Weekend getaway from Delhi · #7 of 10
Sariska Tiger Reserve
A tiger reserve in the Aravalli hills with jeep safaris, the hilltop Kankwari Fort and Siliserh Lake nearby - a quieter alternative to Corbett.
Escape Delhi's chaos for the rugged Aravalli forests of Sariska, just 200 km away. Home to around 30 tigers, elusive leopards, sambar, and massive peacock flocks, it is a wild weekend. Drive down Saturday for an afternoon jeep safari, catch the dawn drive Sunday, and head home via Pandupol's legendary kachori stalls.
Getting there
A smooth 195 km run. Peel off NH48 at Dharuhera to cruise the toll road to Alwar, then take another scenic hour to reach the Sariska booking office.
Your go-to highway approach if you are coming from the Jaipur side or planning to couple this trip with the spooky ruins of Bhangarh.
Saturday
Road-tripping to Sariska, tea at a royal lake palace, and an action-packed afternoon safari- 16:00 AMDrive
Depart Delhi
Beat the Delhi traffic and head out early via Gurgaon and the Dharuhera toll road to Alwar. Give yourself roughly 4.5 hours to reach the reserve, including a cozy breakfast pitstop.
Tip · Do not risk missing out. Lock in your safari seats online days in advance. Weekend jeeps vanish fast!
- 28:30 AMFood
Highway breakfast halt
Fuel up with steaming, buttery parathas and strong cutting chai at a midway dhaba near Dharuhera or Behror to keep your road trip on track.
- 311:00 AMFood
Early lunch in Alwar
Break the journey in Alwar with an epic, pure-veg thali at the legendary Prem Pavitra Bhojnalaya. It is the perfect feast just 45 minutes before you hit the reserve.
📍 Prem Pavitra Bhojnalaya, Alwar
Tip · Grab a box of Alwar's legendary, melt-in-your-mouth milk cake to satisfy those late-night sweet cravings in your room.
- 412:15 PMSight
Siliserh Lake stop
Take a quick detour to a gorgeous royal lake just outside Alwar. Sipping tea on the RTDC Lake Palace terrace while gazing at the water is a classic Sariska ritual.
📍 Siliserh Lake, Alwar
- 51:30 PMStay
Check in near the gate
Check in right by the park gate at RTDC Hotel Tiger Den, or unpack at a cozy tented retreat like Bikamp Aravallis perched right on the Alwar highway.
📍 RTDC Hotel Tiger Den, Sariska
- 62:00 PMActivity
Afternoon jeep safari
From 2 PM to 6:30 PM, plunge into dry deciduous forests, scan waterholes packed with sambar, spot peacocks everywhere, and hopefully see a radio-collared tiger cross your path.
📍 Sariska Tiger Reserve
Tip · Jeeps seat 5; seats are around Rs 800-1000 for Indians plus entry. Make sure to ask about the route to Kankwari Fort, where Aurangzeb historically imprisoned Dara Shikoh.
- 77:30 PMFood
Dinner at the lodge
Grab a warm dinner at Tiger Den or your campsite. Nights out here are blissfully quiet, trading city lights for canopy stars and the occasional howling jackal.
Sunday
A chilly sunrise safari and the legendary trail to Pandupol temple- 85:30 AMActivity
Morning jeep safari
The 6-10 AM slot is magic: cool light, fresh pugmarks on the dirt tracks, and majestic raptors perched on dead trees. Winter timings kick off just a bit later.
📍 Sariska Tiger Reserve
Tip · Slip your government ID into your pocket for the gate check, and bundle up in warm layers. Open-air jeeps get freezing during winter mornings!
- 910:30 AMFood
Breakfast at Tiger Den
Warm up and fill your belly back at the lodge before packing up and checking out.
📍 RTDC Hotel Tiger Den, Sariska
- 1011:30 AMSight
Pandupol Hanuman Temple
Deep in the woods lies a Hanuman temple where legend says the mighty Bhim met Hanuman. On weekends, you can pay a small fee to drive your own car down the main temple path.
📍 Pandupol Temple, Sariska
Tip · You can bring your own wheels on Saturday and Sunday for around Rs 250, but stick strictly to the main temple road.
- 1112:30 PMFood
Kachoris outside Pandupol
Stalls outside the temple fry up hot bhajiyas and kachoris served with traditional kadhi. Devouring these spicy treats deep inside the jungle is a true Sariska rite of passage.
📍 Pandupol Temple stalls, Sariska
- 122:00 PMSight
Bhangarh Fort detour
Before heading home, swing by the ruins of Bhangarh, India's most legendary haunted fort. Watch the crumbling palace rise from a thick banyan forest right under the Aravalli scarp.
📍 Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan
Tip · Only open from sunrise to sunset. Skip the detour if you would rather be home by 8 PM.
- 134:00 PMDrive
Return to Delhi
Trace your path back via Alwar and the Dharuhera toll road. With a quick pitstop for hot highway chai, you will roll back into Delhi around 9 PM.
Where to eat
Fried fresh at the rustic temple stalls and eaten with kadhi right in the middle of the jungle. It is the reserve's absolute signature snack.
No-fuss, steaming-hot thalis served right at the reserve's doorstep. Super handy when you only have a quick window between safaris.
Do not drive through Alwar without picking up its famous, grainy kalakand. It is the perfect sweet treat to buy on your way in or out.
When to go
The absolute best time to go. Safaris are comfortable, and wildlife gathers around the waterholes. Just remember that mornings in open jeeps get freezing, so bundle up.
It is scorching hot, but shrinking waterholes mean fantastic odds for spotting tigers. Stick to the morning safari slots if you can help it.
Expect stunning monsoon greenery and beautiful, misty hills. Park routes and safari access can get muddy or restricted, so double-check conditions before hitting the road.
Good to know
- Snag your jeep or canter safari tickets way ahead if you are visiting on a weekend. Keep in mind that morning drives run roughly 6 to 10 AM, and afternoon ones from 2 to 6:30 PM.
- Do not leave your government-issued photo IDs behind. Every single traveler needs one, as forest guards verify them against your booking at the gate.
- Sariska's wild family of about 30 tigers was brought over from Ranthambhore starting after 2008. Keep your expectations realistic: spotting one is an awesome bonus, not a guarantee.
- You can only drive your own car inside the park on weekends, and only along the main Pandupol road. If you want to explore the deeper trails off the main spine, you will need to hire a safari jeep.
