Experienced riders will love this fast paced riding holiday featuring all the colour and culture of Rajasthan. We start in Jodhpur, the centre of Rajasthan, the largest province of India and home of the Mogul empire. Mounted on Marwari horses, forward going, quick and kind, ideally adapted to the desert sand of Rajasthan we ride for seven days through the deserts and villages to the mountain fort of Kumbalgarh.
En route we stay in historical forts and old palaces (sometimes grand, sometimes modest) as well as fully serviced camp sites. We end at the Hotel Lake Pichola Palace in Udaipur to relax and shop. We visit all important sights en route and have many opportunities to visit villages while riding. All in all a perfect balance between culture and riding. The Pushkar Fair date incorporates a visit to this huge cultural event.
No supplement if rider is willing to share and a sharer can be found. Otherwise from:
2012 Kumbalgarh Jan - Mar: £219/€265/$349
2012 Kumbalgarh Nov - Dec: £249/€295/$389
SAMPLE ITINERARY - RAJASTHAN KUMBALGARH RIDE
Day 1
Arrive late in Delhi and transfer to hotel.
Day 2 In the morning departure to by train to Jodhpur. Visit the imposing fortress of Mehrangarh overlooking the city. The end of day is free time. We overnight at the Palace of Balsamand or similar.
Day 3 Jodphur to Khandi Wilderness Camp, a small exclusive tented camp set in open semi-desert country. After lunch you will meet your guide and try out the horses in the evening.
Day 4
Meet your horses and start today's ride going through the semi-desert territory of Bishnois. Visit the large village of Rohet in a beautifully restored palace. You can explore the village life and enjoy the pool.
Day 5 Ride at all paces within the domain of the tribe of Bishnois - peaceful shepherds who do not hunt and a safe haven for herds of gazelles, antelopes and cervicapra with beautiful black horns. We overnight at the sumptuous art deco palace Sadar Samand or similar.
Day 6 This morning you will have the opportunity to observe cranes, antelopes and gazelles in a landscape of pink granite hills. Lunch will be under the trees near the Jawal temple. Then we will head south where the landscape becomes more arid. Arrive at Kotri and discover the village and the daily lives of its inhabitants. Overnight in a family palace.
Day 7 Ride through irrigated areas and herds of animals. Arrive at Rawla Narla where you'll have time to visit the picturesque village and its many temples, impressive ancient wells and old cenotaphs with their images to the memory of the deceased. Night in a palatial hotel full of charm.
Day 8 Your horse will take you through small stone villages which are busy with harvesting cotton, rapeseed and wheat. Arrival at Ranakpur. Visit 14th century Jain temples with their sophisticated design and interior of white marble grandeur, a wonder! Night in quiet bungalows in a mango orchard.
Day 9 Ride through the forest of Arawallis on a gravel path that winds through the forest, once a thick jungle and promoted "wildlife sanctuary" and we look for monkeys, languorous palm squirrels or lynx panthers. The riding tour ends at the fortress of Kumbhalgarh, 35 km of fortifications on which 8 horses can walk abreast. Overnight at hotel in Aodhi.
Day 10 Morning departure to Udaipur. In the afternoon you will discover the city's most romantic Rajasthan Maharaja's palace which enshrines the hill and the bustling crowds at the foot of the Temple Jagdish in the bazaar lined lanes with their many artisan shops. Enjoy unforgettable views of Lake Pichola and its island-marble palace.
Day 11
Free morning to wander the streets of the old White City, where shops are interspersed with temples and house facades are well decorated. Domestic flight to Delhi. By late evening, after achance to refresh in a hotel room, drive to the airport and prepare for flight back to London.
The Pushkar Fair date is timed to coincide with the colourful festival including camel and Marwari horse fairs. This is absolutely amazing to visit and highly recommended. The itinerary includes a few days at the end (Pushkar) to visit the fair and soak up the atmosphere. Accommodation at the fair is in on site fully serviced tented camps to make the most of the atmosphere. An abbreviated itinerary below:
Day 1 Arrive late to Delhi and transfer to hotel
Day 2 Flight to Udaipur, visit
Day 3 Free morning in Udaipur, drive to Fortress of Kumbhalgarh (2hrs)
Day 4 ride from Kumbhalgarh via Ghanerao to Sadri
Day 5 ride via lake to Narlai
Day 6 ride to Kotri
Day 7 am ride to Jawali - lunch pm to Sodawas
Day 8 am ride to Utawan - lunch. PM ride to Sardar Samand
Day 9 ride to Rohet
Day 10 am ride to Luni. Drive to Balsamand - Johdpur. Visit Mehrangarh Fortress
Day 11 Drive to Pushakr
Day 12 Pushkar Fair
Day 13 Drive to Jaipur, visit Royal Palace. Night train to Delhi and drive to airport
Day 14 Flight to Europe
Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and may be altered in accordance with prevailing conditions
NOTES - RAJASTHAN KUMBALGARH RIDE
If 2-4 riders are confirmed at the time of booking a small group supplement will be charged. This is fully refundable if the departure has 5 or more passengers confirmed one month before departure (which is usually the case).
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.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All transfers including internal flights and trains, full board and mineral water during ride except dinner in Johdpur on day 2, English speaking guide, horse team and camp team, all riding and tack, accommodation based on twin sharing in camps site or 3-4* local hotels and excursions and activities listed.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International flights to Delhi, dinner on day 2 in Johdpur, drinks other than mineral water, gratuities and personal extras, visa for India.
Kenya - Masai Mara on horseback A serious exploration of Masai land on horseback. It is just yourself, the horses and the game - the experience of a lifetime! This is a fast ride suitable for advanced riders or parallel jeep safaris for non riders.
Mexico - Las Cavalcades Charming hosts, beautiful accommodation, elegant horses, fine food and plentiful cocktails.
Uruguay - Estancias and Beaches Ride at working estancias, tropical palm groves, protected wetlands, beaches, shipwrecks and marine life such as dolphins, whales and seals on this spectacularly diverse riding expedition across Uruguay.
Wadi Rum
Incredible riding and camping in the middle of the desert surrounded only by hills of granite and desert sand.
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.
21, The Acorn Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 ORA, England
Tel: +44 (0)1767 600606 Fax: +44 (0)1767 312555
Office hours 9am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm Saturday
Email: enquiries@unicorntrails.com http://www.unicorntrails.com
This Website and all of its contents are copyright of Unicorn Trails.
Under no circumstances is any part of this site to be copied or used without written permission.
