Ranthambore
Tigers among lakes, ruins and a thousand-year-old fort
Ranthambore was the hunting ground of the Maharajas of Jaipur, became a game sanctuary in 1955, joined Project Tiger in 1973 and was declared a national park in 1980. The park lies where the Aravalli hills meet the Vindhya plateau, and its landscape of dry deciduous forest, grassland, cliffs and lakes is unusually open, which is why tigers are seen here more easily than in many denser forests.
Inside the park stand the walls of Ranthambore Fort, built around the 10th century and part of the Hill Forts of Rajasthan World Heritage listing. Ruined pavilions, chhatris and the old Jogi Mahal sit beside the lakes of Padam Talao, Rajbagh and Malik Talao, and tigers walk past them. Photographs of tigers among ruins made Ranthambore famous.
The park is divided into 10 zones, and safaris run twice a day in six-seat jeeps or larger canters, booked through the Rajasthan forest department. We plan three nights for four or five drives, which gives a fair chance of a sighting, and add the fort, the Ganesh temple and the Dastkar craft project. It is 3.5 hours from Jaipur by road or about two hours by train.
Highlights
What Ranthambore does best
Morning and afternoon drives of about three hours in the park's zones, in an open six-seat jeep with a naturalist. Tigers are seen most often near water from March to June, but every season has its sightings.
Padam Talao, Rajbagh and Malik Talao lakes, with old pavilions and the Jogi Mahal on their banks, draw sambar, crocodiles, birds and the tigers that hunt them. Zones around the lakes are the most requested.
The 10th-century fort on a hill inside the park is a World Heritage site, with temples, tanks, gates and wide views over the forest. It can be visited separately from the safaris.
Inside the fort, a temple to Ganesh with three eyes draws pilgrims from across India. Many families send their wedding invitations here first, addressed to the god.
A craft project working with village women around the park on block printing, patchwork and embroidery, set up to give livelihoods that do not depend on the forest. Its shop near the park is worth an hour.
Experiences
Four hours to plan around
Getting there
How to reach Ranthambore
Jaipur International Airport (JAI) is about 180 km away, 3.5 hours by car. There is no commercial airport at Sawai Madhopur. Guests from Delhi can fly to Jaipur and drive, or take the train.
Sawai Madhopur station lies on the main Delhi–Mumbai line and has a direct line to Jaipur. Jaipur to Sawai Madhopur takes about 2–2.5 hours and Delhi about 5 hours by fast train. The station is about 15 minutes from the main hotels.
Jaipur is about 180 km, 3.5 hours. Agra is about 250 km, 5 hours, via Bharatpur. Bundi is about 140 km, 3 hours, and Udaipur about 400 km, 7 hours, which is why we often fly between Jaipur and Udaipur instead.
Where to stay
Rooms we book
The Oberoi Vanyavilas, with luxury tents in large gardens near the park road, is our most polished option. SUJÁN Sher Bagh, a seasonal tented camp with a strong naturalist team, and Aman-i-Khás, Aman's small camp of canvas tents, are excellent alternatives; both close in summer, so check current status before you travel. Six Senses Fort Barwara, a restored 14th-century fort about 30 km north, suits guests who want a palace setting and wellness between safaris. The Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge, a former royal hunting lodge, is a comfortable heritage choice.
A luxury tented resort on the edge of Ranthambore National Park, with large canvas tents set in landscaped gardens, a spa and naturalist-led safaris. It is …
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Five things to know
- Book safari permits as soon as your dates are fixed; popular zones sell out weeks or months ahead
- Jeeps (gypsies) are better than canters for photography and quiet, but cost more and are fewer
- Dress in neutral colours and bring a warm jacket for winter mornings, which can be 5–8 °C in an open jeep
- The main zones close from 1 July to 30 September; check current status before you travel
- Avoid treating the safari as a tiger hunt; Ranthambore's birds, leopards and landscape reward attention
Questions travellers ask
Questions about Ranthambore
What is the best time to visit Ranthambore
October to June, when the main zones are open. March to June gives the best tiger sightings, as animals gather near water, but days reach 40–45 °C. November to February is cooler and green, with good sightings and cold mornings. The main zones close from July to September.
How do you book a Ranthambore safari
Permits are sold online by the Rajasthan forest department for a specific date, shift, zone and vehicle type, with ID details for each passenger. Booking opens well in advance and popular dates sell out. We book as soon as dates are fixed. Check current status of rules before you travel.
Which zone is best in Ranthambore
Zones 1 to 5 around the lakes and fort have historically produced the most sightings, with zones 3 and 4 especially sought after. Tiger territories shift, so the best zone changes. You cannot choose a zone on the day; it is fixed when booking.
How many safaris should I do in Ranthambore
Four to five drives over three nights give a fair chance of seeing a tiger. Two drives are possible on a short stay but with lower odds. Photographers often do six or more. Each drive lasts about three to three and a half hours. Between drives we plan the fort, the Ganesh temple or Dastkar. Permits sell out early, so we book as soon as your dates are fixed.
Which is the best hotel in Ranthambore
The Oberoi Vanyavilas for a polished tented resort year round, and SUJÁN Sher Bagh or Aman-i-Khás for smaller seasonal camps with strong naturalists. Six Senses Fort Barwara, about 30 km away, suits guests who want a palace stay and wellness.
Is Ranthambore suitable for children
Yes, for children who can sit for three hours in a vehicle. Forest department rules on children and IDs apply, so tell us ages and nationalities when booking. Many families do two or three drives and spend the rest of the time at the fort and the hotel.
How far is Ranthambore from Jaipur
About 180 km, 3.5 hours by car, or about 2–2.5 hours by train to Sawai Madhopur. Many guests drive one way and take the train the other. Ranthambore also fits easily into a Golden Triangle extension from Agra. Sawai Madhopur station is about 15 minutes from the main hotels, and a fast train from Delhi takes about 5 hours. Train timetables change, so check current status before you travel.
Can you see leopards in Ranthambore
Yes, but less often than tigers, as leopards keep to the hillier edges of the park to avoid them. Sloth bears, hyenas and crocodiles are also seen. For leopards specifically, Jawai in southern Rajasthan is far better. Your naturalist watches the rocky slopes and listens for alarm calls. Many longer journeys pair Ranthambore for tigers with three nights at Jawai, where leopards are seen in the open on granite hills.
Is Ranthambore open in the monsoon
The main zones, 1 to 5, close from about 1 July to 30 September. Some outer zones may stay open in the monsoon, depending on the year. Check current status before you travel. Many luxury camps close in summer and monsoon.
Journeys
Routes that stop in Ranthambore
Nearby
Pair it with
The pink city of forts, bazaars and royal hotels
Stepwells, murals and a palace on the hillside
The great fort of Mewar and its stories of siege
Shape your own journey Tell us your dates and what you hope to feel. We draw the route around you. Begin Not sure where to start? We match the land to your month, your pace and the people travelling with you. Begin Talk to a planner A first route and an indicative price within one working day. No payment to start. Begin