Peak Season
Alwar in February
Rajasthan, India
February warms Alwar just enough to make Sariska a full-day affair without overheating. The Aravalli forests are at their driest, concentrating wildlife around water. Siliserh Lake shimmers. The old city palace, now part museum and part government office, is pleasant to explore.
The February story
February extends January's perfect formula with slightly warmer mornings (no more shivering in the open safari jeep at 6am). Sariska's safari zones are all operational, and the forest department guides know where water pools are drawing wildlife. Ask specifically about Zone 4 and 5 for less-trafficked routes. Bhangarh deserves a half day — beyond the famous "haunted" tag, it's a genuinely impressive archaeological site with Jain temples, a royal palace, and merchant houses that reveal a prosperous 17th-century town. The drive from Alwar to Bhangarh passes through Aravalli villages where you can stop for dal-bati-churma at roadside dhabas. Alwar's Moti Doongri (a hilltop palace visible from town) and the step-wells scattered around the district are worth exploring if you have a third day.
Why February scores 5/5
Weather
Pleasant 10-25°C. Sariska wildlife more visible as water sources shrink. Siliserh Lake calm and photogenic. Comfortable hiking weather.
Roads & Access
self drive: Easy. Good highway from Delhi and Jaipur.. road condition: NH8 and state highways good.. public transport: Alwar railway station well-connected. Buses from Delhi, Jaipur. Delhi airport 160km.. from nearest city: Delhi→Alwar: 160km 3hrs. Jaipur→Alwar: 160km 3hrs.. last km difficulty: easy
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 4/5. rescue: SDRF Rajasthan. helpline: Rajasthan Tourism: 0141-5110598. ambulance: 108 (reliable). police station: Multiple. nearest hospital: Rajiv Gandhi General Hospital Alwar
Network
VI: Yes, JIO: Yes, BSNL: Yes, NOTE: Yes, AIRTEL: Yes. Full 4G in city. Patchy in Sariska forest area.
Kids
Kid-friendly (4/5) — Bhangarh ghost fort is exciting for older kids, Sariska tiger safari, Siliserh Lake Palace is scenic
Elevation
316m — Low altitude, no issues
Who should go
- ✓First-time travelers
- ✓Senior citizens
- ✓Wildlife photographers wanting drier forests and better visibility
- ✓Couples on a Rajasthan heritage-and-nature weekend from Delhi
- ✓Birdwatchers — winter migrants complement the resident species at Sariska
Who should think twice
- ✗Those wanting the desert-Rajasthan aesthetic — Alwar is Aravalli green
- ✗Travellers needing luxury accommodation — options are limited
- ✗Anyone expecting Ranthambore-level safari infrastructure
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5/5 | Perfect 7-22°C for exploring Bala Quila fort and Sariska. Cool mornings ideal for tiger safari drives. Dry, clear, low crowds. |
| Februaryviewing | 5/5 | Pleasant 10-25°C. Sariska wildlife more visible as water sources shrink. Siliserh Lake calm and photogenic. Comfortable hiking weather. |
| March | 4/5 | Warming 15-30°C. Still manageable for fort climbs in early morning. Sariska gets busier. Holi adds colour to old city markets. |
| April | 2/5 | Hot 22-38°C. Bala Quila climb becomes punishing by 10am. Sariska dries out — better tiger sightings but brutal jeep rides. |
| May | 1/5 | Extreme 28-44°C. Fort ruins bake in direct sun. Sariska closes mid-June. Only early dawn safaris viable. Carry electrolytes. |
| June | 1/5 | Punishing 32-46°C pre-monsoon. Sariska closed for monsoon season. Dust storms possible. No reason to visit. Stay away. |
| July | 2/5 | Monsoon 28-38°C. Sariska closed. Heavy rain floods Siliserh Lake road. Bala Quila slippery. Limited sightseeing options remain. |
| August | 2/5 | Continued monsoon rains. Humidity high, 27-36°C. Sariska still closed. Alwar city lanes flood during downpours. Not recommended. |
| September | 3/5 | Rain easing, 25-35°C. Sariska may reopen late Sept. Landscape green but muggy. Mosquitoes active. A transitional month — patience needed. |
| October | 5/5 | Excellent 18-32°C. Sariska reopens. Post-monsoon greenery makes forts photogenic. Tiger sighting odds improve. Book safari permits early. |
| November | 5/5 | Ideal 12-28°C. Peak Sariska season. Siliserh Lake mirror-calm at dawn. Fort explorations comfortable all day. Book ahead for weekends. |
| December | 5/5 | Cool 7-22°C. Crisp mornings perfect for dawn safari drives. Bala Quila pleasant all day. Fog rare unlike Agra. Great value hotels. |
Practical Details
How to reach
Delhi→Alwar: 160km 3hrs. Jaipur→Alwar: 160km 3hrs.. Roads: NH8 and state highways good.. Self-drive: Easy. Good highway from Delhi and Jaipur.. Public transport: Alwar railway station well-connected. Buses from Delhi, Jaipur. Delhi airport 160km.. Last stretch: easy
Elevation
316m
Difficulty
easy
Budget tier
budget
Nearby in Rajasthan scoring high in February
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