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Aravalli Safari in Rajasthan
Rajasthan
India
This horseback safari adventure takes you on a remarkable journey through western India’s Aravalli Mountains and into the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, home of the endangered wolves of India. The terrain will change before your eyes, from a low and rolling hillside to steeper mountain inclines with varied vegetation adjusting to the elevation accordingly. In the beginning, the trail leads through small mountain villages where traditional farming and customs are still practiced daily, but as the ride penetrates deeper into the mountain range, human habitation becomes scarce. Eventually the safari enters the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary which is home to a fantastic variety of birds and animals, many of the species endangered and therefore unique to this part of the world. An exhilarating chance to admire virgin deciduous forest at its finest, surrounded by authentic Indian wilderness and atop your spirited Mawari steed.
On this riding route, the riders will visit some of the most famous sights of southern Rajasthan. Eklingji, Nagda and Sas-Bahu are home to ancient Hindu temples, featuring exquisite stone carvings. In Haldi Ghati, the Maharana Pratap Museum can be visited and of course the Chetak samadi, which marks the death place of Rana Pratap’s famous horse who brought his master to safety. At last the riders will reach the famous Kumbhalgarh Fort, one of the most important forts of Mewar, perched high upon a hilltop in the Aravalli Mountains.
The trail continues its way through the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, famous for being one of the last successful breeding grounds for the wolf in India. There are thought to be around forty of the wolves inhabiting the protected lands of the sanctuary. Other animals to be seen are the rare leopard and panther, wild boar, sloth bear, sambar and nilgai. While riding through the sanctuary the riders can spot countless varieties of brightly coloured and happily singing birdlife once common all over the Aravalli Mountains- even wild peacocks roam the park.
The safari will ride on to Ranakpur, where the famous Jain temple is located. It is the biggest and most famous Jain temple in all of Rajasthan, built in 1439, renowned for its delicate carvings. Jainism is one of the oldest religions to originate from India believing every soul is divine.
**Sightseeing options can be arranged to Agra (Taj Mahal) and other destinations.
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Meeting:
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Udaipur
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Airport:
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New Dehli - Udaipur
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Transfer:
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Udaipur
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Riders:
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Min
2 riders
Max
12 riders
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Trip Rating
Video
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Rates and Dates for 2009 | 2010
Rates include:
Accommodations (5 nights in tented safari camp and 2 nights in middle class hotels in Udaipur), 5 riding days with 4 to 6 riding hours each, evening entertainment during safari
| A | 2009 | 8 day trip, AP | 8d / 7n | $1750 |
| Single supplement | $175 |
| Non-rider | ($210) |
10% OFF and Group leader travels FREE for groups of 6 or more!
Transfer Option:
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2009
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Transfer from and to Udaipur included
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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.
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Additional dates are available for 2+ riders
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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.
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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Mawari
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Pace:
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Moderate with trots and canters. A lot of climbing, but in between long trots and canters.
|
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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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 Aravalli Mountain 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
This is a climate graph for Udaipur. You will be travelling from here into the higher elevations of the Aravalli Mountain Range where climate will adjust accordingly.
| Climate: |
Tropical |
| Summer temperature |
Minimum: 28.8 °C |
| Maximum: 38.3°C |
| Winter temperature |
Minimum: 11.6 °C |
| Maximum: 28.3 °C |
| Annual rainfall: |
637mm |
Rajasthan is one of the driest regions in India, however rainfall is comparatively high in the hilly Aravalli Range.
*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.
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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. So often the night has to be spent in nature, away from human dwellings.
However, all of our campsites are chosen with great care and offer maximum safety and superb views. Away from the busy Indian towns or villages, they are a secluded paradise for nature lovers and bird-watchers.
Though away from civilization, our camp offers all necessary facilities for the riders' stay. The tents are comfortable and inviting, with double or single occupancy. Each tent is equipped with beds, chairs, bedrolls, and floor covering. The camp has both toilet and shower facilities and 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, reminding 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.
Your guides:
Our trails are 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.
This trip includes
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
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 Aravalli Mountain 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.
|
Tack:
|
|
English
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Mawari
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Moderate with trots and canters. A lot of climbing, but in between long trots and canters.
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(3
to
3
out of 5) Intermediate
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
2 riders
|
Max
12 riders
|
|
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 Aravalli Mountain 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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Aravalli Safari in Rajasthan
Tour Code: IT-INRT01
8 days /
7 nights
~$1,750.00
Difficulty :
Lodging: 
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates |
Dates
Accomodation
2010 Itineraries
Tack:
English
Horses:
Mawari
Pace:
Moderate with trots and canters. A lo...
Walk, Trot, Canter, Gallop,
Airport:
New Dehli - Udaipur
Google Map
Video
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
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