Day 2 – Mount Abu and Udaipur (Into the Wild)
This is the 2nd part of my journey to Mount Abu and Udaipur.
Being an ardent wild life lover, I decided to spend my most of the time on 2nd day of my journey in to the wild. Travor’s Tank was my destination. Mount Abu is just perfect for walking into wilderness. There is a ticket of 50 bucks for self driving vehicle plus entry fee. I also hired a guide for 200 bucks that was proved to be a good move. The guide was well aware with the core areas of forest and even more willing to go on least walked tracks.
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| Travor’s Tank, Mount Abu |
He led me to some 5 km inside the prohibited area that was really scary.
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| In to the wild |
We saw some fresh pug marks and a roar of panther very nearby. We were just two, alone in the forest with obviously no arms to defend ourselves.
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| Pug marks and I also heard a roar very near to me |
This place was also dangerous because of large number of bears. Guide told me that there are around 450 bears inside this forest and since the circumference of forest area is not much so density of wild animals is much high.
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| In the core area |
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| How dense it was ! |
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| At this point we were around 4 km inside the forest |
Guide also showed me some fruits that bear like to eat most and there were lot of places which was freshly dug by them. Altogether it was quite an experience to feel a chill in bones but I would certainly not want to repeat it.
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| The caves inside the forest |
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| He was watching all the activity lazily |
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| Wild Rabbit |
The sky was again full of clouds otherwise we could have more luck to see wild beasts. I been to Jim Corbett, Ranthambhore and Sariska earlier but the kind of feel this forest gave me was unparallel. It seems to be a perfect place to shoot Jurassic Park 4.
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| Can you see that black rocky patch, the rabbit pic was clicked there |
After that I visited Dilwara Jain Temple. Photography is not allowed here so no pictures.
Finally it was time to have lunch for which I went to ‘Jodhpur Bhojanalaya’, which is highly recommended for their Rajasthani Thali.
From Mount Abu there are just two options of public transport for Udaipur. There is a single private bus which starts at 3.30 PM otherwise the roadways bus will go at 7 PM and reach Udaipur at 12. Since there is a single private bus to Udaipur and so many booking agents are operating, so it’s a wise move to book your ticket well in advance.
After spending two exciting days in Abu I started my journey for Udaipur, the ‘Venice of East’, which was also proved unforgettable.
Continued in Part 3…
Too Adventurous…. Nice one Amit…..
Thanks a lot Aditya. It was indeed adventurous.
Lovely pictures. I had been to Mt.Abu. But saw the forests from bird’s eye view only. Regret it now!
Have many more exciting trips!
Thanks a lot for your kind words. Undoubtedly Mt. Abu is very rich in its flora and fauna.
Wow! This sounds very thrilling. I can imagine what it would’ve felt like. I remember being in Corbett on a Jeep and being is such a big forest with some tigers was very exciting. But your experience definitely beats mine by miles, being on foot and just the two of you. Very well narrated Amit. Keep them coming. Cheers.
Thanks a lot Vibha. It was indeed a mind blowing experience.
When I saw tiger during my visit to Ranthambhore, it was different, a royal creature walking just 15-20 ft away but with so many vehicle around, the chances was, that it may not initiate to attack or something, but in Abu although I didn’t saw anything except a wild rabbit, but fresh pug marks, plants freshly dug by bear, their voices coming very closely and a roar…. altogether seems to be like a hidden warning that too 5km deep inside the no men land, completely chill in the bone.
Good one Amit . Keep it up . This is the thing which I want to do even professionally if I get opportunity
like photography or research, but very less scope in India………………………..
Thanks a lot Vishal for your kind words.
You really touch something that is very close to my heart. A work without 10-6 job, freedom to go anywhere without worrying about leave, and to travel for the sole purpose of learning about self and our world and most important, leaving our own life….the way we want, sounds difficult but not impossible.
Glad to meet someone with same views. I am trying to achieve this for me and best of luck for you.
Well clicked pics….where were the beasts?
really looks like the backgrounds of Jurasik park.
Hello Vinay Bhai.
Whole Mount Abu look like a potential location to shoot Jurasic Park.
I wish I could have seen something besides pug marks, freshly dug trees root and roar but glad that didn’t got the opportunity under those circumstances :-)
Great Job !!!!!!
Keep it up.
Thanks a lot Mahesh Ji. Glad you like it :-)
Adventurous.
Tell us more about ‘Trevor’s Tank’ . I believe it is not a National park. Is it on the tourist list of places in Abu?
I have been to Udaipur a couple of times but never ventured beyond. Looks like a good place to not miss if someone ever goes to Abu. Thank you for sharing this.
Also, some more info about Dilwara would be useful for fellow Ghumakkars.
Hi Nandan, thanks for going through the post. Yes, Trevors Tank is very much on Abu’s toursit list.
I am not sure whether it is on the list of national park or not but it has special mention under the Rajasthan government’s list of wild life places. Check this link:-
http://www.rajasthantourism.gov.in/Attractions/Wild-Life/Mount-Abu.aspx
Before visiting Rajasthan this is one of the rare official site which provides quite useful information. Also it is on the way to Guru-Shikhar, so one should not have any trouble in finding this. It is very dense and you can feel the excitement once you been there.
Since at Dilwara photography was prohibited that is why I mentioned less about it. Otherwise it is a very important Jain Temple and a must visit place for its amazing architecture.