GAUTALA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

One of the most common questions people asked - mountain or sea? There's seldom when people get asked about their love for forest or jungle safari. To get going from the buzzing routine life, one of the most peaceful and serene destination is in the lap of nature. Located at a distance of only 10km from Aurangabad in Maharashtra, The Gautala Wildlife Sanctuary is a beautiful wildlife reserve which is known for its dense vegetation.
It lies in the Satmala and Ajantha hill ranges of the Western Ghats and is administered by the authority of Aurangabad District and Jalgaon District. Established in

Climatic conditions

Gautala Autramghat Sanctuary has strong summers when the temperature ranges between 37 degrees and 21 degrees Celsius. The summer months remain between the months of March and May. Temperatures fall to a minimum of 10 degree Celsius in the winter season that remains from November and February. Monsoons see extensive rains and stays in the months of June and September. Rainfall varies from 9.0 to 693 mm/month and the average rainfall recorded is 725 mm annually. This is when the vegetation gets a chance to rejuvenate and propagate.

Best time to visitGautala Autramghat Sanctuary

Visitors find the months between January and March as the most perfect time to visit the Sanctuary. The winter is at its peak and the climate is moderate during this time. Longer excursions are often held during this time for the students.

Animals that inhabit the sanctuary

Fauna
The forest in the sanctuary provides the perfect habitat conditions for a variety of birds and animals. There are at least 54 species of animals and 230 species of birds that has been recorded till date in the sanctuary. Major wild animals are Leopard, Nilgai, Sloth bears, Wild boar, Jungle cat, Bats, Chinkara, Leopard cat, Civet cat, Barking deer, Wanderoo, Monkey, Fox, Jackal, Langoor, Hare, Bats, Grey Langur, Dhole, Wolf and more. Among the bird species, most notable ones are Storks, Cranes, Ibis, Pochards, Spoonbills, and many other species of Waders. Peafowl has much dominance in the area along with the ground birds such as patridges, quail, Jugale fowl. Reptiles includes snakes-Cobra, Keel backviper, Python, Krait, Rat snake are seen. Monitor Lizzard is also commonly spotted in this sanctuary.
Flora
The area is clearly dominated by dry deciduous forest and has stunted tree growth. Major tree species that are prevalent in the area includes Anjan, Dhawada and Khair. The tree heights are on an average less than ten meters. Hills top regions in the sanctuary have sparse vegetation and the slopes are covered with Euphorbia spp. River valleys support the moist zone species such as Arjun and Chandan valleys but have got diversified vegetation.
In the past, efforts were done to do afforestation through various plantation schemes along with intensive soil and water conservation works. Grass lands at hill tops, plain growth have good growth of grasses and it is necessary to preserve them. Thus, the diversified vegetation scattered intermittently throughout the sanctuary supports the rich faunal diversity. This habitat is particularly good for sloth bear habitat and exceptional for the resident birds as well as for the migratory species.

Distance of Gautala Autramghat Sanctuary from major cities:

Pune- 260 km.  Mumbai- 293 km.  Ahmadabad- 401 km.  Nagpur- 405 km. Hyderabad- 480 km.Goa- 585 km

Bangalore - 867 km.  Delhi - 931 km.  Chennai- 976 km. Chandigarh = 1156 km. Kolkata- 1376 km

How to reach the National park ?

Airways

• Aurangabad airport is the nearest airport to this sanctuary. The distance between Aurangabad airport and Gautala Wildlife Sanctuary is 75 km and there are transfers available from the airport.

Railways

Mumbai-Nagpur rail line (Chalisgaon to Kannad 55 Km) is the connecting rail network. Jalgaon and Aurangabad are the two cities that have the close by railway stations to the sanctuary. Pachora station and Chalisgaon station are the nearest railheads and are respectively 27 km & 29 km away from the sanctuary.

Roadways

Buldana (8 km) and Khamgaon (20 km) are the two nearby towns to the sanctuary.

Accommodation facilities

The forest guest houses at Bhambarwadi and Puranvadi are available on prior booking. Some of the other preferred stays include Hotel Kailas, Ellora Heritage Resort, Pace Hotel, Vivanta Aurangabad, Hiranya Resorts, The Meadows Resort and Spa and 7 Apple Hotels Aurangabad.

Nearby attractions

An ancient temple dedicated to Parvati,

called Patna Devi attracts thousands of devotees especially during Navratra and Chaitra festivals. Maintained by the Archeological Survey of India, the temple is one of the most touristy places nearby.

Buddhist Caves
Gautala sanctuary also has some Buddhist cave temples which attracts visitors across the nation. Hidden in the lower side of the Satmala ranges, Pitalkhora, or as the cave temples commonly known as, are the oldest examples of rock-cut caves in western India. The Pitalkhora or 'Brazen Glen' is located in Bharmarwadi village in Aurangabad district of the state. Being about 40 km west of Ellora caves, this place offers an interesting series of caves that makes the natural beauty look spectacular. To see the caves properly, which are located high up on the hill, one need to climb steep steps to access these 14 Buddhist excavations. They are mainly monasteries and the ideal time to visit is during the monsoon.

Antur Fort
Antur Fort is one of the important monuments near the sanctuary that is located about 2,700 feet high. It was built by the Marathas in the 15th century and is known for the remains of the fortification. There are doorways and a dargah along with a carved inscription dating back to the period of Nizamshan is something to be cherished.
The sanctuary offers activities such as rock-climbing, trekking, and nature study camps for adventure lovers. Jungle survival camps are also organized for the students. For this, one has to take prior permission from the forest officers and take a guide who is familiar with the area and seek information from him. Littering and lighting of camp fires is prohibited.

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GAUTALA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY ACCOMMODATIONS OPTIONS

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Shree Kamalshanti Palace 

Address-Ghat Rd, Kodgaon, Maharashtra 424101

Hotel Overview
Luxury hotel offering comfortable accommodations, modern amenities, and scenic views.

Amenities
Air-conditioned rooms, TV, Wi-Fi, parking, restaurant, room service, swimming pool

Tariff
Rs. 2,500 - Rs. 5,000 per night

Location Details
Jalgaon (25 km), Bhusawal (35 km), Ajanta Caves (50 km)

Reviews

4.2/5 on Google, 4/5 on TripAdvisor

Key Features
Scenic views, luxurious rooms, modern amenities

Nearby Attractions
Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Jalgaon Fort, Omkareshwar Temple

Room Types
Deluxe Rooms, Super Deluxe Rooms, Suite Rooms

Facilities
Laundry, travel desk, car rental, conference hall

Dining
Multi-cuisine restaurant, Maharashtrian cuisine, room service

Ideal For
Families, couples, business travelers, pilgrims

Getting There
By Air: Aurangabad Airport (90 km)
By Rail: Jalgaon Railway Station (25 km)
By Road: NH 6 (Jalgaon-Bhusawal Highway)

Activities
Swimming, fitness center, trekking, sightseeing

HOTEL GAUTALA

Address-Nagad Rd, Municipal Colony, Waghdu, Maharashtra 424101

Hotel Overview
Budget-friendly hotel offering comfortable accommodations and basic amenities.

Amenities
Air-conditioned rooms, TV, parking, restaurant, room service

Tariff
Rs. 800 - Rs. 2,000 per night

Location Details
Jalgaon (30 km), Bhusawal (40 km), Ajanta Caves (60 km)

Reviews

3.8/5 on Google, 3.5/5 on TripAdvisor

Key Features
Affordable rates, comfortable rooms, proximity to Ajanta Caves

Nearby Attractions
Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Jalgaon Fort

Room Types
Standard Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, Family Rooms

Facilities
Laundry, travel desk, car rental

Dining
Vegetarian restaurant, Maharashtrian cuisine

Ideal For
Budget travelers, families, pilgrims

Getting There
By Air: Aurangabad Airport (90 km)
By Rail: Jalgaon Railway Station (30 km)
By Road: NH 6 (Jalgaon-Bhusawal Highway)

Festive Hotel hotel & Resort

Address-Dhule - Chalisgaon Rd, near bypass chowk, opp. indian oil petrol pump, Chalisgaon, Maharashtra 424101

Hotel Overview
Luxury hotel and resort offering modern amenities, comfortable accommodations, and scenic views.

Amenities
Air-conditioned rooms, TV, Wi-Fi, parking, restaurant, room service, swimming pool, gym, spa

Tariff
Rs. 3,000 - Rs. 6,000 per night

Location Details
Chalisgaon (city center), Dhule (45 km), Jalgaon (60 km), Ajanta Caves (90 km)

Reviews

4.5/5 on Google, 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor

Key Features
Luxurious rooms, modern amenities, scenic views, convenient location

Nearby Attractions
Chalisgaon Fort, Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Omkareshwar Temple

Room Types
Deluxe Rooms, Super Deluxe Rooms, Suite Rooms, Villa Rooms

Facilities
Laundry, travel desk, car rental, conference hall, banquet hall

Dining
Multi-cuisine restaurant, Maharashtrian cuisine, room service, BBQ facilities

Ideal For
Families, couples, business travelers, pilgrims

Getting There
By Air: Aurangabad Airport (90 km)
By Rail: Chalisgaon Railway Station (2 km)
By Road: NH 6 (Mumbai-Dhule Highway)

Activities
Swimming, fitness center, trekking, sightseeing, cultural programs, indoor games

Services
24-hour front desk, luggage storage, parking, travel assistance, concierge service

Gajanan Heritage And Resort

Address-Gajanan Provision, Main Bus Stand, 1, Road, near Baramati Sugar Factory, Shanti Nagar, Kannad, Maharashtra 431103

Resort Overview

Resort Overview
Heritage-style resort offering luxurious accommodations, modern amenities, and scenic views.

Amenities
Air-conditioned rooms, TV, Wi-Fi, parking, restaurant, room service, swimming pool, gym

Tariff
Rs. 2,500 - Rs. 5,500 per night

Location Details
Kannad (city center), Jalna (20 km), Aurangabad (40 km), Ellora Caves (50 km)

Reviews

4.2/5 on Google, 4/5 on TripAdvisor

Key Features
Heritage architecture, luxurious rooms, scenic views

Nearby Attractions
Ellora Caves, Ajanta Caves, Jalna Fort, Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

Room Types
Deluxe Rooms, Super Deluxe Rooms, Suite Rooms

Facilities
Laundry, travel desk, car rental, conference hall

Dining
Multi-cuisine restaurant, Maharashtrian cuisine, room service

Ideal For
Families, couples, business travelers, pilgrims

Getting There
By Air: Aurangabad Airport (40 km)
By Rail: Jalna Railway Station (20 km)
By Road: NH 211 (Aurangabad-Jalna Highway)

Activities
Swimming, fitness center, trekking, sightseeing, cultural programs

Heritage-style resort offering luxurious accommodations, modern amenities, and scenic views.

Amenities
Air-conditioned rooms, TV, Wi-Fi, parking, restaurant, room service, swimming pool, gym

Tariff
Rs. 2,500 - Rs. 5,500 per night

Location Details
Kannad (city center), Jalna (20 km), Aurangabad (40 km), Ellora Caves (50 km)

Reviews

4.2/5 on Google, 4/5 on TripAdvisor

Key Features
Heritage architecture, luxurious rooms, scenic views

Nearby Attractions
Ellora Caves, Ajanta Caves, Jalna Fort, Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

Room Types
Deluxe Rooms, Super Deluxe Rooms, Suite Rooms

Facilities
Laundry, travel desk, car rental, conference hall

Dining
Multi-cuisine restaurant, Maharashtrian cuisine, room service

Ideal For
Families, couples, business travelers, pilgrims

Getting There
By Air: Aurangabad Airport (40 km)
By Rail: Jalna Railway Station (20 km)
By Road: NH 211 (Aurangabad-Jalna Highway)

Activities
Swimming, fitness center, trekking, sightseeing, cultural programs

Services
24-hour front desk, luggage storage, parking, travel assistance

Hotel Shree Ganesh

Address-Main Rd, Mondha, Wasadi, Maharashtra 431103

Hotel Overview
Budget-friendly hotel offering comfortable accommodations and basic amenities.

Amenities
Air-cooled rooms, TV, parking, restaurant, room service

Tariff
Rs. 600 - Rs. 1,200 per night

Location Details
Jalna (20 km), Aurangabad (40 km), Ellora Caves (50 km)

Reviews

3.5/5 on Google, 3/5 on TripAdvisor

Key Features
Affordable rates, clean rooms, central location

Nearby Attractions
Ellora Caves, Ajanta Caves, Jalna Fort, Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

Room Types
Standard Rooms, Deluxe Rooms

Facilities
Laundry, travel desk

Dining
Vegetarian restaurant, Maharashtrian cuisine

Ideal For
Budget travelers, families, pilgrims

Getting There
By Air: Aurangabad Airport (40 km)
By Rail: Jalna Railway Station (20 km)
By Road: NH 211 (Aurangabad-Jalna Highway)

Activities
Sightseeing, temple visits, shopping

Services
24-hour front desk, luggage storage, parking

Note: Simple and economical accommodation option for travelers visiting nearby historical sites.

Agrawals restaurant and lodging

Address-near ajanta caves jalgaon aurangabad highway, Fardapur, Maharashtra 431118

Overview
Budget-friendly lodging with an in-house restaurant, offering convenient accommodations near Ajanta Caves.

Amenities
Air-cooled rooms, TV, parking, restaurant, room service

Tariff
Rs. 800 - Rs. 1,800 per night

Location Details
Ajanta Caves (5 km), Jalgaon (60 km), Aurangabad (90 km)

Reviews

3.8/5 on Google, 3.5/5 on TripAdvisor

Key Features
Proximity to Ajanta Caves, affordable rates, vegetarian restaurant

Nearby Attractions
Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

Room Types
Standard Rooms, Deluxe Rooms

Facilities
Laundry, travel desk, car rental

Dining
Vegetarian restaurant, Maharashtrian cuisine, North Indian cuisine

Ideal For
Budget travelers, families, pilgrims

Getting There
By Air: Aurangabad Airport (90 km)
By Rail: Jalgaon Railway Station (60 km)
By Road: Jalgaon-Aurangabad Highway

Activities
Sightseeing, temple visits, shopping

Note: Ideal stopover for travelers visiting Ajanta Caves, providing basic amenities and convenient location.

Aryanivas Lodge

Address-25/9, Doodh Sagar Marg, Ganesh Nagar, Chalisgaon, Maharashtra 424101

Lodge Overview
Budget-friendly lodge offering basic accommodations and essential amenities.

Amenities
Air-cooled rooms, TV, parking, restaurant, room service

Tariff
Rs. 800 - Rs. 1,500 per night

Location Details
Chalisgaon (city center), Jalgaon (45 km), Ajanta Caves (70 km)

Reviews

3.5/5 on Google, 3/5 on TripAdvisor

Key Features
Affordable rates, clean rooms, central location

Nearby Attractions
Chalisgaon Fort, Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Omkareshwar Temple

Room Types
Standard Rooms, Deluxe Rooms

Facilities
Laundry, travel desk

Dining
Vegetarian restaurant, Maharashtrian cuisine

Ideal For
Budget travelers, families, pilgrims

Getting There
By Air: Aurangabad Airport (90 km)
By Rail: Chalisgaon Railway Station (2 km)
By Road: NH 6 (Mumbai-Dhule Highway)

Activities
Sightseeing, temple visits, shopping

Hotel Plaza

Address-National HIghway 211, Humchand Nagar, Balaji Nagar, Kannad, Maharashtra 431103

Hotel Overview
Budget-friendly hotel offering comfortable accommodations and basic amenities.

Amenities
Air-conditioned rooms, TV, parking, restaurant, room service, Wi-Fi

Tariff
Rs. 1,200 - Rs. 2,500 per night

Location Details
Aurangabad (30 km), Jalna (20 km), Ellora Caves (40 km)

Reviews

3.9/5 on Google, 3.5/5 on TripAdvisor

Key Features
Affordable rates, comfortable rooms, proximity to Ellora Caves

Nearby Attractions
Ellora Caves, Ajanta Caves, Jalna Fort, Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

Room Types
Standard Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, Family Rooms

Facilities
Laundry, travel desk, car rental

Dining
Vegetarian restaurant, Maharashtrian cuisine

Ideal For
Budget travelers, families, pilgrims

Getting There
By Air: Aurangabad Airport (30 km)
By Rail: Jalna Railway Station (20 km)
By Road: NH 211 (Aurangabad-Jalna Highway)

Activities
Sightseeing, temple visits, shopping