Ranthambore Travel Guide

Ranthambore Travel Guide Snuggled on the border of the Thar Desert, the raging Ranthambore is enveloped by the Aravalli and Vindhya hills. This hushed town is primarily known for its Tiger Reserve and has vegetation that mainly consists of the deciduous forests. The city boasts an unusual landscape dominated by the 10th-century fortress of Ranthambore while the valleys have numerous cenotaphs, ruins and abandoned settlements, telling tales of the bygone years. Not many people know that Ranthambore was an erstwhile hunting ground of the Maharaja of Jaipur until 1955 when it was declared as a game sanctuary. On introduction of Project Tiger, Ranthambore was declared as a National Park< and was listed as a protected reserve in 1980.

History of Ranthambore
Sprawling over an area of 392 km2, Ranthambore National Park is the oldest habitable place around Sawai Madhavpur. Formerly known as Ranastamba or Ranastambhapura, the credit for Ranthambore’s existence is given to the great Chand Dynasty ruler, Prithviraj I. During pre-independence period, Ranthambore served as a private hunting ground of the rulers of Jaipur.

Things to do in Ranthambore
A perfect retreat for the wildlife enthusiasts, Ranthambore is hailed for its Tiger Reserve and for its diverse flora-fauna. This naturally abundant place is home to plenty of tigers that can be occasionally spotted here. Many shutterbugs are enthralled to capture the reserve’s beauty as the area is rich in bio-diversity. The park offers exciting jeep safaris which will give you an adrenaline rush as you can see tigers wandering around the wooded alleys, preying on animals.

You can also explore some of the nearby attractions such as Ranthambore Fort, Kachida Valley, Surwal Lake, Malik Talao, Rajbag Talao, Anantpura, Lakarda, and Bakula. The lovers of art can visit the Ranthambore School of Art which will give you an insight into Ranthambore’s rich culture. Here you can have a medley of culture and traditions with the Meena tribes and if you want some more adventure down the line then you can plan a night out in the hideouts of the Ranthambore National Park. Devour some scrumptious food, have a bonfire night and make memories for a lifetime.

Food and Shopping in Ranthambore
At Ranthambore, you can relish an array of delectable vegetarian cuisines available at the local hawker shops. If you want to devour authentic Rajasthani cuisines like Dal Bati Churma, Malpuas, and flavored lassi then you can relish it at the local restaurants of the market. The travelers can also buy souvenirs or local handicraft items from the Dastkar Craft Centre, which has a good collection of handmade articles made by the women hailing from nearby villages.

Best Time to Visit Ranthambore
Due to deserts and extreme whether Ranthambore is not always favorable to visit. The pleasant season to visit Ranthambore is winter, which starts from November to March while the best chance of viewing a tiger in the National Park is in the month of April/May.

Weather of Ranthambore
The climate of Ranthambore is of a typical desert type, experiences a dry and hot summer season, lasting from April to June. During this time the average temperature ranges from 37.0° C(max) to 23.0° C (min). In winters the climatic conditions of Ranthambore range from being cool to being chilly. Winter prevails from October to march, witnesses average temperature around 29.0° C (max) to 9.1° C (min). The days are sunny and pleasant but during night the temperature goes quite a low degree. The best time to visit Ranthambore is during 1st October to 30th June. At any other time, the park is closed for visitors.