It all comes down to that one moment in Ranthambore. You’ve charged your camera, picked up your sunhat and headed out on the safari vehicle, bouncing across dry plains and over thick grasslands. Along the way you think you must have seen every animal under the Indian sun – hyenas, sloth bears, even flamingoes – but today they’re just the sideshow. As your guide scans the ground for pugmarks, you hear it – the alarm calls of the sambar deer or the langur monkey. They mean only one thing: tiger.
And that’s the moment you’ll remember forever. The first glimpse of the majestic Bengal tiger surveying his dominion – the shock of orange and white fur, handsome black stripes, and those beautiful big eyes. You sit spellbound as he suns himself in the lazy daylight, prowling around, aloof and indifferent to his captivated audience.
One of the most beautiful national parks in northern India, and a dedicated tiger reserve since 1973, a tour of Ranthambore is a great option if you’re keen to spot the rare and marvellous beast. Be sure to clear some space on your camera, though, because the stunning sandstone mountain ranges and deep, dark jungle areas make the Ranthambore scenery as diverse and stunning as its wildlife. You’ll be taking plenty of pictures.
There’s no better place to get snap happy than Ranthambore Fort, which – from its perch atop a hill – offers a stunning vista. It’s also a fascinating historical site in itself. The 300 steps might have you sweating, but persevere. It’s worth it.
People might come to Ranthambore for the tigers, but they leave with memories to treasure for a lifetime.
Who doesn’t love a good safari? Ranthambore National Park offers one of the best in the world, with trips into the lush forest occurring morning and afternoon, led by experienced naturalists from the forest authority. With a bit of patience and a dash of luck, you might even catch a glimpse of Indian safari’s holy grail: the Bengal tiger.
Even if you forget the tigers (good luck!), the park is a nature-lover’s delight, with incredibly diverse species calling Ranthambore home. These include more than 270 types of bird – you’re likely to see more than one peacock strut its stuff.
Once you’re done with the wildlife, why not get a bigger perspective from the top of Ranthambore Fort? One among various hill forts of Rajasthan, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its jaw-dropping vantage point will make the hike feel totally worth it.
If the walk around the park wasn’t breathtaking enough, Rajbagh Lake is stunning. The park was formerly a royal hunting ground for the maharajas of Jaipur, so the domed remains of ancient Mughul structures remain scattered across the terrain – memories of a lost empire.
Dastkar Ranthambore is an off-the-beaten-track necessity. It’s a small textiles cooperative in Sherpur village, which was set up to give employment to villagers – mostly women – displaced by the creation of the national park. The fabrics are simply gorgeous, and it’s a great opportunity to support empowered women.
With its natural wonders and beautiful views, you just have to make Ranthambore part of your Indian adventure.