The Journal
Tigers at Dawn: The Ranthambore Safari by Palace on Wheels
A wild morning among the palaces
The Palace on Wheels is best known for forts and palaces, but one of its most thrilling mornings is spent in the wilderness. On the third day the train reaches Sawai Madhopur, gateway to Ranthambore National Park — one of India's finest tiger reserves.
The safari
At first light you set out by jeep into a landscape of lakes, dhok forest and the ruins of Ranthambore Fort, where the Bengal tiger reigns. Even without a tiger sighting — never guaranteed in the wild — the park teems with leopard, sloth bear, sambar deer, marsh crocodile and hundreds of bird species.
When tigers are most active
The cool, clear months of November to February tend to offer comfortable safaris, while the warmer late-season departures can concentrate wildlife around water. See our guide to the best time to visit Rajasthan.
Then back to royalty
By afternoon you have swapped the jeep for the train once more, bound for the mighty fort of Chittorgarh — the contrast that makes the Palace on Wheels so memorable. Plan your journey on the itinerary page.