Rajasthan
EASTERN
R AJASTHAN
Rajasthan
Sl EEP iNG
Rajasthan
RANTHAMBHORE NAT
iONA
l PARK
You still have a good chance of seeing a ti-
ger from a canter (20-seater open-topped
truck; Indian/foreigner ₹400/800), though
sometimes other passengers can be rowdy.
Be aware that the rules for booking safa-
ris (and prices) are prone to change. At the
time of research, hotels and agents could no
longer book you onto a safari. You either had
to book online through the park’s official
website (www.rajasthanwildlife.com), which
we highly recommend you do, or go in per-
son to the Safari ̈Booking ̈Office, which
was inconveniently located 1.5km from
Hammir Circle, in the opposite direction to
the park from the accommodation on Ran-
thambhore Rd. You couldn’t book safaris in
person in advance of the day you wanted to
do the safari (you could only do that online).
And to be sure of bagging a seat in a vehicle,
you needed to start queuing at least an hour
(if not two) before the safaris were due to
begin, meaning a very early start for morn-
ing safaris!
To visit the magical 10th-century Ran-
thambhore ̈Fort (admission free; h6am-6pm)
on the cheap, join the locals who go there to
visit the temple dedicated to Ganesh. Shared
jeeps (₹30 to ₹40 per person) go from the
train station to the park entrance – say ‘na-
tional park’ and they’ll know what you want.
From there, other shared jeeps (₹20 per per-
son) shuttle to and from the fort, which is
inside the park.4 ̈Sleeping
Hotel ̈Aditya ̈Resort ̈ HOTEl $
(%9414728468; http://www.adityaresort.com; Ranthamb-
hore Rd; r ₹300-650; ai) Friendly and good
value, this place has a mixed bag of rooms,
some with private bathrooms, some with-
out. But all are clean and tidy, and there’s
a small rooftop restaurant (mains ₹50 to
₹100). About 2km from Hammir Circle, just
past Hotel Tiger Safari Resort.Asha ̈Guest ̈House ̈ HOTEl $
(%9414910019; Ranthambhore Rd; r ₹400; a)
Small hotel above a corner shop. Clean
rooms have tiled flooring, TV and small en
suite bathrooms. About 1km from Hammir
Circle. No internet. No restaurant.oHotel ̈Tiger ̈Safari ̈Resort ̈ HOTEl $$
(%221137; http://www.tigersafariresort.com; Rantham-
bhore Rd; r ₹1300-1800; aiWs) All-in, this
is the best-value option. Rooms are clean,
comfortable and spacious and come with
cable TV, hot-water showers and free wi-fi.There’s a decent restaurant, a well-tended
garden, a lovely little swimming pool and it’s
run by management who are knowledgable,
honest and friendly. About 2km from Ham-
mir Circle.Vatika ̈Resort ̈ HOTEl $$$
(%222457; http://www.ranthambhorevatikaresort.com;
Ranthambhore Rd; r ₹1800, incl breakfast/all meals
₹2250/3000; aiW) Lovely little guesthouse
with simple but immaculate rooms, each
with terrace seating overlooking a beauti-
fully tended, flower-filled garden. It’s about
1km beyond the main strip of accommoda-
tion on Ranthambhore Rd (although still
5km before the park’s main gate) so much
quieter than elsewhere. About 3km from
Hammir Circle.Ranthambhore ̈Bagh ̈ HOTEl $$$
(%221728; http://www.ranthambhore.com; Ranthamb-
hore Rd; r/tent ₹3522/4041, incl meals ₹5626/6141;
aiW) This has more of a safari-camp feel
to it than other places on Ranthambhore Rd,
with tents dotted around a forested garden
as well as well-appointed rooms in the main
building. There’s no pool, but the gardens
have swings and a slide, making this a solid
choice for young families. About 2.5km from
Hammir Circle.5 ̈Eating ̈& ̈Drinking
All the accommodation we’ve listed does
food, except Asha Guest House. Most can
get you a bottle of beer if you ask.Manisha ̈Restaurant ̈ DHABA $
(Ranthambhore Rd; mains ₹50-100; h7am-3.30pm
& 5-9.30pm) Streetside shack serving cheap
Indian nosh to customers perched on plastic
chairs. A friendly, no-nonsense alternative
to all the hotel restaurants. About 2km from
Hammir Circle, on the right just before Ho-
tel Tiger Safari Resort.8 Information
There’s an ATM just by Hammir Circle, as well as
others by the train station.
Safari Booking Office (www.rajasthanwildlife.
com) From Hammir Circle it’s 1.5km. Turn right
at the circle and office will eventually be on
your right. it’s ₹50 to ₹70 in an autorickshaw
from accommodation on Ranthambhore Rd.
Tiger Track Internet (per hr ₹60; h7am-
10pm) it’s 1½km from Hammir Circle, on the
left before you reach Hotel Tiger Safari Resort.
Tourist Office (h9.30am-6pm Mon-Fri) At the
train station; has a free map of the area.