Gairal Forest Lodge

Overview

Gairal forest rest house is located 16 kms inside Corbett Tiger Reserve almost at midway between the entry gate and Dhikala forest rest house. The rest house is almost 2 kms away from the main road which goes to Dhikala forest lodge, and is right on the ramganga river making it one of the popular choice amongst wildlife lovers and peace seekers. Right from door step of rooms at gairal forest rest house, one can enjoy beautiful view of Ramganga river and sal forest.
Gairal Forest Rest House is reached by a short detour off the Dhangarhi-Dhikala Lodge’s main forest road. Gairal Forest Lodge lies on the banks of the Ramganga River near the place where it first enters the Park within Dhikala Zone. At Gairal Forest Lodge the Ramganga River portrays a different character than it does at places downstream (near Dhikala Lodge). Ramganga River is crystal-clear, fast-flowing mountain river flowing through scenic forests near Gairal Forest Rest House. Being out of the way, stay and safari near gairal forest lodge presents ideal conditions for viewing wildlife and birds in tranquility.
Besides adventure, Gairal Forest Lodge is a place which often brings to the tourists lot of fun and excitement. It is this fun and excitement which connects tourists, here, from different ethnic cultural set ups. Tourists can also indulge in learning local food recipes. The best thing is that you can learn about the local culture and cuisine from the local inhabitants inside the premises of Jim Corbett National Park. This, indeed, seems to be exciting and makes the stay as comfortable as home. This fact makes the visitors enjoy every bit of the tour.

Location and Access

GPS Location: 29.557985, 79.003550
Once you click on above given GPS coordinates you can get clear picture of its location and boundless beauty of nature surrounding this forest rest house. To reach Gairal Forest Rest House.
one have to take entry from Dhangarghi gate of corbett national park and pass through mesmerising river beds,canopy of towering sal trees which will last for 17 kilometers. After this 17 Kilometers of incredible kaleidoscope of forest beauty one reaches at Gairal forest Rest House where one will be greeted by variety of birds visiting frequently this rest house. Tucked between forest and river enables guest to experience gurgle sound of river at night and silence of forest in day time.

Accommodation

The accommodation at the Gairal FRH is nice and comfortable in comparison to the few other forest houses in Corbett. Being a forest rest house, it offers only the limited amenities in its rooms but rooms and attached bathrooms are clean and everything inside it is in good working conditions. All the rooms have the large double-bed along with the same furnishing in every room so it really doesn't matter which room you will be allotted.
At present, only the new FRH and the Dormitory are available for the tourists to stay as the old FRH is not available for booking. All the rooms are very spacious and well ventilated, and the attached bathrooms are having western fittings with the 24-hour running water facility. By using the solar water heating system, hot water is provided to the guests. There is no electricity in the FRH, only the solar generated electric light is provided for the 2 hrs in the evening so no any electric appliances like Air-Conditioner, Television, Fan, etc. are provided in the rooms.
Gairal rest house offers spick and span rooms with attached washroom and a few limited amenities. All the rooms are well maintained and spacious, but no 24 hour electricity is supplied. Due to the maintenance of the natural environment, the rooms are not air conditioned and no telephone facilities are provided. The rest house provides canteen facility, where tourist can get delicious food and snacks at a very low cost.
For third person one extra bed can be laid out. Door and windows are placed at such position so that it ensures cross ventilation feature in each room. There is no fan or air conditioner in rooms. In fact electricity is supplied for limited hours in evening by solar powered inverters,provided these inverters are charged enough which sometimes becomes difficult during cloudy days in winter.
Between 15th November to 15th March, weather remains cold so it omits the need of fan or air conditioner in rooms. From 15th March onward as the mercury rises guest may need fan in mid afternoon for few hours that is also when guest are staying at forest rest house and not going on safari.

Canteen and Food

Gairal Forest Rest House has one small canteen and one dining room where 10-15 people can sit comfortably and have meals. Guest have option to have breakfast or lunch in open lawn which is next to dining room from here guest can also enjoy the spectacular view of Ramganga river and forest. This canteen is operated by Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam and serves only veg meals to its resident and visiting guest. In breakfast they normally serve tea, coffee, bread, butter, jam and parathas and in lunch and dinner at least one vegetable dish, lentil , rice and roti. To add more flavour guest can carry fruits ,pickle from outside. During the day canteen also take order for noodles , omelette with tea, coffee at very reasonable price. Consumption of any meat or fish or liquor is strictly prohibited while staying at Gairal forest rest house in corbett national park.

How to Book

Gairal forest lodge bookings for Corbett Park can be done 45 days prior to your boarding date. Non-Indian travellers can book rooms 90 days in advance. Passport Id is mandatory for foreigners.

Fooding

Gairal rest house has a canteen which offers buffett meal facility to all guest. Apart from meal if they want snacks in evening, mineral water guest can directly pruchase from canteen. No non veg dish is served at Gairal Forest rest house canteen.

Dining

Gairal rest house, the canteen run by GMVN offers you a nice dining facility with the limited menu for food. Don't expect a grandeur multi-cuisine dining here, but the foods offered are simple, homely with good taste. Apart from the meal, guests can buy snacks and mineral waters from the canteen. The non-vegetarian foods and wine are not allowed in the forest house.