Ranthambore National Park

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 day time 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.

Wild animals & birds in Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore National park contains a huge variety of animals, birds and reptiles within it. Primarlily the population consists of...

Animals: 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, Coomon Yellow Bats, Desert Cats, Fivestriped Palm Squirels, Indian False Vampires, Indian Flying Foxes, Indian Foxes, Indian Gerbilles, Indian Mole Rats, Indian Porcupines, Longeared Hedgehogs, Ratels, Small Indian Mongoose, Small Indian Civets and Common mongoose.

The amphibian species only consist of the Common India Toad and the Common Frog.
The park is most famous for it's diurnal tigers.
The park also has a large number of marsh crocs 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 Chamaeleon.

Ranthambore, due to its varied terrain and abundance of water bodies, has an excellent population of birds, resident and migrant. In total, a list of 272 species have been documented. Some of the best locations to watch birds at, and from, are Malik Talao, the Ranthambore Fort, Rajbagh Talao, Padam Talao and in the Jhalra area.

Flora in Ranthambore National Park

The vegetation in the park is mostly of the dry deciduous type with a large variety consisting of nearly 300 species. The majority of the tree cover is however mainly made up of :

1. Am (Magnifera iIndica)
2. Imli (Tamarindicus indica)
3. Babul (Accasia nilotica)
4. Banyan (F icus benghalensis) 5. Ber (Zizyphus mauritania)
6. Dhak or Chila (flame of the forest){Butea monosperma}
7. Dhok (Anogeossis pendula)
8. Jamun (Syzygium cumini)
9. Kadam (Authocephalus cadamba)
10. Khajur (Phoenix sylvestris)
11. Khair (Accacia catechu)

The forests of Ranthambore have a lot of contrasting vegetation

12. Karel (Capparis decidua)
13. Khejda (Prosopis specigera)
14. Kakera (Flacourtia indica)
15. Mohua (Madhuca indica)
16. Neem (Azadirachta indica)

Map of Ranthambore National Park

Sports in Rishikesh

Encompassed by hills on three sides, Rishikesh is perched on the banks of river Ganga, at its conflux with the Chandrabhaga rivulet - one of the sacred pilgrims center in the foothills of majestic Himalayas. Rishikesh, the land of ashrams and yogis is located in the state of Uttranchal in North India. The pristine atmosphere, lush green vegetation, flaming of fragrant sticks, gongs of temple bells makes it a perfect sight for meditation and devotion.

It has come out to be one of the renowned centers, for schools of yoga and meditation along with its diversified adventure sports. Rishikesh is also significant as the trekking base, to the Himalayan shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.

Trekking Thrill
The trekking in Rishikesh begins from Thalisain via Pauri, most beautiful hill station, showcasing a scenic vista of the snow-capped peaks of Himalayas and sunset- a worth sight from Kondolia, 5 km from Thalisain. The entire trek trails through the forest is rich in deodar, silver, fir, pine, oak and wildlife.

Kedarnath Vasukital Trek: Covers -Rishikesh - Gaurikund - Kedarnath - Vasukital - Gaurikund - Rishikesh. It's a mild trek usually undertaken for 6 days during the summer months.

Kalindikhal Trek: Covers Gangotri - Bhojwasa - Nandanvan - Vasukital - Khara Patthar - Kalindi Base - Rajparav - Ghastoli - Badrinath. This is high altitude high trek undertaken for 12 days in the month of July to August.

Rock-Climbing/Mountaineering
This adventure is conducted at George Everest House Phoolchatti near Rishikesh. There are proper provisions of trained instructors who assist in climbing, equipment required for mountaineering/rock climbing with transport facilities and Camping/ Catering and First Aid.

Camping
Experience vacations with a difference at the exotic Tented Camp. These camps offer with the excitement of the outdoors and the spill of White Water Running. Situated at the foothills of the Himalayas 16 km from Rishikesh, the campsite is set up amidst scenic splendor by the holy Ganga River and is girdled by a thick Sal forest. Tourist can experience the diversified adventures taken up during the stay in the camp like- Rafting, Rappelling, Nature walk, Bird watching in the surrounding areas, Kayaking on a peaceful stretch near the camp, beach games like volley ball, Frisbee, water polo etc.

River Rafting
One of the popular energetic stretches of 150km is from Rudraprayag to Rishikesh an idle place for River Rafting. The starting zone to this sport adventure is little ahead from the main town of Rudraprayag. The route is a 4-hour run through calm stretches, a series of rapids and frigid temperatures. The rafting become little hazardous when the water level drops down as prickly rocks and stones at the surface can tear a raft apart.

Besides many private rafting operators, the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) and UP Tourism also offer river runs along the stretch.

Other Attractions
Besides adventure other attractions of the town lies in the world famous ashrams like Swarg Ashram, Kali Kumbliwale, Parmarth Niketan embellished with statues of gods and goddesses and the Gita Bhavan with its Ayurvedic dispensary. The Triveni Ghat, an absolute banks to bath in the holy waters of the Ganga. The Bharat Mandir situated near the Triveni Ghat is the oldest temple in Rishikesh and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu presiding in a black stone Vishnu. About 2 km upstream over river Ganga is the old footbridge called Lakshman Jhula and a new bridge Ram Jhula - one of the biggest attractions of the city.

Reaching Rishikesh
Being a main center of meditation and yoga the town of Rishikesh is well connected with Air, Rail and Road Transport to all parts of India.