Ranthambore is a popular tiger reserve located in Rajasthan, India. But, apart from the tiger reserve, Ranthambore is also a beautiful tourist destination. There are many amazing historical locations in Ranthambore that you can visit, apart from the lush jungles. The charm of this city lies in its ability to balance nature, history, and modern life all at the same time effortlessly.
How to reach Ranthambore?
By air: The closest airport to Ranthambore is in Jaipur. The Sanganer airport is located around 180 km away from Ranthambore. You can get flights from any major city in India to Jaipur (Sanganer airport). From the airport, you have to get public transport such as cabs or buses to reach Ranthambore. As the journey is relatively long, it would take some time for you to reach it. So, if you want to travel on a budget, it would be great for you to take the bus. If you want to reach a bit quicker, you can find cabs for hire.
By road: Ranthambore is well-connected with other parts of the country by highways. You can easily get to Ranthambore by private vehicle. However, if you want to reach it by public transport, it’s even easier. You can find buses to get to Rajasthan from different states. Once you are in the state, you can easily navigate government and private buses that go to and from Ranthambore from any major city of the state. These buses are regularly available and can help you reach Ranthambore on a budget or in luxury.
By train: Sawai Madhopur is the closest train station to Ranthambore. This station is located just 10 km away from Ranthambore. Sawai Madhopur is well-connected with the other parts of the country by train, you can reach the train station from most parts of the country. Once you are out of the station, you can find cabs or buses to help you reach Ranthambore.
10 fantastic places to visit in Ranthambore
Now that you know the travel details on how to get to Ranthambore, let’s explore the various places to visit in Ranthambore and the things to do. As a national park, there is an entry fee to this park which is Rs 974 per person if you are travelling by a Gypsy or Rs 617 per person if you are travelling by a Canter. These prices are for Indian nationals. For foreigners, the prices are Rs 1754 and Rs 1537 for Gypsy and Canter trips, respectively.
So, let’s explore the various places to visit in Ranthambore.
Surwal Lake
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When you visit Ranthambore, chances are this can be the first tourist attraction you can visit. The Surwal lake is a beautiful lake in the middle of the Ranthambore National Park and can be a great spot for you to relax after your extensive journey to get to the city. You can enjoy a moment of solace at the lake, in the city centre of Ranthambore.
No matter if you visit in morning or evening, the lake is ever picturesque and a great spot for you to start your Ranthambore trip. The lake is located right at the city centre, so you don’t need to travel anywhere. You can easily reach the lake by taking whatever public transport you need to get to the park.
Raj Bagh Ruins
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If you are interested in photography, this is the best location to visit in Ranthambore. The Raj Bagh Ruins is a small shelter amidst the Raj Bagh Lake and dense forests. These ruins are of a small building of unknown purpose.
However, the ruins are a popular resting spot for tigers. So, as a photographer, if you are lucky, you can get a glimpse of these majestic cats in all their glory at these ruins. The Raj Bagh Ruins are located in the city centre of Ranthambore, so you can easily reach these ruins, and if you are lucky, you can also get a glimpse of the tigers of Ranthambore.
Akaula Region
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Akaula region in Ranthambore is one of the most densely forested areas in Ranthambore park. There are a number of lakes and water holes close to this location, which makes it a prime visiting spot for tigers. The temperature remains low in this region due to the various wet spots. The lower temperature attracts an array of wildlife to this region, not just tigers.
So, it can be a great spot for you to practise your photography skills or you can spend time here to get a glimpse of the diverse wildlife of this national park. The Akaula region is also located at the city centre of Ranthambore, you can easily reach this spot and spend time admiring nature and viewing wildlife.
Malik Talao
If you like birds and would like to watch some diverse and unique bird species in Ranthambore park, you can find them at the Malik Talao. Of the three lakes that are inside the Ranthambore National Park, the Malik Talao is the smallest. Even though the lake is small it still attracts a wide variety of wildlife and many species of birds. Some of the most unique things you can see at this lake are Marsh crocodiles. This lake is a great spot for you to enjoy the scenery of the park and take a break from jungle safari. The lake is also located at the centre of Ranthambore, so you can easily navigate yourself to this lake easily.
Ganesh Trinetra Temple
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The Ganesh Trinetra temple is one of the most popular Ganesh temples in the country and also one of the best tourist places in Ranthambore. This temple and its nearby post office receive thousands of invitations every year as a form of Hindu ritual where Lord Ganesha is sent the first invitation for any major functions like housewarming or wedding.
This temple was founded hundreds of years ago and is still maintained to this day. The temple is one of the must-visit spots in Ranthambore. You can easily reach this temple as it is located 5 km from the city centre of Ranthambore. You can walk to this location or you can get public transport like cabs or buses to and from the temple.
Ranthambore Fort
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The Ranthambore Fort is situated inside the Ranthambore reserve at quite a height. The chances of spotting tigers at the fort are low. The view from the fort is simply breathtaking. You can take in the amazing vistas all around you while standing amidst the ruins of the Ranthambore fort. The Trinetra Ganesh temple is also located at the top of the fort, which is also a great tourist destination you can visit.
The fort is a great place for photography as the natural background with the fort creates incredulous photographic backgrounds. The fort is around four to five km from the city centre of Ranthambore. You can easily get public transport to the fort or just walk if you can.
Jogi Mahal
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The Jogi Mahal is an interesting and somewhat controversial tourist destination at Ranthambore. It was built by the Jaipur royal family who used the Mahal as a spot for entertainment and hunting of the animals of the forest reserve. The Mahal is built in front of a popular lake in the reserve known as the Padam lake.
The lake is a popular visiting spot for various wildlife and is also known for the lotus flowers that bloom in it. The Mahal provides a good view of the lake and you can spot wildlife from the Mahal easily. The Jogi Mahal is located just 500 metres away from the Ranthambore fort and just over 5 km from the city centre of Ranthambore. You can easily reach the Mahal on foot or by public transport.
Ranthambore School of Art
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The Ranthambore school of art is an incredible and unique wildlife conservation project. Yes, this school of art was opened not long ago, and the goal of this art school is to create awareness paintings about the declining number of tigers at the Ranthambore national park. You can take a look at the exemplary work of local artists who have painted incredible pieces on tigers.
This is one of the unique tourist spots you can visit in Ranthambore to learn more about their movement and motivation. The Ranthambore school of art is located just around 13 km away from the city centre of Ranthambore so you can easily get public transport to get to and from this fine tourist destination.
Jeep Safari
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Now that you have a good idea of the places to visit in Ranthambore, let’s review one or two things you can do at the National Park. The best way to get around the park is to take a Jeep safari. You can get around to all the important places mentioned in this article through a jeep safari on your trip to Ranthambore.
However, these safari trips need to be booked in advance as they sell out fast. So, once you have your booking, you can safely travel these jungles with a guide inside an open jeep to truly experience the beauty of this park. Safari trips will also allow you to safely view wildlife from a distance. The safari starts from varying points inside the park so you should speak to the trip you have booked to learn more details about the time of each trip and its costs.
Wildlife Safari
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Wildlife safari inside the Ranthambore park is one of the most popular tourist activities you can do. Safari is perhaps the only way for you to explore the vast park and its various amazing spots. Given the declining tiger population in Ranthambore, the chances are slim for you to spot tigers unless you go on safari trips.
These trips will show you through all the spots inside the park and can go on for a few hours to a day. You can find more information about safari trips from companies that organise these trips. However, be sure to always book in advance as these trips sell out quickly.
FAQs
What’s the best time to visit Ranthambore?
As Ranthambore is located in Rajasthan, summers at Ranthambore are quite hot and dry. So, for you to enjoy the best of Ranthambore, the best time to visit would be in the winter months. To put it simply, the best time to visit would be during the months from October to March.
When is the Ranthambore National Park open?
The park opens on 1st October and closes for tourists in June. You have to visit the park during these months only.
What’s the ideal trip length for Ranthambore?
Ideally, you can cover your Ranthambore trip in three to four days; however, if you want to stay back and enjoy the national park some more, it may take up to five to six days for you to complete your trip.