Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Lying between the cities of Agra and Jaipur, Bharatpur or Keoladeo Ghana National Park makes a great weekend getaway from Agra, especially if you are planning to travel to Agra. Each year before the advent of winter in the northern hemisphere thousands of birds wing their way across the frozen waters of Siberia, Mongolia, Tibet and the high reaches of eastern Europe to the 29 square kilometres bird sanctuary in the state of Rajasthan. Due to the dedication and efforts by famous ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary was declared as a national park in March 1982 and was accepted as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.

Tourists who travel to Agra must visit the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary/Keoladeo Ghana National Park, which is home to an astonishing range of flora and fauna. Birds travel to this national park in waves. From August through November, it is indigenous water birds. In early October the first migrants arrive from the high plateaux of Central Asia, Mongolia and Siberia, the most eagerly awaited of the lot being the gravely threatened Siberian crane. The month of March sees most of these migrants leave the national park. But animals that have made it their home - the nilgai (blue bull), sambar, jungle cat and mongoose-spend the entire summer here.

With almost 377 bird species already spotted at Bharatpur National Park, the place is certainly one of the most inviting bird sanctuaries in the world. You can easily spot between 50 to 100 species in a single day, and if your luck permits, you may even come across a Siberian crane in the winter. In fact, Bharatpur's primary claim to fame is that it is one of the only two known wintering haunts of the western race of the rare and graceful Siberian crane.

A bike or rickshaw ride through the length and breath of this sanctuary is an unforgettable experience during vacations in Bharatpur. Most parts of the sanctuary can be reached by using bicycles or rickshaws that can be hired from the office of wildlife authorities situated at the main gate. Binoculars and English-speaking trained guides can also be hired to increase your chances of sighting a Siberian crane, the most famous of its migratory guests. If you are planning to travel to Agra, don't miss out to go on an exciting Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary getaway from Agra during your holidays.