Camping in Luxury: Ranthambore National Park

Tripoto
4th Oct 2012
Photo of Camping in Luxury: Ranthambore National Park 1/4 by Cauvery Nair
Ranthambore National Park
Photo of Camping in Luxury: Ranthambore National Park 2/4 by Cauvery Nair
Qila Ranthambor
Photo of Camping in Luxury: Ranthambore National Park 3/4 by Cauvery Nair
Oberoi Vanyavilas
Photo of Camping in Luxury: Ranthambore National Park 4/4 by Cauvery Nair
View from inside Qila Ranthambor

This was a short memorable trip that came as a complete surprise to a control freak planner like me! The entire week had gone by topsy-turvy with Dad and me in a quiet house bereft of the others,and a huge load of work piling on me, while my father keeps himself busy all week! These were just the perfect signs for a much called for weekend getaway!

So while playing with my food on the dinner table on the 4th of October, a Thursday, I just randomly suggested that Dad and I should take the weekend off. Little did I know that he had bigger things planned, and with his one nod, we packed our bags and got into the car. The time was 11.30pm,the excitement had filled me so much that I didn't ask where we were heading too. Due credit to the Delhi traffic, for we were entrapped amongst other headlights for an hour. But within about 5 hours of driving by the highway, we watched the sandy landscape emerge as we stopped at Jaipur for a very early Breakfast.

Post the mouth watering savouries from a road-side Rajasthani kitchen, we got back on the road and reached Sawai Madhopur, the village famous for The Ranthambore National Park. I was jumping with excitement that only my seat-belt could constrain! As I stuck my head out like a little kid (or even a dog one could say!), the next surprise had hit me! I saw the peripheries of a beautiful tent-resort, that resembled the times of Rajas-Maharajas of this state. As I narrowed my eyebrows to get a clearer focus on the name, I saw it was "the" Oberoi Vanyavillas. As Dad saw I couldn't contain my excitement anymore, he said, "Let's camp in luxury this weekend!"

The following two days were the best of my camping experience. We went on Tiger safaris and surfed around a jeep amonst the sanddunes. The impeccably perfect stay at the 5-star tents treated us as though we were of royal lineage! However, what was the most memorable, besides the marvel awe-striking safaris, were the heritage hidden around the National park. From the Kachida valley to the ruins of Raj Bagh, the Padam Talao lake to the Ranthambore fort; each experience was better than the other!

But sadly the trip came to an end with the sun setting on Saturday evening, and we checked out like any other content traveller who yearns for the next adventure, with the end of every trip.

We left for the Safari and tour of the Ranthambore National Park, post lunch. The weather was pleasant, as it was breezy despite the hot desert sun. A jeep was hired and the grand safari commenced at 2pm. In the wait of seeing the great striped animal, my enthusiasm had built beyond expectations, yet futile for the first kilometer of the ride. But then we began to spot numerous animals, ranging from spotted and Sambar deer, to Nilgai, the Indian Flying Fox to gerbilles and mongoose, reptiles to hyenas, and then the much awaited moment arrived. We finally say a Tiger, and then two more. The beautiful majestic striped animals were basking in the sun as they were seen taking a dip in the nearby ponds.
Photo of Ranthambore National Park, Ranthambore Resorts, Ranthambore Safari, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Ranthambore National Park, Ranthambore Resorts, Ranthambore Safari, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Ranthambore National Park, Ranthambore Resorts, Ranthambore Safari, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Ranthambore National Park, Ranthambore Resorts, Ranthambore Safari, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Ranthambore National Park, Ranthambore Resorts, Ranthambore Safari, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Ranthambore National Park, Ranthambore Resorts, Ranthambore Safari, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Ranthambore National Park, Ranthambore Resorts, Ranthambore Safari, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Ranthambore National Park, Ranthambore Resorts, Ranthambore Safari, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Ranthambore National Park, Ranthambore Resorts, Ranthambore Safari, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
This resort truly amazes and exceeds the expectations of every traveller who believes in travelling in the comforts of luxury! Standing gloriously spread amidst the forests of Sawai Madhopur, adjacent to the Ranthambore National Park, this resort provides today's tourist with every modern facility, giving the most regal experience to those who have stayed abode the tents of this resort!
Photo of The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
The majestic enigma of Ranthambore didn't end with the sighting of a tiger. Rather, a steep climb up the hill surrounding the National Park, gave us the opportunity to visit the great Ranthambore Fort (or Qila). While a guide equipped us with enough historical significance of this Fort, but the vultures and bird watching along with the overview of the Ranthambore National Park is a sight that cannot be explained in words. So don't forget your camera and binoculars!
Photo of Ranthambor National Park, Qila Ranthambor, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Ranthambor National Park, Qila Ranthambor, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Ranthambor National Park, Qila Ranthambor, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
As we wondered where the panthers were, the guide turned the jeep on a diversion and we headed for the Kachida valley. Set around the outskirts of the park, these low hills are the humble abode of the Panther population of Ranthambore. And with them keeping a distance from there striped predators, these panthers can be easily spotted around the valley.
Photo of Kachida, Kacheeda Kalan, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Kachida, Kacheeda Kalan, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Kachida, Kacheeda Kalan, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Kachida, Kacheeda Kalan, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Kachida, Kacheeda Kalan, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Kachida, Kacheeda Kalan, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Kachida, Kacheeda Kalan, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Kachida, Kacheeda Kalan, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Kachida, Kacheeda Kalan, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
This is where we spotted out a small yet considerable population of the famous Indian striped Hyenas and sloth bears. It is located in the Northern and North-western regions of the park.
Photo of Lakarda, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Lakarda, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Lakarda, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Lakarda, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Lakarda, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Lakarda, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Padam Talab, or Talao was a refreshing spot for us as we returned from the Fort. The lake is known for the rare appearance of the Chinkara, along with other animals in the National Park that spotted at their water point at dawn and dusk. We also got to see the famous Jogi Mahal on one edge of the lake, while lying between the Padam Talao and Raj Bagh lake were Raj Bagh ruins that are known to give Ranthambore its unique picturesque appearance,
Photo of Padam Talab, Qila Ranthambor, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Padam Talab, Qila Ranthambor, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair
Photo of Padam Talab, Qila Ranthambor, Rajasthan, India by Cauvery Nair