This 12-night itinerary combines superb horseback riding with a fascinating cultural journey that allows riders to immerse themselves in the traditions of India, culminating in the colourful Holi Festival. Follow the equestrian trail to visit shrines, temples, forts and palaces along the route, and have the chance to view leopard in their natural environment while overnighting in Perwa and Jawai Bandh. Holi is the Hindu celebration of colour, love and spring, and is an unforgettable experience for visitors to India. Accommodation is a combination of hotels and comfortable tented camps. Ideal for Intermediate horseback riders and above.
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Day 1
Meet the guide at Udaipur airport and transfer to the hotel. Check in and relax before enjoying a sunset boat ride around Lake Pichola before dinner and the first night of this adventure. Accom: Hotel Pichola/Udai Kothi (or similar)
Day 2
After breakfast, riders spend the morning exploring the sights, smells and colours of Udaipur, considered one of the most romantic places in Rajasthan. Visit the City Palace, with its balconies looking out across the lake toward the Lake Palace that seems to float on the water's surface. Walk the crooked streets while visiting temples, shrines, shops and stalls. After lunch, transfer to Kumbhalgarh to overnight at a hotel.
Day 3
This morning riders visit the Kumbhalgarh Fort. Built in the 15th-century, this 'unconquerable' fortress has a 36km long wall which some consider the second-longest after the Great Wall of China. The complex has numerous temples, palaces and gardens to explore. In the afternoon the riders will meet the horses and start the journey through the National Park to reach Muthana Lake and the tented camp where the group spend the night.
Day 4
It is a full day of riding through villages and the landscape of the Aravalli hills. Stop for a picnic lunch before continuing to Dantiwara Lake to spend the night in a tented camp.
Day 5
After breakfast, head out on a full day ride through scrubland acacia forest to Perwa. The village is located one side of rocky mountain and live in harmony with the numerous leopard living on the other side! Overnight at a tented camp.
Day 6
Another full day ride through more scrubland forest and rocky hills to Jawai Bandh, a small village situated on the Jawai river and also famous for its leopard populaion. Overnight in a tented Camp.
Day 7
The day is spent exploring the lake on horseback while trying to spot leopard. In the late afternoon, join a jeep safari to head deeper into the surrounding countryside to see these secretive large cats. Overnight at the tented camp at Jawai Bandh
Day 8
After a morning ride transfer to Ranakpur, a village surrounded by the Aravalli Hills and home to the most important temple in Jain faith, Chaumukha Mandir. This 15th-century marvel is constructed entirely from white marble and comprises of a staggering 29 halls, 80 domes, 400 columns and 1,444 individually engraved pillars. It is a sight hard to forget. Overnight at either a tented camp, or hotel in Ranakpur.
Day 9
Today's route heads to the village of Ghanerao, steeped in history and home to numerous Hindu and Jain temples. Overnight at Ghanerao Castle, a 15th century structure of marble and red sandstone that has been aestheically renovated.
Day 10
Leave in the morning for a full day ride through the Aravelli landscape to Jodha Stud Farm. Tonight begins the celebrations with a Holika Dahan bonfire and dinner with traditional music and dance. Overnight at Jodha Stud FarmTented camp
Day 11
Spend the morning celebrating the wonderful Hindu festival of Holi while librarally coating everyone, and everything, with the coloured powders that symbolise and celebrate colour, love and spring. After a shower, change of clothes, and lunch, say goodbye to the horses before transferring to 15th century village of Narlai. Overnight at the Hotel Rawla Narlai (or similar)
Day 12
After breakfast, depart for Jodhpur by road stopping along the way for lunch and a visit to the Mehrangarh Fort rising 400ft above the suppronding plains. Overnight at a hotel in Jodhpur (Balsamand Lake Palace or Ranbanka Palace - or similar)
Day 13
After breakfast, transfer to the airport.
Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
The Marwari horses are indigenous to India and range from 14hh to 16hh. Bred to lift the heart in battle and please the eye, the Marwari is easily recognised by its proud carriage. The upright graceful neck and distinctive aquiline head, unique inward curling or scimitar shaped ears set high on the poll, is unique to the breed.
They are warm blooded, forward going and very light to ride - a little like Arab and Thoroughbred horses. They are kind natured, intelligent, surefooted and swift to respond to their riders wishes. The riding style is English and the tack utilised is cavalry saddles and usually snaffle bridles. The Marwari is loyal, tireless and competitive, and the perfect mount for this exciting adventure.
Riders should be happy to ride fit, responsive horses at a walk, trot and canter. There is plenty of assistance on hand with mounting and dismounting and this is a full service ride (so no need to groom or tack up the horses). In special cases, on request, we can split the group into faster and slower riders. Please note that the Holi Festival of Colour can be chaotic uncomfortable experience and not to everyone's taste.
The weight limit for this ride is 198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
Accommodation is in a selection of castles, palaces and heritage hotels on twin share basis and has a wonderful local flavour in some impressive settings. The camping is in comfortable 2-man tents with separate ablutions.
The meals have an Indian flavour but European dishes are also provided as desired. The hygiene standards are scrupulous and there is always bottled mineral water at hand. Please advise of any dietary requirements while booking.
Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures and requirements while travelling. You’ll need to get a visa before travelling to India. This can be applied for online at the following website, www.indianvisaonline.gov.in Make sure you get the right visa for your travel and that it’s valid for the purpose and duration of your stay. If you enter India on the wrong visa, you could be detained on arrival and you may be deported and blacklisted, meaning that you cannot enter India again. Make sure you meet entry requirements. You can find further information on the Indian High Commission website or the Indian Immigration Bureau website. To avoid possible problems at immigration, make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of entry into India. Your passport must be machine readable, with 2 blank pages for your visa and valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of your visa application. Always keep a copy of your passport and your Indian visa separate from your passport, in case of loss Airport tax User Development Fees (UDF) apply at many airports. The fees are around Rs.1,000 per international passenger and Rs.150 to 260 per domestic passenger. This should already be included in the cost of airline tickets. If for any reason the fee is not included in your ticket it will be collected at the airport check-in counter in Indian rupees. Passport and Visa requirements can change regularly depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india In the USA: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/India.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/india
Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions
The temperature although warm during the day (max 30C) will drop in the evenings to approx 13C. It is therefore essential to have a warm fleece to hand especially when camping.
COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.
Mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever occur all year round. There’s been an increase in the number of cases of dengue fever, including in New Delhi.
Health authorities have classified India as having a risk of Zika virus transmission.
Cases of Chikungunya Virus have been confirmed in India, including in New Delhi. You should take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in India and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.
You should make sure you have sufficient medical supplies (including prescription medicines) for the duration of your stay and any unforeseen delays, adequate travel insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation.
Sunscreen and insect repellent is advised.
As with all countries where the bacteria present in water and around food are not those to which we are accustomed you are advised to exercise a degree of care. Bottled water is widely available, but check that bottle seals are intact and water levels reach the top. Fruit and raw vegetables which can be peeled are fine. Avoid ice cubes, diluted fruit juices and any unpasteurized/unboiled milk.
In India the supply voltage is 230V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 230V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly.
Electricity is available on all hotel nights for charging electronic equipment. Mobile phone reception and 3G is widely available, many hotels have wifi. If using a GoPro please obtain the permission from the group to be filmed.
While the days are warm (25 - 35°C), the nights can get a bit chilly (04 - 15°C). The coldest months are December and January.
- Riding Helmet - we strongly recommend that you wear a properly fitted riding helmet of the current standard which is PAS015 or BSEN1384
- Gloves
- Jodhpurs - jodhpurs, breeches or other comfortable trousers (jeans may rub and can also be quite hot)
- Riding Boots - it is important to have correct shoes or boots for horse riding. Jodhpur or ankle boots with a rubber sole are recommended but sturdy shoes with a definite heel are acceptable (such as walking boots)
- Half Chaps - these are great when worn with ankle boots and help prevent the stirrup leathers rubbing against your legs
- Long sleeved shirts
- Scarves for the dust
- Jacket/cardigan for the evenings and mornings
- Thermal underwear
- Change of shoes for evenings
- Windcheater or light waterproof
- Warm woollen or fleece clothing
- Thick socks
- Wide brimmed hat
- Swimming gear (some of the resorts have nice pools.)
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Personal Items - toiletries, any medicines you require and please be sure to take insect repellent, anti malaria pills
- Refillable Water Bottle - it's very important to drink a lot of water when it's hot, especially when doing physical activities
- Camera, spare Batteries/Chargers - an absolute must! It is also a good idea to take a camera case you can strap around your waist or onto a belt for whilst you are riding
13d / 12n programme with 7 riding days. One fixed departure date in March.
2025: 4 - 15 March
2026: 22 Feb - 6 Mar
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | £ | |
| 2025 | 13d/12n | 6 | double pp | 3,985 |
| 2025 | 13d/12n | 6 | single supplement | 599 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | € | |
| 2025 | 13d/12n | 6 | double pp | 4,715 |
| 2025 | 13d/12n | 6 | single supplement | 709 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | US $ | |
| 2025 | 13d/12n | 6 | double pp | 5,069 |
| 2025 | 13d/12n | 6 | single supplement | 735 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | SEK | |
| 2025 | 13d/12n | 6 | double pp | 55,475 |
| 2025 | 13d/12n | 6 | single supplement | 8,145 |
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.
India (Lonely Planet Country Guides)
City of Djinns 
The Great Railway Bazaar: By Train Through Asia 
An Indian Summer
Into India
No Full Stops in India
Rajasthan; India's Enchanted Land
Rajasthan; Land of Kings
The Royal Palaces of India
Arts and Crafts of Rajasthan
Plain Tales from the Raj
On the ride it is possible you will see some of the wide range of antelope species which inhabit the area. There are also many interesting birds and reptiles. Perwa and Jawai Bandh and famous for the colonies of leopard that live alongside the villagers.
PERSONAL TOILETRIES: For peace of mind it is recommended that should you require any sanitaryware you take this with you. A toilet roll with inner cardboard tube removed will take up little space and may be an invaluable item.
BEGGARS: You will not visit India without coming into contact with many distressing facets of this unfortunate community. Without appearing harsh, it is strongly advised by the Indian Authorities and charity workers in the country not to give to these people. Should you wish to do something extra to help these communities then a donation to an established charity will go much further and give you a relatively hassle free visit.
TAXIS/RICKSHAWS; In major cities these should be metered and have a tariff rate. If in doubt agree a fare before departing and check that the meter is used. Do not be persuaded to go where the drivers get commission
India forms a natural sub-continent with the Himalayas to the north. The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, which are sections of the Indian Ocean, lie to the west and east respectively.
The official language of India is Hindi written in the Devanagari script and spoken by some 30% of the population as a first language. Since 1965 English has been recognised as an 'associated language'. In addition there are 18 main and regional languages recognised for adoption as official state languages. There are another 24 languages, 720 dialects and 23 tribal languages.
India will sideswipe you with its size, clamour and diversity - especially if you enjoy delving into convoluted cosmologies and thrive on sensual overload. Nothing in the country is ever quite predictable; the only thing to expect is the unexpected, which comes in many forms and will always want to sit next to you.
The time difference for India is GMT/UTC +5.5hrs and the dialling code is +91. India has adopted metric weights and measures.
