29/12/2025
December mornings at The Corbett Rajae Homestay have a different rhythm.
Every year, this month slows us down, and in 2025 it did it even better.
Here in Rathuwadhab, on the north side of Jim Corbett National Park, winter arrives quietly. Cold air, soft sunlight, mist lifting from the forest, and the jungle waking up on its own time. As a host, I try to slow things down even more. Less rushing, fewer plans, more walking. Guests who come here don’t just stay near Corbett, they start living the forest pace.
Winter migrants are everywhere along the trails.
Chinese Rubythroat hiding in the undergrowth, Silver-eared Mesia moving through mixed flocks, Common Green Magpie calling from almost every corner. Walking through Typha grass with the forest in front of us feels complete without saying much.
The sunrise from the homestay terrace has been unreal this month.
Morning heritage walks, slow nature walks, sunrise point, grassland trails, jungle safaris near Sonanadi Zone and Pakhro side. What I loved most is that more guests chose the jungle itself over tiger chasing. Watching the forest, listening to it, understanding it. That has always been our motive at this homestay, and this December it finally stayed with people.
We also hosted the Kalagarh Nature Festival, where birders from across India explored the Rathuwadhab landscape, photographed winter birds, and connected deeply with this part of North Corbett.
December didn’t need noise.
It came with patience, birds, walks, and honest mornings.
Thank you 2025.
Thank you December, for being kind to the forest and to everyone who walked through it.
— Shiwank
The Corbett Rajae Homestay
