Quick answer: Keoladeo National Park, better known as the Bharatpur bird sanctuary, is a 29 sq km wetland in Bharatpur, eastern Rajasthan, about 55–60 km from Agra. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, it has recorded over 370 bird species. It’s open daily from roughly sunrise to sunset. No cars are allowed inside: you explore on foot, by bicycle, cycle rickshaw or e-rickshaw. Visit between October and March for migratory birds.
Cars stay outside, so you move slowly, by rickshaw, bicycle or on foot, and the birds come to you. Painted storks stand in the shallows and, on a good winter morning, the water is covered in ducks and geese from Central Asia. Serious birders and first-time visitors can enjoy the same morning here.
Keoladeo National Park at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Also called | Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Keoladeo Ghana National Park |
| Location | Bharatpur district, eastern Rajasthan |
| Area | About 29 sq km (roughly a third wetland) |
| Status | National park (1982), Ramsar wetland (1981), UNESCO World Heritage Site (1985) |
| Bird species | 370+ recorded (figures range from about 350 to 400) |
| Timings | Approx. 6:00 AM–6:00 PM (April–September); 6:30 AM–5:00/5:30 PM (October–March) |
| Entry fee | Charged per person; foreign visitors pay several times the Indian rate (see below) |
| Getting around | Walk, bicycle, cycle rickshaw, e-rickshaw; no private vehicles |
| Best months | October to March for migratory birds; August–October for nesting colonies |
| Time needed | 3 to 5 hours |
| Distance | Agra 55–60 km · Fatehpur Sikri about 22 km · Jaipur about 180–185 km · Delhi about 180–190 km |
Keoladeo or Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary: Same Place?
Yes. They are two names for one park. “Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary” is the older, popular name, used since it became a sanctuary in the mid-20th century. When it was upgraded to a national park in 1982, it took the name Keoladeo, after the old Shiva (Keoladeo) temple inside it. “Ghana” means dense, a reference to the thick scrub and woodland. You’ll see “Keoladeo Ghana National Park” on many signs and maps.
Where is Keoladeo National Park?
It’s in Bharatpur district, Rajasthan, on the edge of Bharatpur town near the Uttar Pradesh border, closer to Agra than to Jaipur.
Why Keoladeo Is Famous
The park began as a royal duck-shooting reserve. The rulers of Bharatpur flooded a natural depression using bunds and canals, creating shallow wetlands that drew huge numbers of waterfowl, and hosted large shoots for guests. Hunting rights continued for decades after the sanctuary was declared, before being ended in the 1970s.
Today it’s famous for three things:
- Winter migrants. Ducks, geese, pelicans, waders and eagles arrive along the Central Asian Flyway each winter.
- Nesting colonies. In a good monsoon, thousands of storks, herons, egrets, cormorants and ibises nest together, one of the most notable heronries in the region.
- The Siberian crane story. Keoladeo was once the main Indian wintering ground for the western population of Siberian cranes. The last ones were recorded in the winter of 2001–02, and none have returned since.
Is it a natural wetland?
Only partly. Keoladeo is a managed wetland that depends on water brought in from outside, from sources such as the Ajan Bund, the Panchna dam, the Chambal pipeline and the Govardhan drain. In dry years the marshes shrink and bird numbers fall.
Keoladeo National Park Timings
The park is open every day, roughly from sunrise to sunset:
- April to September: approx. 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM (some sources say 6:30 PM)
- October to March: approx. 6:30 AM to 5:00 or 5:30 PM
Confirm gate times the evening before. Tickets are reported to be single entry: if you leave the park, you’ll pay again to come back in.
Keoladeo National Park Ticket: Entry Fees
Many pages still quote ₹75 for Indians and ₹500 for foreigners, but those are old figures: Rajasthan’s Forest Department has been raising park fees by about 10% a year. Recent visitor reports and 2026 listings quote roughly ₹90–₹140 for Indian visitors and about ₹570–₹1,300 for foreign visitors, with a reduced rate for Indian students with ID. Video cameras have historically paid extra.
Treat these as approximate and check the current rate at the ticket window or with us before you go.
How to Explore: Rickshaw, Cycle, E-rickshaw or Walk
Private cars and two-wheelers stop at the parking area near the main gate. From there, you choose:
| Option | Best for | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Cycle rickshaw | First-timers, couples, older travellers | Only authorised rickshaws with yellow number plates may enter. Many pullers are trained in bird identification and carry binoculars. Charged per hour; reported rates range from about ₹150 to ₹300 an hour. |
| Bicycle | Keen, fit birders | Hired near the gate, usually with ID. Gives you the freedom to stop anywhere and go deeper along side tracks. Reported at about ₹50–₹150 a day. |
| E-rickshaw | Families and small groups | Covers more distance quickly and quietly. Usually hired by the hour or for a set route; rates vary widely, so agree on time and price at the counter. |
| On foot | Slow birding, photography | Free beyond the entry ticket. The main road is flat but long; you won’t cover the whole park. |
| Boat (seasonal) | Monsoon visits | Offered only when water levels allow, mainly after the monsoon. Check on arrival. |
Our pick: a cycle rickshaw with a knowledgeable puller for two or three hours, then a slow walk. Good pullers know where the owls are roosting that day. Naturalist guides can also be hired at the gate by the hour.
Best Time to Visit Keoladeo National Park
| Months | What you’ll see | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| October–March | Peak season. Migratory ducks, geese, pelicans, waders, eagles and cranes. | Cool, pleasant days; foggy mornings in December–January |
| August–October | Nesting colonies of painted storks, herons, egrets, cormorants, ibises and darters | Warm, humid; greenest time of year |
| April–June | Resident birds and mammals near remaining water | Very hot (40°C+); visit only at dawn |
| July | Monsoon; resident birds, early nesting if rains are good | Humid, possible downpours |
Is it open in July? Most sources say yes, as the park is open year-round, though water levels decide how much you’ll see.
For the best single window, aim for late November to February, when the winter migrants have settled. Our best time to visit Rajasthan guide shows how this fits with the rest of the state.
Keoladeo National Park Birds and Animals
You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy the birds, but it helps to know what to look for.
Resident and breeding birds
- Sarus crane, India’s tallest flying bird, often in pairs in the open marsh
- Painted stork and Asian openbill
- Oriental darter (snakebird), cormorants, egrets, herons and ibises
- Owls (around nine species recorded) roosting in the woodland by day
- Kingfishers, wagtails and other small birds along the water’s edge
Winter visitors
- Bar-headed goose
- Gadwall, northern shoveler and other ducks
- Greater flamingo and pelicans (in some years)
- Greater spotted eagle and imperial eagle
Mammals and reptiles
The park also holds nilgai (blue bull), chital (spotted deer), sambar and wild boar, plus large numbers of Indian rock pythons, which bask near burrows on winter mornings. It’s a birding park first, though: if big mammals are your priority, look at a tiger reserve instead, and our Ranthambore safari booking guide explains how that works.
For the bigger picture of Rajasthan’s parks, sanctuaries and tiger reserves, see our wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan guide.
How to Reach Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
- From Agra: About 55–60 km, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours. The easiest day trip, often combined with Fatehpur Sikri, about 22 km from the park.
- From Jaipur: About 180–185 km, roughly 3.5 to 4 hours. Possible as a long day trip, but better as an overnight stop between Jaipur and Agra.
- From Delhi: About 180–190 km, around 4 hours by road.
- By train: Bharatpur Junction is about 5 km from the park gate.
- By air: Agra has the nearest airport; Jaipur and Delhi have far more flights.
Most travellers come by private car on a Golden Triangle route. Our Golden Triangle tour package can include an overnight in Bharatpur, and our Rajasthan taxi service covers one-way and round trips.
Is Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary Worth Visiting?
Yes, between October and March, for anyone who enjoys nature. It’s calm, flat, easy for all ages and a change from forts and palaces. It’s less rewarding in a dry summer or if you’re hoping for big cats.
Tips for Your Visit
- Arrive at opening time, when birds are most active.
- Bring binoculars, even a basic pair.
- Carry water and snacks; the canteen is very basic.
- Wear muted colours, keep quiet near nesting trees and use mosquito repellent.
Plan Your Keoladeo Trip
We can plan a Bharatpur stop between Jaipur and Agra, as an overnight with a dawn rickshaw ride or a day trip from Agra, and pair it with Jaipur sightseeing on a week-long trip.
Call or WhatsApp +91-9983889373 (Jaipur) or +91-8619315547 (Udaipur).
Planning more of Rajasthan? Browse all our guides on the Rajasthan Travel Blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Keoladeo National Park is located in which state?
Keoladeo National Park is in Rajasthan, in Bharatpur district in the east of the state. It sits on the edge of Bharatpur town, close to the Uttar Pradesh border, which is why it’s only about an hour by road from Agra.
2. What is Keoladeo National Park famous for?
It’s famous for birds: over 370 species recorded, huge winter flocks of migratory ducks and geese, and monsoon nesting colonies of storks and herons. It was once the Indian wintering ground of the Siberian crane, last seen in 2001–02, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
3. What time does Bharatpur bird sanctuary open?
It opens at about 6:00 AM in summer and around 6:30 AM in winter, and closes roughly at sunset, between 5:00 and 6:30 PM depending on the season. The Forest Department sets exact gate times, so confirm the day before you visit.
4. Which animal is Keoladeo National Park famous for?
Birds above all, especially the sarus crane, painted stork and, historically, the Siberian crane. Among other animals, the Indian rock python is a common winter sighting, along with nilgai, chital and wild boar.
5. Is a cycle rickshaw better than an e-rickshaw?
For birding, usually yes. Authorised cycle rickshaws are slow and silent, and many pullers are trained spotters. E-rickshaws cover more ground faster and suit families or groups short on time. Fit visitors who want freedom to stop anywhere can hire a bicycle instead.
6. Can I do Bharatpur as a day trip from Agra?
Yes. Bharatpur is about 55–60 km from Agra, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours each way. Leave Agra before dawn, spend the morning in the park and visit Fatehpur Sikri, about 22 km away, on the way back for a full, easy day.
7. Can I visit from Jaipur in one day?
It’s possible but tiring, with roughly 3.5 to 4 hours of driving each way. We suggest staying a night in Bharatpur on the way from Jaipur to Agra instead, so you can enter the park at opening time when birds are most active.
8. When is the best month to see migratory birds?
December and January are usually the peak, with November and February also very good. Migrants arrive from around October and most leave by March. Numbers depend on how much water the park receives after the monsoon, so they vary year to year.
9. Is Bharatpur bird sanctuary closed on any day?
Most sources say the park is open every day of the year, from about sunrise to sunset. One listing reports a May–June closure, and gate hours shift by season, so check with the Forest Department or your driver before a summer visit.
10. How much time do I need inside the park?
Plan three to five hours for a satisfying visit by rickshaw or bicycle. Keen birders often stay all morning and return in the late afternoon, but remember that tickets are reported to be single entry, so you may need to pay again to re-enter.