Day 1:  Arrival in Udaipur - test ride, overnight stay in middle-class hotel
Day 2: Sight-seeing in Udaipur in the morning, riding in the afternoon.  Another overnight stay in a mid-class hotel.
Day 3: Udaipur - Eklingji
The first day of the safari leads the riders from the Udaipur Valley into the Aravalli Mountains, stopping in the little village of Eklingji where the famous temple of the royal family of Mewar (Udaipur) is situated. On the way the ancient temples of Nagda invite us for a visit. They were built in the 9th century and sport fine stone carvings, some of which show scenes from the Kamasutra! The terrain is still easy-going with wide and sandy paths inviting for trots and canters. Around 4 pm the riders will reach our safari camp situated at the shore of a small lake.
Day 4: Eklingji - Haldi Ghati
Today the trail leads through a beautiful valley inside the mountain range. The riders will pass Haldi Ghati, where in 1546 the famous battle between the Mogul Emperor Akbar and Maharana Pratap of Mewar (Udaipur) took place. Maharana Pratap lost and had to flee the battlefield. His horse Chetak, though wounded with one leg severed above the fetlock, brought him to safety by jumping a wide river. There he died in his master’s loving arms who later erected a monument in the honour of his valiant horse who saved his life and the existence of his lineage. This chattri (monument) still exists today and can be visited by the riders. If time permits a visit to the nearby Maharana Pratap Museum gives a further look inside the history of Mewar. The pace at this day is quick; trots, canters and an occasional gallop. Haldi Ghati means “yellow valley”, highlighting the special colour of the earth there.
Day 5: Haldi Ghati - Kumbhalgarh
On this day the trail leads through steeper terrain. The riders enter the higher reaches of the typically low Aravalli Mountains. The vegetation becomes denser and the population of humans much sparser. Birds and smaller animals can be seen quite frequently and, with some luck and a good eye, the riders can spot deer or antelopes. Occasionally a leopard can be glimpsed, but it is rare and quite privileged event. Our camp is usually situated near the great fort at Kumbhalgarh. It dates back to the 15th century and was a place of retreat in times of danger for the kings of Mewar. Perched on top of the highest mountain and surrounded by a huge wall, it was captured only once in history and even then it took the combined armies of Mogul Emperor Akbar, Marwar (Jodhpur) and Amber (Jaipur). Today it is surely one of the most fascinating sites in Southern Rajasthan, however seen by surprisingly few tourists. The riders can visit it either today after the ride or tomorrow morning
Day 6:   Kumbhalgarh - Ranakpur
Today the riders continue to cross the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary on their way to Ranakpur, a small hamlet in the Aravalli Mountains famous for its Jain temple. The terrain is steep with lots of climbing and the trail leads through virgin deciduous forest, which once covered the whole of the Aravalli Mountains. The pace is slow and the riders can enjoy the scenery, so different from what one expects to find in Rajasthan. Small streams have to be crossed and lunch will be taken in one of the forest rest houses along the way. Since the route leads through a wildlife sanctuary the riders have to stick to the paths, however narrow and overgrown by weeds and bushes they get. Very rarely they will they encounter other human beings. After lunch the riders will descend slowly to the valley of Ranakpur and leave the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary behind. The country becomes more open and little hamlets are on either sides of the way. Here the riders can encounter traditional forms of agriculture and craftsmanship. It feels like a step back in time. The farmers still use oxen to plough their fields and the only mobile vehicles are bullock carts, horse-drawn carriages or bicycles with an occasional motor scooter seeming to be strangely out of place. The riders will encounter women in colourful saris carrying water pots on their heads, men with huge turbans guiding their flock of sheep and of course plenty of children shouting, “Namaste!”, the Indian welcome. Around 4 pm the camp will be reached and today the riders will be very tired after an especially exciting ride.
Day 7:  After breakfast the riders have the chance to visit the white Jain temples of Ranakpur. Famed all over India for its beautiful and exquisite marble carvings, the main temple rests upon 1444 pillars, each with an original design. A major site of pilgrimage, it stands no less grand than any medieval cathedral of Europe, its airy and elegant beauty is simply breathtaking. Afterwards the riders will again mount their horses and ride through the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. Today the ride is a little more relaxing, the trail leading through the valley for the most part. The riders will pass a couple more villages before entering again into the Sanctuary. With the backdrop of the mountains, they will ride along sandy paths and roads passing impressive rocks of various shapes and sizes. Peacocks and jungle fowl are quite common and occasionally a mongoose or even a snake can be spotted. On the water holes cranes and kingfishers can be found, above them big, black kites are circling for prey. From time to time villagers with their flocks of sheep or goats pass and occasionally a herd of camels, driven by tribal people to the next market. Around 4 pm the riders will reach the safari camp in Ranakpur.
Day 8: After breakfast, transfer back to Udaipur, chance for sightseeing or shopping, then departure.

Details 2011 - special departures