Visit Ranthambore - Tiger Reserve Wildlife Sanctuary

ABOUT RANTHAMBORE

Ranthambore is an absolute paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. It is widely recognized for its National Park and Tiger Reserve, but these are not the only places that make Ranthambhore a popular tourist destination. The unquestionably mesmerizing locales, palaces, and royal ruins make Ranthambhore more than just a popular wildlife habitat.

So don’t just adore the enthralling locales or feast your eyes on to the beautiful escapades of Ranthambhore but indulge in many other interesting activities that are an absolute value for your money and time. You can opt for a safari ride that is the most adventurous activity and gives you a chance to witness the wild species roaming freely in the jungle. Bird watching tour should also be something that you must try as Ranthambhore boasts of having over 330 species of birds.

Some of the must-visit places at Ranthambore are Ranthambore Fort, which is touted as the most popular landmarks in Rajasthan. This fort was built by the Chauhan rulers in 944 AD and replicates that era in the best possible way.

You can visit this amazing fort for a jaw-dropping experience! Surwal lake is another masterpiece ideal for people who prefer a calm and tranquil ambiance to seek solace. The glorious view of the rare accumulation of wild animals here would certainly take your breath away.

Jogi Mahal is another iconic place in Ranthambore situated near the Padam lake. It is known for its incredible architecture and sculptures. It was initially made available for the visitors to reside, but off-lately Jogi Mahal is available just for sightseeing. This place also boasts of one of the biggest Banyan Trees in the country.

Along with the wildlife, the culture and traditions of Ranthambore also hold a massive significance. Rejoice yourself with the incredible art and craft of the rural women working under the great initiative of Village Women Craft. Also, treat yourself with the exclusive dishes of Rajasthan such as Dal Bati churma, Ker Sangri, and Mawa kachori for a taste that would refuse to leave your taste buds while you’re in Ranthambore

TOP 3 THINGS TO DO IN RANTHAMBHORE

Spotting a tiger in its natural habitat is one of the most captivating sights you can ever imagine. And Ranthambore is one of the best places in India to catch this view. That’s why my husband and I chose this quaint, hilly and surprisingly green town in Rajasthan to be a part of our road trip itinerary. Here’s a list of the top 3 things to do in Ranthambore:

#1 Going On The Tiger’s Trail

In search of the striped beast

 

You have to get out of bed at 5 am to make it to the 6 am Gypsy Safari at the Ranthambore National Park. This, if you want to spot celebrity tigers namely Machli (yep, a tigress named Fish) and T-24 (the only one here to have attacked humans). Our fellow Gypsy-mates, three of them had flown in all the way from England and one from Latvia just to catch the tiger in action, told me that they are on their 3rd safari as spotting the beast doesn’t come easy. We got to Zone 5 – a very viable area to find the beast in his natural habitat – and scoured the dry, arid yet dense jungle for almost 1.5 hours. After spotting a pugmark we finally saw T-6 (that’s what this male tiger was called) in deep slumber up a hill, behind the trees.

The guide kept us busy with tales and trivia. Some 50 tigers, 40 different kinds of mammals and 240 bird types live in this massive area of 1,334 square kilometres. Visiting this place in off-season has its benefits. One, chances of spotting the tiger are high as the beast is more likely to step out and quench his thirst; and two, no waiting time for your turn in the safari. By the way, one can either opt for a 6-seater Gypsy Safari or the 20-seater Canter Safari.

#2 Hiking Up To The Ranthambore Fort

It’s a real pity that many tend to ignore the stunning Ranthambore Fort situated in the heart of the Ranthambore National Reserve. You can go in your own car but make sure you keep your Pollution Clearance Certificate handy as you cannot enter the premises without showing it. Wear comfortable shoes and do not get hassled by the sight of animals like grey langurs, deer, sambhars, peacocks and many many birds crossing your way. We were worried that we may encounter a tiger any second as the path was right in the middle of the jungle. Thankfully, none came our way. Phew!

As for the fort, it offers brilliant views of the entire park. Try sitting at one of the jharokhas and you will be smitten for life. The place is particularly celebrated for the Ganesh Temple it houses. There are other places of worship here including the Digambar Jain Temple, a dargah and a mosque. Just be extremely wary of the guides here. They charge a bomb for their service. We haggled with a few and then decided to walk in without one. No regrets.

#3 Taking The Tiger Home

Unlike the rest of Rajasthan, Ranthambore offers unique handicrafts to take home. I lost my heart to an adorable toy Tiger that my husband bought me. You too can pick it up from Dastkar Ranthambore. If you are willing to spend more, then you will love the wildlife paintings found at most stores here. Don’t fret. You do get the usual Rajasthani shopping suspects as well. Plenty of bandhani dupattas, block print bedcovers, handloom skirts, traditional jewellery and the works to carry home.