PUSHKAR FAIR, RAJASTHAN - INDIA
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This ride gives you the opportunity to visit and stay in some of the finest Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan. A combination of seeing rural India on horse back and visiting well know Fairs as well as including the sights of Agra (Taj Mahal), Jaipur and Delhi make these itineraries good all round visits to India. The rides cover a variety of terrain and pass through many small local villages. This offers you a unique chance to experience rural India and its cultures/people. There are opportunities to observe wildlife and partake in various spiritual ceremonies and festivals during the riding. The Pushkar fair is a huge cattle/camel and horse fair, an event not to be missed. Being there on horseback gives you an insight not possible any other way. The landscape is unique, much of it semi desert and ideal for riding. You are able to see many forts and palaces, villages, temples and at times also the homes of the villagers. Riding through Rajasthan on horseback is possibly the best way to experience this mythical part of India. Here there is a 19 day/ 18 night itinerary which can be done in total or for a shorter visit either the first or second half. Both include visiting the Pushkar Fair on horseback.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - PUSHKAR FAIR, RAJASTHAN
Day 1
Arrive in Delhi and spend the night at the Hotel Imperial, or similar.
Day 2
Leave Delhi for Dundlod and make the drive south by bus (about 6 hours). We will have dinner and spend the night in the Castle/Palace at Dundlod. This old building has been beautifully maintained and now has some modern comforts. It has a huge banquet hall and each bedroom is different with its own charm. The palace is located on the edge of a small village of the same name.
Day 3
We will spend the first day riding around Dundlod and spend the night there. The region is called Shekhawati and is named after Rao Shekhaji who declared his independence from the rulers of Jaipur in 1471. The entire area is famous for its frescoes and has many ancient villages, forts and castles.
Day 4
Ride from Dundlod to Mandawa. On the way we will visit the havelis; mansions which have some of the finest frescoes in the world. They were almost unknown until a few years ago and are just becoming famous. We will have dinner and spend the night at the converted hotel/palace of Mandawa. It has rich furnishings and modern conveniences.
Day 5
Ride from Mandawa to Nawal Garh where we will stay either in the palace hotel or in a hotel of more modern construction built in the same style as the old houses of the area.
Day 6
Ride to Bhairon Ji Temple (about 25 kms.). Today ride passes through farmland and several villages and then follows a dry river bed running parallel to the Aravalli Hills. Camp overnight near a small temple.
Day 7
We ride through marginal farm land, and stop for lunch near a small village. In the afternoon we will leave the horses for this portion of the ride and drive about two hours to Samode to spend the evening and have a gala banquet in the huge and sumptuous dining hall of this magnificent castle.
Day 8
Drive to Jaipur in the morning for sightseeing and shopping in this fabulous "pink city". Spend the night in Jaipur at the Rajputana Palace Sheraton or the best available hotel. Those arriving for the second half of the trip will be met at the Jaipur Airport and transferred to the hotel.
Day 9
Short drive to Pushkar to attend the Fair. Overnight in tents.
Day 10
Attend the Pushkar Fair. Overnight in tents.
Day 11
This morning, those doing only the first half of this horse riding holiday will be transferred to Jaipur airport for a flight to Delhi. Those continuing on, or joining the second half of the ride will drive to Rohet. Drive to Rohet (about 5 hours) where we will meet a new set of horses. We will stay at Rohet Garh (castle) which belongs to the former chief of Rohet. He is the 12th direct descendant of its first ruler and he and his family are our hosts. Rohet stands on a lake shore and is an oasis amid the sandy dryness of the surrounding Marwar country. The architecture is a blend of traditional Rajput and colonial. Comparatively few tourists come here and we will have a warm welcome. One can roam freely around the village, visit local craftsmen and see a good example of authentic rural Rajasthan.
Day 12
Ride around Rohet where we have a chance to try out the new horses in open country. We can also visit some smaller villages nearby inhabited by other religious sects with very different customs, and may have a chance to visit local craftsmen.
Day 13
We will ride from Rohet to the Sardar Samand Lake Resort (about 25 kms) - a "mini" palace owned by the Maharaja of Jodhpur. Built in the 1930's, this palace is beautifully situated at the edge of the lake. There will be many birds around the lake, some of them arriving from their summer homes in Siberia.
Day 14
Ride for about 46 kms to Sodawas, traversing several small villages on the way which give a wonderful sense of rural India. Water buffalo, cows, pigs, camels and poultry are everywhere. Sometimes one sees oxen turning wheels to bring up water. The villagers are extremely friendly and show the greatest interest in us. (A jeep has been hired for those not feeling up to this long day in the saddle) Lodging tonight will be in a very comfortable, two-story farmhouse located about one km. from Sodawas. This property is owned by relatives of the Royal Family of Jodhpur and has a lovely sitting room, dining hall and terrace. The home is furnished with antique furniture and photographs of the royal family. An eight ft. wall surrounds the property and there is stabling for about 18 horses.
Day 15
Ride about 43 kms. from Sodawas to Kotri village. The country is open scrub with a few small villages along the way. Kotri is a somewhat larger village on the side of a hill with caves and temples. We will stay in the home of the local chief. Bathing and toilet facilities must be shared here, but we feel it is worth it because the place has tremendous charm. This is ancient India at its most picturesque.
Day 16
We will ride the 30 kilometre from Kotri to Ranakpur, located on the edge of the Aravalli Hills which are the highest in India after the Himalayas. There is a beautiful and intricate 14th century Jain temple which we will visit. Overnight at the Maharani Bagh Orchard Retreat. This is a small hotel with cottages in the midst of an orchard and belongs to the Maharaja of Jodhpur.
Day 17
Ride about 20 kms. to the fortress of Kumbhalgarh situated at about 3,000 ft. on top of a hill in rugged country. The ride traverses hilly country in the wildlife sanctuary of Kumbhalgarh which is inhabited by leopard, sloth bear, sambhar deer, four horned antelope and wild boar. Parts of the sanctuary are heavily forested. The path we take is an ancient camel and horse road closed to vehicles. The fortress itself was built by Maharana Kumbha of Mewar. It is famous for its parapets that are 36 kms. in circumference. The location is a spellbinding one and well off the normal tourist routes. The architecture of the castle is fascinating and it appears totally impregnable. Overnight in a small hotel nearby.
Day 18
After a leisurely breakfast, drive 80 kms. to Udaipur where we will spend the afternoon shopping and sightseeing. Lodging will be in the luxurious Shiv Niwas Palace Hotel, or similar
Day 19
Flight to Delhi in the evening. Those who are departing that night will share day rooms.
THE ITINERARY On THIS HORSE RIDING HOLIDAY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES.
Please note: Single supplements apply as follows: Pushkar Fair ride entire ride £1069, 1st half £665, 2nd half £709
NOTES - PUSHKAR FAIR, RAJASTHAN
GETTING TO DELHI
As a fully ATOL bonded and registered agency we would be delighted to book your flights for you. If you would like to book your own flights please see our flights page for some options.
The weight limit for this ride is 15 st/209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All accommodation,full board on riding portion and Pushkar, breakfast in the cities, all riding, luggage transfer, back up vehciles, ful camp staff, English speaking guide, all internal transfers (road transfers and airfare Delhi to Delhi), sightseeing in cities, some monument entrance fees.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International airfare, lunch and dinner in cities, drinks, monument entrance fees in Delhi, camera fees, laundry, tips.
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