After a long covid break, we were out for a trip, altogether a pilgrimage in Oshiya, near Jodhpur, coupled with ranthambore touristy.

After spending 2 days in jodhpur, for pilgrimage (kul devi darshan) in Oshiya (60 kms from Jodhpur towards Jaisalmer) and visiting some tourist places in jodhpur, some local shopping in Tripoliya Market, jodhpur’s famous market and paradise for shopping spree, we moved towards our next part of this trip, SAWAI MADHOPUR

we booked tickets with Jodhpur-Bhopal Express, this train travels through core middle part of rajasthan, prominently known as Marwar Province and takes around 12 hrs to reach Sawai Madhopur via Makrana, Sambhar Lake, Jaipur and gives awesome views of Marble mines at Makrana, India’s biggest Inland Salt water lake at Sambhar Lake, pink rock buildings and construction near Jaipur

Note: If traveling by this train, Carry water bottles and eateries with you from Jodhpur itself, as there is no proper availability while traveling through this route, very less chai and drinking water, food vendors come, if you’re in A.C coach, chances are even less. and you will get food stalls etc only at and after Phulera Station, where train halts for 15 min

Ranthambhore National Park is a vast wildlife reserve near the town of Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan, northern India. It is a former royal hunting ground and home to tigers, leopards and marsh crocodiles. Its landmarks include the imposing 10th-century Ranthambore Fort, on a hilltop, and the Ganesh Mandir temple. Also in the park, Padam Talao Lake is known for its abundance of water lilies. 

We reached Sawai Madhopur by 8 pm and checked in our hotel on Madhopur-Ranthambore road. There are many hotels of all range (from 2 star to 5 star)on this road, many budget stay hotels, Regenta-in, Oberoi, vanyavilas in luxury stay, RTDC is also available. We booked our Hotel stay and National park safari’s beforehand through online booking platforms. One can book safari through hotels also.

We planned two days in Ranthambore with below itinerary

Day 1

6 am : we left for our first jungle safari by a canter.

You can either book a canter (20 seater) or a jeepsy (6 seater). We were a group of 5 with a 3 year old. So decided to book a canter as for a 3 hour ride we will get some moving space for our little kid. And canter have advantage of height. Jeepsy has it’s own set of advantages, it is more flexible to move on forest roads and while sighting, canters are kept behind jeepsy.

After taking everyone from their respective hotels, we entered in the forest by around 7 am. The entire forest is divided into 10 zones. Your jeepsy/canter will be alloted one of 10 zones and you are permitted to move within that zone only. Although we can book half day/full day zone free rides, but those are very very expensive (around 36k per person or more) usually wildlife professionals book those rides, or those who are passionately interested in wildlife.

Canter cost around Rs. 800/- per person. Rate here also depends on the agent, through whom you’re booking and no fix rate by government. (Generally in price range 800 to 1200 per person)

We were allotted zone 3. Generally, it is said there, Zone 3 and Zone 4 are well known for sighting Tigers, movement and frequency is more in this area. But this all depends on our luck, as nothing can be predicted beforehand in the forest. Though Zone 3 area is very pleasent for roaming and that feel of forest, the very famous padam talav also falls in this zone.

We sighted many wild animals, Spotted deer were in their groups facing opposite to each other (alert and watching for any probable movement of tiger), then Sambhar, Nil cow, feeding on the brown grass (having their breakfast 😋), Large Crocodiles having sun bath in and around water bodies.

Then we had an awesome views of Ranthambore fort and some royal structures, built back then for the purpose of sighting and hunting tigers. 100 year old baniyan tree. Top of the cherry was our guide, who gave us wide information on forest life, tigers, the generations of tigers here, in Ranthambore.

But still we were impatiently itching for “The Bengal Tigers”. Prominent species of tigers in India. And this forest was checking our patience.

We came out of the forest sharp by 10 am. As we were hungry, we headed for a brunch at Kanha Restaurant (their google reviews were good and we felt it is a good option for indian food in this area)

Afternoon 3 pm: sightseeing, fort, temple etc

We headed for some sightseeing of Ranthambore fort and surrounding area. Booked a Jeepsy for our sightseeing. For exploring, we have a fort and well-known Ganesh temple on top of fort along with Shiv temple and many other temples. And coincidently it was Mahashivratri on that day and the area was buzzing with localites.

The route for fort goes through the same forest, and many a times tigers are sighted on this route too.

Fort is surrounded with the dense forest, and one can climb on the fort and look for wildlife through viewing galleries from binoculars.

While on this trip, binoculars are must, we opted for Nikon ACULON A211 10X50 Binoculars for its brighter and wider field of view and ofcourse its affordability.

You can shop from below link

Apart from this, a good DSLR camera, for clicking amazing wildlife memories and comfortable hiking shoes/sneakers are must. I have used below products and they worked well for me.

Disclaimer : we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for yourself.

It was a 2 hr climb too and fro to this fort. We spent some awesome time roaming and feeling the royalty of architecture of this fort though I found it not so well maintained as compared to other places here, but worth a climb. Guides are available at reasonable rates here. History-lovers can opt for a guide to get detailed information about this fort and Royal family. You can click some Instagram-worthy photos and reels.

This place have a “Baby Room” facility, Neat and clean room, for feeding moms, ladies, at the beginning of fort itself. Hat’s off to the tourism department for taking into consideration the needs of traveling moms with their babies.

Fort closes by 6 pm and no tourist vehicles are allowed after 6 pm in forest and surrounding areas.

One can spend evening leisurely enjoying amenities in the hotel or visiting some local handicraft shop. There are ample of shops on Madhopur-ranthambore road, and you can find one nearby your lodge.

Then, there is this place, though was not on our itinerary, but our guide gave us some insights on Crocodile safari in pali ghat. It is around 40kms from Ranthambhore, takes around 1 hr to reach at the banks of Chambal River. Chambal river safari is a unique experience in Ranthambore, as the boat ride is through the chambal river, a home to marshy crocodiles and gharials. It can be a thrilling and adventurous affair.

Day 2

Morning 10 am : After a good breakfast, we went to a nearby handicraft shop and explored some rajasthani crafts well-known for it’s Intricate work and appreciated for their craftsmanship.

Afternoon 3 pm : Forest Safari

We booked two safaris beforehand, and this was our second and last one as we were about to leave Madhopur by 8 pm. It is recommended to book atleast 2 safaris, for increased chances of sighting Tiger.

We were allotted Zone 4, and our fortune was on its peak, we sighted tiger right from the beginning.

We spotted a male tiger sleeping under a tree near a water body. Then on the next point, there was this Tiger, laying on the grass, near a water body. Though was a little far, but we were tracking his movement through binoculars. There were a group of deers drinking water in a lake and our guide predicted the tiger will move towards their direction, and hence he drove canter really very fast and reached that point, Alas! it was very close to the tiger and then we came to know that she is Tigress and not a Tiger. Tigress Riddhi was very close to us. she hid in the brown grass and then suddenly jumped towards the group of deers, though she didn’t wanted to eat any of them, but she wanted to scare them. There was stampede between deers for exit. It was like we were watching a wildlife documentary live.

She entertained us for whole 2 hrs giving us full view of herself when she came near to our canter.

We sighted total 7 tigers in this one safari. Tigress Siddhi (sister of riddhi) given a glimpse of her, then a Tigress with her 3 cubs. One cannot ask for more.

We were thrilled, contained, satisfied!

We Started our return journey to Mumbai by August Kranti express, a very exciting journey with New Smart Coaches introduced by Indian Railways.

I’m mesmerized by the look of Sawai Madhopur Railway station, So clean and decorated, having intricate paintings of tigers, forts etc. Giving travellers a glimpse of Sawai Madhopur.

My amazing readers, please feel free to contact me for any recommendations/queries while planning your trip to ranthambore. Have a good vacation!