The park itself is situated at the joining of the Vindhya Plateau and the Aravalli Hills, and is characterized by rocky plains and steep cliffs. It supports a diverse range of flora and fauna, including around 30 tigers.
Ranthambore Location:
In India’s desert state of Rajasthan, 450 kilometers (280 miles) south west of Delhi and 185 kilometers (115 miles) from Jaipur. The main gate and fort are 3kms inside the park.How to Get to Ranthambore :
The closest airport is in Jaipur, four hours traveling time by road. Alternatively the closest railway station is at Sawai Madhopur, 11 kilometers (7 miles) away. It’s easily reachable by train from Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra.When to Visit Ranthambore :
The most animals are seen during the hot months of March and April, when they come out in search of water. However, it’s more comfortable to visit during the preceding cooler months. Be sure to bring warm clothes if visiting during winter.Ranthambore Opening Hours:
The park is open from sunrise until sunset, except from July 1 to October 1 when it closes due to the monsoon rains. Safaris run for two and a half hours from 7 a.m. and again from 2 p.m.Ranthambore Cost:
The park entrance fee is 200 rupees ($4.50) for foreigners. There is also an entrance fee of 125 rupees ($3) per vehicle. A guide costs 150 rupees ($3.50). Vehicle hire charges are additional.
The Rajasthan Forest Department offers safari seats inclusive of all fees in a canter (open topped truck) for around 500 rupees ($12) or a gypsy (jeep) for around 650 rupees ($15) during peak season. A full day in a gypsy costs 1,300 rupees ($28). These are bookable on-line, but rates are subject to change depending on the time of year. Also, expect to pay more if booking through a hotel or tour operator.Ranthambore Travel Tips:
This national park is very popular due to its proximity to Delhi and the fact that tigers are relatively easy to spot here. Traffic into the park is highly regulated. Private vehicles are not allowed to enter, and the number of jeeps is restricted to 20 at one time, split along 5 different routes. Availability of seats tends to vary quite a bit, therefore seats are best booked as far in advance as possible. Some routes, such as route three, are better than others for seeing tigers. However it’s not possible to choose your route. The fort is really interesting, so do take some time to explore it.Ranthambore Hotels:
Ranthambore Regency is one of the better hotels in the area and is very popular. A more basic choice, but still with excellent service, is the TigerMoon Resort. This hotel is located right near the park and is a sister resort to the Wild Chalet Resort in Kanha National Park. For something different, Ranthambhore Bagh provides elegant tented accommodation. For a real touch of luxury, you can’t go past the award winning Khem Villas or the elaborate Aman-I-Khas tent resort, both located on the outskirts of the park.
