Ranthambore National Park is in Sawai Madhopur District of Rajasthan state.Located at the junction of the Aravalli and Vindhya hill range, this is one of the finest places to view animals, especially as they are used to being stared at here.The park covers an area of Approximately 400 sq Km and if combined it with the area of sawai man singh sanctuary area,it is around 500 Sq km.

Ranthambore national park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957 and in 1974 it gained the protection of "Project Tiger". It got it's status of a National Park in 1981.

Ranthambore National Park is dotted with structures that remind you of bygone eras.There are many water bodies located all over the park, which provide perfect relief during the extremely hot summer months for the forest inhabitants. A huge fort, after which the park is named, towers over the park atop a hill. There are many ruins of bygone eras scattered all over the jungle, which give it a unique, wonderful and mixed flavour of nature, history and wildlife.Tigers at Ranthambore National park have been known to even hunt in full view of human visitors. These tigers are famous for being seen in the daytime too, due to their lack of fear of human presence in vehicles. This lack of fear of humans is excellent for tourists, as they get to see the tigers often.

This National park is a wildlife enthusiast and photographer's dream. It offers excellent accommodation and internal transportation facilities. The park remains open every year from October to May.Famous for the exciting and frequent tiger sightings captured dramatically in several books, this park is today affected by ecological pressures and poaching.

In Nutshell, Ranthambore National park is a wildlife enthusiast and photographer's dream. It offers excellent accommodation and internal transportation facilities and remains open every year from October to Mid June.

Location:

Nearest Town- Sawai Madhopur, situated on the Delhi-Bombay railway-line and also linked with Jaipur and Agra by rails.

Near by Airports - Jaipur and Kota

Distance by rail: Delhi - 362 km, Agra - 227 km, Bombay 1027 km, Kota - 108 km, Jaipur - 132 km

Distance by road: Delhi - 480 km (via Dausa), Jaipur - 180 km (via Tonk)

Tourist Attractions Near Ranthambore National Park

Nearby Towns:There are many tourist attractions near Ranthambore National Park, the nearest town is Sawai Madhopur and further away are Tonk, Karauli and Mahaveerji. Each of destinations and tourist attractions near Ranthambore National Park has monuments, markets and sights worth seeing.

Ranthambore School of Art:The Ranthambore School of Art near Sawai Madhopur is well worth a visit. Located a couple of Km from Sawai Madhopur, the Ranthambore School of Art consists of painters from local villages. The main subjects of their paintings are the majestic tigers of Ranthambore. Painted in exquisite detail the tigers of Ranthambore are depicted in all their glory in the realistic paintings of the Ranthambore School of Art. Stalking, their prey, emerging from the undergrowth, playing with their cubs and resting on the ruins in the park the tigers of Ranthambore can be seen in different aspects and moods. The painters also interact with the local villagers to spread awareness about conservation and the need to preserve the tigers of Ranthambore.

Shopping at Ranthambore:There are many stores in Sawai Madhopur that offer arts and crafts to tourists. You can buy T-shirts, postcards, posters and greeting cards with images of tigers and other wild animals and birds of Ranthambore. Locally made textiles, clothing decorated with traditional embroidery and mirrors and Rajasthani turbans, puppets and other handicraft items make interesting souvenirs to take back as memories of your trip to Ranthambore and the tourist attractions near Ranthambore National Park.

Places to see in Ranthambore National Park

Padam Talao:

The Padam Talao is a large lake in Ranthambore National Park. It gets its name from the lotus flowers that bloom in the lake. The Padam Talao is a favorite watering hole of the animals of Ranthambore. Tigers, leopards, deer, monkeys and peacocks can be seen drinking at the lakes edge. Machans or huts on observation posts near the Padam Talo are an excellent platform from where you can see the animals in Ranthambore National Park. The hunting lodge called Jogi Mahal is situated on the banks of the Padam Talao.

Rajbagh Talao:

The second of the three lakes in Ranthambore in size, the Rajbagh Talao has ruins that extend to the edge of the lake. The lake is often ringed with animals drinking from its banks. The water plants in the lake provide the swamp deer or Sambhar with vegetation to graze on. Cattle egrets often accompany the Sambhar feed on insects and frogs displaced by the Sambhars movement through the water. Tigers can often be seen near the Rajbagh Talao.

Malik Talao:

The Malik Talao is the littlest in surface area of the three lakes in Ranthambore National Park. It is best known for its many species of birds seen on its banks and within the lake. Kingfishers, egrets, herons, ibis, storks and cranes can be seen around the Malik Talao. Watch out for the crocodiles in the Malik Talao.

Ranthambore Fort:

Ranthambore Fort in Ranthambore National Park is a historic monument. Unlike most other monuments in India there is no entry fee and you won't be bothered by touts or guides near the fort. Constructed by the Chauhans, its actual builder is uncertain. The Ranthambore Fort is mentioned in a ballad called the Hamirraso which details the life of Raja Hamir Deva who was crowned King in 1283 A.D. The Fort changed hands from the Rajputs to the Mughals several times over the next centuries. The Maharaja of Jaipur finally gained control over the fort in the 17th century and it was controlled by the ruling family of Jaipur till India gained independence and all the princely states were merged into the new nation of India. The Ranthambore Fort is located on a high plateau of over 700 feet, in the center of Ranthambore National Park. You can see panoramic views of the park from its high walls. Its steep fortified walls run for 7 Km and encircle a group of buildings that include palatial rooms, temples, mosques and barracks. The Padam Talao is visible from the living quarters of the Ranthambore Fort. The Guptaganga, a perennial spring provides the fort with a source of clean water. You can spend an entire day exploring the fascinating Ranthambore Fort.

Raj Bagh Ruins:

The Raj Bagh Ruins are situated between the Raj Bagh Talao and the Padam Talao. The ruins of a palace these structures consist of broken down rooms and outhouses, with arches, partly standing walls and domes. The majestic tigers of Ranthambore can be seen relaxing in the shade of these structures in Ranthambore National Park.

Other interesting places to see in Ranthambore National Park are the Kachida Valley known for its leopard population, Lakarda and Anantpura known for being home to sloth bears and the Bakaula region where tigresses can be seen with their cubs emerging from the dense foliage.