Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park)
India's top bird sanctuary, best seen by bicycle
Best time to visit Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park)
- Jan, peak season
- Feb, peak season
- Mar, shoulder season
- Apr, best avoided
- May, best avoided
- Jun, best avoided
- Jul, best avoided
- Aug, shoulder season
- Sep, shoulder season
- Oct, shoulder season
- Nov, shoulder season
- Dec, peak season
peak shoulder off-season avoid
- Go: December to February
- Shoulder: March and August to November, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
- Skip: April to July
Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park) season by season
Winter December to February Prime time
Peak birding season: migratory ducks, storks and raptors fill the wetlands.
Summer March to May Shoulder
March is still pleasant, but by April-May the park dries out and heat tops 42C with little birdlife.
Monsoon June to September Shoulder
June-July stay hot and dry; by August-September wetlands refill and breeding starts. A good, quiet window.
Autumn October to November Shoulder
Migratory birds start arriving from Central Asia through October-November, building toward peak numbers.
What Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park) is actually like
Birders and cyclists share dirt paths. Easy to strike up talk with fellow travelers.
Getting to Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park)
Train from Delhi (3.5h) or Agra (1.5h); explore by cycle-rickshaw
Practical ways in: flighttrainroad
Trip facts
- How long to stay
- 2 days
- Budget
- Mid-range
- How busy
- Steady at its peak
- Solo travel
- Fine solo
- Altitude
- 176 m
- State
- Rajasthan
- Coordinates
- 27.1667, 77.5167
Common questions
When is the best time to visit Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park)?
December to February is peak season in Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park). March and August to November is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid April to July. Peak birding season: migratory ducks, storks and raptors fill the wetlands.
How many days do you need in Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park)?
2 days is the usual stay. Birders and cyclists share dirt paths. Easy to strike up talk with fellow travelers.
How do you get to Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park)?
Train from Delhi (3.5h) or Agra (1.5h); explore by cycle-rickshaw. Practical ways in: flight, train and road.
Is Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park) expensive, and does it get crowded?
Mid-range by Indian travel standards, and it runs steady at the busiest time of year. Fine solo.
Nearby, and where to go next
-
Fatehpur Sikri
Uttar Pradesh
Akbar's red sandstone capital, abandoned after fourteen years
20 km from Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park), roughly under an hour by road
-
Agra
Uttar Pradesh
The Taj Mahal and Mughal monuments, UP's biggest draw
60 km from Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park), roughly about 1 h by road
-
Vrindavan-Mathura
Uttar Pradesh
Krishna's birthplace and playground of temple towns
70 km from Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park), roughly about 1 h by road
-
Barsana & Nandgaon
Uttar Pradesh
Braj hill villages where Lathmar Holi is fought with sticks
70 km from Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park), roughly about 1 h by road
-
Karauli
Rajasthan
Red sandstone city palace and the Kaila Devi pilgrim road
120 km from Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park), roughly about 2 h by road
-
Abhaneri (Chand Baori)
Rajasthan
3500 steps of ninth century geometry down a 13 storey well
120 km from Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park), roughly about 2 h by road
-
Alwar
Rajasthan
Bala Qila ridge fort, palace cenotaphs and Siliserh lake
130 km from Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park), roughly about 3 h by road
-
Bateshwar & Chambal Safari (Bah)
Uttar Pradesh
Gharial river safaris on the Chambal near Bateshwar's Shiva temple row
140 km from Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park), roughly about 3 h by road
More places to visit in Rajasthan
- Abhaneri (Chand Baori) Rajasthan
- Ajmer Rajasthan
- Alwar Rajasthan
- Balotra & Tilwara Rajasthan
- Banswara (Mahi Backwaters) Rajasthan
- Barmer Rajasthan
- Bhainsrorgarh Rajasthan
- Bhangarh & Ajabgarh Rajasthan
- Bikaner Rajasthan
- Bundi Rajasthan
- Chittorgarh Rajasthan
- Deshnoke (Karni Mata Temple) Rajasthan
- Dungarpur Rajasthan
- Garadia Mahadev (Chambal Gorge) Rajasthan
- Hanumangarh (Bhatner & Kalibangan) Rajasthan
- Jaipur Rajasthan
- Jaisalmer Rajasthan
- Jawai Bandh (Bera) Rajasthan
- Jhalawar (Gagron & Jhalrapatan) Rajasthan
- Jodhpur Rajasthan
- Karauli Rajasthan
- Khejarla Rajasthan
- Khichan (Demoiselle Cranes) Rajasthan
- Kiradu Temples Rajasthan
- Kishangarh Rajasthan
- Kolayat Rajasthan
- Kumbhalgarh Rajasthan
- Mandawa (Shekhawati) Rajasthan
- Menal (Falls & Temples) Rajasthan
- Merta City Rajasthan
- Mount Abu Rajasthan
- Nagaur Rajasthan
- Nawalgarh (Shekhawati) Rajasthan
- Neemrana Rajasthan
- Osian (Osiyan) Rajasthan
- Pushkar Rajasthan
- Ranakpur Rajasthan
- Ranthambore Rajasthan
- Sariska Tiger Reserve Rajasthan
- Tal Chhapar Rajasthan