
Location:
Gairal
Entry Gate:
Dhangari Gate
Distance from Ramnagar:
30 km
No. of Rooms:
8
Restaurant and Canteen:
Yes
Sarpduli FRH
One of the most picturesque Forest Rest Houses in Corbett, Sarpaduli offers stunning views of the Ramganga River and is located 30 kilometers from Ramnagar. Constructed in 1908, this FRH regularly witnesses elephant movements in the surrounding area, and visitors may even spot otters in the nearby river. Ghoral (mountain goats) can often be observed on the slopes across the Ramganga. The area features large pools inhabited by Mahseer fish and attracts various fish-eating birds including kingfishers and fish eagles.
Sarpduli FRH
Room Type:
FRH (Double Bed)
Location:
Sarpduli
Entry Gate:
Dhangari Gate
Distance from Ramnagar:
30 km
No. of Rooms:
2
Kitchen:
Yes
Sarpduli Dormitory
Room Type:
Dormitory
Location:
Sarpduli
Entry Gate:
Dhangari Gate
Distance from Ramnagar:
30 km
No. of Beds:
3
Kitchen:
Yes
Sultan FRH
Sultan, the first FRH encountered on the Dhangari-Dhikala road, offers the advantage of privacy and solitude. The adjacent Sal forest patch ranks among the densest in the Corbett Tiger Reserve and supports substantial populations of deer and birds. Originally built in 1903, this FRH provides an ideal retreat for small groups of visitors seeking a more intimate wildlife experience.
Sultan FRH
Room Type:
FRH (Double Bed)
Location:
Sultan
Entry Gate:
Dhangari Gate
Distance from Ramnagar:
25 km
No. of Rooms:
2
Restaurant and Canteen:
Yes
Khinnanauli FRH
Khinnanauli serves as the VVIP guest house in the Dhikala zone of Corbett National Park, offering panoramic views of the grasslands. Its strategic location provides easy access to most main safari areas, making it uniquely positioned for wildlife viewing. Situated approximately 26 kilometers from Dhangarhi gate along the route to Dhikala forest rest house, this facility combines convenience with exceptional wildlife observation opportunities.
Accommodation in Khinnanauli Forest Rest House
Khinnanauli forest rest house features three spacious and well-ventilated double rooms. The campus includes ample sitting areas where guests can relax during evenings while enjoying the natural surroundings.
Fooding in Khinnanauli Forest Lodge
The facility provides kitchen amenities with room attendant service. Visitors need to bring their own raw provisions which can be prepared using the kitchen facilities available on-site.
Booking of Khinnanauli Forest Rest House
All three rooms at Khinnanauli rest house are booked offline through the Corbett office at Ramnagar. This accommodation is primarily reserved for departmental guests and is rarely available to general tourists.
Safety
Khinnanauli forest rest house is secured with solar-powered wire fencing to ensure guest safety while maintaining minimal environmental impact.
Facilities in Khinnanauli Forest Rest House
All rooms feature attached washrooms with running hot and cold water, providing essential comforts while maintaining the authentic forest experience.
Attractions
Canter Safari
The Canter Safari in Corbett represents the optimal choice for visitors staying outside the Dhikala Zone who wish to experience the area's exceptional wildlife. These 16-seater open-air buses operate from Ramnagar to Dhikala and return. Prior booking through the official website is mandatory for canter safaris, which provide an accessible way to explore the park's diverse ecosystems and wildlife populations.
Chaurs (Grass Lands)
Dhikala is celebrated for its expansive grasslands that support substantial populations of elephants, spotted deer, wild pigs, hog deer, and other herbivores. Visitors frequently witness tigers crossing these grasslands or pursuing deer, offering exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities in these open habitats.
Watch Tower
The strategically positioned watchtower at Dhikala provides excellent wildlife observation opportunities, particularly for animals grazing in the nearby chaurs. It also offers comprehensive views of the Ramganga riverbed and significant portions of the Dhikala chaur. Located just a ten-minute walk from Dhikala forest rest house, this watchtower overlooks a man-made waterhole approximately fifty yards to the south, creating an ideal location for spotting deer, elephants, wild pigs, and occasionally tigers.
Crocodile Point at Gairal
The crocodile pool, accessible via the shortcut from Gairal to other western rest houses, features a natural balcony-like structure overlooking a pool consistently inhabited by crocodiles. This location provides exceptional opportunities to observe these prehistoric reptiles both in water and basking on adjacent rocks.
Sambar Trail
This significant jungle track extends from the base of the Dhikala watchtower to the Khinanauli rest house. This area records the highest frequency of tiger sightings in the region, attributable to its strategic position between hills and riverbed. Numerous animal species traverse this corridor while moving toward water sources. Elephants regularly visit this track, requiring visitors to exercise caution, particularly during summer evenings. The area also hosts nesting serpent eagles in trees along the route. Patient observers are almost guaranteed rewarding wildlife experiences along this track.
The trail offers opportunities to spot various deer species including spotted deer (Axis axis), sambar (Cervus unicolor), and barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), named for their distinctive vocalizations resembling dog barks.
Considered among the world's premier locations for tiger and wild elephant sightings, this area also represents a dream destination for birdwatchers. The surrounding forests and substantial water bodies support remarkable avian diversity.
The likelihood of encountering sloth bears remains high in this forest section, attracted by both termites and the sweet nectar of Mahua flowers. Interestingly, bears have been observed in apparently intoxicated states when Mahua ferments within their digestive systems.
Open & Close Time
Open
The Dhikala Safari zone of Corbett Tiger Reserve welcomes tourists from November 15th through June 15th annually, providing access during optimal wildlife viewing conditions.
Closed
Corbett Tiger Reserve closes during monsoon seasons when numerous streams cross access roads to the Dhikala zone, making passage impossible due to elevated water levels and pressure. The Dhikala Ecotourism Zone remains closed for night halts and day visits from June 16th to November 14th each year.
How to Reach Dhikala
Visitors can access Dhikala via Dhangarhi gate, located 18 kilometers from Ramnagar. Please consult the official route map for detailed directions and current road conditions.
Dhikala Range Entry Timing
Access to the Dhikala range through Dhangarhi Gate is permitted from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM daily during open seasons. Corbett Tiger Reserve closes entirely during monsoon periods. All ecotourism zones within Corbett Tiger Reserve suspend night halt accommodations from June 15th to November 14th. The Bijrani Zone additionally closes for day visits from June 30th to October 14th. The Dhikala, Lohachaur, and Sonanadi Tourism Zones prohibit day visits from June 16th to November 14th. From June 1st to 15th, these ecotourism zones operate in standby mode without advance reservations, as the Director of Corbett Tiger Reserve may close them with minimal notice based on visitor safety considerations due to adverse weather conditions.
