Hi there, welcome to the forum!
We know that Ranthambore is in Rajasthan but do not know exactly where, so some indication of where it is would be good to know.
The distance between Jaipur and Ranthambore is roughly around 170 kilometres. Ranthambore is located in the district of Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan. In fact, Sawai Madhopur is the common gateway to reach Ranthambore. Once you're in Sawai Madhopur, Ranthambore is barely a few minutes away. From Jaipur, you need to drive to the south to reach Ranthambore. There are different routes that you can take to reach it.
We would also like to get some guidance on how to reach Ranthambore from Jaipur?
If you're asking about the routes, there are two that you can take to reach Ranthambore from Jaipur:
- Route No. 1 via Tonk - Jaipur > Mansarovar > Shivdaspura > Kothun > Gunsi > Tonk > Kakod > Sawai Madhopur > Ranthambore.
This route passes through Sawai Madhopur. It is about 193 kilometres long though. You can reach Ranthambore in about 4 hours or less. This is a good route and the most preferred by many travellers.
- Route No. 2 via Dausa - Jaipur > Dausa > Lalsot > Bilona > Soorwal > Sawai Madhopur > Ranthambore.
This route also passes through Sawai Madhopur. This is about 168 kilometres long and can take you around 3 hours and 30 minutes to reach Ranthambore. There are some rough patches in this route though so it's not preferred by many travellers.
Would you suggest any place to stop over at which are worth visiting, on the way to Ranthambore?
You can have a stopover at Tonk, which is in the first route. Here are some attractions in this city:
- Bisalpur Dam - This is the main dam providing for the water needs of the city of Tonk and the surrounding areas. It is a popular picnic spot amongst locals. There are also some food stalls here serving some snacks and beverages to tourists. The place is very serene and can provide some respite from the heat especially during summer. Reaching the dam can take some time and you need to climb some steps to reach its top. The views from above are quite stunning though.
- Hadi Rani Kund - This ancient baori or step well is about 50 kilometres away from Tonk. The step well has a very rich history and it can be traced back to the 12th century. The step well used to provide the water for the older residents of the area. There are many steps leading to the underground water reservoir. It's one of the best step wells that are preserved by the ASI. It's worth a visit especially if you love history.
- Bisaldeo Temple - This is located just nearby the Bisalpur Dam. This temple was built by Vigraharaja IV. The main sanctum of the temple has a lingam. It also has a portico with an imposing sikhara. The temple has exquisite carvings of floral motifs and geographic shapes. It also has many inscriptions depicting the age of the temple.
I am a night time driver, is it wise to travel during the night from Jaipur to Ranthambore?
I always recommend driving during day time especially if it's your first time to drive in a route. This way, you can easily see the sign boards and you won't get lost. If anything happens as well, it's easier to call for help when it's daylight.
I hope this helps you.
