 CAMEL
SAFARI
A camp fire under the stars, which hang large
and brilliant in the sky. The
stillness of the night hides the overriding
features of the Thar Desert that is
primieval, savage, lonely. By day its monotonous
regularity lies broken only by
occasional groups of colorful people and welcoming
villages, remnants of wayside forts and palaces,
each with a story of past chivalry and glory
of the Rajput era.
The Thar is a world of its own, an unrelieved
ocean of sand, dotted with dunes and scarce
xerophic shrubs, with its own distinctive wild
life. Here
amongst the sun and the sand you will meet some
of the most colorful and courageous people on
earth. They respond to the rigors of life in
the desert with the exuberance of music and
songs; their vibrant attire, the upward twist
of mustache almost seem to defy the elements.
The best safaris are in the heart of the Thar,
around Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner. Variations
from 3 days to 15 days are organized, though
the optimum is a week long safari. We take care
not to pass close to any major towns, camping
at small villages and avoiding any proximity
to roads with vehicular traffic. We have attempted
to recreate the atmosphere of the old caravan
journeys.
Musicians accompany the caravan, and halts are
called outside villages where the local villagers
may be invited to join the campfire hospitality.
Add to this
sightseeing tours to Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner
and Jaisalmer and you can look forward to a
lifetime experience of the Royal Rajputana.
Our desert hospitality team will lead you through
this exciting desert safari.
1 JAISALMER TO JAISALMER : SUN AND SAND
Day 1. Jaisalmer - Moolsagar - Kuldhara -
Massooradi.
2. Massooradi - Jajiya - Khaba.
3. Khaba - Khabia - Kanoi -Sam.
4. Sam at sunrise - Road head Jaisalmer. Arrive
Jaisalmer.
1. NEAR JAISALMER TO JAISALMER ROCKS AND RUINS
Day 1. Bharva - Malji ki Dhani.
2. Malji ki Dhani - Jhawand - Mulana Dunes.
3. Mulana Dunes - Degh Malji ki temple - Devikot.
4. Devikot - Chod Akay fossil park - Drive
to Jaisalmer.
Best time : October to April
 HORSE
SAFARI
Rajput history as we know, is a tale of strife.
Battles were fought more for honour than for
greed. Such were the times when the Rajput
armies were continuously on the move. It is
on these trails, past ancient forts and temples
that you will ride.
Trails dotted with cenotaphs and tombstones,
marking sports where valiant Rajput warriors
fell in battle. Trails which take you through
rural villages and nights are spent in ancient
castles owned by descendants of those glorious
Rajput riders. You will ride from the desert
to hilly terrain, through wildlife sanctuaries
and quaint desert hamlets. Evening entertainment
in the form of local folk dances and music
around campfire will be a regular feature.
Horses will have grooms who will take charge
of the animal at all halts and you will be
escorted by our company guide. You will be
required to wear boots and a hard hat. Breaches
or jeans will suffice.
RAJASTHAN HORSE SAFARI TRAIL
The tour takes you to Rajasthan - land of
Rajas - steeped in romantic chivalry and valour.
DAY 1. ARRIVE
DELHI
Met on arrival and escorted to hotel. Afternoon,
sightseeing of New Delhi. Overnight at hotel.
2. DELHI / UDAIPUR
:
Early morning transfer to airport for flight
to Udaipur. Arrive
and transfer to hotel. Evening, could go out
for a ride or to the bazaars. Overnight at
hotel.
3. AM- Depart by road ex- Jodhpur through
semi desert country, passing the textile town
of Pali, we head towards the foothills of
the Aravalli ranges. We arrive at Kotri Rawla
for lunch (2 1/2hrs) . Kotri Rawla is the
200 yr. old residence of the Thakurs of Kotri.
The village also houses the stud farm, which
provides the horses that you will ride.
PM- We acquaint ourselves with the horses
and ride 4 km to Nadol, an archaeological
site with ruins of the 6th century being excavated
now. Kotri and overnight at the Rawla. ( Evening
entertainment - Dancing stallion).
4. AM- Ride out through open country and rocky
outcrops to Surajpura and visit the Marwari
stud farm (6 km). Continue after refreshments
to Rawala Narlai ( 4 km ).
Lunch. Rawla Narlai is also an old property
but has been exquisitely renovated to provide
all modern comforts, yet retaining the old
charm.
PM- Climb the solid granite hills to the temples
at the top which have a commanding view of
the surrounding country below. Later, take
a bullock cart ride to an old stepwell out
in the country for dinner around a campfire.
( Musical entertainment ).
5. AM- Ride (15 km ) past farms cultivating
rapeseed, cotton, wheat etc. to a large lake
, Muthana, for a picnic lunch. There is abundant
wildlife around the lake.
PM - Get into Jeeps and drive 10 km to Maharani
Bagh Orchard Retreat. ( Those who wish to
ride may continue on horseback, but will have
to rush to visit the Ranakpur temples). The
Maharani Bagh is a beautiful cottage complex
owned by the Maharaja of Jodhpur. After checking
in, we drive across the famous Ranakpur Jain
temples nearby.
Built in the 1460's, the architecture of these
temples is awe inspiring, with every inch
of pillar and ceiling intricately carved so
that no two pillars are alike.
Return to the cottages for an entertaining
program by a local magician around the campfire.
Overnight at the cottages.
6.AM- Today, we ride through the Aravalli
hills. We follow a jungle track in the
sanctuary, which is home to panthers, bears,
wolves, sambhar, Nilgai, four horned deer,
wild boar, crocodiles and many species of
birds. The ride (16 km ) brings us to Ghanerao
for lunch. Ghanerao castle, built in 1606
is run as a heritage property by the present
Thakur. Though the facilities are basic, the
grandeur of the castle with its Jaisalmer
stone facade and its marble sitouts are interesting.
PM- An interesting walk around the village
to view craftsmen and artists. Overnight castle
Ghanerao.
7. AM- We ride back into the sanctuary, passing
a crocodile lake and up a steep trail - climbing
2000 ft upto the Kumbhalgarh fort. This is
a tough ride as riders will have to dismount
on occasion to lead the horses up steep sections
of the trail.
The 20 km ride will take about 4 hrs. We arrive
at the Aodhi hotel for lunch. The Aodhi is
now professionally run by the Maharaja of
Udaipur.
PM - We visit the magnificent Kumbhalgarh
fort built in 1458 by Rana Kumbha as a retreat
from Chittor in times of war. This fort was
never in its 400 years of battle ever conquered
, and you can see why - its battlements run
36 kms in circumference encompassing the palace
and 358 temples within. Return to the Aodhi
8. Drive to Udaipur to board return flight
to Delhi.
HORSE SAFARI
AT RAJ RISALA
Raj Risala offers you a unique experience
of the glorious heritage of Rajasthan, land
renowned for its history and deeds of chivalry,
valour and courage. Traverse this timeless
land on a leisurely safari in the footsteps
of the Maharajas of yore, by horse or camel.
You will see and stay at exquisite forts and
palaces or camp in grandeur. Visit wildlife
parks and monuments which reverberate with
history. Witness the art and culture of the
land and its everchanging beauty. Above all
meet the people whose hospitality and warmth
will enchant and beckon you to come again.
We have a varied number of itineraries to
suit your convenience and we can further cater
to any special itineraries as per your desire.
The Raj Risala is based in the venerable and
holy town of Pushkar just 7 hrs from Delhi
and a gateway to this unique land.
1. SHEKHAWATI
HERITAGE HORSE RIDE
This ride is conducted in the Shekhawati region
which is known as the Open Art Gallery due
to the various Havelis which have fascinating
wall frescoes on them. The base of this ride
is from Dandled, a well known heritage hotel.
The terrain in this area consists of a mixture
of green fields, sandy tracks, sand dune areas
and finally to the Aravalli mountain range
with flowing crystal clear streams and palm
trees. During this ride the group stays at
famous heritage hotels at different forts
and palaces. On the choice of the group tented
camps at some places can be arranged.
2. DESERT TRAIL
HORSE RIDE
This ride is conducted in the desert of Bikaner,
Nagaur and Jaisalmer areas. The vast desert
of this area is known for it's undulating
terrain, sparsely populated with the Indian
Chinkara, black buck and the nomadic tribes
of Rajasthan. During this ride, the group
will stay at the home of a Raiput Chieftain
and in tented camps with only one night stay
at a lavishly designed heritage hotel.
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