India Holidays
Rajasthan Horse Safari: The Challenge of Marwar
Riding Hours Per Day: 4 - 6 hours
Pace: Moderate
Tack: English Trekking
Horses: Marwari / Thoroughbred Cross
In this trip we ride across the Marwar region of Rajasthan. Its semi-desert environment
serves as a striking backdrop to the rich colors of the people of different ethnic
communities. The history of Marwar is steeped in valour and chivalry, and the pride
of the region is the “Marwari” horse. Bred over centuries of royal patronage, this
carefully rared pedigree is acclaimed for its stamina and endurance against the
harsh rigours of desert terrain and extreme demands of the climate. The poetry and
folklore of the region describe great princes and warriors in glorious battle astride
this noble steed.
Jodhpur Fort (Interior)
Day 01: Arrive Jodhpur (by flight or train from Delhi,
Jaipur or 
Bombay). Met upon arrival and transfer to the Umaid
Bhavan Palace hotel or the Ajit Bhavan.PM: City tour: This ancient capital of the
state of Marwar is surrounded by a stone wall almost 6 miles in circumfrence, which
seperates it from the sands that stretch out on all sides. Upon a rocky eminence
stands a massive impregnable fortress, within which lie a number of palaces, barracks,
temples and other buildings. Delicately latticed windows and pierced monuments
worked in sandstone are a dominent motif within the rugged fort. On the walls of
one of the gates of entry are the palm-marks of widows who, ages ago, immolated
themselves upon the pyres of their departed husbands.
Day 02: Jodhpur - Rohet:
Drive to Rohet, where we will meet our horses. Stay at Rohetgarh Castle
which belongs to the former chief of Rohet. He is the 12th direct descendant of
its first ruler and he and his family are our hosts. Rohet stands on a lake shore
and is an oasis amid the sandy dryness of the surrounding Marwar country. The architecture
is a blend of traditional Rajput and British Colonial. Comparatively few tourists
come here and we will have a warm welcome. We may roam freely around the village,
visit local craftsmen and experience the easy charm of rural Rajasthan.
Day 03: Rohet Garh:
AM Ride 12 Km through scrubland to visit the hamlets of the Bishnoi
tribe. This is a ride around Rohet where we have a chance to try out our horses
in open country. We may see herds of Blackbuck & Chinkara. Return to Rohetgarh
for lunch. PM: Leisure at Poolside or Village walk.
Day 04: Rohet Garh - Sardar Samand:
We will ride from Rohet through sandy tracts and scrubland, passing
quaint hamlets of mud-huts occupied by the various colourfully clad tribes of the
desert. (25 Km ride). NOON: Lunch at the splendid Sardar Samand Palace, a “mini”
palace owned by the Maharaja of Jodhpur. Built in the 1930’s, this palace is situated
at the edge of the lake on a hill overlooking miles of open country and provides
an opportunity to see birds of many varieties. O/N at the Sardar Samand Palace.
Day 05: Sardar Samand Palace - Utwan - Sodawas Kot: 
Ride through open scubland, along dusty trails, passing several villages
upto Utwan. (22 Km). Here we stop for a hot picnic lunch prepared on the spot.
Afternoon ride 23 km to Sodawas, traversing several small villages and skirting
the huge Hemawas Dam. Water buffalo, cows, pigs, camels and poultry are everywhere.
Sometimes we will see oxen turning wheels to bring up water from deep wells. The
villagers are colorful, friendly and very interested in us. Lodging tonight is in
Sodawas Kot, a comfortable country mansion belonging to the Royal Family of Jodhpur.
An eight ft. wall surrounds the property and there is stabling for about 18 horses.
Day 06: Sodawas Kot - Kotri Castle:
Another long day with an early start. The first section is of 20 Km
through farms and large villages. The landscape changes from the dry thorny scrub
of the first two days to taller trees and rich fertile farmlands. We will stop for
lunch at an old Shiva Temple. PM: Ride on and we start getting into low hillocks
and open grassland, and 22 Km later we are at a 200 year old castle in the middle
of a shepherds village. Kotri is a somewhat larger village on the side of a hill
with caves and temples The castle has been provided with modern amenities. The owner,
your host, is the Thakur from the noble House of Ghanerao. O/N in the Kotri Castle,
where we will be charmed by ancient India at its gracious best.
Day 07: Kotri Castle - Ranakpur - Maharani Bagh:
We will ride about 25 km from Kotri to Ranakpur, located on the southern
edge of the Aravalli Hills, perhaps the worlds oldest mountains. The ride is through
rich farmland, lakes and villages. At Ranakpur, the famous 15th century Jain temples
lie buried in a shady glen and represent the climax of Jain architecture and sculpture.
The spacious halls and courtyards are a brilliant juxtaposition of exquisitely carved
and sculpted pillars, vaulted ceilings and arched doorways. The play of light and
shade has been so engineered that the entire complex seems suffused with an almost
ethereal ambience. Overnight at the Maharani Bagh Orchard Retreat. This is
a small hotel with cottages in the midst of an orchard. It belongs to the Queen
of Jodhpur.
Day 08: Maharani Bagh - Kumbhalgarh Fort:
We now ride about 20 kms into the Aravalli Hills. The ride is through
wooded country and part of the Kumbhalgarh Santuary which is inhabited by leopard,
sloth bear, sambhar deer, four horned antelope and wild boar. Parts of the sanctuary
are heavily forested. We will spot Deer and wild boar while on horseback. Around
lunchtime we will come into a valley inhabited by the GaraciaTribals. We will have
lunch at the Hunting Lodge of the Ghanerao family. In the afternoon we ride up a
treacherous trail through the sanctuary climbing approx 2000 ft to reach The Aodhi.Hotel
at Kumbhalgarh.fort, situated at about 3,000 ft. on top of a hill in rugged country.
The path we take is an ancient camel and horse road closed to vehicles. Cradled
in the cluster of thirteen mountain peaks of the Aravalli ranges, the formidable
medieval citadel of Kumbhalgarh stands a wary sentinel to past glory. Rising from
a prominent ridge,1914 meters high from sea level, the fort was built in the 15th
century A.D. by Maharana Kumbha (1419-63 A.D.). It is the principal fortification
after Chittorgarh, lying 90 km north-west of Udaipur. The massive fort, encompassed
by a 36 km long wall, has seven majestic gates and seven ramparts, one within the
other. Rounded bastions and soaring watch towers strengthen the crenallated
walls of the fort, making it an impregnable structure. Fascinating chambers are
built on the western side of the last gate - the ‘Nimboo Pol’. According to history,
the infant Udai Singh was smuggled from Bundi and hidden in these chambers by his
uncles who desired the throne. Udai Singh ascended the throne of Mewar with Kumbhalgarh
as his residence and later established Udaipur - the beautiful lake city.
Day 09: Kumbhalgarh Fort - Udaipur: (Drive)
After a leisurely breakfast we say goodbye to the horses and drive 80 km to Udaipur
where we will spend the afternoon shopping and sightseeing. Serene in the shadow
of dark green hills, the three lakes at Udaipur are shimmering jewels from
which rise fairytale white palaces. Udaipur was founded in 1568 by Maharana Udai
Singh II. The city is full of palaces, temples and havelis ranging from the modest
to the extravagant. It’s also proud of its heritage as a centre for the performing
arts, painting and handicraft. The "Surya Vanshi" Maharanas of Udaipur are Sun worshippers
and trace their geneology to the Hindu god Rama. They have a history of unconquered
rule. Udaipur never succumbed to the Mogul invasions, and it remained the only princely
state never to have seceded to the British Raj. Its history is full of tales of
valor and courage and romance. We also will visit "Sahelion Ki Bari" - the Garden
of the Maids, an enchanting garden created for the pleasure of the ladies of the
royal court. PM: In the evening, we will take a sunset cruise around Lake Pichola,
and visit the island of Jag Mandir. The palace on this island was built as a retreat
for the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal. Stay overnight
at the luxurious Shiv Niwas Palace Hotel or the spectacular Lake Palace.
Day 10: Udaipur - Onwards:
Fly home via Bombay (Mumbai) or Delhi.
More About Romantic Rajasthan