Wildlife Weekends in Ranthambore

You’re done with party animals. Check out the real things on a Republic Day getaway to Ranthambore, in the first of our new occasional series on Wildlife Weekends.

Gulp down that tea. Grab your camera. Head out into the early morning chill. You’ve got a date with the king of the jungle.

Right after the sun comes up your jeep stops, just short of a clearing. A hush descends. A tiger moves into view – quiet, majestic, with its stripes visible in the distance. As you gingerly reach for the camera, the tiger turns towards you to give you a better angle. Kodak moment.

Of all the national parks, you’re most likely to spot a tiger in Ranthambore. Our Trendy Wildlife Expert has visited the park four times a year since she was a toddler, and she’s never returned disappointed.

Finish gaping and focus, if you can, on the doe-eyed spotted deer. Or go back on that jeep. To that clearing.

By train: Most Delhi-Mumbai trains stop at Sawai Madhopur (362 km away from Delhi and 1027 km from Mumbai); the park is 13 km from the town.
Best time for visit: November-April
Safari timings: 7.30 am , 3 pm (winter); 6.30 am , 4 pm (summer)
Contact: principal chief conservator of forests: Jaipur: 0141-2227391, 2227878, 2227978, 2227078; Sawai Madhopur: 07462- 220223, 221142, 220479, 223934
Accommodation: RTDC hotels, forest rest houses, private budget hotels, luxury hotels, with rates upwards of Rs 300. Book your rooms well in advance.