Kosi River flows alongside the Corbett National Park, creating the eastern border of the Park. Many adventure lovers flock this river to indulge in river rafting activity. While here, you can take part in the grade II as well as grade III of the white water rafting.
It is always exciting to ride on the storming rapids of streaming water. River rafting is the next favorite activity that visitors like to do here, after their trip to Jim Corbett National Park. Additionally, this river pulls in several species of migratory birds. So, it's amongst the notable places to visit in Jim Corbett for bird watchers to catch some vibrant photographs.
Location: Ranikhet Road, Jim Corbett National Park
Kosi river traverses the eastern periphery of the Jim Corbett National Park. After commencing from Mohan, the river goes through Dhikuli and finally culminates into Ramnagar, which is a small town in Nainital. This is a brilliant tourist destination with thick green forests surrounding the river, presence of wild animals that come to the riverside to drink water and a great adventures ambience. The Kosi is actually a tributary of Ramganga, the major source of drinking water in the area.
It originates from Dharapani Dhar, located at a height of 2500 metres in Baramandal region of Almora district of Uttarakhand. The river flows graciously along the verdant valleys of the hill district before culminating into the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh.Locally known as the Kosila, the water resources of Kosi river forms the rich vegetation and farmland of the Kumaun region. This is the source of life for the growing wildlife and forests of the entire Jim Corbett National Park.
The riverbed of Kosi is filled with boulders and its flow is often erratic. Water flows in torrents during monsoon in this river, making it a marvellous tourist destination. The water of the river is very pristine and calm once the monsoon ends. You can bask in the sun by the riverside, take a stroll in the adjacent areas, catch a glimpse of various migratory birds that come to the valley round the year. Overall, this is a perfect place for a vacation in the lap of nature.
-Via bus: Dehradun airport or the Jolly Grant airport is the nearest airport to Kosi river which is located at around 1440km from here. If you avail of the Uttarakhand state transport bus facilities, it will take around a day to reach the riverine area of Kosi. You can also reach the Kosi river site from Delhi airport where the number of state transport buses is higher compared to the Dehradun facility.
-Via car/taxi: Multiple private vehicle agencies offer long permit tourist cars to Kosi river. It is best to book the car from the airport in advance. The journey time will be around 20 hours from Dehradun airport to the Kosi. Many inter-state cab agencies offer transportation to Kosi from Delhi airport.
-Winter: Anytime from November to February is the best time to visit the Kosi river valley, Jim Corbett National Park and its adjacent areas. This time the weather witnesses a deep nip in the air yet remains very pleasant. You can reach the river quite close and roam around the riverbed on foot on several locations as the amount of water dry up during this time. A lot of tourist footfall is witnessed during this time of the year.
-Monsoon: From June onwards, monsoon arrives here giving the Kosi one of its dangerous yet gorgeous avatars. The river in full thunder gushes through the rocky terrain. Sometimes, the fierce stream causes a little destruction on its path. It is a beautiful sight to witness for tourists from a distance. Once you visit the riverside, you shall hear the noisy gurgling of the water crossing the valley with immense pace. Undoubtedly, this is a major attraction for many adventure tourists.
-Summer: In summer, Kosi river valley can be really pleasant. The temperature here doesn’t give you pain during travelling. The river carries a steady flow of water. You can deepen your feet in the shallow water areas and enjoy some angling activities.