Our 6th-grade trip to Ranthambore was packed with excitement, adventure, and unforgettable moments. We spent a few days exploring the incredible Ranthambore National Park, going on safaris, learning traditional arts, and connecting with local children. It was a perfect blend of nature, culture, and adventure.
The highlight of our trip was the three safaris we went on in the park. Our first safari was a bit dry, and though we didn’t see much wildlife, the experience of driving through the vast, beautiful landscape was still incredible. However, the second safari was a different story! We were fortunate enough to see four tigers, Riddhi and her three cubs; what a beautiful sighting it was as they were bathing in the water and coming up close to show off their flair and utter excellence, they moved so fluidly right in front of our jeep, especially the male cub of Riddhi’s that put on a show for us. We also witnessed a dramatic – yet so cute – scene when two sloth bears started playfully fighting right before us. To top it off, we saw three peacocks flying across the sky, their green and blue feathers shining in the golden light. On our final safari, we were treated to a heaven for birders, seeing a Shikra ferociously eyeing the Thick-knee it had just killed; while going ahead, we also saw a Serpent Eagle staring into the waters, looking at its reflection behind lush vegetation. Coming to an end we did not expect such an exciting finish, once we left the zone, we lost all hope of seeing a tiger, but as we were heading back to the main entrance so close to the roads back to all the hotels, suddenly all the jeeps stopped, there you could see the black and orange of Sultana and her cubs’ stripes peeking through the bushes of her favourite resting spot while they were at slumber. It was the perfect way to end our safari experience and left us all in awe of the beauty and power of these incredible animals.
Apart from the safaris, we had the chance to get creative during a block printing workshop. We learned the traditional art of block printing and later even drew tigers with charcoal using hand-made paper pens by learning from local craft masters. It was a fun and educational activity, and we all got to take home our printed creations, making them a wonderful souvenir from the trip.
One of the trip’s most fun and meaningful parts was visiting a local school. We had the chance to meet some fantastic children there and planned various activities for them. It was an eye-opening experience to interact with students from different parts of the country, and it was inspiring to see their energy. It was also surprising to see their unity and almost fluent English. We spent time playing games like their own called ‘kho kho’ or ‘chor chitti’, exchanging stories, and making new friends, which made the experience even more special.
Looking back, our Ranthambore trip was full of excitement, learning, and new experiences. Every moment was a huge highlight, from witnessing many tigers in the wild to learning about traditional arts and connecting with the local children. It was a trip that deepened our appreciation for nature and broadened our understanding of different cultures. We’ll all cherish the memories of this incredible journey for years to come.
