RAJASTHAN STATE - ADVENTURE SPORTS

InfoHistoryCultureCuisineFestivalsShoppingIndustry
CitiesAdventure SportsFortsPalacesMuseumsSanctuaries

       When in Rajasthan all you adventure enthusiasts dont forget to go for Camel Safaris which is a great fun and can be experienced only here. Other Safaris which can be taken include Bicycle Safari, Jeep Safari and also Elephant Safari. Horse Riding can also be undertaken and apart from that one can also engage in Water Sports, Paragliding and also go for long and picturesque Treks.

CAMEL SAFARI
       Camel safaris are very popular in Rajasthan, a place where camel is the ship of the desert. The camel is not only common in the Thar desert, but is also the only means of transportation in remote areas. People use it to ride through sandy tracks, passing through remote villages. The safari is organised to take tourists through the golden sands of the vast Thar desert and untamed countryside, so that one can create his/her memoirs in the peaceful desert life.

      Tourists can stay close to life in very remote villages by pitching tents every night at different venues, spend evenings next to the camp fire and dance to the folk music. The rolling landscape of the sand and shrub covered area is breathtakingly beautiful and the range of flora and fauna surprisingly large for desert area.

      The camel breeders of Raika are the best guides. They know every pasture, waterhole and village of the region. One can ride or walk along leisurely with the safari and enjoy desertscape. Camel-carts are fully equipped and tourists need not bother about comfort in the desert. Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation arranges the camel safaris on request from Delhi and Jaipur during Nagaur Fair as well as Desert festival.

OTHER SAFARIS
         Like camel and horse safaris, another popular form is the jeep safariwherein one can drive through the quiet and beautiful countryside to cruise by forts, palaces historical landmarks and villages. The average daily move is about 150 kms. consisting of approximately five to six hours of jeep driving.

        Spend lazy evenings in bed or swing to the folk dances. Jeep safaris are organised in every part of Rajasthan, but safaris organised to the Bishnoi village near Jodhpur have a special attraction for tourists.

        Motorcycle and Bicycle safaris can also be done in every part of Rajasthan. For those who want to turn cycling into a keenly contested game, there is Cycle Polo too. Elephant Safaris are exciting for those in search of an experience of a lifetime. Some tour operators organise elephant safaris between Jaipur and Pushkar.

        An exciting sport is Elephant Polo which provides a spectacle for the audience and enjoyment to the participants. The bulky animals move around with surprisingly speed and poise. The Jaipur Vintage Car Rally held annually in the month of January has drawn for car lovers, sports lovers, vintage beauty lovers and tourists alike. A keenly contested event, this rally is an inimitable display of well-maintained cars of yesteryears.Among the vintage models which had come in from different cities of India to take part in the 1997 Vintage Car Rally, one could spot the 1903 Humber, 1919 Fiat 501, 1923 rover, 1936 Mercedes Benz 170 V, 1938 Morris 8, 1923 Austin and the 1926 Erskine. Some of these are available on hire for pleasure rides and marriages.

HORSE RIDING
        The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation organises a Safari on request which starts from Jaipur and the duration of the safari is four days.Different breeds of horses like the Marwari, Kathiawadi and the Sindhi, each having its own distinct characteristics and bred solely for the purpose of warin the ancient times can be found. These horses were noted for their stamina and fierce loyalty to their masters. With these gallant steeds, the Rajputs of the ancient times became famous worldwide.

        Shekhawati Brigade Horse Safaris offer Horse and Camel safari packages. In Rajasthan, the tourist can have the pleasure of riding through trails dotted and marked with cenotaphs and tombstones of many brave and valiant Rajput warriors. Trails which take them through villages, pass huge and ancient forts and temples. Nights can be spent in ancient palaces and Garhs(small forts) now owned by the descendants of those glorious Rajput rulers while evenings are spent at campsites which are splashed with colour in the form of local folk dance and music. These palaces not only provide modern amenities but cultural programmes and entertainment is also available. Tourists can have the pleasure of being escorted by an English speaking ‘trial guide’.

        What to wear :
        Riders are advised to wear boots and a hard hat. Breeches or jeans will be comfortable. Evenings are cold and pullovers and jackets are essential. Sun glasses are required to avoid the glare of the sun. Beds, linen, towels etc. are all provided by the organisers. All meals are inclusive in the package. This includes an English breakfast and Indian lunch and dinner. Liquor or aerated soft drinks are chargeable extra. In Jaipur, Horse Safari is organised by some private tour operators.

WATER SPORTS
       The lakes of Rajasthan are ideal for water sports. Throughout the year, water sports of all kinds can be arranged here. Ramgarh lake is a man-made reservoir around 4 kms. in length and 2 kms. in width.

       Facilities for swimming, boating etc. are available. Boating is a regular feature, conducted by trained Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation staff. A fully equipped tourist village with 10 huts is situated here. During the 1982 Asian games, rowing competitions were held at Ramgarh lake near Jaipur.

       Siliserh Lake, about 10 kms. from Alwar lies surrounded by undulating hills flaming with bougainvillea and gulmohar. A beautiful Palace Hotel which is run by RTDC provides all facilities.

      Boating is regularly undertaken as an activity in Udaipur - the lake city of India. The ideal place for water sports is Jaisamand Lake situated 50 kms. south of Udiapur. This lake is the second largest artificial lake in Asia (the water spread area is 90 sq kms.).

      The Chambal river offers water rafting in the Kota region. From Jawahar Sagar to Dholpur, the intricate network of the Chambal river, flowing through rock gorges and forests, provides ideal locales for the perfect water adventure. While traversing the river by boat, one can see the gavia(crocodile) basking in the sun on river banks. Plans are underway to introduce a ferry service on the chambal river from Kota barrage upstream to Bhensordgarh - a fine opportunity to ride on the gushing waters.

       Rajasthan also offers angling sites. Bandh Baretha in Bharatpur, Siliserh and Jaisamand in Alwar, Mansarover near Sariska, Kukas, Chhaparwara and Ramgarh in Jaipur are an angler’s paradise. However, the enthusiasts are advised to carry their own equipment and obtain permission from the Fisheries Department. Patience and perseverance in angling, as in life, has rich rewards.

TREKKING
        Although Rajasthan is a desert, the lofty hill ranges of the Aravallis (one of the oldest mountain ranges of the world, extending from north-east to south-west have some beautiful forest areas), that make it a destination for trekker’s. There are many beautiful meadows, dense forests, crystal lakes, waterfalls and rivulets flowing through the countryside.

       Mount Abu, about 1300 mts. above sea level is an ideal locale. Kumbhalgarh, 90 kms from Udaipur off the Udiapur-Pali-Jodhpur road is another area in the Aravallis good for trekking. One can also spot a wildlife sanctuary. The famous Jain temples of Ranakpur are close on heels.

       Trekking routes in Mount Abu, Kumbhalgarh and Rawali Tatgarh are not restricted to any particular area. The entire mountain system offers exciting trails which originate at starting points spread over the entire length and breadth of the Aravallis. One can trek from Abu road to Guru Shikhar( the highest peak of Aravalli), Thandi Beri to Kumbhalgarh fort or Ranakpur to Rawali Tatgarh.

       The best time for trekking in Rajasthan is from November to February. Mid-September to end of October and March-April is also pleasant. There is ample space for camping under starlit nights or in the Dak Bungalow and Forest Rest House depending on the tourists preference.

PARAGLIDING
        Parasailing and ballooning are annual events held in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Pushkar and attract a large number of tourists and adventure seekers. The RTDC has set up an Adventure Cell in Jaipur (Tel:0141-202586, 203531, 375466) from where you can obtain assistance and information about different outlets the adventure in Rajasthan.