Boating can be done on the Jaswant Sagar Dam for those who like to play on the water, rather than in it.

Compendium Games As there are few facilities for sport and entertainment as a whole in Jodphur you are advised to bring some entertainment for your children with you such as a compendium of games, packs of cards or something similar. Many of the higher grade hotels have indoor gaming facilities anyway but you are advised to bring an old favourite with you.

Camel Safari Often where there’s a desert you’ll find camels and such is the case in areas surrounding Jodphur. If you fancy taking a safari on these ships of the dessert with your family, you are in for a fun time. Tip: Do be aware that camel riding can make some folk feel a little ‘seasick’ due to their rolling motion, but this is rarely if ever a problem for long. If you are concerned and think you may like to try this adventure…take along some seasick tablets or a similar prevention to assist you in the dilemma and drink plenty of water (as the seasickness feeling may in fact be dehydration caused from not drinking enough in this hot climate).

Cinema Entertainment When in India you can’t afford to miss at least one film coming out of the famed Indian Bollywood studio. If however this doesn’t take your fancy films from other countries are often shown at one of the following movie theatres:

Anand Cinema, Station Road. Telephone: 622433
Darpan Cinema, High Court Road Telephone: 547676
Girdhar Mandir, Nai Sarak Telephone: 547371
Kalpatru Cinema, E-4 Shastri Nagar Telephone: 430767
Kohinoor Cinema, Chopasni Road Telephone: 435786
Nasrani Cinema, Sanichar Ji Ka Than Chopasni Road Telephone: 434786
Croquet is another activity offered by many hotels although you are welcome to bring your own and set it up in one of the local parks (if the hotel grounds aren’t large enough)…you are guaranteed to get onlookers and folk wanting to join in though.

Cycling Jodphur surrounds are pleasant for cycling and if you are really keen there are mountain biking tours in the area.

Horse Carriage Buggy Ride A few hotels in Jodphur offer horse/carriage rides that are wonderfully romantic if there’s just two of you or something to entertain the kids with if you are visiting in a crowd.

Horse Riding Horses are part and parcel of Jodphur (being one of the centres for the equestrian sport of Polo in the world and being the city that riding breeches “jodhpurs” were named after). If you are interested in watching a game or getting on the back of one of these beautiful animals and galloping along a dessert trail or ambling through the dunes, then this is one activity all but the youngest family members can enjoy. Most of the horses are Marwaris which in former times were superb war horses, greatly prized by their owners.

Jogging is one sport you don’t need any equipment for other than a pair of running shoes and in Jodphur if your hotel doesn’t have a jogging track you can always pop down to one of the local park or lake areas and jog away to your hearts content.

Kid’s Fun World can be found in the Mandore Gardens which has been especially created for children.

Picnicking There are numerous places to picnic around Jodphur including lakes, dams and parks. Get away from the crowds, relax with the sound of birdsong in the background, sweetly scented flowers around you and the blue Jodphur sky above…what more could you wish for?

Polo is the sport of Kings, or so the saying goes. In Jodphur it’s almost a way of life and some of the best riders in the country come from this part of India. If you are interested in the sport and/or your kids like horses or are simply curious, go and watch a game. Venues and competitions are advertised in the local newspapers and your hotel will also be able to help. For more info write to the Royal Jodphur Polo Team, c/o Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur or simply go there.

Swimming If your hotel has a pool you are at an advantage as there are no public pools in Jodphur. A few hotels allow non-guests to use their pool/s or you can swim in some of the lakes and dams that dot the city and her surrounds but you are advised against this as some are not the cleanest and pollution can be a problem.