Rajasthan · North-east Rajasthan
Alwar and Sariska
The nearest Rajasthan for a short break from Delhi: a lake palace, a tiger reserve and a fort hotel
- Best time
- October to March
- Ideal stay
- 1 to 2 nights
- Nearest airport
- Delhi (about 160 km) or Jaipur (about 150 km)
- Railway
- Alwar Junction, on the Delhi–Jaipur line
- From Delhi
- About 160 km. 3 to 3.5 hours by road
- Known for
- City Palace museum, Siliserh Lake, Sariska Tiger Reserve, Bhangarh, Neemrana
Alwar and Sariska at a glance
Alwar sits about 160 km south of Delhi and about 150 km north of Jaipur, which makes it the easiest part of Rajasthan to reach for a weekend trip from Delhi. It has a City Palace with a well-kept museum, a lake with a small palace on it, and the Sariska Tiger Reserve about 35 km away.
The region also has two well-known stops on the Delhi–Jaipur road. Neemrana Fort Palace, a 15th-century hilltop fort turned hotel, is a popular lunch or overnight stop. Bhangarh, a ruined town at the edge of the Sariska buffer, has a reputation for being haunted and is closed after sunset.
Alwar itself is not a polished tourist town, and services are basic. It works best as part of a short loop from Delhi rather than as a main destination.
Best time to visit Alwar and Sariska
October to March is the comfortable season. Sariska's core zones are typically closed in the monsoon, roughly July to September.
| Months | Weather | What it means for a trip |
|---|---|---|
| Oct – Feb | Pleasant days of 18 to 28°C, cool nights | Best for Sariska safaris and sightseeing. |
| Mar – Apr | Warming | Sariska sightings can improve as water sources shrink. |
| May – Jun | Very hot, 40 to 45°C | Only for early-morning safaris. |
| Jul – Sep | Monsoon | Sariska's core zones are typically closed. Hills are green. |
How to reach Alwar and Sariska
- By air
- There is no airport in Alwar. Delhi (about 160 km) and Jaipur (about 150 km) are the nearest.
- By train
- Alwar Junction is on the Delhi–Jaipur line, with several fast trains from Delhi and Jaipur. Check the current timetable for the best option.
- By road
- Delhi is about 160 km (3 to 3.5 hours), Jaipur about 150 km (3 hours). Sariska is about 35 km from Alwar, Bhangarh about 85 km and Neemrana about 70 km from Alwar on the Delhi–Jaipur highway.
Things to do in Alwar and Sariska
1.Sariska Tiger Reserve
A tiger reserve in the Aravalli hills, about 35 km from Alwar. Tigers were reintroduced here after poaching wiped out the population in the early 2000s, and numbers have been growing. Safaris are by jeep or canter, and sightings are less frequent than at Ranthambore.
Time needed: 3 to 4 hours per safari·Tip: Book through the official forest department portal and check the current safari and closure dates before travelling.
2.City Palace and museum
An 18th-century palace in the middle of Alwar, now government offices and a museum with royal manuscripts, miniatures and weapons. The building has an unusual Rajput-Mughal blend of style.
Time needed: 1.5 hours
3.Siliserh Lake and Palace
A small palace beside a lake, about 14 km from Alwar. Now a hotel, it's a pleasant place for boating and a meal.
Time needed: 1 to 2 hours
4.Bala Quila (Alwar Fort)
A pre-Mughal hill fort above the city. Access has historically required permission, so check locally before going.
Time needed: Varies
5.Bhangarh Fort
A ruined 17th-century town at the foot of the hills. Local legend calls it haunted; the Archaeological Survey of India closes the site after sunset. It's a quiet, atmospheric place by day.
Time needed: 1.5 hours
6.Neemrana Fort Palace
A hilltop fort dating from 1464, restored as a heritage hotel and open to day visitors for lunch, or for zipline activities. It sits between Delhi and Jaipur.
Time needed: 2 hours to overnight
7.Moosi Maharani ki Chhatri
An elegant cenotaph dedicated to a royal widow, on the edge of the city. A short stop.
Time needed: 30 minutes
Sample itineraries for Alwar and Sariska
Weekend from Delhi
- Day 1: Drive Delhi to Neemrana for lunch, continue to Alwar or Sariska for the night.
- Day 2: Morning safari at Sariska, afternoon at City Palace or Siliserh, return to Delhi in the evening.
Delhi to Jaipur, with a stop
- Leave Delhi early, stop at Neemrana for a fort walk and lunch.
- Continue to Jaipur by late afternoon.
Where to stay in Alwar and Sariska
- Alwar city
- Basic to mid-range hotels near the station and bus stand.
- Siliserh
- The lake palace hotel and a few guesthouses, quiet and scenic.
- Sariska
- Resorts and jungle lodges near the park gates, useful for early safaris.
- Neemrana
- Heritage hotels including the fort palace, popular for a night on the Delhi–Jaipur road.
What to eat and buy in Alwar and Sariska
- Alwar ka mawa
- A dense milk sweet, Alwar's speciality. Buy it fresh at shops in the city.
- Silver and mojari
- The city is known for silver ornaments and traditional leather footwear.
- Simple thalis
- Vegetarian restaurants in the city serve dal, sabzi and rotis at low prices.
Day trips and stops near Alwar and Sariska
| Place | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Sariska | About 35 km | Tiger reserve. |
| Siliserh Lake | About 14 km | Lake palace. |
| Bhangarh | About 85 km | Ruined town with a haunted reputation. |
| Neemrana | About 70 km | 15th-century fort hotel. |
| Jaipur | About 150 km | The capital; see the separate guide. |
What Alwar and Sariska costs
| Budget hotel (per room, per night) | About ₹800 to ₹2,000 |
|---|---|
| Mid-range hotel or resort | About ₹3,000 to ₹8,000 |
| Heritage hotel (Neemrana, Siliserh) | ₹6,000 and up |
| Sariska safari | Varies by vehicle and season; check the official portal |
| A sit-down meal | About ₹150 to ₹600 per person |
Fees, timings and prices last checked in September 2026. They change from season to season, so treat them as a guide and confirm at the ticket counter or with us when we plan your trip.
Practical tips
- Book Sariska safaris well ahead and check the monsoon closure dates.
- Bhangarh is closed after sunset. Plan to visit in daytime.
- Bala Quila access can change; check locally before you go.
- Traffic on the Delhi–Jaipur highway is heavy on Friday evenings and Sunday evenings.
- Carry cash for small shops and entry fees.
Alwar and Sariska travel FAQs
Is Alwar worth visiting?
Yes, for a short weekend from Delhi, mainly for Sariska, Siliserh Lake and the City Palace. For a longer trip, it is a stop rather than a main destination.
How far is Alwar from Delhi?
About 160 km, or 3 to 3.5 hours by road.
Can you see tigers at Sariska?
Sightings are possible but less frequent than at Ranthambore. Plan for more than one safari.
Is Bhangarh really haunted?
It has a local reputation for being so, and the Archaeological Survey of India closes it after sunset. By day, it's a quiet ruined town with temples and old bazaars.
What is the best time to visit Alwar and Sariska?
October to March. Sariska's core zones are usually closed in the monsoon.
Trips that include Alwar and Sariska
Ready-made routes you can change — swap hotels, add nights or combine with another city.
Rajasthan
Golden Triangle — Delhi, Agra & Jaipur
India's classic first trip — Old and New Delhi, the Taj Mahal at sunrise, Fatehpur Sikri and the forts and bazaars of Jaipur.
Rajasthan
Jaipur & Ranthambore — Palaces & Tigers
Two mornings tracking tigers through the ruined forts and lakes of Ranthambore, framed by a couple of days in Jaipur. Easily added to a Golden Triangle trip.
Let's plan your Alwar and Sariska trip
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