Traveling in India with children may seem too exotic or overwhelming at first glance, but with a well-laid plan and a desire for adventure, it is a treat for the entire family's senses.
The Golden Triangle
Image via Wikipedia
A popular itinerary is the 'Golden Triangle,' covering New Delhi (the capital), the town of Agra (to see the Taj Mahal) and the 'pink city' of Jaipur, Rajasthan.
You can begin your journey in Delhi for two to three days, depending on your appetite for sightseeing or shopping. Then, travel south to Agra for a day if one visit to the Taj Mahal is enough. Or take two days if you want to watch a sunrise or sunset with additional sightseeing. The final destination on this adventure is Jaipur, where two to three days at a minimum are recommended, depending on the activities you wish to partake in. Each leg is approximately fourto-six hour's drive, and you can enjoy this journey via private car, coach or train.
When you arrive in Jaipur, take in the stunning Araveli hills, a magical place for all aspiring princes and princesses. It is known as the 'pink city' because in 1876 the Maharaja (Sawai Ram Singh) had the buildings painted in anticipation of Prince Albert's royal visit. With a rich and imperial history, kids will be kept amused exploring the amazing forts and palaces. And of course, the chance to encounter horses, monkeys, camels and elephants will keep them curious throughtout your adventure.
Elephant Conservation
Image via Shirani Alfreds
Since 1986, the Asian elephant has been listed as an endangered species as the population has declined at a frightening rate of 50 percent over the past three decades. The species is threatened by loss and degradation of habitat and, sadly, poaching. Historically, they have been captured and tamed due to their ability to work under instruction and carry heavy objects. And, due to a low birth rate and high mortality rate, the population of elephants held in captivity continues to decrease. However, female elephants can live for longer than 60 years when kept in semi-natural surroundings, such as forest camps.
In Jaipur, numerous elephant camps housing female elephants have been established, to break the cycle of domestication. The camps' human-elephant interaction programs enable visitors to feed, bathe and play with the elephants. In some cases, you can also paint these large mammals with organic paints, which they enjoy as they know a bath is coming later. The paints used are organic and can be easily washed off.
Though some camps admit that elephant tourism is borderline objectionable, it is also the primary means of maintenance. Your paid visit provides for food (an elephant requires a large amount of food making it unaffordable for most local families), regular health checks and the maintenance of the camps where they can roam free. In some cases, where camps also employ low income and marginalized caretakers, your visit also finances their housing and education.
Tips for Traveling in India
Image via Wikipedia
- It is recommended to spend a total of seven to 10 days on your Golden Triangle itinerary, especially if you have small to schoolaged children. This will allow you to enjoy your time and take in the sights at leisure.
- Be careful when traveling with infants or children under 2 years, as food and sanitation could affect their health and the progress of the trip.
- Keep sanitizers and wet wipes handy for public toilets and stops along the way.
- Where possible, stay in an international hotel chain so a Western meal can be found if your children cannot eat spicy or exotic dishes.
- Make it a point to eat only cooked food, and nothing raw.
- Hiring a car and a driver for family travel is advisable, to give you the most flexibility, and it is reasonably priced. Taking the train is an experience, but does not provide as much flexibility.
- When booking an elephant experience, be aware of fake organizations or hawkers claiming to take you to camps that may not be genuine. Always ring ahead to make an appointment and obtain the correct address, as well as the name of the person who will host you.
- Recommended organizations rated by TripAdvisor include Elefantastic (elefantastic.in) and Elephant Joy (elephantjoy.org).
For a more in-depth Elephant Rescue program, scan the QR code below.
[Cover image via Wikipedia]
