elephant and camel rides?

EmpressGinger

Ok, forgive me if this is a really dumb question....and/or it's in the wrong forum, having trouble getting some of the threads open I guess because I'm a new member it won't let me post everywhere...

ANYWAY...my 3 daughters going with me in Feb. have been asking about Elephant riding and camel riding in India on our trip. (The older two went with me to Egypt last year and rode Camels 3 times that week.)Plus they've seen some pictures online and in our India guide books of people riding them. So I'm just trying to find out where (what cities, what places) that is done and how that works..any advice on it. is it as common and 'easy' to arrange as it is in Egypt, or is it a more unusual event. What the costs are... how safe it is... when/Where to go, etc. etc. Whatever info y'all can share to enlighten me on the issue...I'll appreciate...well the girls will appreciate it more than me!

blessings
Ginger

camelgirl

Not a dumb question!

There are elephant "safaris" in the National Parks but I don't think any are close enough to Delhi, though possibly Corbett is. Here's a link that may help.

http://www.indiawildliferesorts.com/...nt-safari.html

For an easier elephant ride, they do have them at the Amber Fort just outside Jaipur. They start at the bottom and walk up the very long entrance way to the Fort. It's fun & Amber Fort is excellent. I believe they only do it in the morning. Found some fun photos of it, http://www.galenfrysinger.com/jaipur_elephant_ride.htm

As for Camels, there are several places in Rajasthan that do that. The most popular place for easily organizing a camel safari (1/2 day to a week!) is Jaisalmer but it's way, way too far from Delhi. It's quite close to the Pakistan border (but not a problem--it's a very popular and wonderful desert town). I don't think there is anything closer to Delhi, but someone will correct me if I'm wrong. Camels are ubiquitous in Rajasthan and you see them everywhere, but not for riding except in a few places.

They do not hang around waiting for people like they do at the pyramids in Egypt!

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SitaParityaga

Great question EG! And I have no idea which forum to put this thread in either, the mods and I will have to contemplate this one!

OK..how much time have you got and where are you planning on landing? My first thought was to land in Delhi and take off for Rajasthan right away. Many places to go on camel safaris, and on the tourist path enough to have an infrastructure for families.

Rajasthan is filled with old forts too, great kid stuff. Mehrangarh in Jodhpur. Jaisalmer is camel safari central.

Have fun!

Hal

You can go on a mini camel safari in Pushkar, which is about 3 hours west of Jaipur. You show up about 4pm and ride out behind the hills beyond the town. It's not Lawrence of Arabia style desert, just dry scrub and lots of sand. You stop as it's getting dark and have dinner and some local women will come to dance, then you ride back into town around 10pm. It's about $10-15 a person and you can arrange it the same day.

Pushkar is a sleepy little town of some religious significance. There's a lake and ghats and a small market and fake priests everywhere trying to sell you flowers. There are a few nice hotels on the edge of town with air conditioning and swimming pools. No alcohol or meat available in town, though!

edwardseco

Yes, I was approached for that in Pushkar. But, my boy wasn't feeling up to it. We did get a short ride in Hyderabad at one of the more wacky attempts at a theme park..

birds

In Delhi on banks of the Yamunha river, they keep elephants and a few camels which are used for processions in town. There is no riding, although if you would give them some money I am sure it can be arranged. It is fascinating to see how the elephants are live and cared for. It is not a pretty picture though but reality for how most are kept.

Please keep in mind that many elephants and camels used for tourist purposes live a pretty miserable life. By using their services you perpetuate it. There several threads on IndiaMike about people who were horrified when they looked behind the screens.

Also, riding is not entirely without danger. If you search on elephants in IndiaMike you will find a lot of information.

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EmpressGinger

lots of info on that question~!

Thanks...

Blessings,
Ginger

kausiks

As far as my knowledge goes, the safest elephant ride would be taking the elephant safari in the natural parks and forests .

edwardseco

There was a tourist killed about a decade ago at the Amber Palace ride. Best one was for my mother in law when she came to the US, at the LA Zoo!!

ganeshs_16

This may or may no suit the requirements of the original poster, but just a piece of information for anyone interested -

YHAI is organizing camel, elephant, horse cart and bullock cart expeditions later this year.

See this for details.

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