Safari near Haridwar

Decided to go to Rajaji National park near Delhi on my few days off while getting back from Israel. It is not reported for much wildlife although I had heard of a lot of birds. Well things where very different. Stayed in the government hotel which was comfy(nice paneer pakodas). Hit a safari in the evening. The place is full of peacocks. Saw a one dancing with its back to us also saw a few elephants, spotted deer. They allow large private vehicles inside so we had a painful group following us. They managed to chase a hiding leopard so got just a glimpse of it.


The next day we had another safari where we saw quite a few birds along with the same animals as the previous day. The driver was really patient so we had a nice long drive for three hours. Managed to see rollers, woodpeckers, changeable hawk eagle, serpent eagle, owls, kingfisher, grey hornbills, and a pied hornbill (rare). Startled another leopard as well so caught a glimpse of that.

Later in the day got to do some white water rafting in the Ganges from Shivpuri in Rishikesh. Jumping off a 25 foot high rock into the Ganges was real fun. After lunch and some lazing decided to check out what Haridwar is famous for: a couple of temples. We went up a cable car to a couple of them(Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi) which provided some spectacular shots of the river. The temple itself had quite a few shops which made it look like a small mall. Gave Harki Pauri and the jhulas a miss as I have been there when I was a kid. Got lost there too as a kid but was found as well.