Bharatpur - Keoladeo Ghana National Park
Bharatpur, a birders' paradise, yes I visited for the first time after hearing about it from fellow birders and photographers about the plethora of birds in the vast expanse of dense undergrowth. Many water bodies for the waders, berry like fruit bearing trees for the birds who keep flitting like butterflies and eat their hearts full.
Many birds are commonly found everywhere but there are many others that are migrants and roost in Bharatpur for nesting.
Bharatpur is in the northern part of Rajasthan and the best way to go there is by train. Paschim Express is ideal so is Punjab Mail.
Our train got delayed by two hours and as a result we reached our hotel at 9.15 instead of 7.00 a.m. We could visit the sanctuary only after 11.00 a.m. after having breakfast and freshening up.
There are a number of hotels to suit every budget. The food is mediocre depending on individual palate. We stayed at Hotel Eagle's Nest which is on the highway that goes to Jaipur and the main entrance is only about 300-400 metres - a walking distance.
The entry fee is Rs. 75/- per person. There are various modes of transport within the complex. There is no pucca road but paths and many walk it out. There are cycles on hire and there are cycle rickshaws which ply at the rate of Rs. 150/- per hour. This is the best mode as the driver doubles up as a guide and has adequate knowledge about photography as well as birds. The pronunciation is a bit of a problem but we can manage. The networking of these rickshaw drivers is excellent and they communicate with each other and keep themselves informed about the location of the rare birds.
Remember, the birds are very far and though they are not shy of humans, it is prudent to be at a comfortable distance than to approach very close to disturb them into taking flight. It is better to have a good lens of a large focal length. Most birds are at a distance of 50 feet and above. Some birds walk along with the cycle rickshaw and some birds like the Jungle Babblers, Bank Myna and the White Breasted Waterhens eat out of our hands at the small canteen inside the park. The Sarus Cranes are elusive and usually do not come very close to the road but occasionally, they do come as close as 70-100 feet and can be shot comfortably with a good lens.
About the hotel:
Hotel Eagles Nest is a good hotel with rooms quite big enough for 2 persons. Room service is excellent. Mr. Pawan Singh Solanki the owner of this property is a thorough gentleman with an outgoing nature and very helpful. Infact he also arranged for our visit to Deeg Palace and dropped us personally to the railway station which is about 5-6 kms in his car. He was happy with our interaction with the staff and treated us to lunch on the last day. My profound thanks for the hospitality extended to us.
He is open to suggestions and criticism. The food was good enough though the menu is strictly vegetarian. The temperature was 5 degrees and the fog settles in by late evening and becomes severely cold.We had to ask for a room heater which was provided without any problems. Overall we had an excellent stay for 5 days.
The room charges are 1999/- inclusive of taxes with breakfast on the house.
Lunch is available as per their menu. A-la-carte.
Water is a problem and it is advisable to buy bottled water as local water is a bit brackish in taste.
The staff is very co-operative and helpful and arrange for everything you ask for.
Hotel Eagle's Nest
Bharatpur - Saras Chauraha, Ghana Road, Bharatpur - 321001
Mobile Number : - 093146 11985, 09649336333, 09351328423
Contact person : Mr Pawan Singh Solanki or Mohan, or Rajveer
The Cycle Rickshaw :
We were lucky enough to get the services of one Harish Singh who drove us in his cycle rickshaw through the uneven paths of the sanctuary, spotting and explaining the whereabouts of the birds. He has a very keen eye and also knows the whereabouts of the perches of birds.
On all the 4 days, he picked us up from our hotel to the sanctuary at the given time as decided mutually.
We had the best 5 days of exploration.
There are electric vehicles and horse drawn carriage which show you around. But it is better to go by cycle rickshaw.
There are guides too - keen birders with good knowledge about birds and move with their monoculars on a tripod to show everything. The rate is 250/- per hour.
I have included the rate chart displayed on the board inside the forest lodge as on January 2018.
There are two canteens which serve tea and biscuits, wafers, and packaged snacks. It is advisable to carry your own snacks/food if you like to stay for long periods of time. Please do not litter the place with your plastic wrappers or other unwanted material. There are dustbins.
Boating is available if there is water. This year there was no rains hence no boating. Anyway, there are lots of birds to see and shoot so just keep your eyes and ears open and you wont be disappointed.
Bharatpur, a birders' paradise, yes I visited for the first time after hearing about it from fellow birders and photographers about the plethora of birds in the vast expanse of dense undergrowth. Many water bodies for the waders, berry like fruit bearing trees for the birds who keep flitting like butterflies and eat their hearts full.
Many birds are commonly found everywhere but there are many others that are migrants and roost in Bharatpur for nesting.
Bharatpur is in the northern part of Rajasthan and the best way to go there is by train. Paschim Express is ideal so is Punjab Mail.
Our train got delayed by two hours and as a result we reached our hotel at 9.15 instead of 7.00 a.m. We could visit the sanctuary only after 11.00 a.m. after having breakfast and freshening up.
There are a number of hotels to suit every budget. The food is mediocre depending on individual palate. We stayed at Hotel Eagle's Nest which is on the highway that goes to Jaipur and the main entrance is only about 300-400 metres - a walking distance.
The entry fee is Rs. 75/- per person. There are various modes of transport within the complex. There is no pucca road but paths and many walk it out. There are cycles on hire and there are cycle rickshaws which ply at the rate of Rs. 150/- per hour. This is the best mode as the driver doubles up as a guide and has adequate knowledge about photography as well as birds. The pronunciation is a bit of a problem but we can manage. The networking of these rickshaw drivers is excellent and they communicate with each other and keep themselves informed about the location of the rare birds.
Remember, the birds are very far and though they are not shy of humans, it is prudent to be at a comfortable distance than to approach very close to disturb them into taking flight. It is better to have a good lens of a large focal length. Most birds are at a distance of 50 feet and above. Some birds walk along with the cycle rickshaw and some birds like the Jungle Babblers, Bank Myna and the White Breasted Waterhens eat out of our hands at the small canteen inside the park. The Sarus Cranes are elusive and usually do not come very close to the road but occasionally, they do come as close as 70-100 feet and can be shot comfortably with a good lens.
About the hotel:
Hotel Eagles Nest is a good hotel with rooms quite big enough for 2 persons. Room service is excellent. Mr. Pawan Singh Solanki the owner of this property is a thorough gentleman with an outgoing nature and very helpful. Infact he also arranged for our visit to Deeg Palace and dropped us personally to the railway station which is about 5-6 kms in his car. He was happy with our interaction with the staff and treated us to lunch on the last day. My profound thanks for the hospitality extended to us.
He is open to suggestions and criticism. The food was good enough though the menu is strictly vegetarian. The temperature was 5 degrees and the fog settles in by late evening and becomes severely cold.We had to ask for a room heater which was provided without any problems. Overall we had an excellent stay for 5 days.
The room charges are 1999/- inclusive of taxes with breakfast on the house.
Lunch is available as per their menu. A-la-carte.
Water is a problem and it is advisable to buy bottled water as local water is a bit brackish in taste.
The staff is very co-operative and helpful and arrange for everything you ask for.
Hotel Eagle's Nest
Bharatpur - Saras Chauraha, Ghana Road, Bharatpur - 321001
Mobile Number : - 093146 11985, 09649336333, 09351328423
Contact person : Mr Pawan Singh Solanki or Mohan, or Rajveer
We were lucky enough to get the services of one Harish Singh who drove us in his cycle rickshaw through the uneven paths of the sanctuary, spotting and explaining the whereabouts of the birds. He has a very keen eye and also knows the whereabouts of the perches of birds.
On all the 4 days, he picked us up from our hotel to the sanctuary at the given time as decided mutually.
We had the best 5 days of exploration.
There are electric vehicles and horse drawn carriage which show you around. But it is better to go by cycle rickshaw.
There are guides too - keen birders with good knowledge about birds and move with their monoculars on a tripod to show everything. The rate is 250/- per hour.
I have included the rate chart displayed on the board inside the forest lodge as on January 2018.
There are two canteens which serve tea and biscuits, wafers, and packaged snacks. It is advisable to carry your own snacks/food if you like to stay for long periods of time. Please do not litter the place with your plastic wrappers or other unwanted material. There are dustbins.
Boating is available if there is water. This year there was no rains hence no boating. Anyway, there are lots of birds to see and shoot so just keep your eyes and ears open and you wont be disappointed.
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