From Jaipur we drove a short way into the rugged hilly country to famous Amber Fort - it's really a palace as the fort is higher up the hill. We paid 550 rupees (about £7.30) for our elephant ride up the ramp to the top. A couple of years ago a tourist was killed here by an elephant and rides were suspended. Then they carried 4 people. Now it is 2 and one feels that the elephants must be happier with this - it's quite a pull up the hill. Actually elephants are very valuable and are relatively well looked after.

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