A Corbett safari permit typically opens for booking 45 days ahead for Indian nationals, and up to 90 days ahead for foreign nationals. Foreign nationals also need passport details at the time of booking. In practice, popular zones in peak season (December–March) commonly sell out one to three weeks before the date. Book as soon as your window opens. Our visit page walks through the process.
What you need to book a Corbett safari permit
Each permit is issued for one zone, one date and one shift, so decide those first. You will be asked for the name, age and photo ID details of every person in the vehicle. Indian nationals can use an Aadhaar card, passport or another government ID, while foreign nationals must use their passport. Carry the same original IDs on safari day, because they are checked against the permit at the gate. Book only through the official Uttarakhand Forest Department portal or an agent you trust, and keep a printed or offline copy of the permit.
Jeep vs. canter: you cannot mix them
A private jeep (Gypsy) safari runs in every zone except Dhikala and seats up to six people. You book it as a full vehicle rather than per seat. Dhikala is reachable only by the canter, a shared, open 16-seat vehicle boarding from Ramnagar or Dhangari Gate. That means a private-jeep preference rules out Dhikala specifically.
What it costs, roughly
Reported 2026 tariffs put a full-jeep permit commonly in the ₹4,000–7,500 range for Indian nationals, depending on zone and season. That’s for up to six people, one zone, one shift. Foreign nationals commonly pay about ₹10,000–16,000 per jeep. A canter seat in Dhikala typically costs roughly ₹2,000–2,600 per person for Indian visitors. Treat these as planning estimates, not quotes. Always confirm the live tariff on the forest department’s booking portal before paying, since rates change periodically.
Corbett safari permit cancellation: assume none
Once you book and pay for a permit, treat it as final. The forest department won’t refund it or transfer it to a different date or zone. Build a buffer day into your itinerary rather than counting on rescheduling if plans change.