India

Amer Fort (pronounced as Amber Fort) is located on a hill in Amer about 6 miles from Jaipur. The Amer Fort was built in 1592 and is known for its artistic style, blending both Hindu Rajput elements. The fort has large ramparts, a series of gates and cobbled paths, and overlooks Maota Lake.

Most notable and the largest tourist attraction at the Amer fort is the 20 minute elephant ride up to the fort itself.  The elephants are brightly painted with water colors which makes a festive and beautiful site.  While it may appear cool to ride an elephant, the platform seat offers no back support and is it’s really uncomfortable.  (But you gotta do what you gotta do.)

Near Amer, is the village of Kunda built to house the mahouts - keepers - and their elephants. The “haathi gram” (elephant village) currently houses 50 families and their elephants as well as a large reservoir to bathe the elephant.  Each home has an attached “garage” for the elephant.

We learned about the village and visited late in the afternoon when the Mahouts and keepers wash their elephants.  There were no tourists and we easily visited families and their elephants.