Ranthambore National Park - Sawai Madhopur

Situated at the junction of the Aravali and Vindhyas hills, Ranthambore National Park is 10 km west of the rail junction and market town of Sawai Madhopur. The blend between nature and history is self-evident at Ranthambore and the 13th century fort is the focal point of the park. The landscape is so stunning that even without the wildlife, Sawai Madhopur would have qualified as a place worth a visit.

Ranthambore is replete with lakes, haunted by crocodiles and dotted with delicate pavilions and decaying, creeper-covered Rajput palaces. The Ranthambore Fort is a must visit attraction. You can have a panoramic view of the park from its ramparts. From the fort, one can have a glimpse of open bush land and fairly dense forest, replete with ruined pavilions/ chatris and hideouts.

One of the finest examples of Project Tiger's conservation efforts in India, Ranthambore National Park occupies an area of over 400 sq km. Replete with many steep crags the park is dotted with lakes and rivers. Adding to the beauty and grandeur of the Park is the 10th century Fort parched on one of the hills. The topography around Sawai Madhopur is a blend of impenetrable forests and open bush land. The forest is the typically dry deciduous type with dhok being the most well known tree.

At sunset or in the mists of early morning, the forests around Sawai Madhopur can be ethereal, while the ruined tenth-century Chauhan fort, towering above the forest canopy from atop a dramatic crag, is straight out of Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book.

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