Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary, (Keoladeo Ghana National Park) Rajasthan
Location:
Bharatpur, Rajasthan, Nearest Access: Bharatpur(0.5 kms)jaipur(180 kms) Main Wildlife Found : Migratory Birds, Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Boar
Coverage Area : 29-sq-kms
About Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
One of the finest bird parks in the world, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo Ghana Natiuonal Park) is a reserve that offers protection to faunal species as well. Nesting indigenous water- birds as well as migratory water birds and waterside birds, this sanctuary is also inhabited by Sambar, Chital, Nilgai and Boar.
Major Wildlife Attractions
The major attractions of tourists visiting the park are the numerous migratory birds, who come from as far away as Siberia and Central Asia and spend their winters in Bharatpur, before returning to their breeding grounds. Migratory birds at Bharatpur bird sanctuary include, several species of Cranes, Pelicans, Geese, Ducks, Eagles, Hawks, Shanks, Stints, Wagtails, Warblers, Wheatears, Flycatchers, Buntings, Larks and Pipits, etc.
Best Time to Visit Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary is open throughout the year, still the ideal visiting months are from August-November for resident breeding birds and October- February for migrant birds.
Trips within Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary
There are well-defined forest trails, which can easily be covered on foot or on a cycle or you can also hire a rickshaw that are available on hire. Rickshaw pullers have been trained by the park management in bird watching and are quite knowledgeable. Boats are also available on hire. A early morning boat trip or a late evening one is quite a rewarding experience to check out the hidden surprises of Bharatpur.
How to Get there
Air :
The nearest airport is situated at Agra, which is 56-kms from Bharatpur.
Rail :
Regular rail services connect Bharatpur with all the major cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and Agra. The Bharatpur
railway station is 6-kms from the
park
Road : An excellent network of roadway services connects Bharatpur to all the major cities of the Rajasthan and its neighbouring states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana. Bharatpur is well connected by road from Agra (56-kms, 5 hours), Delhi (176-kms, 5 hours) and Jaipur (176-kms, 6 hours), all of which have airport facilities too.
General Info / Tips
Note : Do not forget to carry a binoculars for watching the birds. Bird watching depend greatly on season, timing, and patience, so its better to visit the sanctuary during the visiting period.
Day - 1 : Delhi
Arrive in New Delhi before or after midnight. Spend overnight at the hotel.
Day - 2 : Delhi
Spend morning at leisure. An afternoon sightseeing tour of New Delhi. Visiting places include India Gate, drive past President's House, Qutab Minar & Humayun's tomb. Overnight spend at the hotel.
Day - 3 : Delhi - Jaipur
Early morning departure towards Jaipur (260-km / 6 hr.). In the afternoon enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of the Pink City covering City Palace, Palace of Winds or Hawa Mahal & Jantar Mantar Observatory. Overnight spend at the hotel.
Day - 4 : Jaipur - Ranthambore
Enjoy a elephant ride while visiting the Amber Fort. After lunch, a jeep safari to Ranthambore National Park (5 hr.). Arrive back to the resort in the evening. Overnight at the wildlife resort.
Day - 5 : Ranthambore National Park
Enjoy the morning and evening trips in open trucks and jeeps to Ranthambore nAtional Park and spend time tracking Tigers and viewing other wildlife attractions of the park.
Overnight at the resort.
Day - 6 : Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
Have some wildlife watching early in the morning and tiger tracking in open-top trucks and jeeps. After lunch, drive to Keoladeo Ghana National Park (6 hr.) Arrive back to the resort in the evening. Overnight spent at the hotel.
Day - 7 : Bharatpur - Agra
Enjoy a day inside the Bharatpur bird sanctuary on a cycle rickshaw. Have a picnic lunch in the reserve itself. Overnight at the hotel.
Day - 8 : Agra
Depart for Agra and en route visit the walled city of Fatehpur Sikri. After lunch, enjoy a guided tour of Taj Mahal. Overnight spend at the hotel.
Day - 9 : Agra - Khajuraho
Tourists can opt for an early morning visit to Agra Red Fort or spend the morning at leisure. At noon fly to Khajuraho. Arrival at Khajuraho by 1.00 pm. After lunch, guided city tour of Khajuraho temple complex. Overnight in a hotel.
Day - 10 : Bandhavgarh National Park
Leaving for Bandhavgarh National Park (6 hr.). Arrival at Bandhavgarh by noon. Afternoon visit to the park in jeeps for tiger tracking. Overnight at a wildlife resort.
Day - 11 : Bandhavgarh National Park
Enjoy jeep safari in the park during morning and evening. Overnight at a wildlife resort.
Day - 12 : Kanha National Park
Early morning visit to the park. Later on after lunch, drive to Kanha National Park (7hr.). Arrive at Kanha in the evening. Overnight at a wildlife resort.
Day - 13 & 14 : Kanha National Park
Morning and evening jeep safari at Kanha for tiger tracking, exploring the park's natural wilds or bird watching. Overnight at a wildlife resort.
Day - 15 : Kanha National Park - Nagpur
Morning jungle visit in the park. After lunch drive to Nagpur (5 hr.). Overnight at the hotel.
Day - 16 : Nagpur - Delhi/Onward Destination
Catch the flight from Nagpur to Delhi in the morning. Day room at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your connecting flight to the onward destination.
ipur and Agra. The Bharatpur
railway station is 6-kms from the
park
Overnight at the resort.