On this trail you will follow historical tracks without having to forego modern comfort. The riders spend the night in old castles and fortifications, some of which date back to the Middle Ages, but have now been converted into magnificent luxury hotels. Otherwise, you will be in the heyday of the Rajput culture, which ruled Rajasthan from the 7th century until the independence of India in 1947. The Rajputs cultivated a warlike clan culture, which at the same time had a vein for the fine arts. The Maharajas and Ranas gathered the best architects, musicians, painters and other artists at their court, no matter where they came from or what they believed in. The heritage are numerous dreamlike palaces, castles, but also works of art that still exist today.
The Rajput culture partially disintegrated in the modern age, but never completely. The former rulers surrendered their power to the British and after the independence of India they suddenly came down hard in reality. Many princes and aristocrats had never worked before and suddenly had to make their own living while maintaining their lands. Many successfully converted their castles and palaces into hotels.
Our partners are themselves members of the (former) noble family (the titles were abolished in 1971 by Indira Gandhi) and will be happy to give you a first-hand account of the history of Rajasthan.
The trail is very varied. It leads from the former Kingdom of Mewar to the former Kingdom of Marwar and from the Aravalli Mountains to the plains and semi-desert of Rajasthani Bagar. That means you start in the mountains and end the trail in sandy semi-desert. You will get to know two huge Rajasthani landscapes that could hardly be more different.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Udaipur and direct transfer to the city centre, which is overlooked by the huge city palace of Udaipur. You will stay overnight in the typical Haveli Hotel with Indian charm - from here you can easily explore the city centre, also on foot. In the afternoon you will go on a sightseeing tour through the old town of Udaipur.

Day 2: After breakfast you will go to your host´s farm, located about 8km outside of Udaipur, where you will get to know your horses and start your first ride. Awaiting you is a gentle hilly landscape of the Aravalli Mountains, interspersed with small streams, which, depending on the season, are deep or shallow streams or even dry up completely. The ride takes about 4 hours before the riders arrive back at the farm. Lunch on the farm or at the hotel, then ride to Kumbhalgarh to the hotel. "The Aodhi Kumbhalgarh" is situated in a wonderful landscape of forested mountains, lonely and wild. After arrival a visit to Kumbhalgarh Castle is on the program. The medieval fortress was the former retreat of the Mahranas of Udaipur and was conquered only once in its turbulent history. Those who wish can spend the evening up here and wait until after sunset when the castle is illuminated. Overnight stay in "The Aodhi Kumbhalgarh".

Day 3: Today we start early for a day´s ride to the Kumbhalgarh National Park. The mountains around Kumbhalgarh are rich in plants and animals. This is the last dry mountain jungle in Rajasthan and is home to a large number of animals and especially birds - more than 250 species. Up here live shy wolves, leopards and sloth bears. These nocturnal species are rarely seen during the day, but with a bit of luck you may see Nilgai antelopes, gazelles and spotted deer, as well as monkeys, mongooses and majestic peacocks. The ride leads into the national park for a picnic at a small stone hut above a green lagoon. Sometimes crocodiles can be seen here, either sleeping on the shore or gliding lazily through the water. In the early afternoon you leave the national park and arrive in the lovely Rankpur valley, where bizarre rock formations line the path. A small stream, which during the monsoon grows into a raging river, splashes along the wayside. Finally you come to the famous Jain Temple. Built in 1499, the roof rests on columns carved from marble. Despite its remoteness, this temple is an important pilgrimage site for the Jains, as well as one of the main tourist attractions in southern Rajasthan. After visiting the temple you will go to the hotel, the King´s Abode Hotel in Ranakpur.

Day 4: After a leisurely breakfast you will continue directly from the hotel. In the morning the trail leads through the Ranakpur Valley, past strangely shaped rocks and green hills. Finally the valley ends and in front of you is the plain of Rajasthani Bagar, the connecting link between the Aravalli Mountains and the Thar Desert. The Bagar is a wide open landscape, relatively dry and sandy. More and more often you will pass through small villages and ride along fields and palm groves. The area hardly changes noticeably and eventually becomes a dry steppe landscape. Instead of the otherwise common team of oxen, camels now take over, doing most of the work here. Herds of goats often meet the riders, the landscape is too barren for cows. In the afternoon you reach the hamlet of Narlai. Here the former palace of the local nobleman was converted into a luxury hotel a few years ago. The rest of the day can be used to take full advantage of all the hotel´s amenities and have a look at the palace and village.

Day 5: Today you will finally reach the plain. The open landscape and the soft ground invite you to gallop one or the other. From time to time you will meet Nilgai antelopes, which are surprisingly not shy towards horse and rider. The largest antelope of the Indian subcontinent has few predators here and is therefore curious. Its resemblance to a cow has earned it its name (Nilgai = blue cow) and a semi-sacred status that allows it to rob farmers´ fields with impunity. The vegetation between the villages consists of drought-resistant acacias and thorn bushes. Palm trees and mighty fig trees grow on the outskirts of the villages. Every now and then a small temple decorated with colourful flags stands at the roadside. In the late afternoon you arrive in the small town of Jojawar. As in Narlai, the former noble family has converted their palace into a hotel, the Rawla Jojawar, where you will stay overnight. In the afternoon, a short tour of the town will tempt you.

Day 6: After breakfast we say goodbye to the Marwari horses and return to Udaipur by car. After arrival the rest of the day can be used for sightseeing, shopping or relaxing. Overnight stay at the Haveli Hotel.

Day 7: Transfer back to Udaipur airport after breakfast.

Please note that there might be short notice changes of a hotel. Category and equipment of the substitute hotel are of course similar.

(Subject to change at any time)

Accomodation

You will stay overnight in a typical Indian Haveli Hotel and comfortable Heritage Hotels (at least 4* level). Mostly your hotels are located in Rajput palaces.

Saddle & Tack: English saddles and bridles.

Experience: You have to be very comfortable in fast gaits and varied terrain. Hot tempered and well trained Mawari horses are awaiting you - a delight for experienced riders.

Horses: You ride on well trained and reliable Marwari horses. These horses are closely related to thoroughbreds and are energetic and very enduring. Special features are their unique ear shape!