This riding holiday 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.
For experienced riders you may also wish to consider this Pushkar itinerary - this ride is excellent value for money!
Trip length
Pushkar Fair 20d/19n or 12d/11n first half, 12d/11n second half
All road transfers are included. Internal air fares are not included and are estimated for 2012 at:
Udaipur/Delhi US$212 (whole ride), Jaipur/Delhi (First Half) US$154, both for second half.
Transfer time is approximately 45 minutes at peak times and 25 minutes for early morning/late night arrivals.
No supplement if rider is willing to share and a sharer can be found.
2012 - first half: £1,005/€1,219/$1,475
SAMPLE ITINERARY - PUSHKAR FAIR, RAJASTHAN
Day 1
Arrive in Delhi and spend the night at the Hotel Imperial, or similar. Depending on your arrival time there may be a sight seeing tour of Delhi scheduled - morning tours start at 9:30am and afternoon tours start at 2pm.
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 Ride to Kochor (about 30 Kms.). Ride trough a varied terrain consisting of flat land and sand dunes, passing through quaint villages and farmland. After lunch you get to see a big salt water lake with the hills in the background. Overnight in tented camp near Kochor village.
Day 8 Ride to Danta (about 20 Kms). This last day’s ride is a short one – you ride along the salt flats for some time and across a spectacular landscape of sand dunes, hills and farmlands - cross several villages and see a couple of old forts till you reach Danta Fort. The ancient village of Danta, is surrounded by two fortresses on top of a hill an one of them is now a hotel - called Dera Danta Fort.
Day 9
After an early breakfast, drive to Jaipur ( about 03 hrs drive) and transfer to Hotel Raj Palace or similar.
Afte lunch, sightseeing of Jaipur :
JAIPUR : The rose-pink capital of Rajasthan, is surrounded on all sides by rugged hills, crowned with forts. Enclosed by embattled walls, the city was built early in the eighteenth century. The Maharaja's palace stands in the centre of the city amidst lovely gardens. Houses with latticed windows line the streets, their rose-pink colour lending enchantment to the scene and almost magical at sunset. Jaipur is aptly called the " Pink City of India". It takes its name from the famous Maharana Sawai Jai Singh, who founded the city in 1728. A keen astronomer, he built an observatory which still exists and is equipped with quaint masonry instruments of remarkable size.
Jaipur is noted for its craftsmen skilled in the art of cutting precious stones and famed for its garnets and rubies. It is equally well known for brass inlay work, lacquer work and the printings of muslins.
CITY SIGHTSEEING : The City Palace which now houses a museum containing rare manuscripts, painting and an armoury; the Jantar Mantar observatory- built in the 17th century by Jai Singh- with a sundial 90ft.high; the Museum admist the Ram Niwas Palace Gardens founded in 1876 with a large collection of antiques; the palace of Winds, a landmark
of Jaipur made of pink sandstone and of unique design.
Clients only doing the second half will join the tour here.
Day 10
After an early breakfast, sightseeing of Amber Fort :
AMBER FORT : 12 Kms. from Jaipur. lies the city of Amber with an ancient imposing fort cum Palace overlooking the lake at the entrance to a rocky mountain grove. Built in the 17th century, the palace is a distinguished specimen of of Rajput architecture. The Jai Mandir (hall of victory) is so delicately ornamented with fine inlay work that it glows. The fort of Jaigarh, crowning the summit of a peak is of amazing beauty and grandeur.
P.M. : After an early lunch, drive to Pushkar (about 03 Hrs. drive). Arrive Pushkar and transfer to Pushkar Resorts - which is a very luxurious resort and is like an oasis in the desert.
In the evening, visit the Pushkar Town :
Pushkar : Excitement, gaiety and keen sense of competition fill the air as the long journey to Pushkar begins. Spirited columns of people with camels, horses, bullock-carts, cars and jeeps head for Pushkar soon after Diwali.
The origin of Pushkar is lost in myth. It is believed that Brahma, the creator, was in search of a place to perform a Vedic yagna (sacrifice). As he pondered, a lotus fell from his hands and water gushed from the spot. Today, the faithful bathe in the holy waters of the Pushkar lake on Kartik Poornima (full moon in November). And on its banks, a mammoth 200000 people and some 50000 cattle become a part of the annual Pushkar fair.
The fair offers a matchless opportunity to trade in cattle and leather goods. Womenfolk shop for bangles, clothes, utensils and sundry household items.
The most dramatic events of the festivities are the cattle auction and the camel race.
Sports involving the camel - the friend of the desert folk of Rajasthan are a legion. Equally diverting are the gaily-dressed rural folk.
Overnight at Pushkar Resort
Day 11
We spend the day at the Pushkar Fair.
Day 12 This morning, those doing only the first half of this horse riding holiday will be transferred to Jaipur airport for a flight to Delhi.
For Guests doing only the first half of the Ride : Transfer to Jaipur in time for flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to International Airport in time for flight for abroad.
Guests doing the full ride or only second half : After an early breakfast, drive to Rohet (about 05 hrs drive). Arrive Rohet by lunch time and transfer to Hotel Rohetgarh.
Overnight at Rohetgarh.
ROHETGARH : This is the 16th Century fortified desert home (now a hotel) of the descendents of the Rathore clan. It is like an oasis in the Desert. Sprawling landscaped gardens complete with wild peacocks and a beautifully designed swimming pool with four charming pavilions at each corner where musicians perform in the evening as dinner is served by the poolside. This is a recognised Heritage Hotel and unlike many other hotels of its kind, Rohetgarh was never abandoned and has housed the present family for over 300 years.
Day 13
Try out the Horses in and around Rohet and ride to the nearby villages inhabited by farmers and the “Bishnoi” people who are great environmentalists and protect the wild animals and other gifts of nature. Besides riding on a good terrain you get to visit the homes of the villagers and see the life style of these people. The area boasts of good wildlife comprising of the Blackbuck and Nilgai Antelopes and the Chinkara Gazelle besides a variety of bird life.
Overnight at Rohetgarh.
Day 14
After an early breakfast, ride from Rohet to Sardar Samand (about 26 kms).Overnight in Sardar Samand Palace. Riding time about 5 hours.
This day's ride is done in one stretch - that is, we have lunch in Sardar Samand. The ride passes through several villages and farm lands and through acacia bush. The reason for finishing the ride by lunch time is that the Sardar Samand Palace is a very nice property situated on top of a small hill facing a very large lake usually full of birds. There is a swimming pool also. It is good to relax and spend some time here.
SARDAR SAMAND : A superb art deco hunting lodge built by
Maharaja Umaid Singh of Jodhpur in 1933 and still retaining the original fittings. The resort offers the most spectacular views overlooking a large lake teeming with bird life.
Day 15 After an early breakfast, ride from Sardar Samand to Sodawas (about 46 Kms.). Overnight in Hotel Karni Kot in Sodawas. This days ride is a bit longish and takes about 07 Hours but is quite interesting passing through several villages and farm lands. The landscape changes dramatically after lunch and you get to see hills and lakes.
The hotel in Sodawas was built in 1945 and used to be the home of the local chieftain. It was also used as “court” where the chief used to settle the disputes - but now has been converted into a hotel and is being run by the descendents of the local chief. This property has beautifully designed stables.
Day 16 16 Ride from Sodawas to Kotri (about 36 Kms).
Riding time about 06 hours. There is a dramatic change in the landscape from this day onwards – besides passing through several villages, you see a lot of hills all around and can even see the Aravali range of Hills – which you would be climbing when going to Kumbhalgarh.
The Rawla Kotri is the private house of the local chief and is more than three hundred years old and has a lot of charm. It is situated in the midst of the Kotri Village which is a small but interesting village inhabited by farmers and artisans.
Day 17
Ride from Kotri to Ranakpur (about 26 Kms). Riding time about 04 to 05 Hours. Overnight in the "Maharani Bagh Orchard Retreat" - a lovely property comprising of cottages built by the Maharaja of Jodhpur in the midst of an orchard. This days ride is also finished by lunch time so that you can visit the famous 14th Century Jain Temples - which are no less than the Taj Mahal in beauty. Ranakpur is situated in the peaceful valley of the Aravali range of hills which are supposed to be older than the great Himalayas.
RANAKPUR is situated in the peaceful valley of the Aravali range of hills which are supposed to be older than the great Himalayas. Ranakpur is mainly associated with its huge but beautiful 14/15th century Jain Temples, constructed of white marble. The Ranakpur temple complex is the biggest in India having 29 halls and 1444 pillars each of which are intricately carved. The temples are no less than the Taj Mahal in beauty and splendor.
Overnight at Maharani Bagh Orchard Retreat
Day 18 Ride from Ranakpur to Kumbhalgarh (about 20 Kms) through the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary in the Aravali Hills. Riding time is about 05 hours. The ride after lunch is quite slow as you have to climb about 2000 feet through a beautiful forest. If lucky, you might come across a leopard or a sloth bear. Overnight in Kumbhalgarh at the AODHI hotel - which is an excellent Hotel/Resort set up in the Aravali hills. It also has a lovely swimming pool.
KUMBHALGARH : Also known as the “eye of Mewar” lie atop the Aravali range of hills at a height of about 3500 feet. The seat of the world’s oldest dynasty, it hold the distinction of being unconquered. Rearing its frame bravely through time and bearing the honour and pride of the Rajputs.
The Kumbhalgarh fort was built in the 15th Century by a Rajput ruler, Maharana Kumbha of Mewar. The fort has structurally been an unassailable
destination – guarded by several iron gates and walls that were impossible to scale. The fort is famous for its parapets having a parameter of 36 Kms. around the fort and wide enough to hold eight horses. It is like a mini great wall of China. Within the Fort are more than 350 temples spread over the entire area. The scenic surroundings are spellbinding.
Overnight at Aodhi hotel.
Day 19
After breakfast drive to Udaipur (about 3 Hours drive). Arrive Udaipur
and check in at the Shiv Niwas Palace or similar hotel.
Later, sightseeing of City Palace and Boat ride in Lake Pichola :
UDAIPUR : Set amidst the verdant Aravali hills of southern Rajasthan, Udaipur is a serene and beautiful city. In dramatic contrast to the battle-scarred, desert-bound fortress towns of Rajasthan, it presents an enchanting picture of white marble palaces,
placid blue lakes, and a girdle of green hills that keep the wilderness at bay.
Udaipur, also known as the city of lakes, was founded by Maharana Udai Singh after he was overcome by the misfortunes that his old capital of Chittorgarh had to face. Repeatedly sacked by the Mughal armies, the Chittorgarh Fort (120 Kms from Udaipur) saw some very fierce battles. In 1567, the army of Emperor Akbar sacked the fort and forced Maharana Udai Singh to seek refuge in the surrounding
Aravali hills. Udai Singh then, on the advice of a holy man, set about building the new city of Udaipur.
The City Palace is a work of art and has many carved balconies, arches and decorated pillars. Located inside are the Suraj Jharokha or the Sun Balcony, Badal Mahal, Sheesh Mahal (Mahal means Palace), Bheem Vilas and the peacock courtyard. The Zenana Mahal, Fateh Prakash, Durbar Hall and the City Palace Museum are other places of interest.
Close to the City Palace is the Jagdish Temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath. It has imposing sculpted figures and heavily ornamented interiors.
At a short distance is the Sahelion ki Bari (the Garden of Maidens) which has four pools and delicately carved kiosks and elephants in white marble.
Overnight in Udaipur
Day 20 AM : In Udaipur
PM : Transfer to Airport in time for flight leaving for Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to a hotel near the airport where a couple of rooms would be available for wash and change. Later, transfer to the International Airport in time for flight for abroad.
THE ITINERARY On THIS HORSE RIDING HOLIDAY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES.
NOTES - PUSHKAR FAIR, RAJASTHAN
Single supplement policy The single supplement is compulsory if booking alone but halved if you are willing to share and we cannot find you a sharer.
The weight limit for this ride is 15 st/209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
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WHAT IS INCLUDED
All accommodation, full board on riding portion and Pushkar, breakfast in the cities, all riding, luggage transfer, back up vehicles, full camp staff, English speaking guide, all internal road transfers, sightseeing in cities.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights (international and internal), lunch and dinner in cities, drinks, monument entrance fees, camera fees, laundry, tips.
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Reading List We're avid readers here at Unicorn Trails and have selected several books connected to this ride. If you're interested in reading more about the area before you travel, or want to get into the cultural background, here are some suggestions that may inspire you. Click on the links for more information.
What you see on our web site is exactly how much your invoice will come to and this will not change once booked. Unlike some other companies the prices on our web site are fully inclusive of often hidden extras such as: VAT, Sales Tax, state taxes, city taxes, service charges, non-optional tips, fuel surcharges which can add 20% or more to the advertised cost. Prices are available in £ sterling, Euros and US$. Once invoiced, prices are guaranteed against adverse currency fluctuations. Contact us for package prices which include flights from the UK and see each ride for exact details of all items in individual itineraries.
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