Horse Riding Safari in India

India: Royal Rajasthan Horse Safari (Horse Trek)

Using our deep-rooted connections with the Maharaja of Jhalahar and Rao Narendra Singh at Castle Bijaipur, we have developed a classic horse safari that takes you on a journey through a land of Kipling's Jungle Book. Taking a trail well away from the hustle bustle of the busy tourists routes, this is a trip through Indian forests, across grassy plains and into remote and fascinating villages. We will stay with Maharajas in their hunting lodges and camp among deserted forts in elegant tents; we will eat fine food cooked for us by our private cooks and ride the mythical Marwari horses; we visit places few westerners have seen. And most importantly all the while we will be guided by those whose ancestors once owned and ruled these distant lands.

Starting at the colourful camel fair at Chandrabagha, we will ride through a forest sanctuary, weaving our way between southern Rajasthan and northern Madhya Pradesh, before emerging onto the Chambal River. From here we will enter a region of interesting and diverse farmland before heading up onto the Vindhyachal range to end the ride at Castle Bijaipur. We will finish the tour by spending two nights in the fascinating undiscovered town to Bundi. This is a trip for the purist that likes to ride through unspoiled countryside and unexplored villages; a fabulous way to see a side of Rajasthan rarely glimpsed by tourists.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1: Delhi & Jhalawar: The tour starts at midday at our joining hotel. After lunch we'll do some sightseeing in Delhi before having an early dinner and transferring to Nizamuddin Railway Station to catch the night train to Jhalawar.
Night Train (L, D)

Day 2: Jhalawar: Arriving at
Ramganjmandi at 06:00 am, we transfer to Jhalawar (25 km) where we will stay for the next two nights giving us plenty of time to catch our breath after the rigours of the journey. Here we will receive a Royal welcome at the Residence of the former Maharaja of Jhalawar and the
families former hunting lodge; it is a stunning place more akin to a museum than family home. After a rest and lunch we will take our first trip to Chandrabagha Cattle Fair - a truly spectacular event spread over some 100 acres - and take a look at the horses and other animals on sale. After this we will return to the palace for cocktails and dinner.
Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 3: Jhalawar: After a leisurely breakfast we will drive back to the fair and from here walk down to the famous Chandrabagha Temples that date back to 700AD. We will then take lunch back at the palace and in the afternoon, stroll through the fascinating walled city and
visit to the famous Jhaldappatan sun temples. The rest of the afternoon will be spent relaxing at the palace, meeting the horses and for those that wish going for a short ride.
Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 4: Jhalawar & Hinlaigarh Fort: Today we will say goodbye to the Maharaja of Jhalawar and start our horseback journey in earnest to Bijaipur. We will ride through farmlands before climbing up onto a low plateau that will take us into deep Indian jungle. Riding along the ridge we will catch a tantalising glimpse of the amazing ruined 16th century Hinlaigarh Fort standing high upon an opposing cliff like a long-forgotten fairytale. We will ride through the ancient turreted entrance and into what would have been the forts main courtyard. Here, on the ramparts overlooking the jungle, the tents will be set up. We will have sundowners and dinner on the ramparts listening (just as Moghli did) to the noises of the forest, watching the moon rise. (Approx riding time: 6/7hrs)
Camp (B, L, D)

Day 5: Hinlaigarh Fort & Gandhisagar:
Today we ride out of the fort and into
some Gujjar villages, before heading into the light savannah grassland. We will take lunch at a Shiva temple, beside which is one of the most beautiful swimming spots we know. Like Moghli's watering hole this narrow sandstone ravine, surrounded by arjun trees and frequented by kingfishes, parakeets and bee-eaters, is an idyllic spot and we will spend a couple of hours here. In the afternoon we will ride on to
the banks of the Chambal River, stopping for the night at the guesthouse of the irrigation department, located on the edge of a natural cliff overlooking the vast reservoir created by the Gandhisagar Dam. (Approx riding time: 6/7hrs)
Guesthouse (B, L, D)

Day 6: Gandhisagar & Rampura: Once again we start the day by riding through the forest reserve, taking a trail across savannah-like lands that puts one in mind of the Serengeti or even Patagonia. We will then emerge into farmland and take lunch in the small village of Bujj. From here we will leave the horses and head by jeep 16ks to Rampura where we will stay with the royal family. Rampura is an amazing town, totally undiscovered by tourism, yet housing some 1,300 temples. It is a great place to take a walk through the narrow streets, visiting some temples and the once-exquisite royal palace. We will take dinner in the giant courtyard of our royal home. (Approx riding time: 4/5hrs)
Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 7: Rampura & Patloi: In the morning we will have more time to visit the old royal palace. The family lost control of this building when the Marathan invaded in the 1750s. In 1947 it reverted to the government and now our hosts are fighting a legal battle to take it back.
Quite what they'll do with it if they win is hard to imagine, but it really is a very special place and well worth an hours visit. After this we will transfer back to the horses and ride across good fast flat land towards the village of Patloi, on the banks of the Chambal River. Legend has it that the river was born from the blood of sacrificed animals and is therefore cursed. For this reason precious few live
along its banks making it the perfect place for the regions animals to prosper. Among the wildlife we are likely to see will be crocodiles, blue bull and chikara antelope as well as a huge array of birdlife. We will have our camp set up in a pretty spot among the village. As it is a relatively short day today we will have time to read or write up dairies as well as take a stroll through the village to visit the two main castes & the indigenous Bhils and the gypsy Bandaras & to see how they live. We will visit a local fishing community and go for sundowners on the river. There will also be the chance to go for a swim & if you don't mind the crocs that is! (Approx riding time: 5/6hrs)
Camp (B, L, D)

Day 8: Patloi & Devariya: From here we will enter the fertile farmlands that are irrigated by the waters of river Chambal. This is fascinating riding as we see how the farmers make their living from the land & growing among other things mustard, rice, wheat and opium. It is also excellent for birdlife. Our host for today will be the local farming family & relations of our guides & who will also show us around the river. A fresh fish dinner finishes off the day. (Approx riding time: 5/6hrs)
Camp (B, L, D)

Day 9: Devariya & Sandha: Today we will ride across more farmlands and see a lot of local village life. We will stop for lunch at Ratangarh, the biggest town in the area, before continuing on to Sandha where our tented camp will be in place in a quiet rural spot. (Approx riding time: 7hrs)
Camp (B, L, D)

Day 10: Sandha & Jat & Bijaipur: Today we will need to be away early as our last days ride is also one of the longest. Leaving at 0800 we aim to reach the pretty village of Jat by 1000. Here we will stop for tea before riding across two low ranges, through the villages of
Ranawalkakhera and Angora, before emerging at what is probably the most beautiful of all our lunch spots, Motipura Lake. From here it's only a short ride through the countryside to Bijaipur where once again a true royal welcome awaits. Having covered 250-odd kms in 9 days, to
celebrate we have organised a grand dinner party in the evening, making the perfect way to end the ride. (Approx riding time: 7/8hrs)
Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 11: Bijaipur: All day at Bijaipur to relax, swim and go for local walks. There will be yoga* and (well earned!) massage available to help you unwind after the rigours of the journey, which is probably as much as you will want to do! We will then have drinks at one of the rooftops and another special dinner. *NB & Ra Narendra Singh takes the yoga so this will depend on him being available.
Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 12: Bijaipur & Bundi: After breakfast we move east towards Bundi. Our first stop will be at Begun, an authentic rural Indian town steeped in history. We continue on to the Menal temple complex of the Maurya Dynasty. Here we can see Khajuraho erotic iconography dating back 1000 years. After visiting the temples and having a picnic lunch we will move on Bundi which we will reach mid afternoon. The rest of the day will be free to potter.
Guesthouse (B, L, D)

Day 13: Bundi: After breakfast we will take a tour of the small city of Bundi seemingly untouched by modernization. Bundi is famous for its bangle makers and brass pottery but the real attraction is the stunning fort and palace, which we will visit at leisure. In Bundi we will take lunch with a local Brahmin family, a very rare treat as most of the ruling families in Rajasthan are Rajputs. After lunch we will visit the bazaar, the Kipling palace, the royal cenotaphs and a few other sites.
Guesthouse (B, L, D)

Day 14: Bundi & Delhi: After a free morning we will drive to Kota from where we will take the afternoon train to Delhi. Once here we will transfer to our smart city centre hotel, do any last minute shopping, before having a farewell dinner.
Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 15: Delhi: The tour ends after breakfast in Delhi. However a transfer will be available to take clients to the airport to catch international flights back to the UK or beyond.
(B)

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Accommodation In Rajasthan you will experience some of the finest accommodation the subcontinent can offer. From wonderful converted palaces, castles and forts to smart tented camps – you will not be disappointed. Indeed the accommodation we use in Rajasthan is one of the main joys of visiting the land of Kings. However this is still India and in certain forts, facilities are sometimes not quite up to a Western standard and therefore patience is occasionally required.

When out riding, part of your trip will be camping in 2-man, walk-in safari tents. These have proper beds and bed-side tables. Loo and shower tents are provided separately. On this particular trip you will also have the great privilege of staying in private forts – where we will enjoy sundowners on the battlements with yesteryear´s royals – but please bear in mind these homes are not always up to western standards of sophistication. They are however very atmospheric. All hotels mentioned in the itinerary are subject to availability and if not available substitutes will be of a similar quality.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

Sun 21 Nov 2010 to Sun 05 Dec 2010

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