From Udaipur to Pushkar on horseback - Day Four

Manjeev was very sick. He had fever all night. It is the first time he has had fever since I met him, almost 7 years ago. The Indians think it is because of the cactus ‘milk’ which is to some extent poisonous. Unfortunately there is nothing to be done except to let the body fight it off. He rode in the truck. Poor thing. 

Meanwhile, we slowly made our way to Kumbalgarh, a magnificent fort. Dinesh amended the itinerary because a hotel was built in the place where he usually camped. The horses were very confused. Mine was determined to stop at the usual spot, which was quite funny. It’s amazing to think that they only did this trip a few times in their lives but remember everything so well. That’s not something I can say about myself!

We rode into the national park in Kumbalgarh. Only park jeeps are allowed in which makes for very little traffic. We (rather, the horses) had to climb all the way up to a gate which is part of a 36km wall circling the fort. The gate is high on the mountain and gives you a view of the entire area on both sides. Going through it on horseback really brings you back in time. 

Once on the other side it was time to climb down along a long narrow cobblestoned way. We were surrounded by thick trees, monkeys and antelopes (nil gae in Hindi which literally means ‘blue cow’ because the males have a dark blueish coat). It really felt like we were in the jungle. 

Mansa enjoying a break

a village lady and her bling

my own lunch break exercise

our beautiful camping area in the evening