Keoladeo
National Park is the best place on Earth to watch Birds.
Why Keoladeo
Keoladeo National Park, situated in the state of Rajasthan in India is a
former duck-hunting reserve of the Maharajas. Hunting was prohibited by
mid-60s. Formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, the park was
declared a national park on 10 March 1982, and accepted as a World Heritage
Site in December 1985. Keoladeo is one of the major winter vacationing areas
for large numbers of aquatic birds from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, China and
Siberia. About 364 species of birds, including the rare Siberian crane, have
been recorded in the park.
Key Factors
State : Rajsthan in the northwest of India.
Climate : Bharatpur is located on the fringes of the Thar desert.
This marshy land has very warm climate. Summers are invariably hot and
winters are not very cold. Carry light cottons during summers and woolens
during winters. Rainfall is less but sufficient
Area : 29 sq-km.
Travel Tips : Be well informed about the place when you start
planning for the trip. Consult a doctor before the trip. Carry light weight
clothes to the park. Carry your touring documents with yourself.
Best Time to Visit : Between the months of August-November for
resident breeding birds and October- February for migrant birds.
Nearest Town : Bharatpur (2 km).
Get There
You can reach the park by any means of transport - air, rail or road. But
to venture into the park you need to hire a bicycle or cycle rickshaw. Or
else you can also walk through the well defined paths of the park.
International Airport : At Delhi about 176 km from
Bharatpur.
Air : Nearest airport at Agra, (56 km) from Bharatpur.
Rail : The Bharatpur railway station is 6 km from the park.
Road : An excellent network of roadway services links Bharatpur to
all the major cities of the Rajasthan and its neighbouring states like
Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana.
Stay There
The Accommodation is not at el a problem here. You will find all types of
accommodation near Bharatpur, as per you taste. The categories range from
Luxurious to budget quality.
Nearby Wildlife
Lodges
Venture Into The Keoladeo
There are well defined forest paths in the Keoladeo. Get close to the bird
life of Keoladeo by either walking or cycling along the raised embankments.
You can also hire a cycle rickshaw to explore the sanctuary. While you
proceed through the dense forest cover, which shelters a diverse flora you
will come across varied and colourful birds flying from one-side to the
other side with high pitch melodious notes. The entire ambience seems to be
heavenly, as you move further inside the park. The vast flora provides a
natural habitat to these migratory birds. You must not have such number of
birds at one place before.
The Avifauna
More than 375 species of birds are found in this small wildlife park of 29
sq-km out of which 11 sq-km are marshes and the rest is scrubland and
grassland. The beauty of this park is praiseworthy. When you are surrounded
by the exhilarating chirps of the beautiful birds, the entire ambience
becomes heavenly, as you are amidst your favourites like Cranes, Pelicans,
Geese, Ducks, Eagles, Hawks, Shanks, Stints, Wagtails, Warblers, Wheatears,
Flycatchers, Buntings, Larks and Pipits, etc.
This is not all, the park also houses, some rare species of fauna like -
Sambar, Chital, Nilgai and Boar.
Additional Punch
Bharatpur falls in the Golden Triangle route of India. So, you can extend
your trip to the Golden Triangle Route which include - Delhi, Agra &
Jaipur. The park is situated in the most enthralling state of India -
Rajasthan. When you are so close to this royal land of India, how can you
miss your trip to this place. But, the closest of the attractions are -
Bharatpur Govenment Museum, Bharatpur Palace, Lohagarh Fort, Deeg Palace (32
km). The entire state will leave some mind-boggling experience in your life.
But, if not possible, you can make you tour more flavoursome by visiting
Jaipur (176 km), the capital city of Rajasthan.
Extend the Trip
Bhartapur is close to Agra (56 km). Agra - the home of the Taj Mahal is the
place where everyone wants to be. And, when it is so close to your
destination then how can you forget to include it in your tour itinerary.
Delhi, the National City (India) is just 176 km from Bharatpur. If you keep
keen interest in history of India, then this is the right place for you.
Few Difficulties
The summers are harsh here, so, it would be better if you can avoid
Bharatpur during the summer months.
Few Suggestions
Contact a good travel agent, who has enough knowledge about the place and
can understand the local culture and language. Try to visit the Park during
the winters, as during this period you will be able to meet larger number of
birds. Taste the unique Rajasthani cuisine, and know more about the
Rajasthani culture.
