Ranthambhore trip report - (Dial up warning)

What a excellent read, that was amazing to read about your Ranthambore trip. Thankyou for taking the time to write for us. I am looking forward to my first trip in dec 2011, this trip report was very inspiring.

Thought it to be the best thread to share information.
I went to Ranthambore with my family on 25th Dec’10 and entered the forest twice, once in the afternoon on 25th and the other in the morning next day. We entered the zone -2 of the forest on 25th and the zone-3 on 26th. The probability of spotting tiger during winter is very less but we were extremely lucky to spot one leopard on 25th afternoon and one tiger on 26th morning. We could witness the tiger for around 30 minutes, initially at a far distant then closely at a handshaking distance for some time. It was a wonderful and memorable experience of lifetime. I entered the forest in earlier occasions a number of times but could not able to spot tiger then.
Could not able to take snap of the leopard as it was at a far distance and hurriedly went uphill. The photographs of the tiger are being uploaded in the gallery.
We stayed in Hotel Ranthambore Regency. The stay was pleasant and comfortable. We could not book canter through net as it was full at that time because of Christmas days. The canter tickets were arranged by the hotel staff with extra charge.
I drove my own car to reach Ranthambore from my place (Rawatbhata). It was nearly 180 Km journey via Kota. The road from Kota to Ranthambore (rather Sawaimadhopur) is around 130 km via Kesorai Pathan, Lakheri, Indergarh and is in a very good condition. It took 3.5 hours to reach from my place.

Shyamal

Fantastic Shyamal,
Love reading about your experience also, so so excited to visit India.
Thanks for taking the time. M

Thanks! Very well written article.. was a very entertaining read! :-)

This is great summary... keep clicking and writing. Just wondering do u have Salim's number?

@Armando, chellefro, krishii, AceDubai: Glad you liked it. @Chellefro: I hope you have a great time in Dec. It might be a little cold though.
@Krishii: I have his number, will just have to dig it out. I will PM it.

@Shyamal: Lucky you. Leopard sightings are not that common around tiger reserves.

Hi, We are going to ranthambore end of this month, and came across your report. Must say you've excited the hell out of us! Cant hardly wait now!

We are planning a day visit from Jaipur, so what wud you say is the best time to get to ranthambore? Can we choose the timings and the zones or are they allotted on some basis? Is it possible to do more than one zone in one day? And also, since you've recommended Salim so highly, cud u pls let me know his no. We would love to have him show us such a good time too!

Thanks a zillion!

@PriyankaBlore - I can't answer all your questions but can help a little. I was able to go to Ranthambhore in May/June of this year. The safaris are twice a day at set times. As far as I know, you don't get any choice of the zones. I was lucky to get different zones each time. As kartikp previously wrote, Salim works out of the Ranthambhore Bagh. That's the best way to reach him. Have a great trip!

Monica said it. I could not PM the number as the PM is disabled for members with less than a certain number of posts. You can contact him from The Bagh.

Cheers,
Kartik

Thanks MonicaZ! That's helpful....

Cool, thanks!

1. A day visit from Jaipur would be hectic.
2. You will be able to do only one gamedrive of afternoon.
3. For morning gamedrive you have to be in ranthambhore at 4-5am.
4. The zones are automatic allocations.

For some more experience & info visit my blog on ranthambhore.

Absolutely stunning pictures and report. We are planning third week of October for a trip to Ranthambore, hope we are lucky with the wildlife sightings

@IndiaEscapes: Your trip is just around the corner now. I hope you have a great time and we get to see Ranthambhore through your eyes again.

Cheers,
Kartik

awesomw pictures and a really nice trip report!