We started at 1 in the night from Ghaziabad and took the root of Gurgaon – Sohna – Nooh – Firozpur Zirak – Alwar – Sariska. Total 240 Km from Ghaziabad. Although the road was in really bad shape, sometimes you force to drive at 20kmph, but still less crowded in night so somehow we managed to reach Alwar by 5 in the morning.
On the way to Sariska there is Alwar written in Hollywood style in a large rock. We couldn’t resist ourselves to pose there. From there it took another one hour to Sariska. Just before Sariska there are few dhabas where you can get crispy onion parantha for 15 bucks per piece, little costly but worth it and nice hot tea to rejuvenate from the heck of long drive.
The reception area is nearby the entry of the park and it costs just 150 bucks for two persons including car. We entered with great enthusiasm but somehow got unlucky till few minutes because in Sariska you are just allowed to drive through the main road, but as the wild has no sense for traffic so they obviously get themselves busy inside. Finally we decided to go in core areas in so called kachha rashta (with due apology to concerned authorities).
There lies the true beauty. A group of deer mingling with peacocks in the same pool of water. A Saambhar visited to pose for us irrespective of hot weather. Another core area and there was 5 to 7 Saambhars drinking water probably after their afternoon nap.
After 10 km roughly the road divided into two ways, one goes to Pandupole and another to Kalighat. Firstly we choose the Kalighat root but after few kilometers didn’t find it interesting, so went back to Pandupole road, which is a real worth. At the end point there is an ancient Hanuman Temple but the way itself was awesome. We encountered with a group of wild pigs and an army of langoors. The landscape was so beautiful that you can even think to hire a room for few days if provided.
We back around 2 when nothing much was left to do. Another great news is that, they even allow two-wheeler inside the park. Sariska to Alwar is a great fun drive with picturesque mountains and scenic beauty spread all across.
This time we took the root of Sariska – Alwar – Kisangarh – Tijara – Bhiwadi – NH24 to Gurgaon, total again 200 km roughly. Overall it was an unforgettable experience, which will cherish our memory forever.
Thanks for Reading.
Hey Amit,
Nice pics. I too went to Sariska in February but yet to pen down my overall experience of that journey. Sariska, I agree has not much to offer when it comes to diversity of fauna. During my visit there were pea and she cocks in abundance so were sambhars and deers but nothing much than that. We left our vehicle and hired a Gypsy for our safari as you have mentioned that private vehicle are not allowed on Kachha Rasta. But as you’d have noticed there not much to see even on those kachha rasta route.
Our paisa-wasool moment was Rufus Treepies sitting on our heads and hands at a small settlement deep inside the park. I believe that on the highways is more fun than in the Sariska. Especially the Alwar-Sariska route where we to spot Red wattled lapwings and Pied Kingfisher. I’ll soo try to pen down my account of that trip.
Keep sharing.
Oh you see I have missed a few punctuations, words and alphabets here and there and as Vibha said and I agree “See What a Comma Does to a Specie!: In this case meaning :D :-)
Hi bro, this year I heard that the authority had put few tigers in Sariska, but not sure about it. I guess flora wise this place would be better in winters, with at least some greenery to watch.
Hi Amit,
As you have good knowledge of Sariska place, could you please recommend me whether it is one day trip from Delhi and estimate cost of it? Any other place to visit in one day? we are 15 friends and are planning to go sariska tiger reserve in Aug. Out total budget is Rs. 9000. Is it possible to go there in this price range including transport, food and sight seeing?
I would really appreciate your sooner reply!! thanks in advance for your advice! :)
Hi Neha,
Sariska tiger reserve is about 200 km if you go via NH8-Thana Ghazi-Sariska. There is a left turn to Sariska on NH8 and it is well written on a sign board, keep your eyes on it and don’t miss the turn. The drive is pleasant throughout with great NH8 and rugged Aravali range perfectly accompanying your mood. It will take around 5 hours.
Alternatively you can also take Gurgaon Sohna Nooh Firozpur Zirak Alwar Sariska route which is also good and take around same time.
In my opinion Sariska is essentially one day trip if you have only wild life in your mind otherwise the gateway of Rajasthan “Alwar” host many interesting places in its closed vicinity. Like Siliserh Lake (26 kms. from Alwar), Bhangarh (30km from Thana Ghazi via Ajabgarh, named as India’s most haunted place), Naldeshwar and Neelkanth etc.
If you are planning to arrange a cab then its usual cost is 10 Rs for a MUV and 7-8 Rs for Indica. As you are large in number so 2 Tavera size car would be sufficient. In 4500-5000 you can arrange it. The entry cost per vehicle is around 150 but personal car is allowed in only main tracks and safari which is usually costly, are only allow to go inside tracks.
Food options are mainly available in Alwar and you can have anything of your choice in varied budget.
The park is open round the year to visit lord Hanuman temple, called Pandupol inside the park, but during monsoon i.e July, August and September, it’s closed for wild life, so do check before your visit on http://www.rajasthanwildlife.com/. However It’s open only on Tuesdays and Saturdays til Sep 30th. Tiger Den (RTDC hotel) is organizing safaris on both days.
So, all the best for your trip, and travel safe :)
Amit
Hi Amit,
Sariska & near by areas are very much in my radar for last couple of years. From Gurgaon its hardly 4 – 5 hours journey, inspite of that not able to visit.
Cheers !!!!!!!!
Hello Mahesh Ji.
Since you are in Gurgaon, yor are very near to many great day breaks in Rajasthan. Alwar, Siliserh Lake, Sariska, Neelkanth, Mehndipur Balaji… all are good options and within 5 hour drive.
I know Amit but list is so long that I am not able to visit even Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary which is hardly 20 Kms from Gurgaon.
Pics are great, so is the story. I just saw Vaishali story on your blog, will read soon.
I posted some pics in my blog, look at them. http://www.musafirhoonyaro.blogspot.com
I saw your blog. Amazing pics of Yashu. Bahut payara bachha hai, send his pictures for kid modelling.
Could you please help me with pasting Ghumakkar logo on my blog.
Hey Amit,
If you go too the tools page of Ghumakkar, you will see some options to generate a logo. A corresponding javascript code will be displayed according to your choices of size, color and design. Once you have that code you can add a javascript widget to your blog and paste the code in there.
Once you have done that, you should see the logo on your blog.
Let me know if you have any issues doing this. And way to go with the number of posts. Keep travelling and writing.
-Vibha
Thanks Vibha
I visited Sariska few times in 2001 – 2003 time frame and there was really NOTHING :-)
I heard that now we have two tigers (on my last trip to Bharatpur, one of them was there, long haul from Sariska , I must say) there and lot of other wildlife, as so beautifully captured by you.
One small tip. You can change the URL of the Ghumakkar logo at your website to point it at your Authors’ page – https://www.ghumakkar.com/author/amitk227/
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