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Ride a camel over the dunes or horses through
the hillside, speed ahead in a jeep and camp under open skies.
Decide your favourite colour and pick a city to
match, Rajasthan's kaleidoscope of colours covers all.
Bastions of history, bristling with memories,
these splendid treasures stand battling the vageries of time.
 Fort
Amber
The
City Palace, Jaipur
Wind
Palace, Jaipur
Chittaurgarh
Fort
City
Palace, Udaipur
Jaisalmer
Fort
Mehrangarh
Fort
Nahargarh
Fort, Jaipur
The desert sands shimmer and pulsate with an
energy and a spirit of festivity permeates the air, every season
provides many reasons to celebrate.
Camel
Festival
Mewar
Festival
Elephant
Festival
Gangaur
Festival
Pushkar
Festival
Desert
Festival
A delicate ecosystem, part desert part marshy
lands and even a small section of lush water filled valleys, sports a
wildlife rich in variety.
Whichever Budget Hotel you choose you will
always experience a traditional hospitality that you may never want to
forget.
Jaipur
Budget Hotels
Jaisalmer
Budget Hotels
Bharatpur
Budget Hotels
Bikaner
Budget Hotels
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Rajasthan
Tours Travel » Sightseeing
Safari » Horse Safari
Horse Safari
Rajasthan is a fascinating land full forts, palaces, legends and
legacies. There are many ways to tour and take in its sights and sounds
but for those who want something other than the run of the mill, more
importantly for the lovers of all things equestrian, rejoice, for the
horse safari in Rajasthan comes designed in many packages and takes you
through some uncharted territory. Ride through the rugged rocky terrains
of the Aravalis, the scenic Deogarh Plateau, the beautiful forested plains
near Udaipur, Samode as well as the sandy and rocky fields of Jaisalmer,
Jodhpur and Bikaner regions. Pass through fascinating and exotic rural
countryside, ruins of historical monuments and beautiful temples, explore
all this and more in a truly regal manner on horseback.
The
Rajputs who ruled this land for centuries were also known as warrior
kings, they were brave monarchs and many of them lay down their lives for
their people. Their stories of conquest, passion and valour still live on
in the hearts of the people and are a part of Rajasthani folklore. As the
kings rode to battle, not only was every detail given to preparation for
such an event but even their steeds were handpicked with much care. One of
the most famous stories is of that of Chetak, a gray stallion that
sacrificed his life for Maharana Pratap, though mortally wounded in war
the stallion rode his king to safety. The royalty of Rajasthan has always
taken great care to breed horses and to keep a clean and pure lineage. The
result of many years of dedication and hardwork helped create breeds like
the Marwari, Kathiawadi and the Sindhi, each having its own distinct
characteristics and bred solely for the purpose of war. These gallant and
fiercely loyal horses are now very popular on the polo fields and on a
horse safari you could ride one too.
On a horse safari you would get to ride through the rugged terrain of the
Aravali, India’s oldest mountain range, witness some beautiful
locales and secluded places with panoramic views of dams, lakes, rivulets
and fields, cross deep ravines, little hamlets, canter across dry desert
terrain and search for shells at dry riverbeds. Explore the cenotaphs and
tombstones of many brave and valiant Rajput warriors. Trot through trails
which take you through villages, pass huge and ancient forts and temples.
Take pleasure and of course take along a set of binoculars so that you can
spot some of the interesting wildlife that inhabits this region, the
desert fox and the black buck are common sightings. The evenings are for
rewarding yourself for all that diligent exploring and straight backed
riding, the campsites will provide entertainment enough to enliven your
trip, colourful dances and soulful music will be the perfect complement to
piping hot treats fresh from the tandoor. A trained chef usually
accompanies the band of travellers and the meals speak for themselves. At
night you have the option of choosing a fancy tent or staying in ancient
palaces and the Garhs(small forts), which have now been turned into
heritage properties. A trail guide and if need be even a translator is
present throughout the journey.
Facts and Figures
The safari starts from Jaipur and usually lasts for four days. Come
prepared with your own boots and breeches. A hard hat is a good idea and a
pair of comfortably fitted jeans or trousers would be suitable. Sun
glasses and sun screen are an absolute must and a light pullover or jacket
would do for the evening. Beds, linen and towels are provided for. The
meals are included in the package as well, you will be served an English
breakfast and varied Indian cuisine for lunch and dinner. You will have to
pay just a little extra for liquor and aerated soft drinks. The horse
safari is organised by some private tour operators and also by the
Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation.
Routes
The routes followed in the horse safaris are similar to that of jeep
safaris yet the experience that you get is different, the reason being
that the Rajputs themselves were known to be good horse riders and you get
to relive that magical spell yet again. The nearby areas of Udaipur are
among the most popular for horse safaris. Here, the undulating hilly
terrain and vibrant countryside attract you like a magnet. The horse
safaris have the facility of moving with your own comfortable pace. The
most exciting horse safari destinations are Aodhi (Kumbhalgarh), Ghanerao,
Anokhi village (Jaipur) and Shikarbadi (Udaipur).
Climate
Summers are very hot, as we expect from the Thar desert, with
temperatures ranging from 32 C to 45 C. In western Rajasthan the
temperature may rise to 48C, particularly in May and June. In Rajasthan it
rains from the month of July to September, when the humidity increases,
and it results in very uncomfortable climate. From mid-September to
mid-March, the climate is amicable because it's cold as well as sunny
weather and hence the climate is just right for travelling.
Best time:
A horse safari from mid-September to mid-March is most suitable for
tourists.
