Udaipur Riding Safari

Introduction
Rajasthan India
The simple pleasures of horseback riding and the romantic city of Udaipur come together to create a winning combination! Immerse yourself in the Indian way of life and discover the colorful country's many unique delights!

Beautiful Udaipur was founded in 1567 and is situated on the shores of two lakes – Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar. Known as the “Venice of the East”, countless poets, writers and painters were and still are inspired by its white splendor. The City Palace of Udaipur is the largest palace complex in India. It houses a museum, luxurious hotels, a school and the residence of the descendants of the king of Udaipur! Outside the city, tour through the tribal regions of southeastern Rajasthan and experience the special culture of the Bhil tribes. The majority of these villages are still constructed of huts made from the earth and are surrounded by a protective wall of thorns. Traditional handicrafts and customs are still prevalent, the evidence notable throughout the journey. On daily rides out of Udaipur, you will explore the countryside upon the back of your own spirited Marwari horse, a descendant of the war horses prized by the Indian nobility of days gone past. Plenty of sight-seeing options are available each morning for riders to choose from, before participating in the afternoon rides.

The Terrain: Mostly open country with the odd hilly areas. Strips of thorn forest and rather dry vegetation.

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so all nights are spent in the same location.
There is an option for a short safari add-on, which would involve 2 nights at a safari camp and 5 nights in the hotel.

Description
You can choose between staying in a hotel in Udaipur or on our farm.



Option 1: Boheda Palace Hotel
This small hotel has been classified as an heritage building thanks to its traditional architecture. Each of the 16 rooms all come equipped with a TV, air conditioning, private facilities and free Wi-Fi access. The hotel’s most appreciated feature is without doubt its rooftop terrace offering panoramic views over the city. There are laundry facilities onsite (extra charge).

Option 2: Cottage on the farm    
If the first option is fully booked or if you prefer to stay outside of town, you will be staying in a cottage on our farm. The cottages have attached bathrooms and hot water. This is the perfect choice to experience the farm life!



Safari Camp accommodation (for short safari add-on)
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.



Meals
All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8.
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, wine (Indian), whiskey, rum, gin and vodka are available.

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

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Daily Schedule
A normal safari day includes between 5 and 6 hours in the saddle plus a lunch break (lunch is either taken as a lunch packet or brought to the riders by our jeep) and several smaller breaks for sightseeing on the way or a tea stop in the little hamlet by the way.

Our Horses
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.
Our horses live in comfortable stables and paddocks and are left to roam free during the day on our farm. All our horses have been 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.
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.

Tack & Riding Style
We have imported saddle tack for all our horses in order to maximize comfort for horse and rider.
The riding style is different to both English and Western. 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 oldest and most honored noble families of Udaipur, whose history is interwoven with horses for many centuries, and his German wife.

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary: Stationary Program excluding Short Safari - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival day                         
Arrival in Udaipur and transfer to your hotel in the Old City of Udaipur. In the afternoon, you can do some first sightseeing or some walking around the little back lanes of the city.
Dinner and overnight stay in a middle class hotel.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at cottage on the farm or Hotel Boheda Palace in Udaipur
 
Day 2: First Ride                        
After breakfast we take you to our farm where you can meet the horses. Go for a first ride through the countryside around the farm. Lunch on the farm or after return to the city. In the afternoon, go for a romantic boat ride on Lake Pichola. 
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at cottage on the farm or Hotel Boheda Palace in Udaipur
 
Day 3: Udaipur Visit & Half-Day Ride                        
Morning sightseeing of Udaipur and lunch. In the afternoon, we go for a half-day ride. 
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at cottage on the farm or Hotel Boheda Palace in Udaipur
 
Day 4: Excursion to Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur (no riding)       
Today you will start early to go for a day excursion to Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur, two major sights of Southern Rajasthan. The historic fort of Kumbhalgarh was the main the place the people of Udaipur retreated to in times of danger and it is situated on the top of a high mountain range with spectacular views over the Aravallis and the plains of the Rajasthani Bagar.
The Jain temple of Ranakpur is possibly one of the most beautiful and impressive temples of Rajasthan and definitely a highlight for every traveler in India. It is carved from white marble and rests on 1444 pillars. Return to Udaipur in the evening. 
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at cottage on the farm or Hotel Boheda Palace in Udaipur
 
Day 5: Ride through the Aravalli Mountains                    
Day ride through the Aravalli Mountains around Udaipur with picnic lunch in the hills. Return to Udaipur in the evening. BBQ-dinner with campfire at the farm. 
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at cottage on the farm or Hotel Boheda Palace in Udaipur

Day 6: Nagda and Eklingji temples               
In the morning, we take you for sightseeing to the Nagda and Eklingji temples about 20 minutes’ drive from Udaipur. Have lunch at the hotel and come out for a sunset ride in the afternoon to our farm. 
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at cottage on the farm or Hotel Boheda Palace in Udaipur
 
Day 7: Jaisamand Lake and Wildlife Sanctuary                         
After breakfast, we drive out to Jaisamand (about 48 km from Udaipur) where you will do a boat ride on the Jaisamand Lake before starting your ride at the Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to many different animals such as leopards, antelopes, Indian gazelle, jackals, etc. With some luck, the riders should be able to spot plenty of birds including peacocks, Nilgai antelopes and maybe some gazelles. Lunch break is held either in the shade of a forest or at a former hunting lodge which offers fantastic views over the mountains. In the afternoon, the riders will come to beautiful Piladr Lake, a famous birding spot and a good place to dismount and stretch the legs. Return to Udaipur in the late afternoon. 
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at cottage on the farm or Hotel Boheda Palace in Udaipur
 
Day 8: Departure                         
Program ends after breakfast. Transfer to the airport or train station. If your departure is in the afternoon/evening, you can leave your luggage at the hotel and do some more sightseeing. There is also a shower/bathroom facility at the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast



Sample Itinerary: Stationary Program including Short Safari - subject to changes
 
Day 1: Arrival day                         
Arrival in Udaipur and transfer to your hotel in the Old City of Udaipur. In the afternoon, you can do some sightseeing or some walking around the little back lanes of the city. 
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Boheda Palace in Udaipur
 
Day 2: First Ride                         
After breakfast we take you to the farm where you can meet the horses. Go for a first ride through the countryside. Lunch is taken at the farm or after return to the city. In the afternoon, go for a romantic boat ride on Lake Pichola. 
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Boheda Palace in Udaipur
 
Day 3: Udaipur Visit & Half-Day Ride                         
Morning sightseeing of Udaipur and lunch. In the afternoon, we take you for a half-day ride. 
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Boheda Palace in Udaipur
 
Day 4: Excursion to Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur (no riding)                 
Today you will start early to go for a day excursion to Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur, two major sights of Southern Rajasthan. The historic fort of Kumbhalgarh was the main the place the people of Udaipur retreated to in times of danger and it is situated on the top of a high mountain range with spectacular views over the Aravallis and the plains of the Rajasthani Bagar.
The Jain temple of Ranakpur is possibly one of the most beautiful and impressive temples of Rajasthan and definitely a highlight for every traveler in India. It is carved from white marble and rests on 1444 pillars. Return to Udaipur in the evening. 
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Boheda Palace in Udaipur
 
Day 5: Badwei Lake to Mangalwad Lake
Today we will take you for a short safari into the countryside. Pick-up from your hotel in the morning and drive to Badwei Lake (around 1.5 hours driving time).
At the lakeside the horses will be already waiting for you. Start your ride through countryside dotted with palm trees, fields and small villages. With some luck Nilgai antelopes can be spotted. 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.
Long sandy country lanes are inviting for trots and canters. The horses enjoy the soft ground under their feet and keep going for miles and miles.
The landscape is dotted with little villages surrounded by green fields and palm groves. Mighty Mango trees grow along village paths flowering yellow and white in springtime and spending welcomed shade for horse and rider. Village wells are powered by a pair of oxen, slowly brining up buckets full of water for irrigating the fields.
Arrival in Mangalwad around 4 pm. Our safari camp is situated a little outside the village near Mangalwad lake. Dinner and overnight stay at our safari camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at camp near Mangalwad Lake
 
Day 6: Palod Lake Ride
After breakfast, we start our day ride to the huge flatwater lake near Palod. The lake grows and shrinks with the seasons but is always impressive and with some luck we see water birds, flamingos or even Sarus Cranes. The ride there leads us over open plains and along fields. We cross tiny village and ride over open steppes, home to Nilgai antelopes. Lunch break is held at a comfortable spot near the lake. In the afternoon we ride a wide circle and come back to Mangalwad and our safari camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at camp near Mangalwad Lake
 
Day 7: Malwa Ride
We set out on another day ride through the open countryside of Malwa. We ride over the Magalwad dam and follow small country sand lanes across fields and villages and through the open steppes dotted with palm trees. Lunch is held at a scenic spot in the shade of some trees where the horses can find some grass and the riders some rest. In the afternoon we circle back to Mangalwad. We reach our camp in the late afternoon and drive back to Udaipur.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Boheda Palace in Udaipur
 
Day 8: Departure day                         
Program ends after breakfast. Transfer to the airport or train station. If your departure is in the afternoon/evening, you can leave your luggage at the hotel and do some more sightseeing. There is also a shower/bathroom facility at the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Udaipur Riding Safari

Dates Note: This trip is available any time -except during fixed date riding tours. May and June are usually very hot.
Sold Out Dates: Mar 22 to 27

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

Climate:
                                                Udaipur area