Introduction
Rajasthan India

Our Mewar Riding Safari in Rajasthan brings our riders in the South-Eastern corner of the state. This safari brings our riders from the rugged landscape of the Jaisamand Lake, the second-largest man-made lake in Asia, to the open Malwa Plain, a paradise for riders with its broad sandy paths and wild savannah, perfectly suited for long trots, canters and gallops.

Starting from Jaisamand and its Wildlife Sanctuary where Nilgai antelopes, Cheetal deer and countless birds can be observed, the trail continues through rocky terrain down into the Malwa Plain, a region geographically belonging to Central India which is so fertile that even Opium is grown here. This is a part of Rajasthan undisturbed by tourism, thus unspoiled and still rather traditional in outlook and appearance. There are no big touristic sights but rather a many undiscovered jewels to be visited by our riders.

The highlights of this safari are Jaisamand Lake and its Wildlife Sanctuary, the ancient temple complex at Jagat, also called “Little Khajurao” due to its exquisite stone carving, the medieval fort of Parsoligarh, Badwei Lake, home of many indigenous and in winter also migratory birds including flamingos, cranes and kingfishers, Barisadri Palace, till today home of the once most powerful noble family of the kingdom of Mewar, Boheda Rawla and the rarely frequented Sita Mata National Park.

Boheda, our ancestral village on the Malwa Plain is the perfect base for the exploration of the Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary, the best place in Rajasthan to spot Leopards, Nilgai antelopes, Sambar and Cheetal Deer, Chinkara gazelles and many other animals and birds of the Indian fauna. Due to its remoteness from all major roads and tourist places, very little visitors find their way to this natural paradise.

Accommodations
This is a wilderness ride, so nights will be spent in a combination of hotels and camps. You will spend 3 nights in hotels and 6 nights in tents.

Description
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.

Hotel
Featuring the architecture of a bygone era and located just 1.9 mi from Udaipur City Palace and Lake Pichola, Hotel Boheda Palace offers free WIFI throughout the property, a rooftop restaurant, and a 24-hour front desk. It has a gorgeous terrace with views of the surrounding area, the hotel also offers luggage storage and laundry facilities as well as a tour desk. Each air-conditioned room features local décor and is equipped with a wardrobe, work desk and a satellite TV. The attached bathroom has shower facilities and contains complimentary toiletries. Laundry is available for an additional cost.

Camps
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. The camp offers all necessary facilities to the riders. The tents are comfortable and inviting Indian hunting tents with high ceilings, double or single occupancy. The tents are made in the traditional Indian style with a roofed entrance where the riders can leave their shoes. Each tent is equipped with mattresses, sheets, pillow, cushion, quilts, and woolen blankets. The camp has bathroom trolleys with two showers (bucket shower with hot water) and toilets. Hot water is provided in buckets. Towels, soaps, etc. are supplied. Grouped around the dinning area, they are encircled by a partition enclosure of cloth with a colorful Rajasthan pattern.

Accommodation Itinerary
Night 1 & 2: Boheda Palace Hotel
Night 3: Camping in Badwei
Night 4-7: Camping in Boheda
Nigh 8: Camping near Mangalwar Lake
Night 9: Boheda Palace Hotel

Meals
All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 10. 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). Alcoholic beverages are not included but alcohol can be purchased (not expensive) or brought. Beer, whine (Indian), whiskey, rum, gin and vodka are available.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions with prior notice.

Riding

The Marwari Horse
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.

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.

Our Horses
Our horses live in comfortable stables and paddocks and are left to roam free during the day on our farm. All our Marwari horses were handpicked by us as we wanted to have only the best suited horses for our safari. As we have some foals every year, some of our riding horses were born in our stable and raised and trained by us. In fact we are very proud that today we have a stable of finest Marwari horses fit for riding and breeding. We believe in the principle of Natural Horsemanship which means that we keep our horses as natural as possible and train them according to NHS. Some of them are ridden with a hackamore, just a halter or even a simple neck rope. All are very well trained, obedient and a pleasure to ride. Our horses are cared for with love and affection. They are properly fed, vaccinated, de-wormed and shoed. We have imported saddle tack for all of them in order to maximize comfort for horse and rider. On the safaris we take only horses which are 100% fit and prepared. Already before the safari we try to find a suitable horse for each rider according to riding skill and preference. Spare horses go along each trail in case another horse goes lame or one rider wants to change. Our family’s faith has been intertwined with those horses for generations and the passion for them is unbroken.

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.

Guides
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.

Sample itinerary- subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival in Udaipur
Arrival in Udaipur, we collect you from the airport/train station and bring you to a comfortable Haveli-style middle class hotel in Udaipur. In the afternoon sightseeing Udaipur. Overnight stay in a Haveli Hotel (middle class) in Udaipur.

Day 2: Day ride through the Aravalli Mountains
After breakfast the riders are taken to our farm where they can meet the horses and guide. Today they ride through the Aravalli Mountains around Udaipur. The ride leads through river beds which are sometimes dry and sometimes have water, goat paths over the mountains passing tribal villages and rugged countryside. The ride is well suited for the riders to get to know their horses. Arrival back to the farm in the afternoon. Overnight stay at a middle class hotel in Udaipur.

Day 3: Khurabar – Badwei
After breakfast we take the riders to the little village of Khurabar from where the safari starts. It is a great day ride through fertile farmland broken 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 fertile soil and rich farms. Discover the fascinating rural life of Rajasthan where the fieldwork is still done with oxen and handwork. The village kids guard flocks of goats and sheep and great the riders enthusiastically with a “Namaste”, the Indian hello. Meet the women fetching water from the village well, wearing bright and colorful saris.
Riding through this country is like a journey back into the past.
Today’s camp will be situated near Badwei Lake, where a lot of 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. All in all Badwei makes a small paradise for bird lovers who can spot many different varieties. Overnight stay in our safari camp at the lake shore.

Day 4: Badwei - Boheda
Another day ride through a fantastic countryside. The soil is now so fertile that even Opium is grown in small fields. It flowers between January and March, with many small white flowers.
You will cross the small railway line connecting Barisadri with Mauvi once a week with a steam engine. Around here the villages are much richer than anywhere else in Rajasthan due to the rich soil. Most farmhouses sport richly ornamented entry gates and even the bullock carts are made of carved wood.
Arrival in Boheda around 4 pm. Today our safari camp is situated at our farm near the village. Here our riders have the possibility to charge all electronic devices as we have plugs in our little farmhouse.

Day 5: 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 area.
The Wildlife-Sanctuary is situated far away from all touristic circuits and very few visitor find their way to this natural jewel. That is one of the reasons why it is the best place for sighting animals.
With some luck the riders can observe cheetal and sambar deer, Nilgai antelopes, monkeys, gazelles, mongoose and many smaller animals and birds, including the majestic peacock, 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 6: Boheda – Parsoligarh - Boheda
Another day ride through a fantastic countryside. The soil is now so fertile that even Opium is grown in small fields. It flowers between January and March, with many small white flowers.
Around late morning the riders will reach a more lonely and hilly area. Here the old ruined fort of Parsoligarh is situated. Have lunch in the fort with enough time to enjoy the great views over the countryside and discover the remnants of the fort.
Return to the plains in the afternoon and overnight stay in our safari camp at Boheda.

Day 7: Boheda – Bansi – Boheda
Today we start again from our farm in Boheda but turning into another direction, riding to the village of Bansi. It is a beautiful ride through fields and rugged countryside. After lunch we return to Boheda where tea and coffee is waiting for the riders. In the afternoon the riders are taken to the forest rest-house at Sita Mata for an evening excursion of the Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary to observe Flying Squirrels. With some luck we might also see other night active animals such as foxes, jackals or wild cats. Return to our camp in the late evening. Overnight stay at out safari camp at Boheda.

Day 8: Barisadri – Mangalwad
The last riding day leads the riders over a large plain, sometimes dotted with fields and villages, sometimes arid and empty. The soft level ground invites for long canters and gallops over the plain. Again and again Nilgai antelopes can be spotted, resting in the shade or grazing on the dry grass. Around late afternoon the riders reach the beautiful lake of Mangalwad where our safari camp is situated. Overnight stay in our camp near the lakeshore.

Day 9: Transfer back to Udaipur
After breakfast you will be taken back to Udaipur. In the afternoon sightseeing and overnight stay in a Haveli style middle class hotel in Udaipur.

Day 10: Departure
End of the program after breakfast

--Subject to changes--

Dates Note:
This trip is available any time during the season with a minimum of 2 riders.

Other Info
Meeting: Udaipur
Airport: Maharana Pratap Airport in Udaipur (UDR)
Transfer: Udaipur airport or railway station

Seasons
The largest state in India, Rajasthan's climate can be divided into 4 seasons: summer, monsoon, post-monsoon and winter. Temperatures vary depending on the season and the region.

Summer (April to June)
Summers in Rajasthan are particularly hot with temperatures rising up to 48°C during the day. However, in places like Mount Abu, Kumbhalgarh or Ranakpur, the weather is pleasant and the views offered are breath-taking.

Monsoon season (July to September)
Monsoon is a far more pleasant experience, the temperatures tend to drop across the state and the rain showers transform the arid landscape of Rajasthan. It is a particularly good time to visit if you wish to avoid the crowds you'd usually find during peak tourist season.

Post Monsoon and Winter (October to March)
The temperatures continue to drop once the monsoon has passed, and come October winter sets in that lasts till March. During December and January, there can be a severe variation in temperatures during the day and the night. In fact, temperatures are known to drop as low as 0°C. This is the best time to visit Rajasthan as the desert sun is not as intense and the days are pleasant.

Mewar Safari

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