Since the national animal of India happens to be the royal Bengal tiger, the country is spread with numerous tiger reserves. Undoubtedly, one of the best tiger reserves in India is the Ranthambore National Park of Rajasthan.
It is popular for being home to Bengal tigers and the chances of spotting one or more of these tigers during a safari is higher here, compared to other reserves of India. Ranthambore is located in the foothills of the beautiful Aravali and Vindhya hills, at a distance of 395 km from Delhi.
The park is surrounded by the river Banas in the north and river Chambal in the south. It is also home to rich flora and fauna due to the thickets of deciduous forests that crowd the park.
Best Time To Visit Ranthambore
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The months of November to May are the best times to visit Ranthambore, since the chances of spotting numerous tigers is the highest during this season. Avoid visiting the park during monsoon, mainly since it remains open only between October 1st to June 30th every year.
Routes From Delhi To Ranthambore
Route 1: Dr NS Hardikar Rd - NH9 - NH48 - NH148 - RJ SH24 in Lalsot - RJ SH1 - Ranthambore National Park (8 h 15 min - 395 km)
Route 2: Dr NS Hardikar Rd - NH9 - NH48 - Alwar-Bhiwadi Rd - RJ SH25 - NH21 - NH148 - RJ SH1 - Soorwal - Ranthambore National Park (8 h 15 min - 381 km)
Route 3: Dr NS Hardikar Rd - NH9 - Outer Ring Rd - Taj Express Highway - Bharatpur-Mathura Rd - Madoli - NH21 in Lalsot - RJ SH24 - RJ SH1 - Ranthambore National Park (9 h - 458 km)
Here are some places you can stop at before reaching Ranthambore.
Noida
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This planned city of Uttar Pradesh, is located at a distance 47 km from Delhi and is the first place you will encounter on your way. An intriguing fact about Noida is that it is actually short for New Okhla Industrial Development Authority. At Noida, you may visit places like the ISKCON Temple, World of Wonder amusement park, etc.
Mathura
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Nestled on the banks of the holy river Yamuna, Mathura is a revered temple town since it is the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Along with innumerable temples, Mathura has about 25 ghats where devotees take a dip in the river.
Some of the places you need to visit here include Dwarkadheesh Temple, Govardhan Hill, Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple complex and of course the many ghats of Mathura.
Dausa
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Dausa, the headquarters of Dausa district is a city that is home to many less-explored places. Abhaneri is a village in Dausa, where you can find the stunning Chand Baori, which is an ancient stepwell that was built during the rule of Chauhan dynasty.
Dausa has a few other points of attraction, such as the Getolav Bird Habitat, Mehandipur Balaji Temple, Fort Madhogarh, etc.
Read on to know about the things to do and places to see in and around Ranthambore.
Ranthambore National Park
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Apart from the main attraction of tigers, Ranthambore is home to a diverse biodiversity with numerous species of birds and animals. You can witness animals like Indian leopard, sloth bear, mugger crocodile, etc.
Grab a pair of binoculars since you will also get to see some of the 272 species of birds of Ranthambore, such as cuckoos, flamingos, parakeets, etc.
Things To Do At Ranthambore
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Like previously mentioned, you can indulge in some birdwatching. Embark on a jungle safari without fail. The timings of these safaris differs with different months, but it generally falls between 6 am to 10.30 am and 2 pm to 7 pm. You may go on a safari either in a 6-seater jeep or a 20-seater canter.
Ranthambore Fort
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The fort of Ranthambore lies within the park and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site amongst the many hill forts of Rajasthan. It is a beautiful fort set at a admirable altitude that offers a panoramic view of the entire park. Revel in this historical fort built during the Chauhan dynasty, where you can even spot leopards or exotic birds from the top of the fort.
Other Places To Visit In Ranthambore
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Ranthambore has three picturesque lakes, namely Padam Talao, Rajbagh Talao and Malik Talao, where you may spend some time in its natural beauty. It also makes for a perfect spot for a photoshoot. Since Ranthambore used to be hunting grounds for the kings of Jaipur, you may see ruins, such as arches, palaces, etc.