Here in the north of India you can ride and combine culture perfectly. On exciting star rides on noble Marwari horses you will explore the landscape around Udaipur, the capital of the Mewar region. In addition, you will get to know the Indian culture with its magnificent palace buildings and temples and discover many highlights of the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan on the sightseeing tours.
The short safari near Boheda with overnight stay in a safari comfort tented camp brings you closer to Indian country life. You ride through fields and villages, past lakes, palm trees and flame trees. You will experience the colourful Indian village life with holy cows, mighty water buffalos, goats, camels and much more on horseback.
The riding program is flexible and leaves you time for your own excursions, sightseeing, shopping and relaxation.

Itinerary

Star rides on Marwari horses around Udaipur with 3-day short safari, 8 days

Day 1: Arrival in Udaipur, transfer to a comfortable middle class hotel built in traditional Haveli style with views of the City Palace and the old town of Udaipur. In the afternoon you can take a first walk through the old town. Dinner and overnight stay in a middle class hotel.

Day 2: After breakfast we will drive to the farm, about 8km outside of Udaipur. Here you will get to know the horses and go on a first ride of about 2 hours. Beginners and re-starters can take a lesson. Lunch on the farm and return to Udaipur afterwards. In the afternoon boat trip on the Pichola Lake. Overnight stay in a middle class hotel.

Day 3: Today we will visit the city palace and Jagdish temple. You can also visit Gulab Bagh, the largest park in Udaipur and the Maharana´s vintage car collection. Today´s traditional lunch at Thalis will bring you even closer to Indian culture. In the early afternoon we go back out to the farm for a half-day ride (about 4 hours). Overnight stay in a middle class hotel.

Day 4: Day trip to Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur to visit two of the most interesting sights of South Rajasthan, the historic castle of Kumbhalgarh and the Jain temple in Ranakpur. After breakfast we will start our trip with a beautiful drive through the mountains to Kumbhalgarh. After visiting Kumbhalgarh we continue to Ranakpur. Here the road winds its way through the Aravalli Mountains past small farms and the traditional Persian wells, which have been operated with ox power for hundreds of years. In Ranakpur you will stop at a hotel to enjoy lunch and then visit the Jain temple. The main temple is one of the most important pilgrimage sites of the Jainas and rests on 1444 columns of white marble, each one artfully carved. Return to Udaipur towards evening. Overnight stay in middle class hotel.

Day 5: Today we will go on a safari at the Badwei Lake. Here you will meet your guide and the horses. After a short introduction round the lake you will start. Today´s ride takes you from Lake Badwei to Boheda, the former fief of the Reiterhof family. The trail leads through the heart of the Malwa plain and crosses a small railway line that connects Barisadri and Mauvi once a week with a steam locomotive. Between December and March, poppies (for the production of opium) are cultivated here under strict conditions in small fields. The cultivation is historical and the reason for long wars between Rajputs, Marathens and Moguls over this area. The riding pace is fast and the horses enjoy the soft ground under their hooves.
Arrival in Boheda around 16:00 and overnight in the safari camp just outside the village. If possible, a late afternoon ride through the village by ox cart, the traditional means of transport in India, will be arranged for the riders.

Day 6: Today we will have a ride through the Sita-Mata National Park. Early in the morning you will set off on your day´s ride through one of the most beautiful national parks in South Rajasthan. Sita-Mata is off the beaten track and it is extremely rare for visitors to get lost here. Therefore the animals that are native to this park, such as leopards, jungle cats, Chinkara gazelles, Nilgai anilopes, Chittal and Sambar fish, Hanuman monkeys, are not as shy as elsewhere. Sita-Mata has over 250 native bird species from the smallest hummingbird lterna to the majestic peacock. It is one of the last remaining forest areas on the Malwa Plain and its pristine nature never fails to enchant riders. Lunch break is near the hot springs in the middle of the National Park. Return to Boheda in the late afternoon and overnight in the safari camp.

Day 7: After breakfast you will ride around the village of Boheda and after a ride over green fields dotted with palm trees you will finally arrive in a hilly landscape which is much more lonely and barren than the plain. Depending on the season, the hills are green with steppe grass or a brown-golden savannah. With a little luck you can see Nilgai antelopes or even gazelles. Around noon the riders come to the ruins of the old Parsoligarh Fort. This medieval fortress is located lonely and deserted on a hill overlooking the surrounding area.
Picnic today in the inner courtyard of the gigantic complex. Afterwards the riders have time to explore the walls and enjoy the view over the hills and a small lake.
After lunch the ride continues through the hills past small temples and back to the plain. Here a car will be waiting to take you back to Udaipur. Arrival there in the evening. Overnight stay in a middle class hotel.

Day 8: Departure after breakfast, transfer to the airport or individual extension in India.

Star rides with sightseeing, 8 days
As above but with 3 days sightseeing and horseback riding in and around Udaipur (instead of the short trail). Suitable for beginners and families with children. Additionally a half day trip to Nagda and Eklingji or Chito.

Short Safari (5 days/4 nights): ideal in combination with your individual India round trip: 5 day program with horseback riding and sightseeing around Udaipur, 2 nights in a middle class hotel, 2 nights in a safari camp.
Day 1: Arrival in Udaipur, transfer to the comfortable middle class hotel built in traditional Haveli style with views of the City Palace and the Old Town of Udaipur. In the afternoon you can take a first walk through the old town. Dinner and overnight stay in a middle class hotel.
Day 2-5: same program as star rides on Marwari horses (see above) Day 5-8. Can be booked additionally at extra charge:
* Massages (directly at the hotel lterna massage parlor next door)
* Swimming pool (next door)
* further excursions (subject to change. The program is also possible for non-riding companions).

Accomodation
In Udaipur the overnight stay will be in a good, centrally located middle class hotel.
During the short safari you will spend 2 nights in the camp.

The mobile safari camp consists of spacious, comfortable double tents, a dining area, a kitchen and a bathroom trolley. The tents are approx. 3x3 meters large and high enough to stand comfortably in. The Bathroom Trolley is a kind of trailer with 2 toilets and 2 small shower cabins. Hot water for washing is provided in a bucket.

Saddle & Tack: Comfortable English saddles and Australian stock saddles, water bridle and Hackamore.

Experience: For the rides and the short safari, cross-country experience and saddle strength in all gaits is an advantage. The Star Rides with Sightseeing programme is also suitable for beginners as well as for families with non-riders and (older) children, as the rides can be individually adapted in speed and duration (beginners in separate groups).

Horses: Marwari horses, well trained, forward going and reliable.