Tourism in Sawai Madhopur

Traditionally famous for being home to the best variety of guavas in the world, Sawai Madhopur, the district cum city in the state of Rajasthan in India is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the western part of the country. The city has a unique combination of both lush green forests and wildlife sanctuaries, mountain ranges and deserts, which easily makes it a popular city for tourists from all parts of the world. In this article, we shall take a look at some of the most well known places of tourist interest in the city, and also get familiarized with the best hotels and restaurants here.

Shilpgram in Sawai Madhopur

Commonly known as the ‘Rural Arts and Crafts Complex’, this museum consisting of lively depictions of the lifestyles of various ethnic groups living in the western zone of the country, is considered to have been built in order to raise the general awareness and enrich the quality of perception of people about rural life in this part of the country. The museum houses an array of architectural features which represent various kinds of populations and their ethnicity. Regular workshops are held here to better acquaint children with the various features of indigenous populations in India’s western states.

Ranthambore Fort in Sawai Madhopur

The entire history of the city of Sawai Madhopur and its surroundings is intricately intertwined with the Ranthambore Fort, which serves as an exemplary microcosm of the ecosystem of Sawai Madhopur. The Fort is surrounded on all sides by the towering Aravali and Vindhya mountain ranges and by a vastly expansive desert ecosystem. Historical tales state that the Ranthambore Fort was a veritably unbreakable citadel for most of the foreigners who invaded the country during the Middle Ages. The most famous ruler of this Fort was Rao Hamir, whose kingdom existed in the late 13th century. Ganesh Temple, Mahadeo Chhatri, Toran Dwar and Sameton ki Haveli are some of the historically important sites inside the Fort.

Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur

This is one of the largest and most famous national parks in the country, and located on the outskirts of Sawai Madhopur, at a distance of nearly 10 kilometres from the heart of the city. Established in 1955 by the Government of India as a Game Sanctuary, Ranthambore shot to prominence in the year 1973 when it was declared as one of the tiger reserves for the Project Tiger initiative; this status was later elevated to that of a national park in 1980. Considering the fragility of the ecosystem of this region, the surrounding areas were marked as Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary and Keladevi Sanctuary to keep them safeguarded from poachers. Later, in 1991, the boundaries of the Ranthambore National Park were enlarged to accommodate the two aforesaid sanctuaries within itself.

Know more about the national park here

Rajiv Gandhi Regional Museum of Natural History

Built in the year 2007, the Rajiv Gandhi Regional Museum of Natural History is considered to a centre of activities which are undertaken with the express objective of increasing the level public awareness in issues pertaining to protection of the environment and conserving natural resources. Various awareness campaigns and public exhibitions are undertaken by the members of the museum to spread ideas concerning the diversity of the existing life forms on earth and the various interconnections between nature and human beings. The museum places special emphasis on making people aware of the nitty gritty that exists in the fragile and arid ecosystem of the western areas of the country.

Where to stay - Best accommodation options

Taj Vivanta
Location - Ranthambhore National Park Road, Sawai Madhopur Ho, Sawai Madhopur – 322001
Contact - +(91)-9214204120, 9214204121
Websites - www.vivantabytaj.com , www.tajhotels.com
Hours of operation – (Check in/ Checkout) – Monday to Sunday (24 hours)
Modes of payment – Cash, Credit Card, Debit Card, Master Card, VISA Card, American Express Card

Hotel Ranthambore Regency
Location - Ranthambore Road, Sawai Madhopur Ho, Sawai Madhopur – 322001
Contact - +(91)-9414016100, +(91)-7462-223456, 320333, 221176, 223606
Website - www.ranthambhor.com
Hours of operation – (Check in/ Checkout) – Monday to Sunday (24 hours)
Modes of payment – Cash, Credit Card, Debit Card, Master Card, VISA Card, American Express Card

Tiger Den Resort
Location - Village Khilchipur, Near Ranthambore National Park, Sawai Madhopur – 322001
Contact - +(91)-9414045270
Website - www.tigerdenresort.com
Hours of operation – (Check in/ Checkout) – Monday to Sunday (24 hours)
Modes of payment – Cash, Credit Card, Debit Card, Cheques

Check other accommodation options here

Where to eat – Best Restaurants

The Dining Room
Location - C/O Vivanta By Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge, Ranthambore National Park Road, Sawai Madhopur Ho, Sawai Madhopur – 322001
Contact - +(91)-9214204121
Website - www.vivantabytaj.com, www.tajhotels.com
Type of food –Multi cuisine
Hours of operation – Monday to Sunday (8.30 am to 10.30 pm)

Wild Orchid Restaurant
Location - C/O Abrar Palace & Jungle Camp, Ranthambore Road, Sawai Madhopur Ho, Opposite Hotel Oberoi Van Villa, Sawai Madhopur – 322001
Contact - +(91)-9001181555, 9001161555, 9001171555
Website - www.abrarpalace.com
Type of food – Multi cuisine
Hours of operation – Monday to Sunday (7 am to 10 pm)

Al Machan
Location - C/O Hotel City Heart, Ranthambhore Road, Sawai Madhopur Ho
Sawai Madhopur – 322001
Contact - +(91)-9413155987, 9414647156, 9530277335
Website - www.hotelcityheart.net
Type of food – Multi cuisine
Hours of operation – Monday to Sunday (11 am to 11 pm)

Check out other best places to eat out here