April to September is off-season.

October to March is the season.

Tourists suggest December and January is the best time to visit Keoladeo National Park (also known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary) but what if one is busy during those months?

I decided to visit during the off-season (September – after the rainy season) and as per personal experience, it was a fruitful visit. The park was lush green and a good amount of water was present everywhere.

Laughing Dove, Green Bee-eater, Indian Roller, Red-vented Bulbul, Brahminy Starling, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Spotted Deer, Black Drango, Pond Heron, Little Egret, Little Cormorant, White-breasted Kingfisher, Painted Stork, Large Egret, Snake Bird, Tiger Butterfly, Magpie-Robin, White-eared Bulbul, Oil Beetle, Black-shouldered Kite and many more birds, Migratory birds and animals I saw during morning and evening visits.

Knowledge was enhanced. Thanks to the Authorized Cycle-Rickshaw puller.

And the question:

Off-season one-day tour for one person at Keoladeo National Park cost?

• Rickshaw fare from Bharatpur Railway Station to Saras Circle?

I paid Rs. 50 as Rickshaw fare from Bharatpur Railway Station to Saras circle though the rickshaw puller was asking for Rs. 80. The hotel owner intervened and Rs. 50 I paid.

The distance between Bharatpur Railway Station to Saras circle is approx. 5 km. Most of the hotels and guest houses are nearby Saras circle. Keoladeo National Park is approx. 1 km from Saras circle.

• Hotel Room Reservation (One Night Non AC): Rs. 1000 (breakfast complimentary)

• Keoladeo National Park Entry Fee: Rs. 100

(Rs. 50 per visit for an Indian. Twice I visited the park)

• Authorized Cycle-Rickshaw: Rs. 420

(Rs. 70 per hour. I did three-hour morning and three-hour evening tours)

• Refreshments at Canteen: Rs. 60

• Lunch, Dinner per day: Rs. 300

• Auto-Fare from Saras Circle to Bharatpur Railway Station?

Rs. 60 I paid as an Auto fare (Solo booking. No sharing) from Saras Circle to Bharatpur Railway Station.

Rupees One Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety approx. all-inclusive was the total budget for the Off-season one-day tour for one person at Keoladeo National Park.

Note: Train reservation/bus ticket will be extra if you are coming from another city or State.

Benefits: The park was less crowded. Only Photographers and a few tourists with cycles/cycle rickshaws were present.

If you visit during the season hotel tariff are a little high and the park is with more tourists and with few more birds for sure.

But what I want to say is: After the rains and just before the season visiting Keoladeo National Park is also a good option. I saw many many birds and the cost per day I find budget ones especially hotel room rates are cheaper for sure. What say?

Will try to tour one day during the season to know the exact difference.

Click to learn more about Keoladeo National Park.

Rs. 70 per hour is the charge for an authorized sight seeing rickshaw at Keoladeo National Park (also known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary), Bharatpur. The ones with the yellow plates are the authorized cycle rickshaws. The name and their authorized cycle-rickshaw number are written on the plate. More than 100 authorized cycle rickshaws are there in the park. I requested one, and the hotel owner arranged one. Early morning cycle rickshaw was at our hotel gate and in the late evening hours, I was dropped at the hotel gate. What better than this?

Sound Knowledge about the park, birds, and animals is the best about the rickshaw-puller. Almost a guide having knowledge of the foreign language as well. The Forest Department provides training to rickshaw pullers. All birds and animal images with names you see on my blog were shared by the rickshaw puller.

Kadam Kunj is deep inside the park which may be not visited frequently by visitors. Only via cycle or by foot one can reach. Rickshaw-puller parked his rickshaw and took us by foot. About one km walking distance. And while returning to the main gate he again stopped and we walked to see the python.

Other than the authorized cycle rickshaw I saw few tourists with the cycle. Another good option is if you are in a group or two at least. Car and Motorcycle are not allowed deep inside the park. The only best option is an authorized cycle-rickshaw or cycle. I also saw a tourist conveyance van inside the park. But I suggest sightseeing by an authorized cycle-rickshaw is one of the best at Keoladeo National Park. Due to authorized cycle-rickshaw wala knowledge was enhanced and I was able to watch White-eared Bulbul, Grey Heron, Green Bee-eater, Painted Stork, Pair of Sambar Deer, White-browed Bulbul, Red-tailed Lizard, Pond Heron, Monitor Lizard, Large Egret, Night Heron, Sparrow Hawk Bird, Spotted Owl, Lesser Whistling Ducks, Blue Bull and more…

Click to learn more about Green Bee-eater.

Click to learn more about Grey Heron.

Click to learn more about White-eared Bulbul.

Click to learn more about Painted Stork.

Click to learn more about Sambar Deer.