5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Ranthambore for Wildlife Safari in Summers!

 

Summer season is here again in its full bloom and the first thing that hits our mind about summers is the sweltering heat. Well, for the wildlife freaks there isn’t any better time to get into the lush forest of Ranthambore National Park. It is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, which is about 130 km from Jaipur.

Read to know the reasons why we are suggesting Summers as the best time  for Ranthambhore-

1. One of the best place to see Feline Wonders- Yes, Ranthambhore Forest is one such place that has maximum tiger density when compared to any other tiger reserve of the country. The number of tigers increased to 60 in 2016. There are 10 zones in the national park and each zone has marked territories for several tigers. It is believed that zones 1 to 5 are the best places for spotting tigers. The remaining zones have lesser sightings for tigers.

Tigress T-60 with her cub, Ranthambhore, June 16.

 

2. Chances of sightings not so rare-  As the deciduous forest is at its driest state, chances of sighting grows manifolds. Your eyes can wander through the wide dried jungle giving you far better chance to see the feline wonder even from a distance which is not the case in winters when the jungle is lush green. When the hot and blazing sun dries up all the water bodies in the forests, it becomes easier to see denizens of the wild who are forced to quench their thirst at these tiny oases left in this dry season of the year.

Tigress T-17, May 2012

3. Varied Habitat- Apart from that the great Landscape of Ranthambore is a sight to behold in itself; it is evident that Ranthambore is the only place which has ravines, lakes, vast fields, small plateaus and valleys, hilltops, rugged land all at one place. Besides the presence of historical ravines, the great Ranthambore Fort within the National Park makes up for a terrific backdrop for photography.

4. Glimpse near the water body– Birds and animals of the park appear panting and their usual movements become soporific as they spend most of their time in the shade of survived trees, which are left around perennial waterholes. This state of the deciduous forest in dry season creates a perfect condition for observing wildlife with the maximum chances of sightings because all the wildlife creatures will eventually pay a visit to have water; you just have to wait patiently around the water bodies.

 

The most amazing thing is this formation of several water belts in Ranthambore National Park.  No matter how grilling the sun is, if you really wish to see the tigers then these are the spots you should drive to.

 

Another interesting advantage of visiting Ranthambore National Park in summer is the increasing alarm-calls or distress-calls emitted by langurs, when they see a predator. This helps in getting the direction as where to drive for tiger sighting. And without the benefit of covering grasses the tigers can be easily sighted, as the dry and sparse vegetation during summers is conducive for a clear glimpse into the heart of the jungle.

 

5. The Vintage Backdrop- Ranthambhore National Park carries with it decades of history. Witnessing the grandeur of majestic tiger against the glory of bygone era can not be experienced anywhere else as in its premises stands many archaeological remnant.

So the next time if you are wondering what could be the best time to visit Ranthambore, don’t allow the prospect of soaring temperature to divert your plans. We bet it is summer with its equivalent heat for sure, which is the coolest time to visit Ranthambore National Park.

Ranthambore Festival- a melange of international- local music, art and wildlife at Nahargarh Palace in Rajasthan!

 

The first long weekend of New Year calls for some exciting adventure or unforgettable holiday experience! Imagine if you could get it all in one package? Give a thought to this kind of weekend which is filled with the strains of folk music, majestic performances by music and dance luminaries, an open-air wildlife film festival on a giant screen, tiger safaris, and fantastic interactive talks on conservation success stories by wildlife conservationists, music workshops, yoga & meditation camps!!!  All this will be experienced in the stunning Nahargarh Palace amid Ranthambore Forest. January 27-29 2017. it’s  a long weekend  and now you know what to do.

The Ranthambore Festival hosted by Alsisar Hotels-  Nahargarh Palace is a not-for-profit cultural showcase to bring together nature and music lovers, international and Indian musical luminaries, nature and wildlife conservationists, business thought leaders, and social influencers to consolidate and supercharge the music and nature conservation effort and influence a wide audience towards action. There’ll be much more than the music and talks..

Heritage Walk

In collaboration with Pause and Effect, the Ranthambore Festival will conduct heritage walks to unveil the history and hidden treasures of the environs surrounding us.The walk, guided by locals, will start at Nahargarh Palace and culminate at UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ranthambore Fort will educating festival-goers about the legends & legacies of the region.

Wildlife Film Festival

If the Jungle  safaris in Ranthambore National Park are too close for your comfort, you can visit the outdoor film festival to view the secret lives of animals through the lenses of wildlife filmmakers from around the country.

The Main Stage

Nestled in the forests of Ranthambore lies Nahargarh, the magnificent royal palace of Alsisars, this is the venue for Ranthambore Festival. The beautiful halls, courtyards, terraces, avenues and the newly constructed Hathi Kund at Nahargarh will be completely transformed on the republic day weekend of 2017 as it plays host to a festival.

Within the ramparts of Nahargarh Palace lies its crown jewel, Hanthikund, where the Ranthambore festival’s headlining performers will take the spotlight. Built in the style of traditional step-wells that date back to 200 AD, the BookASmile Hanthikund main stage promises an unforgettable cultural experience under the stars.

Registrations are now Live on Bookmyshow ! Their residential and non residential all-access passes are now available at early bird prices, and you can book them here: https://goo.gl/9TPFcn
Since the Nahargarh Palace has limited rooms available, it is recommended that you book early to avoid disappointment.

There are several routes to Nahargarh Palace, Ranthambore, and they’re all as convenient as they are scenic. Here’s some help choosing your best option to reach the festival.

 

Dastkar Ranthambhore celebrates 25 years of Empowerment

25 years ago in the village of Sawai Madhopur, a small organization with great mission of sustainable livelihood of those villagers affected by the formation of Ranthambhore National Park, started a handicraft workshop in a small room in Sherpur village near the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. They addressed the issues faced by the people from villages, who used to survive on tiger poaching and later affected by the formation of the National Park. With a handful of women and a dream, Dastkar Ranthambhore set forth to conquer adversity and became a self reliant enterprise in 2004.

Dastkar Ranthambhore now work in 8 villages, with around 500 artisans who create quality handicraft products like hand bags, cushions, quilts, rugs, bed sheets, toys and more that can be found in stores and homes across the world.

The group with such wonderful initiative is now in its 25^th year and invites every art and craft as well as wildlife lovers to be a part of their Journey further. Dastkar Ranthambhore is celebrating their Journey of 25 years from 21st October 2015 to 24th October 2015.

Some of the planned events during the 4 days’ celebration include
1. Workshops guided by our artisans in block printing, tie dye, pottery, Mud mirror work, recycling and painting
2. Food court that serves local cuisine.
3. Live performances by local artistes – Drama, Music and Dance,
4. Craft Bazaar from the 8 villages.
 

Event Details are a follows
Melo Ranthanbhore
Silver Jubilee Celebration of Dastkar Ranthambhore
Dates: October 21^st to 24^th 2015
Timings: 11.00 am to 06.00 pm
Venue: Dastkari Kendra, Opposite Kutalpura Village, Sawai Madhopur District, Rajasthan, India

Ranthambhore’s Machli receives special honor

Having given her bit to theRanthambhore tiger reserve, it is now honor time for Machli, A commemorative postal cover on her is released by Rajasthan CM Mr. Ashok Gehlot and Tourism Minister Bina Kak on Wednesday, September 18, 2013.

The postal department of India will carry the picture of this Ranthambhore National Park’s tigress on its envelope. In a few months, a postal stamp will also be released on Machli.

‘Machli’ is a seventeen year old tigress who rules Ranthambhore, a tigress whose majesty is assured as much by the gaze of millions she arrests with the distinctive ‘fish’ mask outlining her eyes.

The legend of Machli as the world’s most photographed cat with stripes, as she’s regarded, has survived a generation, and there are many who wish it would last another. After all, the tiger’s survival is a cause dear to us all.

Machli’s popularity is not astonishing for nothing. She is the world’s oldest documented tiger alive. Hundreds of photographers attest to her fame, helped along in no small measure by the picturesque setting against which she has spent a life being captured on film, the deceptive serenity of the lake territory along an Aravalli ridge crowned by the imposing ramparts of the Ranthambhore Fort.

Machli’s lack of camera shyness has given dozens the thrill of watching a big cat hunt in broad daylight. She is totally oblivious of humans in a jeep.

It’s a rarity that has given Machli the honor of a ‘lifetime achievement award’ bestowed upon her by Travel Operators for Tigers (TOFT) The tigress now has her territory in Lakarda area of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve.

Soon from October 01, 2013 as the jungle opens, Ranthambhore will break into a chilling cacophony of langoor shrieks and sambar calls. It would perhaps be the sound of fear And Machli would be correctly identified!!

Advance booking for Ranthambhore Safari

The lush green Ranthambhore National Park awaits your visit as the park opens post monsoons on October 01, 2013.

As per the discussions held at meeting organized by Ranthambore National Park authorities, the advance Jeep, Canter Safari booking and the online jeep /canter safari booking for the season 2013-14 is scheduled to be open for the visitors after September 15, 2013.

It is also informed that only limited number of Jeeps and canters will be available for game drivers in advance booking quota.

 

So, if you are planning to unravel the surprises of jungle this season then plan from now!!

Requirements to Book Safaris:

(01) Full names of all persons visiting the National Park.

(02) Passport numbers of all persons visiting the National Park.

Six Hill Forts of Rajasthan wins World Heritage Site title by UNESCO

Cheer spread in the tourism as well as the art and culture sector today in Rajasthan when its 6 hill forts were selected to be in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The hills forts are – Amber, Chittorgarh, Gangron, Jaisalmer, Kumbhalgarh and Ranthambore. The Tourism, Art & Culture Minister, Ms. Bina Kak said: “the selection of these forts is a reflection of our work done in the past. We stand by our commitment towards conservation and protection of our rich cultural heritage, of which we are immensely proud.”

Kumbhalgarh Fort

Gagron Fort

Jaisalmer Fort

Chittorgarh-Fort

Amer Fort, Jaipur

RANTHAMBHORE-Fort

These hill forts were approved in the 37^th Meeting of the World Heritage Committee in Cambodia on 21 June. The selection of these forts, located in different cities, as a serial cultural property, is the first of its kind ever by UNESCO.

Now with the selection by UNESCO these six forts will receive enhanced international recognition the way the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur did after being selected in the World Heritage List in 2010. This selection will also pave way for other monuments to be nominated for being included in the World Heritage List. In fact, the work relating to Stepwells of Abhaneri, Bandikui, Bundi as well as the Fresco paintings of Shekhawati region for being submitted for consideration to UNESCO list has already started.

All these efforts will sure reinforce positioning of Rajasthan on the world tourism map as a favored tourist destination.

It is to be recalled that several missions of ICOMOS (advisory body to UNESCO) visited Rajasthan since 2011 and discussed the nomination in great detail with State Archaeology Department, ASI and the Indian Advisory Committee on the World Heritage under the Ministry of Culture.

Within the State of Rajasthan, six extensive and majestic hill forts together reflect the elaborate, fortified seats of power of Rajput princely states that flourished between the 8th and 18th centuries and their relative political independence. The extensive fortifications up to 20 kilometres in circumference optimized various kinds of hilly terrain, specifically the river at Gagron, the dense forests at Ranthambore, and the desert at Jaisalmer, and exhibit important phase of development of an architectural typology based on established “traditional Indian principles”.

Follow the link to know more about these forts in Rajasthan… https://rajasthantourismbuzz.wordpress.com/2013/05/08/6-rajasthan-forts-poised-to-get-world-heritage-status/

 

Rajasthan to get new Airports!

Travelling to Rajasthan is going to be much easier & comfortable in the coming days as around half a dozen new airports are either proposed or on the verge of completion in near future.

Airport Autority of India (AAI) has proposed a plan for Ranthambhore, a home for big cats to have its own airstrip.

Upcoming Airport at Jaisalmer will be operational by the month of October this year. Construction of Bikaner airport may also commence from this year.

Construction of airport at Kishangarh will start from July onwards.

International Tourist travelling to northern part will be diverted to Rajasthan instead of landing on Delhi thus saving travelling time.

With airports coming into operation, tourist can now just hop onto a flight & arrive at any of these places.

Tiger Dynasty at Ranthambhore National Park

Rajasthan homes many tourist destinations. Among them, the place Ranthambore holds a unique attraction to sightseer. Needless to say, as Ranthambore National Park houses a large number of Bengal tigers that can be easily observed hunting and taking care of their young ones. Once the hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur, the destination pulls the attention of myriad wildlife lovers and photographers every year.

Ranthambhore National Park, characterized by rocky plains and steep cliffs, also supports a diverse range of flora and fauna. offering a view of a variety of birds, Leopard, Langur(Monkey), Hyena, Caracal, Bears, Jungle cat, Jackal, Wild Boar,  marsh crocodiles and different species of Deer. Several water bodies are located inside the park that provide forest inhabitants a complete relief and gives more chances of tiger sighting during the scorching summer months.

A visit to the park is certainly going to be a treat for you, and every nature and wildlife lover. Watching tigers wandering around, numerous other species of cheery birds and animals are going to give you ‘never to be forgotten’ experience. Your one visit to the park will give you priceless moments, a happy tiger tale to take home back.

Apart from the park, other destinations in Ranthambore are the temple of Lord Ganesha and Ranthambore Fort. This magnificent fort of Ranthambore is maintained and preserved by the ASI (Archeological Survey of India). The Ranthambore Fort stands at the heart of the national park.

When to visit:

For the wildlife savvy, summers are the best time to visit Ranthambore wildlife sanctuary. Water is not plentiful so the animals come down to the watering holes to drink, the grass dies off and it’s easier to see tigers lying in their rest times.

Though the park is open from October to June, winter months are cold while the oppressive temperatures in summer months make it almost unbearable. February and March have pleasant weather, but the greatest chances of spotting a tiger are in April and May.

Experience the great outdoors and have a great holiday like never before, in the magical environs of Ranthambhore National park!