Have You Ever Been To Elephant Ride In Amber Fort At Jaipur?

[travelguide]

I had never been to this place. One of my friends who recently visited Jaipur told me about this. It was a whole new experience for him.

These wonderful animals are decorated with traditional outfits and they effortlessly transport visitors up to the stunning Amber Fort. It is somewhat 30 minutes journey and the elephant will slowly trudge up the hillside to the main courtyard. It is a bit crowded and you should be there at least by 9:00am to guarantee a ride and to avoid waiting in long queues in hot summer. Approximately 80 elephants transport around 900 visitors every day.

 

[btalivny]

My co worker recommended me attending this elephant ride in her list of things to do. I would also like to know if anyone here has experience with this?

 

[Gabydi]

Wow, this sounds so awesome! I’m like obsessed with elephants. My grandma believed they bring good luck and I have earrings, pendants and little elephants all over my place.

I wasn’t aware of this, but I was planning in visiting Jaipur so I will definitely look for this ride. Thanks for sharing!

P.S: You should tell your friend to join and share some pics of his ride!

 

[Clara]

I had never been to this place. One of my friends who recently visited Jaipur told me about this. It was a whole new experience for him.

These wonderful animals are decorated with traditional outfits and they effortlessly transport visitors up to the stunning Amber Fort. It is somewhat 30 minutes journey and the elephant will slowly trudge up the hillside to the main courtyard. It is a bit crowded and you should be there at least by 9:00am to guarantee a ride and to avoid waiting in long queues in hot summer. Approximately 80 elephants transport around 900 visitors every day.

Awesome! Although I have been for a ride on an elephant, it was certainly not in India! It is was at the circus. My kids and I went for a little elephant ride and it was so cool, but to go for a ride while in India would be a whole different experience. I simply had to go look for some pictures of the Elephants taking visitors to Amber Fort in Jaipur. Wow! How beautiful the elephants are decorated and the view is spectacular!

After doing a little more reading about these elephant rides in India, I was happy to know that elephants are limited to about 5 rides a day and transport only 2 guest per ride compared to having unlimited trips per day up this steep incline and carry 4 guests plus the attendant.

 

[travelguide]

You are right you can have nice photo sessions there. It will look nice with decorated elephants. The mahouts decorate them with special care, especially the trunk with floral and geometrical patterns using various colors. If you are planning to visit please do carry a hat and a good camera, excellent opportunities are waiting for you. Just imagine a colorfully decorated elephant making his way up to the fort.

One important factor is to reach there at least by 9:00 am, otherwise it may be difficult get an elephant. Then you have to satisfy with a jeep ride.

 

[pwarbi]

Having to get to a destination by a certain time because they might run out of elephants isn't a sentance you hear every day now is it!

While it looks nice and I like the idea of an elephant ride, I'm not sure if I'd be comfortable sat up there on one of them. I'm not over keen on riding a horse, so I think I'd actually prefer the jeep on this occasion.

 

[travelguide]

Having to get to a destination by a certain time because they might run out of elephants isn't a sentance you hear every day now is it!

While it looks nice and I like the idea of an elephant ride, I'm not sure if I'd be comfortable sat up there on one of them. I'm not over keen on riding a horse, so I think I'd actually prefer the jeep on this occasion.

I don't think so. They are not saying this just for promoting their business, but it actually happens that at times you have to travel in jeep due to non-availability of elephants. There is a limit on the total number of journeys an elephant can take and this is as per Government rules. Owners will be penalized if they use elephants for over-work. During tourist seasons most of the elephants would complete the ride by 11:00 am. Also in summer, it is too hot after 11.

 

[pwarbi]

I'd imagine that the care of the elephants is at the forefront of the owners mind so it's only right they are only allowed to make so many trips in a day.

Like you say, at the peak of the tourist season I can see it being quite popular as it's not everyday you would get the chance to ride an elephant, and its certainly something to tell your grandchildren about in the future.

 

[travelguide]

Yes, I think it will be a history soon as there is a group of animal activists who are against this practice. As per them this is not right to use elephant for this purpose when there are alternate methods available. They may be right and anytime Government may put a ban on this. Animal protection is of utmost importance in these days. But what I understood from various feedbacks is that the elephants are being taken care of well and they are not being used during hot times.

 

[cheryllei9h]

Wow that sounds so awesome. I would love to do that. I love elephants. They are so cute and smart. I don't think I've ever ridden an elephant before but have been to see them. I just love them.

 

[pwarbi]

Yes, I think it will be a history soon as there is a group of animal activists who are against this practice. As per them this is not right to use elephant for this purpose when there are alternate methods available. They may be right and anytime Government may put a ban on this. Animal protection is of utmost importance in these days. But what I understood from various feedbacks is that the elephants are being taken care of well and they are not being used during hot times.

I'd imagine that the elephants are very well looked after and its not as if they are being made to perform in a zoo or anything like that, so I don't really see any reason to stop this. People are to quick to protest these days, and just because it's something they don't agree with, doesn't mean it's automatically wrong and should be banned.

 

[Chahal]

As per them this is not right to use elephant for this purpose when there are alternate methods available. They may be right and anytime Government may put a ban on this. Animal protection is of utmost importance in these days.

Pigs are not going to fly any time soon.

I personally don't see anything wrong with this practice. Why even allow people to keep dogs and cats at home? They are not meant to be living inside homes, why not leave them alone as well. What about the right to live for bacteria that makes curd from milk?

There is no end to this BS. Elephants have been used in wars and for transportation for thousands of years although that does not make it right but just because some people don't like it does not make it wrong either.

Just my own personal opinion

 

[amelia88]

I would love to do something like this one day, I've heard of there being elephant rescue/refuge places similar to this in Thailand. I would have to go somewhere that the animals are well treated of course - and as long as that was the case I don't see anything wrong with them being provided for elephant rides.

 

[Clara]

You are right you can have nice photo sessions there. It will look nice with decorated elephants. The mahouts decorate them with special care, especially the trunk with floral and geometrical patterns using various colors. If you are planning to visit please do carry a hat and a good camera, excellent opportunities are waiting for you. Just imagine a colorfully decorated elephant making his way up to the fort.

One important factor is to reach there at least by 9:00 am, otherwise it may be difficult get an elephant. Then you have to satisfy with a jeep ride.

Thanks for tip about making sure to secure a ride back with a jeep because I did notice that it was a one way trip with the elephants. I was wondering how to get back. Are there buses available, too? Or is renting a jeep the best idea?

I also noticed some people carried an umbrella with them to protect themselves from the sun and heat.

The details that go into decorating the elephants are absolutely beautiful. I had to hold myself back from posting numerous pictures of this spectacular artwork!

it's not everyday you would get the chance to ride an elephant, and its certainly something to tell your grandchildren about in the future.

Yes! Riding on an elephant in India would be the ultimate experience to share with the grandchildren. My goodness, this adventure would be great to share with anyone.

I personally dont see anything wrong with this practice. Why even allow people to keep dogs and cats at home? They are not meant to be living inside homes, why not leave them alone as well.

Good point. I could add the same thing about horses, too.

 

[travelguide]

Yes, you are right, elephant ride is only one way. You have to hire a vehicle for the return trip. Some people are of the opinion that even at 9:00 am (ISD) you can see a long line for booking elephant. So, it is advisable to reach there by 7:30 am or latest by 8:00am so that you can do the booking without any hassles. Elephants are allowed to take only 5 trips a day. They charge approximately $15 for two people. You can carry an umbrella too, a big hat will also do.

 

[taviacurtis]

This is a major attraction and one of my greatest desires to experience an elephant ride in Amber Fort at Jaipur. These already magnificent and beautiful animals decorated to the beautiful tradition and culture of India must have been a life-changing experience for your friend or anyone who is blessed to experience it.


I look forward to visiting in the near future. I know it will be one of my greatest experiences to be.

 

[Delirium]

No I haven't yet, but it's definitely on my bucket list.

I have, however, experienced riding an elephant before. Not in India, but in Bali, Indonesia. At first I was absolutely terrified, because hey, let's be real, you're riding a 2,700 kg gigantic animal, what could possibly go wrong, right? But it wasn't long until I realized that the elephants were actually very tame and friendly. And riding it was an absolutely one in a lifetime experience, so I really recommend you to try it at least once.

Not to mention that the scenery during my elephant ride was just rainforest - I could only imagine how amazing, beautiful and magnificent it would be if it was to take place in Amber Fort. It's a stunning place and honestly if I was in Jaipur, it'd be the first thing on my list and I wouldn't miss it for anything.

 

[travelguide]

That would be really amazing to ride an elephant in a rain forest. I am sure you must have the ride and beauty of nature as well.

In Jaipur there is a place called "Elephant Village" and people from all over the world visit this place for elephant ride. But I am sure they must be losing the charm of Amber Fort anyway. Kerala got one of the best elephant training centers in Kodanad near Permbavoor. Muthanga of Wayanad district and Konni in Pathanamthitta district are two other training centers in Kerala. In these places you can have a close of look of these amazing animals.

 

[Steve Dawson]

I had never been to this place. One of my friends who recently visited Jaipur told me about this. It was a whole new experience for him.

These wonderful animals are decorated with traditional outfits and they effortlessly transport visitors up to the stunning Amber Fort. It is somewhat 30 minutes journey and the elephant will slowly trudge up the hillside to the main courtyard. It is a bit crowded and you should be there at least by 9:00am to guarantee a ride and to avoid waiting in long queues in hot summer. Approximately 80 elephants transport around 900 visitors every day.

Yes, I did this in 2009. It was crowded but we were warned to get there early. The queues get crazy by mid-morning so I can't stress how important your timing will be. The elephants are majestic and beautiful, very used to tourists as well so you can see them right up close. Its a magical experience and one you will never forget if you do it. The training centre of Kerala is great if you want to find out more about Elephants, I can't remember exactly how much it cost but it was very reasonable. A great day out and something you cannot do anywhere else in the World. Many thanks for bringing back all those great memories.

 

[Dune Dude]

Those pictures look awesome! This is the type of vacation that I imagine for myself when travelling to India. If and when I visit, elephant and camel rides are top priority.