Lansdowne & Jim Corbett Nature + Heritage Safari
Colonial hilltops meet tiger country — Uttarakhand's most surprising nature-heritage trail.
About This Tour
Uttarakhand's Pauri Garhwal district harbours one of the most overlooked hill towns in northern India — Lansdowne. Named after Lord Lansdowne, the Viceroy of India who founded it in 1887, this quiet cantonment town serves as the regimental headquarters of the Garhwal Rifles, one of India's most celebrated infantry regiments. While destinations like Mussoorie and Nainital attract millions each year, Lansdowne sees a fraction of that footfall despite offering genuinely beautiful forested landscapes, cool temperatures, colonial-era architecture, and a living military heritage that is unlike anything else in Uttarakhand.
Paired with Jim Corbett National Park — India's oldest national park and one of Asia's premier wildlife reserves — this 3-night, 4-day circuit from Haridwar creates a journey that effortlessly combines heritage, culture, nature, and wildlife in a single itinerary. Few packages in Uttarakhand offer this breadth of experience across such a comfortable, accessible route.
In Lansdowne, you will explore the iconic War Memorial, stroll around the reed-fringed Bhulla Tal lake, visit the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Museum (one of the finest regimental museums in India), walk the quiet colonial-era roads lined with oak and pine, and make the journey to the peaceful Tarkeshwar Mahadev temple — an ancient Shiva shrine set in a dense deodar forest that feels genuinely sacred and unhurried.
At Jim Corbett, the focus shifts entirely to wildlife. Named after the legendary British-Indian hunter-turned-conservationist Jim Corbett, this park protects Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, leopards, gharials, mahseer, and over 600 species of birds across varied habitats of riverine forest, sal woodlands, and open grasslands. Two jeep safaris are included — ideally one morning and one evening — to maximise your wildlife sighting chances. The route also takes in Corbett Falls, a cascading waterfall in the forest, and Garjia Devi Temple, a revered shrine perched dramatically on a rock in the middle of the Kosi River.
This package is ideal for families, couples, and small groups who want a complete Uttarakhand experience combining colonial history, mountain scenery, and tiger-country adventure.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
What's Included
✓ Included
✗ Not Included
Package Pricing
All prices in Indian Rupees (INR) · International visitors see converted price above
| Group Size | Standard | Deluxe | Super deluxe | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Pax (Sedan) | ₹13,000 | ₹17,000 | ₹22,000 | ₹28,000 |
| 4 Pax (Sedan) | ₹11,000 | ₹14,500 | ₹18,500 | ₹24,000 |
| 6 Pax (Tempo Traveller) | ₹9,000 | ₹12,000 | ₹15,500 | ₹20,000 |
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What Travelers Say
Lansdowne & Jim Corbett: The Complete Travel Guide
This tour pairs two of Uttarakhand's most distinctive yet underappreciated destinations — creating a journey that surprises travellers who expect a conventional hill station or jungle trip. Here is what you need to know to get the most from both places.
Lansdowne: The Cantonment That Time Forgot
Lansdowne sits at 1,706 metres in the Pauri Garhwal district and owes its existence entirely to the British military. Founded in 1887 and named after the Viceroy of India at the time, Marquess of Lansdowne, it was established as the home base of the 3rd Gorkha Rifles (later renamed the Garhwal Rifles). Today the town is still an active military cantonment and retains much of its original character — colonial bungalows, wide shaded avenues, a church, a parade ground, and the regimental mess that dates to the 19th century. What makes Lansdowne remarkable among Uttarakhand hill towns is the almost complete absence of the commercialisation that has overtaken Mussoorie, Nainital, and even Chakrata. You will find no mall roads, cable cars, or amusement parks here — just forest paths, birdsong, and the quiet dignity of a military town proud of its heritage.
The Garhwal Rifles Regimental Museum
This is one of the finest regimental museums in India and essential viewing for any visitor to Lansdowne. The museum traces the history of the Garhwal Rifles from their formation through the World Wars, the 1962 Indo-China conflict, the 1971 Liberation of Bangladesh, the Siachen Glacier, and Kargil. Exhibits include Victoria Crosses (the British Empire's highest military honour), gallantry medals, period weapons, uniforms, photographs, and personal accounts of extraordinary military service. Even visitors with no prior interest in military history typically find the museum deeply engaging.
Tarkeshwar Mahadev: A Sacred Forest Shrine
About 30 km from Lansdowne, the Tarkeshwar Mahadev temple is one of the most atmospherically beautiful pilgrimage sites in Garhwal — and almost unknown to non-local visitors. The ancient Shiva shrine sits in a grove of enormous deodar cedars, some centuries old, whose soaring columns create a cathedral-like quality of light and silence. The temple is active and deeply revered by local Garhwali communities. The road to Tarkeshwar passes through forest and offers fine views, and the entire visit takes 2–3 hours including the drive. It is a highlight of the Lansdowne day that many visitors describe as unexpectedly moving.
Jim Corbett National Park: India's First Tiger Reserve
Established in 1936 as Hailey National Park — India's first national park — Corbett was renamed after Jim Corbett, the legendary hunter turned conservationist who spent much of his life in the Kumaon foothills and whose books (Man-Eaters of Kumaon, The Man-Eating Leopard of Rudraprayag) remain classics of natural writing. Today the park covers 1,318 square kilometres of diverse habitat in the Nainital and Pauri Garhwal districts, centred on the Ramganga reservoir. Corbett is part of Project Tiger and provides critical habitat for Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, leopards, sloth bears, and an extraordinary diversity of birds. The Ramganga River and its tributaries support gharial and mugger crocodiles, smooth-coated otters, and the legendary mahseer — a large freshwater game fish.
Understanding the Zones
Corbett is divided into multiple safari zones: Dhikala (the most biodiverse, requires overnight inside the park), Bijrani (accessible for day visits, excellent tiger habitat), Jhirna (open year-round, best for elephants and birds), Durgadevi (northern zone, quieter), and Sonanadi (western buffer). Our package uses Jhirna and/or Bijrani zones for the two included safaris. The right zone depends on the time of year and permit availability — our team books well in advance to secure the best slots.
Corbett Falls and Garjia Devi
Corbett Falls, 9 km from Ramnagar, is a multi-tiered waterfall dropping through sal forest — beautiful in the post-monsoon season when flow is strong, peaceful in winter. Garjia Devi Temple is one of the most dramatic religious sites in Uttarakhand: a Durga shrine perched on a large rocky outcrop literally in the middle of the Kosi River. Devotees wade or cross on a footbridge to reach the temple. With the Corbett forests on both banks and the river rushing below, the setting is unforgettable. Both are easily combined on the final morning before the return drive.
Practical Tips
Book jeep safari permits well in advance — Corbett is extremely popular and peak season slots (March–May, October–November) sell out weeks ahead. Arrive at the safari gate on time; late arrivals lose their slot. Wear muted colours (khaki, olive, grey) for safaris — bright colours disturb wildlife. Carry binoculars if you have them; they dramatically improve the wildlife viewing experience. No plastic bags are permitted inside the park. Photography is welcome but flash is prohibited. On both legs of the journey, carry cash as ATMs are limited beyond Ramnagar and Kotdwara.
Frequently Asked Questions
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