Phato Zone
Phato Eco Tourism Zone is the newest and most exciting addition to the wildlife circuits near Jim Corbett National Park, inaugurated in late 2021. Located in the Terai West Forest Division, it spans over 2,500 hectares of dense jungle. This zone was developed to manage the increasing tourist influx and to showcase the raw beauty of the Terai landscape. Unlike some older zones, Phato is known for its dense canopy and rugged forest trails that provide an authentic "lost in the wild" feeling. It is a critical corridor for elephants and a thriving habitat for the Royal Bengal Tiger. The landscape is dotted with man-made water bodies that attract wildlife during the heat of the day, making sightings frequent and spectacular. For those staying in Kashipur, it is the most accessible safari zone, offering a quick entry into the world of predators and prey. The zone is managed with a focus on sustainable eco-tourism, ensuring that human footprints are kept to a minimum while providing maximum educational value about the forest ecosystem. It has quickly become a favorite for photographers due to the unique play of light through the thick Sal trees and the abundance of rare bird species found within its boundaries.
General information
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Ideal Duration:
Duration:
1 Day (Safari Time: 4 Hours).Place Type:
Category: Wildlife, Eco-Tourism, Adventure.Entry Fees:
Phato Jeep Safari costs approximately Rs.5,000 for a full jeep (up to 6 people), including permit and guide fees.
Tree House Rent: A night stay in the Tree House is priced at approximately Rs.2,000 for two people.
Permit Costs: For Ind...Phato Jeep Safari costs approximately Rs.5,000 for a full jeep (up to 6 people), including permit and guide fees.
Tree House Rent: A night stay in the Tree House is priced at approximately Rs.2,000 for two people.
Permit Costs: For Indian nationals, the permit fee is around Rs.1,000, while for foreigners, it is significantly higher.
Guide Fees: A mandatory nature guide costs about Rs.500 to Rs.700 per safari.Timing:
Regular Timings: The zone is open in two shifts.
Morning Safari: 06:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
Evening Safari: 01:30 PM to 05:30 PM.
Ideal Visit Time: The morning safari is highly r...Regular Timings: The zone is open in two shifts.
Morning Safari: 06:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
Evening Safari: 01:30 PM to 05:30 PM.
Ideal Visit Time: The morning safari is highly recommended for tiger sightings as animals are most active during dawn.
Seasonal Closure: The zone remains closed during the peak monsoon months of July to September for safety.Special Events:
Eco-Tourism Week: The forest department often organizes awareness camps for school children and tourists to promote conservation.
Inauguration Anniversary: Special guided tours are sometimes held on December 30th to celebrate the opening of...Eco-Tourism Week: The forest department often organizes awareness camps for school children and tourists to promote conservation.
Inauguration Anniversary: Special guided tours are sometimes held on December 30th to celebrate the opening of the zone.
Bird Counting: Annual bird census events allow citizen scientists to participate in documenting the avian population of the Terai.Best Photo Spots:
Photo Spots:
Tree House View: A selfie or a wide shot from the balcony of the tree house looking into the dense canopy is a must.
The Entry Gate: The rustic Phato Gate with its wooden signage is the classic "...Photo Spots:
Tree House View: A selfie or a wide shot from the balcony of the tree house looking into the dense canopy is a must.
The Entry Gate: The rustic Phato Gate with its wooden signage is the classic "safari start" photo location.
Water Reservoirs: During the evening safari, the reflection of the Sal trees in the water holes makes for stunning landscape shots.
Elephant Corridors: High-speed shots of elephant herds crossing the safari tracks are the highlight of any wildlife portfolio.
Hathi Dangar: This elevated spot offers a view of the vast Terai plains stretching towards the horizon.Photo Gallery
Things To Do
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Jeep Safari: The most popular activity is the 4-hour morning or evening safari. 50 jeeps are allowed in each shift, and they take you deep into the Sal forests of the Terai.
Wildlife Photography: This zone is excellent for capturing tigers and elephants against the backdrop of dense green foliage.
Tree House Stay: Book a night at the Phato Tree House for a unique thrill. Listening to the sounds of the jungle at night from a wooden perch is an unforgettable experience.
Bird Watching: With over 360 species, it is a birders' paradise; look for the Great Hornbill and the Red Jungle Fowl.
Nature Walks: While walking is generally prohibited in tiger areas, some designated buffer zones near the entry allow guided nature trails.
...Jeep Safari: The most popular activity is the 4-hour morning or evening safari. 50 jeeps are allowed in each shift, and they take you deep into the Sal forests of the Terai.
Wildlife Photography: This zone is excellent for capturing tigers and elephants against the backdrop of dense green foliage.
Tree House Stay: Book a night at the Phato Tree House for a unique thrill. Listening to the sounds of the jungle at night from a wooden perch is an unforgettable experience.
Bird Watching: With over 360 species, it is a birders' paradise; look for the Great Hornbill and the Red Jungle Fowl.
Nature Walks: While walking is generally prohibited in tiger areas, some designated buffer zones near the entry allow guided nature trails.
Visit Tumaria Dam: On the way to the gate, stop at this massive dam for birdwatching and photography.
Cultural Interaction: Visit the local Maldhan village to understand the life of the forest-fringe communities and their traditional knowledge.
Picnicking: There are designated eco-spots near the gate where families can enjoy a meal before or after their safari.
Educational Tours: Many guides here are experts in botany; ask them to show you the different types of medicinal trees like the Rohini or the Haldu.
Evening Campfires: Many eco-lodges around Phato organize campfires where guides share legendary tiger stories and forest folklore under the stars.
Information
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Why Famous:
Phato is famous as the newest "Tiger Territory" near Corbett, offering high chances of sightings in a dense, unexplored forest.
Night Stay Thrill: It is one of the few places in Uttarakhand where you can stay in a Tree House right inside the forest, providing a raw...Phato is famous as the newest "Tiger Territory" near Corbett, offering high chances of sightings in a dense, unexplored forest.
Night Stay Thrill: It is one of the few places in Uttarakhand where you can stay in a Tree House right inside the forest, providing a raw jungle experience at night.
New Infrastructure: Being a newly opened zone, its tracks and facilities are fresh and less congested than the older Dhikala or Bijrani zones.
Wildlife Corridor: It is famous for the Hathi Dangar area, a massive corridor where herds of wild elephants can be seen moving through the Terai landscape during their seasonal migrations. -
Architecture:
The infrastructure in Phato is designed for survival and observation.
Dimensions: The zone covers 2,516 hectares. The key architectural highlights are the newly constructed Tree Houses, built on sturdy wooden stilts approximately 20 to 30 feet above the ground to ...The infrastructure in Phato is designed for survival and observation.
Dimensions: The zone covers 2,516 hectares. The key architectural highlights are the newly constructed Tree Houses, built on sturdy wooden stilts approximately 20 to 30 feet above the ground to ensure safety from wild animals. These rooms are typically 12x12 feet in dimension. The entry gates, like the Phato Gate, follow a rustic forest lodge aesthetic using heavy wooden beams and stone masonry. The water reservoirs are engineered to be 5-10 meters deep to sustain wildlife throughout the summer. Observation towers are strategically placed at heights of 40 feet to provide a 360-degree view of the dense canopy. -
How To Reach:
By Air: Pantnagar Airport is the closest at 80 KMS. Major airports are in Dehradun and Delhi.
By Train: Ramnagar Railway Station is the closest major station, just 26 KMS from the Phato gate.
By Road: From ...By Air: Pantnagar Airport is the closest at 80 KMS. Major airports are in Dehradun and Delhi.
By Train: Ramnagar Railway Station is the closest major station, just 26 KMS from the Phato gate.
By Road: From Kashipur, it is a direct 45-minute drive (26 KMS) via the Ramnagar Road through Maldhan.
By Local Transport: You can take a local bus from Kashipur to Ramnagar and then hire a private gypsy or auto-rickshaw to reach the Phato entry point. -
Weather and Best Time to Visit:
Seasons:
Winter (November to February): The absolute best time for tiger sightings and birdwatching.
Summer (March to June): Good for seeing animals near water bodies.
Parts of t...Seasons:
Winter (November to February): The absolute best time for tiger sightings and birdwatching.
Summer (March to June): Good for seeing animals near water bodies.
Parts of the Day:
Early Morning: Best for predator sightings.
Late Afternoon: Great for observing elephants and deer herds. -
Near Tourist Places:
Ramnagar (26 KMS), Corbett Museum (28 KMS), Garjiya Devi Temple (40 KMS), Dhela Zone (20 KMS), Jhirna Zone (22 KMS), Sitabani (35 KMS), Kashipur (26 KMS), Tumaria Dam (5 KMS), Corbett Falls (50 KMS), Kaladhungi (55 KMS).
Tourism Tips
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Health & Safety: Do not get out of the jeep inside the forest. Keep your hands and legs inside the vehicle at all times to avoid accidents.
Packing: Wear dull-colored clothes like khaki, olive green, or brown to blend with the forest. Carr...Health & Safety: Do not get out of the jeep inside the forest. Keep your hands and legs inside the vehicle at all times to avoid accidents.
Packing: Wear dull-colored clothes like khaki, olive green, or brown to blend with the forest. Carry a dust mask for the safari trails.
Accommodation: Book the Tree House well in advance as it has only one room. Alternatively, stay at the forest rest houses in Dhela.
Cash & Connectivity: Cash is required for entry fees and guide tips. There are no ATMs near the forest gate; use the ones in Ramnagar.
Other Tips: Maintain absolute silence during sightings. Do not carry non-vegetarian food or alcohol inside the eco-tourism zone.
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