Sariska
Tigers in the Aravalli Hills
Overview
Sariska Tiger Reserve is a protected wildlife area in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, set among the dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and rocky hills of the Aravalli range. Spanning over 1,200 sq km, it is part of Project Tiger and became internationally noted after its Bengal tigers were lost to poaching around 2004, then successfully reintroduced from Ranthambore beginning in 2008, India's first tiger relocation. Alongside tigers, leopards, nilgai, sambar, and abundant birdlife, the reserve encloses the hilltop Kankwari Fort and the ancient Pandupol Hanuman and Neelkanth temples. It lies about 35 km from Alwar and 110 km from Jaipur.
Sariska is the tiger reserve that made conservation history twice. When poaching wiped out its entire tiger population around 2004, it became a national scandal; when tigers were flown in from Ranthambore from 2008 in India's first big-cat relocation, it became a landmark experiment in bringing a predator back to a landscape that had lost it.
The setting is distinct from India's greener parks. Sariska sprawls across the Aravalli hills in dry deciduous forest, scrub, and grassland studded with rocky ridges, over an area exceeding 1,200 sq km. Beyond tigers and leopards, the reserve is dense with nilgai, sambar, chital, wild boar, and birdlife, and it uniquely encloses human heritage, the remote hilltop Kankwari Fort, the pilgrim Pandupol Hanuman temple, and the ruined Neelkanth Mahadev temples deep inside the forest.
Its greatest practical advantage is proximity. Sariska is among the closest tiger habitats to Delhi and Jaipur, reachable via Alwar without the long haul that Ranthambore or the central Indian parks demand. MyTripMyTravel runs it as a chauffeured wildlife node on the Golden Triangle's edge, coordinated jeep safaris, an escort who understands the zones, and a lodge base timed to the productive drives.
At a glance
Sariska in brief
When to visit
October to March
October to March delivers the most comfortable safari conditions, with cool mornings and good all-round wildlife activity. The hotter months of April to June, though harsh, often yield the best tiger sightings as animals concentrate at shrinking waterholes. The core zones typically close during the monsoon (July to September) when tracks become impassable, though certain temple routes remain open. Safaris run in scheduled morning and afternoon slots, which our team pre-books.
Things to do
Experiences in Sariska
Jeep safari for tigers
Guided morning and afternoon jeep drives through the reserve's zones in search of tigers, leopards, and deer.
Kankwari Fort
A remote hilltop fort deep inside the reserve, historically linked to the imprisonment of the Mughal prince Dara Shikoh.
Pandupol Hanuman Temple
A forest pilgrim temple tied to Pandava legend, set beside a seasonal waterfall within the park.
Neelkanth Mahadev temples
Ancient carved temple ruins from around the 6th to 9th centuries, hidden in the forested hills.
Siliserh Lake
A scenic reservoir on the reserve's edge, good for birdlife and a calm counterpoint to the drives.
Aravalli birdwatching
Rich birdlife including peafowl, raptors, and grassland species across the reserve's varied habitats.
Getting there
How to reach Sariska
Sariska lies on the Alwar to Jaipur road, about 35 km from Alwar and 2.5 hours from Jaipur by chauffeured car.
The nearest railhead is Alwar, roughly 35 km away, well connected to Delhi and Jaipur; we handle the transfer to the gate.
Jaipur (JAI) is the closest airport at about 110 km, with Delhi (DEL) around 200 km to the north.
Our private chauffeured fleet manages the transfer and coordinates the pre-booked jeep safari slots.
Where to stay
Forest-edge safari lodges near the reserve gate, positioned for early morning drives.
Palace- and haveli-style heritage stays back toward Alwar for a monument-and-wildlife mix.
Resorts along the Sariska to Alwar road with reliable service between safaris.
Where to eat
Lodge dining pairing Rajasthani classics with multi-cuisine options between drives.
The definitive Rajasthani plate of baked wheat balls, lentils, and sweet crumble.
The region's famous mawa-based milk cake, brought in from nearby Alwar's sweet shops.
Ready to book
Itineraries featuring Sariska
Private, chauffeured, day-by-day journeys that feature Sariska or explore the wider Golden Triangle, each fully customisable, or built around your dates.
3-Day Express Triangle
4-Day Classic Circle
5-Day Heritage Loop
5-Day Luxury Weekend
Royal Wedding Scout
Photography Expedition
Good to know
Sariska, your questions
What is the best time to see tigers at Sariska?
Sightings are possible year-round when zones are open, but the hot months of April to June concentrate animals at waterholes, while October to March offers the most comfortable safari weather.
Is the reserve open all year?
The core safari zones generally close during the monsoon (July to September) when tracks flood, though certain pilgrim temple routes such as Pandupol stay accessible. We confirm the current safari calendar when planning.
Does Sariska actually have tigers again?
Yes. After the population was lost to poaching around 2004, tigers were reintroduced from Ranthambore starting in 2008, India's first tiger relocation, and the reserve now supports a recovering population.
How far is Sariska from Jaipur and Delhi?
About 110 km from Jaipur (2.5 hours) and roughly 200 km from Delhi, reached via Alwar, among the most accessible tiger habitats from either city.
Can I visit Sariska as a short trip from the Golden Triangle?
Yes. Its proximity makes it a practical one- or two-night wildlife addition via Alwar, which is how we build it into extended Golden Triangle itineraries.
Are the forts and temples inside the reserve accessible?
Kankwari Fort and the Pandupol and Neelkanth temples lie within the park and can be visited on designated routes and days; access is coordinated with safari permits by our team.
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Design a private journey through Sariska.
Tell us your dates and what you love. Our travel desk builds a private, chauffeured itinerary around Sariska and the wider Golden Triangle, with handpicked hotels and a transparent quote, usually within a few hours.
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