Fortress Flight

I adore the cultural aspects of India; it is the ultimate culture shock trip, and a sometimes overwhelming and intense experience. However, it is possible to suffer from temple fatigue, or sightseeing ennui. There are so many amazing things to see that sometimes you need to mix it up with something different, to keep you alert and excited about this land of spectacle.

Enter Jodhpur, the glorious blue city in the desert of Rajasthan. In the shadow of the imposing and immense Mehrangarh Fort, there is an awesome adventure awaiting you and a new way of admiring the fort: on the Flying Fox.

The Flying Fox is a zipline made up of six wires, taking you across various dramatic gorges right next to the fort. It takes around an hour and a half to glide swiftly across the desert landscape (including a safety demo to start). Your guides, Rhys and Sam, bookend your flights, so you have someone to help you take off and land. The setting is suitably epic, and we recommend taking the time to look around you as you zip swiftly through the sky and see the fort from a new perspective.

Afterward you may need a local Kingfisher or Cobra beer to help you settle the nerves and reflect on the experience. Head to the fabulous Raas Hotel just a stone’s throw away, and sit in their terrific courtyard under the fort you were just flying by. The Raas is also one of our favourite options in Jodhpur for a stay, perfectly located and with great service and excellent dining. Or, if you want to go full-on luxe, head to the grand and magnificent Umaid Bhawan Palace to rest your head after a day in the air.

Ziplining by Mehrangarh Fort isn’t the craziest thing Anton’s done lately; he recently raced a rickshaw from the top to bottom of India. If you’re looking for adventure on the subcontinent, he’s your man.