SAWAI MADHOPUR :: FACILITIES

The twin cities of Sawai Madhopur and Mann Town are small towns for Indian standards. They, however, offer almost all the basic facilities that an average tourist needs.

Communications:

Long distance telephone calls, Fax and Internet services (mostly through dial up connections but recently broad band services have been introduced) are available at many places.

There is a large Post Office in Man town where all the basic postal services are available, such as Speed Post, Telegram and Parcel. The same Post Office also has an office of Western Union money transfer.

Mobile phone service (GSM) is provided by Cell One (a BSNL concern), Hutch and Reliance and "roaming services" provided through these service providers work in Sawai Madhopur. "Pre-paid" SIM cards of all these service providers can be bought at Sawai Madhopur.

Medical:

All basic health care facilities are available. Most hospitals and nursing homes do not maintain a very high standard of hygiene. The largest (though not the best) hospital is the Government run hospital near Alanpur (on the way to the Old City). "Prakritik", a local Non-Governmental Organization has a well-equipped and clean hospital, near Sherpur village, at the edge of the Park. There are a number of smaller "Nursing Homes" that have good doctors. Drug stores are reasonably well stocked.

Almost all the major hotels of Ranthambhore provide "doctor on call" facilities.

Banking:

Foreign currency can be changed and Travelers cheques can be cashed in a bank (State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur in the Old City) but the procedure may be time consuming. There are many local agents who would change your money or cash your traveller's cheque, for a "small fee".

Western Union has an office at the main Post Office in Man town and they are the only money transfer service provider in the town.

Only the larger hotels accept credit cards (mainly VISA and MasterCard's).

There are a few ATMs in Bajariya - the main market of Man town.

Boarding & Lodging:

There are many lodges and resorts in Sawai Madhopur, with prices ranging from US $ 5 to US $ 600 or more.

There are a few restaurants, though most of them leave a lot to be desired. It is best to make all the boarding arrangements at the same place where you would be lodging.