Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore National Park is one of the famous and largest national park of northern India, situated in the Sawai Madhopur region of Rajasthan in 1980. Once considered as a famous and favorite hunting place for the Maharaja’s of Jaipur.

Ranthambore National Park covers an area of 1,334 kms along with sanctuaries like Mansingh and Kaila Devi Sanctuary. This park is situated at the edge of a plateau which was established as the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955 but later it was declared as a Protect Tiger Reserves in 1973 and National Park in 1980.

This park is famous for spotted tigers which can be found easily during the day time and a dream place for wildlife enthusiasts and wildlife photographers.

Attractions: 

Animals / Mammals

Tigers, Leopards, Striped Hyenas, Sambar deer, Chital, Nilgai, Common or Hanuman langurs, Macaques, Jackals, Jungle cats, Caracals, Sloth bears, Black bucks, Rufoustailed Hare, Indian Wild Boar, Chinkara, Common Palm Civets or Toddy cat, Common Yellow Bats, Desert Cats, Five striped Palm Squirrels, Indian False Vampires, Indian Flying Foxes, Indian Foxes, Indian Gerbilles, Indian Mole Rats, Indian Porcupines, Long eared Hedgehogs, Ratels, Small Indian Mongoose, Small Indian Civets and Common mongoose.

Birds         

Graylag Goose, Woodpeckers, Indian Gray Hornbills, Common Kingfishers, Bee Eaters, Cuckoos, Parakeets, Asian Palm Swift, Owl, Nightjars, Pigeon, Dove, Crakes, Snipes, Sandpipers, Gulls, Terns, Great Crested Grebe, Eagles, Darters, Cormorants, Egrets, Herons, Bitterns, Flamingos, Ibis, Pelicans, Storks, Pittas, Shrikes, Treepies, Crows, Orioles, Cuckoo-Shrikes, Minivets, Drongos, Flycatchers, Ioras, Wood Shrikes, Pipits, Bayas, Sparrows, Finches, Wagtails, Munias, Bulbul, Mynas, Falcons

Reptiles

Snub Nosed Marsh Crocodiles, Desert Monitor Lizards, Tortoise, Banded Kraits, Cobras, Common Kraits, Ganga Soft Shelled Turtles, Indian Pythons, North Indian Flap Shelled Turtles, Rat Snakes, Russel's Vipers, Saw-scaled Vipers and the Indian Chameleon.

Things to do:

Bird safari, Jungle safari, Elephant Safari, Jeep safari and Photography

Best Time to visit:

October to June is only time when this park is opened for its visitors.

How to Get There:

Nearest Airport – Jaipur and Kota

Nearest Railway Station – Jaipur and Kota Railway Station

By Road – Jaipur, Delhi, Agra

Desert National Park of Rajasthan

The Desert National Park is situated in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan which very near to India – Pakistan border. The Desert National Park is covering an area of 3162 kms, of which 20% is covered in desert (Sand Dunes). The main attraction of this park is Black Buck which is a common antelope in this region.

The Desert National Park was established in the year 1980 and traveler all round the world come down and experiences the ecosystem of the Thar Desert. This park includes craggy rocks, salt lakes, sand dunes, exotic birds and animals which give a life time experience to its visitors.

The Desert National Park has a good collection of fossils of plants and animals of 180 million years old and also includes fossils of Dinosaurs of 6 million year old, which was found in this area.

Attractions: 

Animals / Mammals

Black Buck, Desert Fox, Bengal Fox, Desert Cat, Wolf, Hedgehog, Chinkara

Birds         

Eagles, Falcons, Buzzards, Vultures, Kestrels, Sand Grouse, Kites, Bee Eaters, Harriers, Great Indian Bustards, Shrikes, Crane, Quails, Peafowl, Larks, Warblers, Babblers, Orioles

Reptiles

Monitor Lizard, Spiny Tailed Lizard, Viper, Krait, Sand Fish, Chameleons

Things to do:

Jeep safari and Wildlife Photography

Best Time to visit:

November to January is the best time to visit.

How to Get There:

Nearest Airport – Jodhpur Airport which is well connected with other Indian cities

Nearest Railway Station – Jaisalmer Railway Station

By Road – Delhi – Jaisalmer – Desert National Park (Distance between Jaisalmer to Desert National Park is around 40 kms).

Things to do in Jaipur

Jaipur is also known as the ‘Pink City’ of India. Founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727 is the largest city capital of Rajasthan. Jaipur has resembles of Rajputs and Royal families in its structures, forts, palaces and art crafts. Jaipur was the first planned city in the northern India. Located near the deserts of Rajasthan, Jaipur climate is hot and rainfall is nominal which occurs in Monsoon season.


All the forts and palaces are based on Indian Vastu Shastra and reflect in its constructions. The Pink City was also known as‘Four Wall City’ because it was wrapped by fortification walls all around the city.

CITY Attractions:

City Palace

City Palace is converted into a museum but still have few places in the palace reserved as royal residences. This museum has large collection of royal costumes and display of Rajput weaponry. Located in the heart of the Jaipur city, which is one of the most visited places in Jaipur. Mubarak Mahal and Chandra Mahal are located inside the palace and are the most visited structures of City Palace.

Hawa Mahal

Built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh in the year 1799 is known as ‘Palace of Winds’. 5 storey Palace with 930 windows is a beautiful landmark in Jaipur. Peeping through these windows you can view the beautiful city of Jaipur.

Lal Chand Usta had built this palace with pink stones keeping in mind the other monuments in the city. You can also view Jantar Mantar and City Palace from its top roof.

Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar is the largest stone observatory in the world and most bizarre sites in Jaipur. This open space with geometric and curvy shapes is an astronomical observatory and world largest observatory. The observatory has fourteen major geometric devices for measuring time, predicting eclipses, tracking stars location on the earth.

Jaigrah Fort

Jaigrah Fort or Fort of victory is located 15 kms away from Jaipur city and is one of the most well fortified structures of India. Fort was constructed in the year 1726 to tighten the security of Jaipur and Amber by Maharaja Sawai Singh. The fort also has museum which has a collection of old coins, photographs, weapons and articles of royal times.

Raj Mandir Cinema

Raj Mandir Cinema was built in the year 1976 and has seen many bollywood movie premiers over the years. The exterior of the building consists of various asymmetrical shapes, zig-zags, curves and even stars set into the facade, all lit at night by concealed lighting.

Nahargrah

Nahargrah is also known as Tiger Fort. The fort was constructed in 1734 and stands top of rugged point of the Aravalis and offers a splendid view of Jaipur city. Fort also provides eye catching view of the Man Sagar Lake and green scenery view of the city.

Om Revolving Restaurant

This restaurant is one of the trendiest and famous restaurants in the city. The restaurant revolves which is unique and famous among its visitor throughout the world. This is a pure vegetarian restaurant and serves amazing food with excellent service.

Amber Fort

Amber Fort is located in the city of Amber which was earlier the capital of Rajasthan. Amber Fort was built with marble and red sand stone in the 16^thcentury by Raja Man Singh. The fort is a tourist attraction and gives a royal touch by offering elephant ride which makes one feel like a Maharaja and can enjoy the fort tour in a royal way.

Central Museum

Rajasthan was known as land of Maharaja’s and Maharani’s. Therefore it is packed with rich traditions and cultural heritage.

One of the oldest and the most famous Museum is the Government Central Museum or Albert museum was constructed under the supervision of a British Army officer, Lt. Swinton Jacob in the year 1876. Maharaja Ram Singh, who was then the king of Jaipur, wanted this building to be used as the town hall but his successor Madho Singh decided to convert the building to an art museum.

The Central Museum also has a huge collection of miniature paintings from the Udaipur, Jaipur, Bundi, Kota and Kishangarh schools of painting. There are also fine specimens of woodwork, metal objects and other arts & crafts.

Things to do:

Palaces, Museums and Forts
Handicraft Shopping
Restaurants

Places nearby to visit:
Ajmer
Jodhpur
Bikaner
Kota

Famous for:

Temples
Forts, Palaces, Museums
Handicrafts
Camel Rides
Relax and enjoy natural beauty

Suggestions:

Jaipur has a hot climate and can be explored by hiring car
Jaipur is best for handicraft and antique shopping.