Birdwatching In Bharatpur

Does birdwatching, or simply spending hours out in the wild, appeal to you? Bharatpur, in eastern Rajasthan, makes the perfect short break from Delhi and is just right, even for a tow-day getaway, far from city stress. Bharatpur town itself is a dust bowl with not much to do, but on the outskirts of it lies the splendid Keoladeo National Park, still known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary to most people.

If you absolutely love the wild and the sounds of the forest, we recommended staying at the state-run Bharatpur Forest Lodge located within the national park and barely 2 km from the entrance to the bird sanctuary. During your stay, you will spot an amazing array of birds --an astounding 250 plus species, including wetland birds, eagles, owls, falcons and a variety of small land birds. Bharatpur is also the migrating Siberian Crane that makes a spectacular sight.

Cycle rickshaws are a great way to take in the birdlife and the seasoned rickshaw wallahs double as guides, pointing to a waterfowl here and a vulture there. While the bird sanctuary will keep you engaged for most of the weekend, in the rainy season you could cruise down the lake in a boat. The Deeg Water Palace built by Raja Suraj Mal with its impressive water conservation and natural cooling systems and pretty gardens is also well worth a visit.

Getting There: Delhi to Bharatpur should take you just over three hours via the Taj Expressway from which you turn into the Hathras-Mathura Road. As you approach Bharatpur, be prepared for less-than-ideal road condition.

Tip from Let's Unveil India: Befriend your rickshaw-wallah and you will see the best of Bharatpur bird Sanctuary.

Sleep: While the Bharatpur Forest Lodge (www.bharatpurforestlodge.com) offers a close-to-nature experience, if you want a luxury stay, choose the Laxmi Vilas Palace Hotel (www.laxmivilas.com), which is a heritage property and a restored palace where you can get pampered with spa treatments as well.

Eat: You will have to eat where you are staying and the Forest Lodge serves satisfying, everyday fare. For a splurge, head for Laxmi Vilas Palace where you can order Continental and Indian.