Page 729 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

OUTDOOR A C TIVITIES & SPECIALIST HOLID A Y S  727

games. It can also arrange
temporary membership at
the Royal Calcutta Golf Club
and the Delhi Golf Club.
Many towns in India, such
as Jaipur, Agra and Ranikhet,
have well-maintained, army-
run golf courses, which are
located in cantonment areas
and are open to foreigners for
a fee. It is therefore worthwhile
enquiring about facilities when
in a new town.
Polo and Riding
Still very much an elitist sport,
polo is enjoying a pleasant Off-road jeep safari, one way of exploring Rajasthan
revival thanks to corporate
sponsorships. The Army Polo While expensive, these trips are as trekking and rafting. The two-
and Riding Club in Delhi is perfect for tourists with plenty day route from Manali to Leh
the main centre, and can be of cash but limited time. The is a very popular one.
contacted for match schedules government-run Pawan Hans
and other information. The Helicopters Ltd also offers heli- Trekking
season is in winter, when trips in collaboration with hotels
regular matches are held in or tour operators. India has a fantastic range
Delhi, Kolkata, Jaipur, Jodhpur of trekking options. Besides
and Mumbai. Jeep Safaris the Himalayas, the Nilgiris
Two of India’s leading teams (see p610) in South India,
still play under the banners of Often, the best way to explore and the Sahyadris (see p477)
the erstwhile princely houses of places that are off-the-beaten in Maharashtra, have many
Jodhpur and Kashmir, while the track is to take one of the many trails for short hikes.
Indian Army continues its long safaris on offer. Jeep safaris are The great Himalayas are
association with polo and fields popular in Ladakh, especially to a trekker’s paradise. Ibex
its own team. Polo is extremely the Nubra Valley (see p147) and Expeditions, a reputable
popular in Jaipur, and matches to the lakes of Tso Moriri and agency, organizes expeditions
are held at the Rajasthan Polo Pangong Tso. Jeep safaris are all over the Himalayas. For
Club near the Rambagh Palace also popular in Lahaul, Spiti and more detailed information on
Hotel. In some hotels in Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh. trekking and local adventure
Rajasthan’s Shekhawati district, A good base is Manali, which tour operators in Himachal
visitors are taught how to play has a large number of adventure Pradesh, see pages 118–19;
the game. Some variations are tour operators. Among them, in Ladakh and Zanskar, see
elephant and camel polo (both Himalayan Adventurers is a pages 156–7; in Garhwal and
played in Jaipur), while in reputable agency that organizes Kumaon, see pages 192–3;
Ladakh, a rough-and-ready off-road jeep safaris as well as and in West Bengal and
form of polo is played, with other adventure activities such Sikkim, see pages 306–7.
ponies instead of horses. This guide divides trails into
As for riding, thoroughbred three types, based on levels
horses can be hired at clubs in of difficulty. “Easy” ones, which
Delhi and Kolkata, as well as involve mildly strenuous
at the Royal Equestrian Polo walking at mid-high altitudes,
Centre in Jaipur, after applying are a good intro duction.
for a temporary membership. “Moderate” routes cover
various terrains and should
not be attempted by people
Heli Tourism
with heart problems and
For short but delightful package serious ailments. Only
tours, Deccan Charters runs experienced climbers should
helicopter trips to many exotic attempt “tough” treks, since
destinations, such as the these go to very high altitudes
mountain ranges of the north and require high levels of
and northeast, and around fitness. It is mandatory to
Bengaluru and Mumbai. The Trekking over the spectacular Shingo-la carry a permit (see pp734–5)
cost includes food and lodging. pass in Zanskar, Ladakh near international border areas.

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