The Lost KingdomAravalli Hills Hike near Amber

When we talk about visiting Jaipur or Amber, the first things that come to mind are royal palaces, majestic forts, grand havelis and vibrant colours. But have you ever wondered that in Jaipur, which offers almost every unique experience, trekking in the Aravalli hills surrounding Amber town could also be one of the best alternatives? "The Lost Kingdom" emerged as one of our most in-demand experiences, since travellers had a great desire to go trekking across the dense Aravalli hills of Amber. It is designed around a "kingdom" that seems to be lost somewhere in the hills, but its remains can still be found if we go on the right & planned trek.

The journey unfolds from "Kheri Gate" in Amber town near Sagar Lake, from where we head towards a sacred shrine dedicated to Lord Hanuman. This shrine is highly revered amongst locals and offers serene & breathtaking views of the surroundings. Climbing a little further, we come across a hunting lodge located in the middle of a water reservoir, or probably a palace in the middle of dense forests. We might also encounter some old ruins of a flourishing dynasty dating back to the 10th or 11th century.

From there, the steep path descends to another tranquil shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Here, the running water, the sound of peacocks, the greenery and the rugged mountains capture the attention of every first-time visitor. It is a perfect getaway from the chaos & mundane activities of the bustling cities, a place to connect with your inner soul. Continuing ahead, we take an adventurous trek through a historical gate that stands as a testimony to the prosperous kingdom and protected it from wars and attacks. A short climb up a staircase offers a panoramic view of "Sheeshawas" town below & "Audi Ram Sagar", an artificial lake in the middle of the jungle.

The journey continues deep into the Aravalli hills to reach another centuries-old shrine, Bhuteshwar Nath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The place is thronged by thousands of devotees on the auspicious day of "Guru Poornima" (Master's Day), celebrated on the first full moon of the month of Asaad-Shravan (June–July) in the Hindu calendar.

Enjoy peaceful nature & rural life, engage with the priest's family residing here away from the city, take in panoramic views of the hamlet and hear horrifying stories of leopards visiting the temple quite often. On our way back, unwind along the rugged-terrain watercourse that brings the hill water down to "Sagar Lake", another water reservoir that used to supply water up to Jaigarh Fort.

Twin Sagar Lake is a perfect picnic spot for local residents and for tourists coming from nearby cities & towns. From here, at the far end, you can see a small hamlet that still exists alongside the lake. Its people belong to the same tribe that was defeated by the Kachhawaha rulers back in the 11th century, when they first came here. Witness Ratankar Pundarik Ji Ki Chhatri, a memorial constructed in honour of a renowned courtier, sitting atop a dam between the two rivers.

Before winding up, do not forget to admire the defensive walls of Amber, with huge bastions & tall watchtowers that allowed soldiers to keep an eye on enemies approaching the town from any direction.