Pushkar Fair Safari

After a connecting flight from Delhi to Udaipur the safari takes place around the fair of Pushkar - a  special Camel Fair (October/ November) and leads the riders from the heights of the Aravalli Mountains to the sandy plains of the Thar Desert. The terrain varies from day to day. In Pushkar itself the riders can visit and ride over the Camel Fair. This is the ultimate way of getting to and experiencing the Pushkar Fair. Every year up to 100,000 camels, cattle and horses are brought to Pushkar, making this fair the biggest in Rajasthan. Thousands of people flock to attend the festivities, the religious celebrations and the life-stock trading. The sleepy town of Pushkar becomes a flurry of activity with camel and horse races, street theatre and a variety of stalls selling almost everything. Jugglers, musicians, comedians, tourists, traders, animals and devotees, all come together for a couple of days in this Fair. As written in the Lonely Planet “it is truly a feast for the eyes and should not be missed if you are anywhere near”. The Pushkar Fair is the only one of its kind in the world and is one of India's most colorful and vibrant festivals. Featured in numerous magazines, travel shows and films, it is definitely worth attending.
On this route the riders have the opportunity of seeing a lot of fascinating forts and palaces on the way (e.g. in Jhormuda and Kharwa). The absolute highlight of this safari however is the Pushkar Camel Fair . Already some days before reaching Pushkar, the riders will encounter herds of cattle and flocks of camels being guided to the fair. Very often nomads, wandering from fair to fair with their animals can be spotted. They are very colorful, the men with bright turbans and the women in gaudy saris.
On the way the riders pass through a number of villages where they can observe traditional handicrafts such as pottery, weaving or wooden work. Terrain: From the Aravalli Hills to the flat sandy plains
Pace of ride: First slow with a lot of climbing, then long trots, canters and occasional gallops in the sandy desert plain.

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Rates include accommodations (8 nights in tented safari camp and 5 nights in middle class hotels in Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Udaipur), meals, 7 riding days with 4 to 6 riding hours each, evening entertainment during safari, flight Delhi-Udaipur and road transfer from Pushkar to Delhi
15 days/ 14 nights  2,495    Single:+$350
Non rider: $1795

Dates 2008:
11/01-11/15 - 14 nights  
11/07-11/20 -13 nights
from Udaipur to Pushkar only: 
9 days/nights  $ 1950      Single:+$225
Dates 2008:
11/02-11/10    11/11-11/19

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

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

Day 1: Arrival in Delhi, direct flight to Udaipur, transfer to middleclass hotel, sightseeing Udaipur
Day 2: Sightseeing Udaipur
Day 3: Transfer to Banaria, test ride, overnight stay in our safari camp
Day 4: Banaria – Jormuda On the first safari day the trail will lead through the Aravalli mountains which are fairly low over here. The route goes through villages and fertile land. On the way the riders have a chance of visiting some temples and see some nice Baoris (step wells) with marble chattris (small pavilions). Around 4 pm they will arrive in the safari camp which is situated at a small lake. If time permits they can visit Jhormuda Fort.
Day 5: Jormuda – Kherda Another day through the mountains. Today the riders can visit a number of tribal villages. They are usually situated on top of small hills surrounded by a wall of thorn bushes. The houses are built in clusters with thatched roofs and walls made of mud. Very often they are nicely decorated with white tribal paintings. Here the riders can experience first hand the unique culture of the Rajasthani tribes.
Day 6: Kherda – Lalpura Today the landscape becomes more level and open. The main range of the Aravalli Mountains is laying in the back now. The climate becomes drier and so does the vegetation. Trees give way to thorn bushes and the soil becomes sandy. Stretches of open country invite for an occasional gallop and the horses enjoy the soft and level ground. Camels become a regular sight.
Day 7: Lalpura – Jawaja On this day the riders will truly feel the nearing desert. The land is now level and the hills are left behind. Flocks of cattle, goats, sheep and lot’s of camels are passing. All head towards the Pushkar Fair. Occasionally the riders will encounter nomads with colourful turbans and huge moustaches herding their camels to Pushkar. They transport everything they own and need for a living on the back of their animals. The small children and women with infants are allowed to ride, the rest of the family is walking.
Day 8: Jawaja – Kharwa Pushkar and the Thar desert are coming near. Another day riding through a half desert, encountering hundreds of animals. Again the trail leads through tribal land and the riders can admire their hamlets and villages. After arrival in the camp the massive fort in Kharwa can be visited.
Day 9: Kharwa – Pushkar On the last day of the safari the trail leads over sand roads through thick thorn bush vegetation. Occasionally a field can be seen where a farmer tries to grow pulses on the infertile land. The main means of livelihood here is animal husbandry. On the way a small temple can be visited and the riders can admire the ruins of some ancient forts. Arrival in Pushkar is around 3:30 pm but a part of the Mela (fair) has to be crossed in order to reach our camp which is situated within walking distance of the fairground. The riders will have a short glimpse of the fair and the camel market. In the evening they already have a chance in walking over the fair or attending some dance program.
Day 10: Ride over Pushkar Fair After breakfast the riders can see the Pushkar Fair on horseback. Since the trading ground is on a huge sand dune outside the town, it is a very comfortable and easy way of discovering it. Lunch can be either taken in our camp or if the riders want as packed lunch along the way. In the afternoon they can set out on their own to either visit Pushkar or have another round over the fair. In the fairground a colourful program is taking place all day long. Horse and camel races as well as fun competitions such as a water pot race or a turban tie competition take turns. Information about the timings will be given by us in the camp.
Day 11: Morning free to do sightseeing of Pushkar and the Fair, in the afternoon drive to Jaipur; overnight stay in a middleclass hotel
Day 12: Sightseeing Jaipur/Amber
Day 13: Drive to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri, afternoon see the Taj Mahal at sunset. Overnight stay in a middle class hotel
Day 14: Visit Agra Fort and Baby Taj in the morning, then drive to Delhi around lunchtime, a hotel room will be available till flight back home (usually around early morning the next day)
Day 15: Flight home

....  14 day itinerary  is slightly different in reverse order

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.
 

14 day  Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Delhi, transfer to middleclass hotel, sightseeing Delhi

Day 2: Drive to Agra after breakfast, overnight stay in middleclass hotel, afternoon sightseeing in Agra

Day 3: See Taj Mahal early in the morning; afterwards drive to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri. Overnight stay in middle class hotel

Day 4: Sightseeing Jaipur

Day 5: Sightseeing Amber, in the afternoon drive to Pushkar, overnight stay in our safari camp

Day 6: Ride around Pushkar and over the fair ground, overnight stay in our Safari camp After breakfast the riders can see the Pushkar Fair on horseback. Since the trading ground is on a huge sand dune outside the town, it is a very comfortable and easy way of discovering it. Lunch can be either taken in our camp or if the riders want as packed lunch along the way. In the afternoon they can set out on their own to either visit Pushkar or have another round over the fair. In the fairground a colourful program is taking place all day long. Horse and camel races as well as fun competitions such as a water pot race or a turban tie competition take turns. Information about the timings will be given by us in the camp.

Day 7: Pushkar – Kharwa On the first day of the safari the trail leads over sand roads through thick thorn bush vegetation. Occasionally a field can be seen where a farmer tries to grow pulses on the infertile land. The main means of livelihood here is animal husbandry. On the way a small temple can be visited and the riders can admire the ruins of some ancient forts. After arrival in the camp the massive Karwa Fort can be visited.

Day 8: Kharwa – Jawaja Another day of riding through semi desert, encountering hundreds of animals going to Pushkar or coming from the fair. Today the trail leads through tribal land and the riders can admire their hamlets and villages.

Day 9: Jawaja – Lalpura On this day the riders will slowly leave the desert behind. The land however still is level but the hills can be seen in some distance. Flocks of cattle, goats, sheep and a lot of camels are passing. All head towards the Pushkar Fair or are driven back. Occasionally the riders will encounter nomads with colourful turbans and huge moustaches herding their camels to Pushkar. They transport everything they own and need for a living on the back of their animals. The small children and women with infants are allowed to ride, the rest of the family is walking.

Day 10: Lalpura – Kherda The main range of the Aravalli Mountains is laying in front of the riders now. The climate is still dry and so is the vegetation. But now trees are lining the way and the thorn bush vegetation is left behind. Stretches of open country invite for an occasional gallop and the horses enjoy the soft and level ground. Camels are still a regular sight.

Day 11: Kherda – Jormuda Today the landscape becomes hilly. The desert is left behind and the riders enter the lower ranges of the Aravalli Mountains. The riders can visit a number of tribal villages. They are usually situated on top of small hills surrounded by a wall of thorn bushes. The houses are built in clusters with thatched roofs and walls made of mud. Very often they are nicely decorated with white tribal paintings. Here the riders can experience first hand the unique culture of the Rajasthani tribes. After arrival in the camp, which is nicely situated at a small lake, Jormuda Fort can be visited.

Day 12: Jormuda – Banaria On the last safari day the trail will lead through the Aravalli mountains which are fairly low over here. The route goes through villages and fertile land. On the way the riders have a chance of visiting some temples and see some nice Baoris (step wells) with marble chattris (small pavilions). Around 4 pm the camp will be reached.

Day 13: Transfer back to Udaipur after breakfast, overnight stay in middleclass hotel

Day 14: Sightseeing Udaipur. Transfer to Delhi - arriving around 3 PM .