HORSEBACK RIDING TOUR
Duration: 12 Days
Destinations: Delhi - Jodhpur - Luni - Rohet - Sardar Samand - Ranakpur Narlai - Ghanerao - Kumbalgarh - Deogarh - Udaipur - Delhi
Arrive late night at the Indira Gandhi International Airport at New Delhi. Upon arrival, the guests will be met by our representative outside the customs gate and transferred to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel
DAY 2 NEW DELHI
The capital of India has a fascinating history and a stimulating present. Delhi has been the seat of power of a number of dynasties - the Rajputs, the Afghans, the Turks and the Mughals, who continued their imperial line until the British.
Morning, sightseeing tour of Old Delhi, which has some dramatic remnants of the Mughal Empire. Visit the Red Fort, built in 1648, the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, both built by Emperor Shah Jahan. Also visit Rajghat, the site of Mahatma Gandhi's cremation.
Afternoon, drive through the majestic boulevards of New Delhi designed by the British architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1920. Lutyens' Delhi includes the grand government buildings and parliament house, the India gate and "Rashtrapati Bhawan" - the presidential palace. Also visit the 234-foot high Qutab Minar and Humayun's tomb, built in the 16th century by the second Mughal emperor, and is an early example of Mughal architecture.
Overnight in Delhi
DAY 3 NEW DELHI - JODHPUR
Morning, transfer to the domestic airport to board your flight for Jodhpur.
Arrive Jodhpur and transfer to hotel.
Afternoon city tour of Jodhpur, the largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur, founded by Rao Jodha. Jodhpur stands at the edge of the Thar Desert. Chief of the Rajput clan known as Rathores and the Rathore kingdom was once known as Marwar - the Land of Death.
The tour includes Meherangarh Fort - one of the most impressive & formidable in the whole of fort-studded Rajasthan situated on a high natural rock bluff and from which you can look down on the wonderful panorama of the bustling city below. Later visit Jaswant Thada - A cluster of royal cenotaphs in white marble built in 1899 A.D. in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Within the main cenotaph are the portraits of various Jodhpur rulers.
Overnight in Jodhpur
DAY 4 JODHPUR - LUNI
Morning, depart for Luni covering a distance of 40 kms in approximately 1 hour.
Arrive Luni and check-in at Fort Chanwa, an exceptional example of elegance and symmetry in Indian architecture of the last century. The entire fortress is carved out of the famous red sandstone of Jodhpur and with its ornately carved lattice work friezes and intricate "Jharokas", it exquisitely captures the romance and grace of a bygone age. The village of Luni nestles in the shadow of the Fort walls and is a hub of activity with its many artisans fashioning metal, clay or wood into intricate forms and demonstrating the skills passed down over the centuries by their ancestors. Fort chanwa's courtyards are peaceful havens where guests can unwind for the day and spend the afternoon leisurely reading or relaxing in the sun.
The rest of the day will be spent on horseback trying out mounts for the rest of the safari. You will ride out to the sand dunes and return to the fort after a picnic lunch.
Overnight at Fort Chanwa
DAY 5 LUNI - ROHET
After breakfast, depart for Rohet on a horseback - riding time of approximately 4 hours. Stop enroute at the Bishnoi Village for lunch; later continue your ride to Rohet. This ride will take you through the charming countryside, teeming with antelope & gazelle and occasionally you pass through a cluster of huts.
Arrive at Rohet early evening in time for a walk by the lake and the village to loosen the muscles.
Overnight at Rohetgarh
DAY 6 ROHET - SARDAR SAMAND
After breakfast, depart for Sardar Samand an Art Deco Palace 30kms away which was a hunting lodge in the old days. A ride different to the previous one, this one takes us through bigger villages and through harder terrain sometimes covered with the imported Accacia of Australia. One gets to see the old irrigation systems. Arrive for a lunch at the Sardar Samand Palace, property of the Maharaja of Jodhpur, situated at the edge of a huge lake on a hill overlooking miles of open country around you.
Afternoon relax in the luxurious Palace with its comfortable rooms, pool on the terrace, and spend the evening going round the lake bird watching-flamingoes; pelicans, storks duck and geese are some of the species easily spotted.
Overnight at Sardar Samand
DAY 7 SARDAR SAMAND - NARLAI
Morning, drive to Ranakpur (2 hours drive). After lunch at the Maharani Bagh Orchards, visit the Ranakpur Jain temples; the most magnificent 15th century Jain temples situated in the deep secluded valley of the Aravalli Hills. Though over 500 years old, the temples here are superbly preserved in a near-perfect condition. In the centre is the main "Chaumukha temple" dedicated ot Adinath. The most distinctive features are the 29 halls supported by 1444 pillars, of which no two are exactly alike. Every conceivable surface is carved and every corner and angle is engraved with Jain images.
After the visit, drive to Narlai, a small shepherds village set against a rocky hill, covering a distance of 20 kms in approximately ½ hour. On arrival check-in at Rawla Narlai, a classic heritage hotel.
Overnight at Rawla Narlai
DAY 8 NARLAI - GHANERAO - KUMBALGARH - DEOGARH
Breakfast at hotel and ride out towards the Aravalli Foothills and within a couple of hours you are in the ancient town of Ghanerao, once the capital of Godwar. You will pass baori's, and cenotaphs on your way to the Castle of Ghanerao where you will stop for refreshments. Another hour past tribal garacia villages and farms along the Aravalli and you enter the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. Stop for a Picnic Lunch at Thandi veri - crocodile dam over a lake sometimes full of sunbathing crocodiles. (Noted ornithologists have visited this spot and counted over 90 species of jungle and water birds. The sanctuary is home to bear, leopard, various species of deer, wild boar, among others)
Afternoon 3 hours ride up a Steep trail through the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary climbing 2000ft to Kumbhalgarh. The Kumbalgarh forests are a sanctuary for leopards, bears, deer and bird life too as they provide thick cover and entry is restricted to these parts. (If the clients are not experienced enough as riders, they may have to be taken up to Kumbalgarh by jeep. This decision will be taken by your Riding Escort)
Visit the Kumbhalgarh Fort circa 1458, with its huge bastions, 9 gates, and 36Km of unbroken wall. This historic fort built by Rana Kumbha (hence the name) was so strong that it withstood almost continuous attacks by the Mughals.
Later depart to Deogarh, about an hours drive by car/bus. Upon arrival in Deogarh check-in at Deogarh Mahal. Standing at a height of 2,100 feet above sea level, Deogarh is cooler than surrounding Rajasthan. With its bold battlements, domed turrets and balconies, the Mahal towers over the town below. The terraces offer a commanding view of the surrounding Aravalli mountains and its rugged rock-strewn countryside dotted by a number of lakes.
Overnight at Deogarh Mahal.
DAY 9 DEOGARH - UDAIPUR
After a late breakfast enjoy the safari organized by Deogarh in their old army trucks in the surrounding hills giving you fantastic view from a height. After lunch depart for Udaipur covering a distance of 150 Kms in approximately 3½ hours.
Arrive Udaipur and check-in at your hotel.
Overnight in Udaipur
DAY 10 UDAIPUR
Udaipur, the city combines real beauty with a picturesque association of a great and glorious past. It stands in a valley, amidst green hills on the banks of the wide, steel blue Lake Pichola. On little islands in the lake, from the water's edge, rise marble palaces of pure white that glisten like fairy castles. Crowning the ridge in which the city clusters, along the shore of the lake is the palace of the Maharana. Possibly no city in Rajasthan is quite as romantic as Udaipur and is replete with fantastic hill top fortresses, exotic fairy tale palaces and gripping legends of medieval chivalry and heroism. Udaipur rivals any of the world's famous creations of the Moghuls with the Rajput love of the whimsical and it's superbly crafted elegance.
This morning sightseeing includes a visit to the City Palace, a conglomeration of buildings added by various Maharanas. The palace manages to retain a surprising uniformity of design. The entrance is through Hathi Pol (elephant gate) along the main street of the old city, past the Jagdish Temple. The paintings, mosaics, intricately carved ‘chhatries’ and of course the architecturally brilliant façade all contribute in making a visit to the City Palace a truly memorable experience.
Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari, the Garden of the Maids of Honour was constructed for forty-eight young ladies in waiting who were sent to the royal house as a part of the lavish dowry. This garden is well laid out with extensive lawns and shady walks. The sprawling flower lined parks hug the shores of the second major lake of Udaipur, Fateh Sagar.
Afternoon, enjoy a motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace - the other lovely island palace in the middle of the lake.
Overnight in Udaipur
DAY 11 UDAIPUR - DELHI
Morning, visit to Eklingji & Nagda Temple. Located 14 miles from Udaipur, Eklingji & Nagda temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The roof is decorated with circular knobs and is crowned by a lofty tower. Nagda, now in ruins, was the scene of frequent Muslim invasions. It also has two 11th century temples ornamented with unusual carvings.
After an early lunch transfer to the airport to board your afternoon flight for Delhi.
On arrival, meet and greet at the airport and transfer to your hotel where rooms would be provided till the final departure.
Late night transfer to the international airport of New Delhi to board your flight in the early hours of day 12.
DAY 12 NEW DELHI - ABROAD
Flight back home