Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary
The 800 sq km Sariska is one of the many protected sanctuaries in India where Project Tiger has met with success which now has 35 tigers. Set amidst the Aravali Hills, Sariska sprawls across dry thorny deciduous forests, covered almost ninety per cent by the Dhok tree. Sariska was declared a Sanctuary in 1955 and became a Tiger Reserve under in 1979. Within the Sanctuary, there are also historical ruins of monuments symbolic of its past. The Kankwari Fort, where Emperor Aurangzeb once imprisoned his brother Dara Shikoh; the ancient Shiva Neelkanth Temples that date back to the 6th-13th century AD; and the Palace built by the Maharajas of Alwar, now converted into a hotel, are all great sights.

The birdlife comprises of the pea fowl, gray partridge, quail, sand grouse, tree pie, white breasted kingfisher, golden - backed woodpecker, crested serpent eagle and great Indian horned owl.

Its most popular resident, the tiger along with other wildlife including sambhar, chital, wild boar, hare, nilgai, civet, four-horned antelope, gaur (Indian bison) and porcupine.

It is home to a rich avifauna of more than 200 species of birds, which includes Babbler (Common, Jungle & Large Grey). Black/Red Headed Bunting. Little Brown Dove, Crested Serpent Eagle, Pale Harrier, Gray Hombill, White Breasted Kingfisher, Small Minivet, Golden Oriole, Great Gray Shrike, Tailor Bird, Wryneck Woodpecker and many more.

The landscape of Sariska comprises of hills and narrow valleys of the Aravali hill range. The topography of Sariska supports scrub-thorn arid forests, dry deciduous forests, rocks and grasses. The broad range of wildlife here is a wonderful example of ecological adoption and tolerance, for the climate here is variable as well as erratic, especially in terms of rainfall, which is desperately needed to replenish the region.

Sariska is open to visitors throughout the year, although certain jungle tracks are closed during the monsoon and the breeding season. The best time to visit the park is late in the winter around January or February. April to June is the best time to see animals at the waterholes, though this is the warmest.