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Horseback riding tours
Rides in
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Mewar Riding Safari in Rajasthan
Rajasthan
India
Upon traditional Marwari steeds, the Mewar Safari journeys around the main range of the low lying Aravalli Mountains of Rajasthan. Departing from Jaisamand Lake, the second largest artificial lake in Asia, the riders head off through the Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary to explore! Countless bird species can be seen and heard while occasional antelope and deer cross our paths. For the luckiest among us, leopard sightings are possible as the big cats find refuge in the sanctuary along with wild boar, wolves and the sloth bear. After leaving the shelter of the sanctuary, the terrain opens us and becomes more level. As the soil turns black and very fertile, Poppy and Opium cultivation can be seen along the way. The riders will visit the Jagat temple, famous for its exquisite stone carvings, some of which are quite in erotic nature! The Bambora Fort, Bhinder Rawla and the famous palace of Barishadri mark interesting points in the excursion. In Boheda, the riders will stay overnight in the ancient rawla of Boheda, which is in the possession of the Shaktawat family. Here they have the chance to listen to authentic family stories from the times of Jagairs and Maharajas and explore the rawla and hamlet of Boheda. The ride ends in the Sita-Mata Sanctuary, a small protected nature park around the ancient Sita-Mata Temple. Here the riders can glimpse a great number of peacocks, jungle foals, mongoose and rabbits, all of which are remarkably tame.
The terrain: Open plains with little hills, the Aravalli Range on the horizon.
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Rates and Dates for 2013
Rates include:
Accommodations (5 nights in tented safari camp, 1 night in the Boheda rawala, and 1 night in middle class hotels in Udaipur), meals, 6 riding days with 4 to 6 riding hours each, evening entertainment during safari, special festival program
| A | 2013 | 10 day trip, AP | 10d / 9n | $2340 |
Transfer and Other Options:
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2013
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Single supplement
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$225
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This trip starts and end in Udaipur. A sightseeing options from New Delhi via Agra etc is available and can be customized.
Tour Dates for 2013
This trip is available any time during the season with a minimum of 2 riders.
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Rates do not include:
A sightseeing options from New Delhi via Agra etc is available and can be customized. Flight New Delhi-Udaipur.
Day 1 Arrival in Udaipur
Sightseeing in the afternoon, visit the City Palace of Udaipur and do a boat ride on Lake Pichola in order to enjoy Udaipurs waterfront and have a closer look on Lake Palace. An overnight stay in a middle class hotel.
Day 2 Transfer to Jaisamand
After breakfast the riders are taken to Lake Jaisamand by car (about 40 km from Udaipur). Boat ride on the lake and visit to the ancient Temple in Jagat, arrival in the camp in the early afternoon and a test riding of the horses. Overnight stay in our safari camp.
Day 3 Jagat - Khurabar
Today the riders will cross the last hills of the Aravalli Mountains where they merge with the flat Malwa Plain. Horse and rider will do some climbing through canyons and along steep slopes but reach a more level countryside after lunch.
After arrival in the camp, a night safari is organized for the riders in order to spot the nocturnal animals of the region such as antelopes, deer, hyena, jungle cats and, with some luck, a leopard.
Overnight stay in our safari camp.
Day 4 Khurabar - Bambora
A great day ride through fertile farmland broken up by occasional parts of wild forest country and open wilderness. Today you will leave the Aravalli Mountains behind and descend on the Malwa Plain with its rich soil and farms. Discover the fascinating rural life of Rajasthan , where the fieldwork is still done by oxen and by hand. The village kids guard flocks of goats and sheep, greeting the riders enthusiastically with a "Namaste!", the Indian hello. Meet the women fetching water from the village well, adorned with bright and colorful saris.
Riding through this country is like a journey back into the past.
Arrival in our safari camp around late afternoon.
Day 5 Bambora - Badwei
Today the riders enter a more populated part of the Malwa Plain. The landescape is dotted with little villages surrounded by green fields and palm groves. Mighty mango trees grow along the village paths, flowering yellow and white in spring time and supplying welcomed shade for both horse and rider. Village wells are powered by a pair of oxens, slowly brining up buckets full of water for irrigating the fields.In the early afternoon, the riders cross the small town of Bhinder. Entering through one of the rose -colored city gates, the riders can visit the vegetable market on horseback and observe the vibrant life there.After Bhinder the countryside becomes wilder again, sometimes the Nilgai antelope can be spotted.Today's camp will be situated near Badwei Lake, where many water birds such as ducks, teals, flamingos or kingfishers can be observed. In winter, European storks migrate to Badwei where they stay till March. Another highlight is the sighting of Sarus Cranes, one of the largest birds in India. They are regular inhabitants of the Badwei Lake. Badwei is a small paradise for bird lovers who can spot many different varieties.
Overnight stay in our safari camp at the lake shore..
Day 6 Badwei - Boheda
Another day ride through a fantastic countryside. The soil is now so fertile that Opium is grown in the small fields. It flowers between January and March, with many pretty small white flowers.
You will cross the small railway line that connects Barisadri with Mauvi once a week by steam engine. Around here the villages are much richer than anywhere else in Rajasthan, largely due to the prosperous soil. Most farmhouses sport grandly ornamented entry gates and even the bullock carts are made of attractive carved wood.
Arrival in Boheda around 4 pm. After arrival you can visit Boheda rawla, an old village fort and the ancestral home of our family.
Day 7 Boheda Sita-Mata Sanctuary - Boheda
Today you will ride through the Sita-Mata Wildlife Sanctuary, a wild and untamed piece of land, home of the last leopards of this region of India.
The wildlife sanctuary is situated far away from all touristic circuits and very few visitors find their way to this natural jewel. That is one of the reasons why it is the best place for sighting animals.
With a little luck the riders can observe in their natural habitat the cheetal and sambar deer, Nilgai antelopes, monkeys, gazelles, mongoose and many smaller animals and birds, including the majestic peacock, the national bird of India.
Return to Boheda is around late afternoon. If possible, a bullock cart ride through the village is arranged in the evening.
Day 8: Boheda - Barisadri
Another day ride through the unique countryside.
Our camp today is situated in the former garden of the Barisadri royal family. Before independence, the women used to spend their days here wandering besides jasmine hedges and sitting in marble pavilions. Today, some parts of the gardens are used for farming, however other parts of it are still grand reminders of the glorious days long gone by. After arrival the riders will visit Barisadri Palace.
Day 9: Transfer back to Udaipur
After a morning ride you will be taken back to Udaipur. In the afternoon sightseeing and overnight stay in a middle class hotel.
Day 10: End of the program after breakfast.
Details 2011 - special departures
Aravalli-Nature-and-Wildlife Safari, 13.09. – 20.09.2011
7-days horseback safari into the Aravalli Mountains in the post-monsoon.
Discover Southern Rajasthan as its greenest and lushest season of the
year.
Festival Safari, 26.09. – 05.10.2011
9-days horseback safari over the Malwa Plain (Mewar Trail) during the Indian festival of Navratri and Dusshera.
As an additional attraction, this safari takes place on the Indian
festivals of Navratri, which runs 9 subsequent days or better nights and
finally the festival of Dusshera, the day where Indian people celebrate
the victory of Ram over the demon king Ravanna.
Also on this day in Rajasthan the Rajputs hold traditionally a prayer in
which they have their weapons and horses blessed. We uphold this
tradition with a small horse prayer in which the riders can participate
and learn a lot about Indian traditions and customs.
Diwali Safari, 18.10. – 27.10.2011
9-days horseback safari over the Malwa Plain (Mewar Trail) and participation in the Indian festival of Diwali.
The Indian festival of Diwali can be compared with Christmas in the
West. It is the festival of light and it is the most important
celebration of the Hindu year. The myths and stories behind Diwali are
most diverse and the mode of celebration depends a lot on region and
community. Most Hindus celebrated the return of their God-king Ram from
exile. In order to show him his way, all houses light oil lamps and
candles. The houses are decorated with paintings and lights in all rooms
and corners.
Diwali is an especially pretty festival to be around.
Pushkar Fair Safari, 29.10. – 07.11.2011 and 07.11. – 16.11.2011
9-days horseback safari to the Pushkar Fair and Camel Market
Once a year we organize a horseback safari from Udaipur to the Camel
Market and Pushkar Fair in this little town at the edge of the Thar
Desert.
Being a certain highlight of our safari year, this safari is certainly
most spectacular firstly for its great landscapes and secondly of course
for the participation in the colorful Pushkar Fair, probably one of the
most vibrant festivals of India.
The safari trail leads from the Aravalli Mountains with its unique
geographic features down into the great Thar Desert and the little town
of Pushkar. Considered a holy town, once a year Pushkar sports the
biggest Camel Market of India, which is also a religious festival and a
handicraft fair.
There are only a few places of interest along the way but the rather
substantial change of landscape taking place is simply breathtaking.
After leaving the Aravalli Mountains behind, the riders will enter the
semi-desert stretching around the edges of the Thar Desert where man
fights hard in order to make a living from the poor soil. Camels replace
horses and cows and the stony terrain of the hills gives way to the
sandy desert ground.
A few highlights are along the route such as the interesting tribal
culture of this region or the impressive fort at Kharwa, which our
riders can visit. The local noble family is much interested in horses
and if at home, never misses a chat.
But the real highlight of this safari is of course the Pushkar Camel
Fair where every year around 25 000 animals, camels, horses and cattle,
are traded. It is also a major festival so many people of the region
come to Pushkar in order to enjoy the fair, take part in the religious
ceremonies or indulge in purchasing all sorts of items.
The first set of dates is our safari Udaipur to Pushkar. The second set
of dates is our safari from Pushkar to Udaipur (Pushkar Return Safari).
The time spend on the Pushkar Fair in both safaris is equal.
Mewar Trail, 27.11. – 06.12.2011
9-days horseback safari over the Malwa Plain with sunshine guarantee!
New Year’s Safari, 26.12.2011 – 02.01.2012
7-days horseback safari into the Aravalli Mountains
(Aravalli-Nature-and-Wildlife Safari) with the option of coming a day
earlier in order to visit the Shilpgram Arts and Crafts Festival in
Udaipur. New Year is celebrated in our safari camp in Ranakpur.
Details 2012 - Special departures
Solstice Safari, 14.01. – 23.01.2012
9-days horseback safari over the Malwa Plain (Mewar Trail) in the flowering time of the Dhak Trees and poppy flowers.
Frontier Trail, 28.01. – 04.02.2012
7-days horseback safari into the Aravalli-Mountains
(Aravalli-Nature-and-Wildlife-Safari) in the Indian Winter Season.
Possibility of transfer to Jodhpur after the trail.
Indian Flower Safari, 11.02. – 20.02.2012
9-days horseback safari over the Malwa Plain (Mewar Trail) in the flowering time of the Dhak Trees and poppy flowers.
Basanti Safari, 01.03. – 08.03.2012
7-days horseback safari into the Aravalli-Mountains
(Aravalli-Nature-and-Wildlife-Safari) in the Indian Spring Season, the
best time to spot wildlife. After the safari it is possible to stay for 2
days more and experience the Indian festival of Holi marking the
beginning of spring.
The Indian festival of Spring is all about color and the passing of
winter. On the first day in the evening a large bonfire is burned amid
large celebrations. On the second day people throw water and colored
powder on each other.
Autumn Safari (Aravalli-Nature-and-Wildlife Safari), 30.09. – 07.10.2012
7-days horseback safari into the Aravalli Mountains in the post-monsoon.
Discover Southern Rajasthan as its greenest and lushest season of the
year.
Festival Safari, 14.10. – 23.10.2012
9-days horseback safari over the Malwa Plain (Mewar Trail) during the Indian festival of Navratri and Dusshera.
As an additional attraction, this safari takes place on the Indian
festivals of Navratri, which runs 9 subsequent days or better nights and
finally the festival of Dusshera, the day where Indian people celebrate
the victory of Ram over the demon king Ravanna.
Also on this day in Rajasthan the Rajputs hold traditionally a prayer in
which they have their weapons and horses blessed. We uphold this
tradition with a small horse prayer in which the riders can participate
and learn a lot about Indian traditions and customs.
Diwali Safari, 05.11. – 14.11.2012
9-days horseback safari over the Malwa Plain (Mewar Trail) and participation in the Indian festival of Diwali.
The Indian festival of Diwali can be compared with Christmas in the
West. It is the festival of light and it is the most important
celebration of the Hindu year. The myths and stories behind Diwali are
most diverse and the mode of celebration depends a lot on region and
community. Most Hindus celebrated the return of their God-king Ram from
exile. In order to show him his way, all houses light oil lamps and
candles. The houses are decorated with paintings and lights in all rooms
and corners.
Diwali is an especially pretty festival to be around.
Pushkar Fair Safari, 16.11. – 25.11.2011 and 25.11. – 04.12.2012
9-days horseback safari to the Pushkar Fair and Camel Market
Once a year we organize a horseback safari from Udaipur to the Camel
Market and Pushkar Fair in this little town at the edge of the Thar
Desert.
Being a certain highlight of our safari year, this safari is certainly
most spectacular firstly for its great landscapes and secondly of course
for the participation in the colorful Pushkar Fair, probably one of the
most vibrant festivals of India.
The safari trail leads from the Aravalli Mountains with its unique
geographic features down into the great Thar Desert and the little town
of Pushkar. Considered a holy town, once a year Pushkar sports the
biggest Camel Market of India, which is also a religious festival and a
handicraft fair.
There are only a few places of interest along the way but the rather
substantial change of landscape taking place is simply breathtaking.
After leaving the Aravalli Mountains behind, the riders will enter the
semi-desert stretching around the edges of the Thar Desert where man
fights hard in order to make a living from the poor soil. Camels replace
horses and cows and the stony terrain of the hills gives way to the
sandy desert ground.
A few highlights are along the route such as the interesting tribal
culture of this region or the impressive fort at Kharwa, which our
riders can visit. The local noble family is much interested in horses
and if at home, never misses a chat.
But the real highlight of this safari is of course the Pushkar Camel
Fair where every year around 25 000 animals, camels, horses and cattle,
are traded. It is also a major festival so many people of the region
come to Pushkar in order to enjoy the fair, take part in the religious
ceremonies or indulge in purchasing all sorts of items.
The first set of dates is our safari Udaipur to Pushkar. The second set
of dates is our safari from Pushkar to Udaipur (Pushkar Return Safari).
The time spend on the Pushkar Fair in both safaris is equal.
New Year’s Safari, 26.12.2012 – 02.01.2013
7-days horseback safari into the Aravalli Mountains
(Aravalli-Nature-and-Wildlife Safari) with the option of coming a day
earlier in order to visit the Shilpgram Arts and Crafts Festival in
Udaipur. New Year is celebrated in our safari camp in Ranakpur.
Meeting:
Udaipur
Airport:
New Dehli - Udaipur
Transfer:
Udaipur
This trip starts and end in Udaipur. A sightseeing options from New Delhi via Agra etc is available and can be customized.
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Tack:
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English
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Horses:
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Marwari
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Pace:
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Long trots and canters, open stretches invite for gallops.
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
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Level:
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(3
to
3
out of 5) Intermediate
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Riders:
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Min
2 riders
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Max
12 riders
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Nearly
all the horses we use for safaris and trail riding are Marwari horses.
This breed is native in Rajasthan and best suited for long rides in this
region. Formerly bred for the purpose of war , the Marwari horse
has Arab and Turkmeni ancestors, which were brought to India by
Central-Asian and Muslim invaders. His home is the desert kingdom of
Marwar from where it spread through the whole of Rajasthan. Its name
means quite literally “from the land of death”. Over centuries it was
bred in the harsh desert climate of Rajasthan by warring Rajput clans.The
Marwari horse is a medium-sized, elegant horse. The most distinguishing
features of the Marwari horse are its lyre-shaped ears, which curve
inward and often meet at the tips. Besides providing a sharp hearing,
they can be turned by 180 degrees. The Marwari has a longish head with a
broad forehead, wide-set and alert eyes and a well-shaped rather small
mouth. It is elegantly proportioned with a proud head carried on a
well-arched neck. The legs are straight and sound with small and very
hard hooves.The riding style is different to both English and
Western and on the spirited Marwari horse. We offer lessons on the
horses prior to the ride. A couple of extra days for pre-safari lessons
may make your riding experience more enjoyable. Please let Hidden Trails
know if you would like to book lessons before your ride.Let us
introduce you to our special royal Marwari horses, an ancient breed of
warhorses whose history is entwined with the history of Rajasthan and
the Rajputs. It is rightly said that “one cannot separate a Rajput from
his horse” and there is a saying: “If God did not create the horse, he
would not have created the Rajput.”This makes it quite clear
what a role the horse played and is still playing in Rajasthan. The cow
is holy but the horse is divine and still serves as a symbol of strength
and wealth. So a visit to Rajasthan is a visit to a horse country of
the finest order. In every village a fort can be found, in every village
some horses can be found. And even in these poorer village horses,
often thin and over-worked, one can still see a former gleam of royalty
in their eyes. The Marwari horse used to be the horse of the
king and his nobles. Bred for war and show, they still display a
remarkable pride and dignity. Their ears are distinctively curved
inwards in a lyre-shape and often meet at the tips, which makes them
unique and easily recognizable. The fortunes of the Marwari
horses changed with the ascendancy of the British in India. British
officers found the Marwari to be undersized and hot tempered, so they
imported shiploads of Australian Whalers who were quick, tough and
inexpensive.The Maharajas turned to luxury and extravagance and
copied British ways. Instead of keeping Marwari horses, they bought
expensive thoroughbreds or Australian mounts. Having surrendered their
very reason d'etre, India's former kings and nobles lost a fundamental
part of their soul and left their heritage and traditions behind. After
independence things did not improve for the Marwari horse, in fact the
situation worsened. Being perceived as a symbol for the despised
feudalism, many Marwari horses were castrated, killed and scattered. The
breed was neglected for decades and few pure specimen survived.Finally
the Marwari horse was saved by its own people. Local land gentry
managed to rescue a few animals and started their own breeding programs.
Tourism and horseback-safaris have provided a tremendous boost to the
revival of the Rajput culture and ultimately to the future of the
Marwari horse. Today there are countless breeders in Rajasthan, Gujarat
as well as the Punjab and the prospect of the Marwari horse looks
brighter than it has for a long time.The safari is run by a
member of the noble family of Boheda Shaktwat and his wife. The
Shaktawats of Boheda trace their lineage to Shakti Singh (1540-1594),
brother of Maharana Pratap. By killing two soldiers who were chasing
Maharana Pratap after the battle of Haldi Ghati, Shakti Singh saved his
brother's life and was thus rewarded with extensive jagirs (land grants)
and titles.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passports Passport valid for at least 190 days required by all nationals referred to in the chart. Visas Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above. Note: Nationals not referred to in th. more
Climate: Summer: 38.3 degree C (Max.) 28.8degree C (Min)
Winter: 28.3 degree C (Max.) 11.6 degree C (Min)
Rainfall: 61 cms
Clothing: Summer: light tropical
Winter: light woolen
Best Season: September- March.
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This list is only a guideline for you
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Travel documents and Voucher
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Flight tickets
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Passport
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Visa (check with your consulate)
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RIDING GEAR
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Riding breeches or comfortable jeans for the ride
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Riding boots (short) + Minichaps
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Riding helmet (recommended for all trips)
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Riding gloves
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Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection
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Lightweight Rain coat
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PERSONAL CLOTHING
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Jacket or sweater for cool evenings
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Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts
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Jeans
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Shorts
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Underwear and socks
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Pyjama
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Bag for dirty clothes
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Swimsuit
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ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING
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Personal Toiletries
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Small backpack or bag to carry with you on when you ride
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Insect protection
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Personal medications
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Small flashlight
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Handkerchiefs
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Adapter for electric appliances
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Camera and enough extra films and batteries
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Sun hat and sun block
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(each horse has two saddle bags, but your lunch packet and water bottles have to fit in before anything else can)
Your luggage will be transported by car, so you do not have to take everything with you on horseback. We do, however, recommend that you use lockable bags or suitcases. Princess Trails is not responsible for the loss of any valuables unless they are handed to us before the safari. For each item we will give you a receipt.
Malaria:
Rajasthan has a very low malaria risk and this mainly during the rainy season (end of June till end of August). Rajasthan is in any case a low risk area without the more severe form of malaria tropica prevalent in Africa. We thus do not advice any malaria medication.
Some
non-aggressive mosquitoes can be there in March around certain camp
sites during dusk so we advise our riders to bring some repellent in
order to protect themselves against bites.
Effective repellents can
be also purchased locally at a low cost. In any case usually, a normal
repellent is sufficient to prevent bites.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
** No trip reports found
with the tour ID you provided.
|
..view other reports for different trips
 Accommodation during the riding portion of the tour (in most cases) will be in a safari camp. The reason for this is that many of our routes lead through scarcely populated areas away from the usual tourist paths. Very often the night has to be spent in the nature away from human dwellings.
However, all of our campsites are chosen with great care and offer a maximum safety and superb views. Away from the busy Indian towns or villages, they are a paradise for nature lovers and bird-watchers.
Though far away from civilization, our camp offers all necessary facilities to the riders. The tents are comfortable and inviting with double or single occupancy. Each tent is equipped with beds, chairs, bedrolls, and floor covering. The camp is having both toilet and shower facilities. Hot water is provided in buckets. Towels, soaps, etc. are supplied.
 Breakfast and dinner is served in our dining area, an open space with a sunroof, tables and chairs. Breakfast is Continental style with fruits of the season, eggs and toast. Lunch will be either taken as package on the trail or brought to you by Jeep. Dinner is a traditional 3-course menu of Indian food (non-spicy). Vegetarian food preparation is possible. Our camp gives a very colorful impression, reminiscent of the hunting camps of the Maharajas. The tents are made in the traditional Indian style with a roofed entrance where the riders can leave their shoes. Grouped around the dinning area they are encircled by a partition enclosure of cloth with a colorful Rajasthan pattern.
This trip includes
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
|
Tack:
|
|
English
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Marwari
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Long trots and canters, open stretches invite for gallops.
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(3
to
3
out of 5) Intermediate
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
2 riders
|
Max
12 riders
|
|
Nearly
all the horses we use for safaris and trail riding are Marwari horses.
This breed is native in Rajasthan and best suited for long rides in this
region.Formerly bred for the purpose of war , the Marwari horse
has Arab and Turkmeni ancestors, which were brought to India by
Central-Asian and Muslim invaders. His home is the desert kingdom of
Marwar from where it spread through the whole of Rajasthan. Its name
means quite literally “from the land of death”. Over centuries it was
bred in the harsh desert climate of Rajasthan by warring Rajput clans.The
Marwari horse is a medium-sized, elegant horse. The most distinguishing
features of the Marwari horse are its lyre-shaped ears, which curve
inward and often meet at the tips. Besides providing a sharp hearing,
they can be turned by 180 degrees. The Marwari has a longish head with a
broad forehead, wide-set and alert eyes and a well-shaped rather small
mouth. It is elegantly proportioned with a proud head carried on a
well-arched neck. The legs are straight and sound with small and very
hard hooves.The riding style is different to both English and
Western and on the spirited Marwari horse. We offer lessons on the
horses prior to the ride. A couple of extra days for pre-safari lessons
may make your riding experience more enjoyable. Please let Hidden Trails
know if you would like to book lessons before your ride.Let us
introduce you to our special royal Marwari horses, an ancient breed of
warhorses whose history is entwined with the history of Rajasthan and
the Rajputs. It is rightly said that “one cannot separate a Rajput from
his horse” and there is a saying: “If God did not create the horse, he
would not have created the Rajput.”This makes it quite clear
what a role the horse played and is still playing in Rajasthan. The cow
is holy but the horse is divine and still serves as a symbol of strength
and wealth. So a visit to Rajasthan is a visit to a horse country of
the finest order. In every village a fort can be found, in every village
some horses can be found. And even in these poorer village horses,
often thin and over-worked, one can still see a former gleam of royalty
in their eyes. The Marwari horse used to be the horse of the
king and his nobles. Bred for war and show, they still display a
remarkable pride and dignity. Their ears are distinctively curved
inwards in a lyre-shape and often meet at the tips, which makes them
unique and easily recognizable. The fortunes of the Marwari
horses changed with the ascendancy of the British in India. British
officers found the Marwari to be undersized and hot tempered, so they
imported shiploads of Australian Whalers who were quick, tough and
inexpensive.The Maharajas turned to luxury and extravagance and
copied British ways. Instead of keeping Marwari horses, they bought
expensive thoroughbreds or Australian mounts. Having surrendered their
very reason d'etre, India's former kings and nobles lost a fundamental
part of their soul and left their heritage and traditions behind. After
independence things did not improve for the Marwari horse, in fact the
situation worsened. Being perceived as a symbol for the despised
feudalism, many Marwari horses were castrated, killed and scattered. The
breed was neglected for decades and few pure specimen survived.Finally
the Marwari horse was saved by its own people. Local land gentry
managed to rescue a few animals and started their own breeding programs.
Tourism and horseback-safaris have provided a tremendous boost to the
revival of the Rajput culture and ultimately to the future of the
Marwari horse. Today there are countless breeders in Rajasthan, Gujarat
as well as the Punjab and the prospect of the Marwari horse looks
brighter than it has for a long time.The safari is run by a
member of the noble family of Boheda Shaktwat and his wife. The
Shaktawats of Boheda trace their lineage to Shakti Singh (1540-1594),
brother of Maharana Pratap. By killing two soldiers who were chasing
Maharana Pratap after the battle of Haldi Ghati, Shakti Singh saved his
brother's life and was thus rewarded with extensive jagirs (land grants)
and titles.
Passports
Passport valid for at least 190 days required by all nationals referred to in the chart.
Visas
Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.
Visa Note
Certain parts of the country have been designated protected or restricted areas that require special permits and in some cases prior government authorisation. Intent to visit a specific restricted region should be indicated when applying for a visa and a permit will be granted to visit that region only. An additional form must be completed. Passengers are advised to check with the tourist board for up-to-date information before departure.
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist visa: £30 (multiple-entry; six months); £50 (multiple-entry; one year). Business visa: £105 (one year); £160 (more than one year). Transit: £8 (single/double-entry). Prices for certain other nationals vary, nationals are advised to contact the embassy to check cost.
Validity
Tourist: six months or one year for multiple entry. Transit: maximum stays of 15 days within three months. Business: three or six months, or up to two years for multiple entry.
Applications to:
Embassy or high commission (or consular section at embassy or high commission); see Contact Addresses. There are also Indian Visa Application Centres in London, Birmingham and Edinburgh.
Working Days Required
Personal applications can normally be processed the same day. Applications made at the visa centres will take at least 2-3 working days. Postal applications take a minimum of 10 working days. Where referrals are required, applications may require 20-25 working days.
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| Other EU |
No |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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Mewar Riding Safari in Rajasthan
Tour Code:
IT-INRT02
10 days /
9 nights
~$2,340.00
Dates :
Oct to Feb
Difficulty :
Riding Level Explained | A | Beginner
 | Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter. | | B | Novice
 | Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of
applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting
trots, and short canters. | | C | Intermediate
 | Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces
(including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly. |
| D | Strong Intermediate
 | Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day. | | E | Advanced
 | All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country. |
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