Alwar
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Alwar

Alwar

Old Rajasthani city beneath Bala Quila, used as the base for Sariska Tiger Reserve

Alwar is one of the oldest cities in Rajasthan, sitting 170 km south of Delhi at the edge of the Aravalli Range. The city has a handsome City Palace and museum, the ancient Bala Quila fort looming above it on the ridge, and the peaceful Siliserh Lake to the southwest. Most visitors, however, come for the Sariska Tiger Reserve just 35 km away.

Sariska is smaller and less visited than Ranthambore, which works in its favour. Tiger sightings are less reliable but the Aravalli scrub forest is often empty of other tourists, along with leopards, striped hyenas, and an impressive variety of birdlife. The Neemrana Fort Palace, a heritage hotel built into a 15th-century fort between Alwar and Delhi, is one of the most atmospheric places to stay in the region.

Guide

Getting There

Alwar is well connected to Delhi, making it an easy weekend destination. By train, express services from Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin or Jaipur cover the distance in two to three hours; the station is in the centre of town. Several trains a day run from both directions, and the route is part of the main Delhi–Jaipur railway.

By road, Alwar is 170 km from Delhi on the NH48; the drive takes about three hours depending on traffic. State buses and private coaches connect Alwar to Delhi, Jaipur, and other Rajasthani towns. For Sariska, shared jeeps and taxis run from the bus stand; the reserve is 35 km west on a good road.

Neemrana Fort Palace, between Alwar and Delhi, is most easily visited by road. If you're combining Alwar with a stay at Neemrana, the logical approach is to break the Delhi–Alwar drive there.

Guide

Things to Do

Alwar's historic attractions are clustered in and around the old city: the City Palace complex with its museum, the hilltop Bala Quila fort above it, and the peaceful Siliserh and Jai Samand lakes to the south. Sariska Tiger Reserve, 35 km west, is the main draw for most visitors — a morning or afternoon safari is the standard approach.