Rajput history as we know is a
tale of strife. Battles were fought more for honour
than for greed. Such were the times when the Rajout
armies were continuously on the move. It is on
these trails, past ancient forts and temples that
you will ride. Trails dotted with cenotaphs and
tomb-stones, marking spots where valiant Rajput
warriors fell in battle. Trails which take you
through rural villages and nights are spent in
ancient castles owned by descendants of those
glorious Rajput riders. You will ride from the
desert to hilly terrain, through wildlife sanctuaries
and quaint desert hamlets. Evening entertainment
in the form of local folk dances and music around
campfire will be regular feature. Horse safari
will have grooms who will take charge of the animal
at all halts and you will be escorted by our company
guide. You will be required to wear boots and
a hard hat. Breaches or jeans will suffice.
Day 1: Arrive
Delhi
Arrive at Delhi and transferred to the Hotel.
Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 2: At Delhi
Morning free time to rest and relax. Afternoon
combined sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi.
Overnight stay at the Hotel
Day 3: Delhi /
Udaipur
Morning transfer to the airport to airport to
board Udaipur bound flight. Arrive at Udaipur
and transferred to the Hotel. Overnight stay at
the Hotel.
Day 4: Udaipur
/ Jodhpur / Kotri Rawla
AM - Depart by road ex- Jodhpur through semi desert
country, passing the textile town of Pali, we
head towards the foothills of the Aravalli ranges.
We arrive at Kotri Rawla for lunch (2 1/2hrs)
. Kotri Rawla is the 200 yr. old residence of
the Thakurs of Kotri. The village also houses
the stud farm, which provides the horses that
you will ride. PM - We acquaint ourselves with
the horses and ride 4 km to Nadol, an archaeological
site with ruins of the 6th century being excavated
now. Kotri and overnight at the Rawla. ( Evening
entertainment - Dancing stallion).
Day 5: Kotri Rawla
/ Rawla Narlai
AM - Ride out through open country and rocky outcrops
to Surajpura and visit the Marwari stud farm (6
km). Continue after refreshments to Rawala Narlai
( 4 km ). Lunch. Rawla Narlai is also an old property
but has been exquisitely renovated to provide
all modern comforts, yet retaining the old charm.
PM - Climb the solid granite hills to the temples
at the top which have a commanding view of the
surrounding country below. Later, take a bullock
cart ride to an old stepwell out in the country
for dinner around a campfire. ( Musical entertainment
Day 6: Rawla Narlai
/ Maharani Bagh
Ride (15 km ) past farms cultivating rapeseed,
cotton, wheat etc. to a large lake , Muthana,
for a picnic lunch. There is abundant wildlife
around the lake. PM - Get into Jeeps and drive
10 km to Maharani Bagh Orchard Retreat. ( Those
who wish to ride may continue on horseback, but
will have to rush to visit the Ranakpur temples).
The Maharani Bagh is a beautiful cottage complex
owned by the Maharaja of Jodhpur. After checking
in, we drive across the famous Ranakpur Jain temples
nearby. Built in the 1460's, the architecture
of these temples is awe inspiring, with every
inch of pillar and ceiling intricately carved
so that no two pillars are alike. Return to the
cottages for an entertaining program by a local
magician around the campfire. Overnight at the
cottages
Day 7: Maharani
Bagh / Ghanerao
AM - Today, we ride through the Aravalli hills.
We follow a jungle track in the sanctuary, which
is home to panthers, bears, wolves, sambhar, Nilgai,
four horned deer, wild boar, crocodiles and many
species of birds. The ride (16 km ) brings us
to Ghanerao for lunch. Ghanerao castle, built
in 1606 is run as a heritage property by the present
Thakur. Though the facilities are basic, the grandeur
of the castle with its Jaisalmer stone facade
and its marble sitouts are interesting. PM - An
interesting walk around the village to view craftsmen
and artists. Overnight castle Ghanerao.
Day 8: Ghanerao
/ Kumbhalgarh
AM - We ride back into the sanctuary, passing
a crocodile lake and up a steep trail - climbing
2000 ft upto the Kumbhalgarh fort. This is a tough
ride as riders will have to dismount on occasion
to lead the horses up steep sections of the trail.
The 20 km ride will take about 4 hrs. We arrive
at the Aodhi hotel for lunch. The Aodhi is now
professionally run by the Maharaja of Udaipur.
PM - We visit the magnificent Kumbhalgarh fort
built in 1458 by Rana Kumbha as a retreat from
Chittor in times of war. This fort was never in
its 400 years of battle ever conquered , and you
can see why - its battlements run 36 kms in circumference
encompassing the palace and 358 temples within.
Return to the Aodhi.
Day 9: Kumbhalgarh
/ Udaipur / Delhi
Drive to Udaipur to board return flight to Delhi.
Arrive at Delhi and overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 10: Leave Delhi.
Departure transfer to the International airport
to board onward destination flight.
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