This equestrian break travels from Palace to Palace on beautiful Marwari horse, retracing old routes and following horseback trails along the foothills of the Aravelli Hills. Overnight in small family country Palaces that give an insight into another era, staying in rooms that exude the old world charm of days gone by. Dine by candlelight and soak up the architecture of these old family homes. Explore the amazing Jain temple at Ranakpur en route while riding along sandy tracks between the softly moulded hills while passing rural villages and lakes. Perfect for intermediate horseback rides upward.
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Day 1
Arrive at Udaipur airport and meet the taxi transfer to the hotel. After check in, meet for a late afternoon boat ride around Lake Pichola. Surrounded by the ridges of the wooded Aravalli Hills stretching away in every direction, Udaipur's setting is unmatched in Rajasthan, and arguably in all India. Fantastical palaces, temples, and countless narrow, crooked, colourful streets add the human counterpoint to the city’s natural charms. Overnight: hotel at Udaipur.
Day 2
Morning sightseeing Udaipur: Udaipur is a city of cream, rose and honeysuckle hues. The huge, cupola-crowned City Palace lines the eastern shore of Lake Pichola, with its balconies facing Udaipur’s other famous landmark, the Lake Palace – a fairy-tale confection that seems to float on the lake’s waters, gleaming by day and spotlit by night. Eastward, away from the lake shore, extends a tangled inner city of lanes lined with homes, temples, shops and businesses that make for fascinating exploring. Afternoon: Transfer by road North to Kumbhalgarh 2hour Overnight: hotel at Kumbhalgarh.
Day 3
Morning visit to Kumbhalgarh Fort: The 15th century Kumbhalgarh Fort is the second most important fort in Rajasthan. Encircled by thirteen elevated mountain peaks, the fort is constructed on the topmost ridges (+/-1,914m). The fortifications extend 36 kilometres making this the second longest wall next to China's Great Wall. The huge complex has numerous palaces, temples and gardens.
Start the horse safari in the late morning. Meet the Marwari horses and after matching rider to horse, ride slowly down through the Khumbalgarh Sanctuary and Ghanerao forest. Arrive at the sanctuary near Kumbhalgarh Fort and follow old paths through the wood while crossing small rivers on the way to the Ghanerao forest. This shaded, quiet route is home to small wildlife. Enjoy a late picnic lunch en route. Standing watch over the small village of Ghanerao is the Ghanerao Rawla (castle) - a magnificent showcase of Marble and Red sandstone Rajput Architecture built in 1606 that serves as the home of the royal family who still reside here. The castle has 17 beautiful rooms, having their own quaint sit outs and verandas. A museum is being developed where one can see the old elephant hodas and palkis which were used by the rulers when elephants and horses were the only means of travel.
The House of Ghanerao has also been patron of the unique style Rajput miniature paintings. A School of Ghanerao Paintings is still functioning in the village and employs local artists Overnight at Ghanerao Castle.
Day 4
Today is a full-day ride to Ranakpur, passing through villages and riding in the plains of the Aravalli hills. Stop for a picnic lunch before visiting the marble Jain Temple at Ranakpur, built in the 15th Century and with intricate carving, this is one of the most spectacular Jain temples in Rajasthan. Overnight: hotel at Ranakpur.
Day 5
Another full-day ride to Jodha Stud today. Ride along the bottom of the Aravalli hills heading to the horses base at Jodha Stud Shobhawas. Pass villages and rural farmsteads while riding through the smooth volcanic rock formations. Stop in a shady spot for a picnic lunch before arriving at the ‘Palace for Horses’ set on the edge of a riverbed. Overnight: Jodha Stud.
Day 6
Today's full-day ride passes lakes and villages to arrive at the old haveli in the village of Narlai. Rawla Narlai is a delightful 17th century property, which was once a favourite hunting lodge of the Jodhpur Royal Family. It is still owned by members of the Jodhpur family who have invested vast amounts of time, money, love and care into its restoration as a stylish boutique hotel with all its original character and structure retained. The rooms are scattered all around the property and each varies significantly in shape, size and décor. Say goodbye to the horses. Overnight: hotel at Rawla Narlai.
Day 7
Early morning departure for Jodhpur by road, and spend the afternoon sightseeing Mehrangarh Fort. The Fort stands a hundred feet tall on a perpendicular cliff, four hundred feet above the skyline of Jodhpur. Burnished red sand stone, imposing, invincible and beautiful at the same time. Much has been written about this 'Citadel of the Sun', and it is one of the most impressive in all Rajasthan. So colossal are its proportions that Rudyard Kipling called it “the work of giants”. Today, it is acknowledged as one of the best preserved fort in India. Overnight: hotel in Jodhpur.
Day 8
After breakfast, departure for onward destination.
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 horse breed is one of five recognised indigenous horses of India. The name derives from its homeland, the Marwar region of Rajasthan. They are capable of covering long distances with good speed and can withstand intense heat and adverse climatic conditions. Marwari are known for their intelligence, spirit, stamina, endurance, alertness, loyalty, elegance, beauty, and animated gait. They average between 15hh ~ 16hh, are naturally lean, but the most recognised feature is their unique lyre shaped ears that rotate as well as touch at the tips. Their conformation, adapted for desert conditions, gives them an unequalled grace and balance.
There are 80 Marwari, most home bred and trained to English riding, using the Indian Sawar saddle, ensuring the right horse for each rider. They are very intuitive and responsive and are accustomed to a bit of neck raining / riding with one hand.
Varied speeds and terrain. Pace is to suit group
The weight limit for this ride is 198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
The hotels are a mixture of heritage havelis, castles & forts, or hotels above 3* rating and while some are grand, but modest in decoration, others offer every modern luxury. Rooms are en-suite. 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. All rides are full board and dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice. Please advise when 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/un-boiled 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.
The is WiFi coverage at the accommodation, but sometimes only in reception area. On the ride there is good network coverage but a few black holes. Recommend that guests purchase an eSIM through AIRALO for cheap data. If using a GoPro please ensure you have the permission of 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
- 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
- Swimming gear (some of the resorts have nice pools.)
- Wide brimmed hat
- 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
This ride has an 8 day / 7 night / 4 riding day itinerary
2025: Dates on request throughout the year Sept - June
Fixed departures: 8 - 15 Nov; 27 Dec - 3 Jan
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | £ | |
| 2025 | 8d/7n | 4 | double pp | 3,669 |
| 2025 | 8d/7n | 4 | single supplement | 299 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | € | |
| 2025 | 8d/7n | 4 | double pp | 3,469 |
| 2025 | 8d/7n | 4 | single supplement | 355 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | US $ | |
| 2025 | 8d/7n | 4 | double pp | 3,735 |
| 2025 | 8d/7n | 4 | single supplement | 369 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | SEK | |
| 2025 | 8d/7n | 4 | double pp | 40,859 |
| 2025 | 8d/7n | 4 | single supplement | 4,075 |
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
During the ride it is possible you will see some of the wide range of small antelope species which inhabit the area. There are also many interesting birds and reptiles
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.
