Aravalli Nature
            & Wildlife Safari

After the sightseeing from Delhi to Agra ... the riding safari takes place before the backdrop of the Aravalli Mountains. The terrain is hilly till mountainous with a varied thickness of vegetation. In the beginning the trail leads through small mountain villages where traditional farming is still practiced, but as the riders penetrate deeper into the mountains, human habitation becomes scarce. Finally the riders will enter the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary where they will be able to observe a great variety of birds and animals as well as admire virgin dry deciduous forest.
On this riding route the riders will visit some of the most famous sights of southern Rajasthan. Eklingji,Nagda and Sas-Bahu temples are ancient temples, featuring exquisite stone carving. The Sas-Bahu temple is also nicknamed Little Khajurao. In Haldi Ghati the Maharana Pratap Museum can be visited and of course the Chetak samadi, which marks the death place of this famous horse. Finally the riders will reach the famous Kumbhalgarh Fort , one of the most-important forts of Mewar, perched high on a hilltop in the Aravalli Mountains.
The trail will continue its way through the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary , famous for being one of the last successful breeding ground of the wolf in India. Other animals to be seen are leopard, panther, wild boar, sloth bear, sambar and nilgai. While riding through the Sanctuary the riders can spot countless birds and experience virgin dry deciduous forest, once common all over the Aravalli Mountains.
The safari carries on to Ranakpur , where the famous Jain temple is located. It is the biggest and most famous Jain temple in Rajasthan, built in 1439, renowned for its delicate carving.
The terrain is mostly hilly, some valleys and plains, generally forest vegetation Pace of ride: A lot of climbing, but in between long trots and canters.

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Rates include accommodations (5 nights in tented safari camp and 10 nights in middle class hotels in Delhi, Agra, Jaipur adn Udaipur), 5 riding days with 4 to 6 riding hours each, evening entertainment during safari, flight Udaipur-Delhi
16 days/ 15 nights  $ 2,450   Single:+$375
Non rider: $1900

Dates 2008:   
01/10-01/25  Winter Safari
12/18-01/02  New Year Safari

from Udaipur only -
Dates 2007
9 day / 8 nights   $1,700     Single:+$200
12/25-01/02
Dates 2008
8 days/ 7 nights  $1,500    Single:+$175
01/18-01/25   12/26-01/02

... additional dates can be added with a minimum of 2 riders.

Riders:   Minimum 2, maximum 12
Riding Per Day:   4-6 hours
Pace: Moderate
Tack: English
Horses: Marwari  and Marwari cross
Weight Limit: 185 lbs.
Meeting: Delhi
Transfer: Delhi - Delhi included

  see Slide Show

Not included:
-          Entrance fees
-          Guide for sightseeing
-          Alcoholic beverages
-          Personal expenses

Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Delhi, transfer to middleclass hotel, sightseeing according to the wishes of the riders
Day 2: Drive to Agra after lunchtime, overnight stay in middleclass hotel
Day 3: See the Taj Mahal in the morning, afterward sightseeing in Agra
Day 4: Drive to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri, overnight stay in middleclass hotel
Day 5: Sightseeing in Jaipur, overnight stay in middleclass hotel

Day 6: Sightseeing Amber, overnight stay in middleclass hotel

Day 7: Drive to Udaipur after breakfast, overnight stay in middleclass hotel
Day 8: Sightseeing Udaipur, overnight stay in middleclass hotel, test riding
Day 9: Sightseeing Udaipur in the morning, riding in the afternoon; overnight stay in middleclass hotel
Day 10: Udaipur – Eklingji
The first day of the safari leads the riders from the Udaipur valley into the Aravalli Mountains up to 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 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 easygoing with wide 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 11: Eklingji – Haldi Ghati
Today the trail leads through a beautiful valley in the mountains. 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 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 further inside in the history of Mewar. The pace at this day is quick with trots, canters and an occasional gallop. Haldi Ghati by the way, means yellow valley, highlighting the special colour of the earth there.
Day 12: Haldi Ghati – Kumbhalgarh
On this day the trail leads through steeper terrain. The riders enter the higher reaches of the Aravalli Mountains. The vegetation becomes denser and the population sparser. Birds and smaller animals can be seen frequently and with some luck the riders can spot deer or antelopes. Rarely a leopard can be glimpsed. 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 (Udaipur). 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, seeing however surprisingly few tourists. The riders can visit it either today after the ride or tomorrow morning
Day 13: Kumbhalgarh – Ranakpur
Today the riders 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 dry 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 of Rajasthan. Small streams have to be crossed and lunch will be taken in one of the forest rest houses on the way. Since the route leads through the Wildlife Sanctuary the riders have to stick to the sandy paths, which are however sometimes really narrow and overgrown by weeds and bushes. Very rarely they will encounter other human beings. After lunch the riders will descend slowly to the valley of Ranakpur and leave the Sanctuary behind. The country becomes more open and little hamlets are on either sides of the way. Here the riders can still encounter traditional forms of agriculture and craftsmanship. It is like a step back into time. The farmers still use oxen to plough their fields and the only 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 14: Ride through Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary After breakfast the riders have the chance of visiting the white Jain temples of Ranakpur. Famed all over India for its beautiful exquisite marble carving, the main temple rests upon 1444 pillars each with a different design. A major site of pilgrimage it stands no less than any medieval cathedral of Europe and 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 relaxing as the trail basically leads through the valley. The riders will pass a couple of villages before entering again into the Sanctuary. Before the backdrop of the mountains they will ride along sandy paths and roads passing great rocks and mounds of various shapes. Peacocks and jungle fowls are common, occasionally a mongoose or even a snake can be spotted. On the water holes are cranes and kingfishers and above their heads big black kites are circling for pray. From time to time villagers with flocks of sheep or goats are passing 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 15: After breakfast, transfer back to Udaipur, chance for  sightseeing or shopping.
Day 16: Morning flight back to Delhi. Arrival in Delhi around 10 AM. Transfer from the National to the International terminal is included. 

Our safari camps:
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 very often the night has to be spend 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 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, reminding of the hunting camps of the Maharajas. The tents 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.