Leopard Safari
Experience India at it’s best on expertly-trained Marwari horses. Start the trail high up in the Aravalli hills, before cantering across the wooded valleys and open plains to reach camp. Jeep safari is available for morning and evening leopard spotting. Ideal for intrepid travellers who want to experience a true trail riding adventure.
The riding offers an adventurous trail beginning at an altitude of 1100 metres and descending through wooded forests, passing cool streams before reaching the desert plains where you will camp. The riding through the plains is on sandy camel tracks where there are plenty of opportunities for some long canters between farms and villages. You’ll be covering between 25-30 km each day.
- Ride through Rajasthan’s wild Aravalli Hills on horseback
- Experience thrilling wildlife spotting with leopard safaris
- Ride across varied terrain from mountains to desert plains
- Stay in remote camps
- Ride strong, traditional Marwari horses
- Visit iconic cultural and historical landmarks along the route. Such as Kumbhalgarh Fort and Udaipur’s lakeside palaces
itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Udaipur, and take part in a late afternoon boat ride around Lake Pichola admiring the ochre and purple ridges of the wooded Aravalli Hills stretching away in every direction. Udaipur is considered one of India’s most beautiful cities, full of gorgeous palaces, a labyrinth of lakes and bridges and countless narrow, crooked, colourful streets to explore. Dinner and overnight in a local hotel.
Day 2
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and spend the morning sightseeing in Udaipur. The huge, cupola-crowned City Palace lines the eastern shore of Lake Pichola. Away from the lake shore, extends a tangled inner city of lanes lined with homes, temples, shops and businesses that is fascinating to explore. After lunch you will be transferred by road to Kumbhalgarh, a journey of around 2 hours. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Kumbhalgarh.
Day 3
After breakfast visit Kumbhalgarh Fort, built in the 15th century. Encircled by thirteen elevated mountain peaks, the fort has numerous palaces, temples and gardens to explore. After visiting the fort you will meet the horses for the trail. Ride down through the Khumbalgarh Sanctuary and Ghanerao forest using old paths and crossing small rivers. The route is shaded and quiet. A late picnic lunch is provided en route, before arriving at Muthana Lake at dusk. Overnight camp.
Day 4
Passing through villages and riding in the plains of the Aravalli hills, you’ll stop for a picnic lunch, before continuing on the trail to reach that evening’s camp situated in front of the lake. Camp overnight.Passing through villages and riding in the plains of the Aravalli hills, you’ll stop for a picnic lunch, before continuing on the trail to reach that evening’s camp situated in front of the lake. Camp overnight.
Day 5
You’ll make your way along the bottom of the Aravalli hills south west to Perwa. Passing villages and rural farmsteads, making your way through the volcanic smooth rock formations, stopping in the shade for a long picnic lunch. Camp overnight.
Day 6
Today we continue onwards to reach Jawai Bandh. Lying at the heart of an unspoilt wilderness, where leopards roam wild and free in a landscape surrounded by craggy granite formations and winding sand river-beds. Camp overnight.
Day 7
This area is where nomadic Rabari herdsmen tend their flocks alongside wild grasslands and the swells of the Jawai Bandh's waters. Flamingos and cranes flock to the river and this special location provides an entirely different experience from the rest of Rajasthan. Optional evening jeep safari. Camp overnight.
Day 8
After breakfast, departure to Udaipur for onward travel.
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Leopard Safari
Mini-brochure PDF
know before you go
This trail is suitable for riders from intermediate riders upwards. All participants should be comfortable cantering in the open countryside. You will be spending between 4 and 6 hours in the saddle each day so a good level of current riding fitness is required. The weight limit is 90kg.
Our partners are Horse India who have been running trails for over two decades with Marwari horses in Rajasthan.The trail is guided by renowned horse breeder Dr Rao Ajeet Singh. He regularly travels to rural villages to seek out old bloodlines and new stock. With a true love for his horses, an eye for detail and a zest for adventure, you are sure of a memorable safari with Ajeet as your host and ride leader.
Tour logistics are arranged by Brit, Caroline Moorey, who hasorganised private safari groups all over Rajasthan for the last 20 years. Having kept horses at home in the UK for over 30 years, and successfully competed in most equestrian disciplines, Caroline regularly judges and is very much an active member of the British Riding Club movement and founder committee member of her local club since 1985. Caroline's passion for the Marwari horse and Rajasthan is infectious, as is her enthusiasm, and her aim is for others to experience and enjoy the uniqueness of a breed that has given her so many wonderful experiences.
The maximum number of riders in a group is 12.
You’ll be riding a Marwari horse, a native breed of this part of India. Standing between 15-16hh Marwari horses are spirited but safe. The breed is known for being willing partners; soft to the hand and leg and with a fantastic, active walk. These are lean, desert horses not dissimilar to Arabs with great stamina and endurance.
English bridles are used and Indian Cavalry ‘sawar’ saddles. You can use a mixture of English riding and neck reining techniques - Marwari horses are adaptable and quick to learn.
Price includes
- 5 full days of riding
- Trail riding horse, tack and saddlebags
- Double or twin room/tent with private bathroom
- Breakfasts
- Lunches
- Evening meals
- Drinks with meals including water, soft drinks, beer, whisky, rum & gin
- Airport transfers from/to Udaipur
- Local transfers
Price Excludes
- Internal or international flights
- Tips
- Drinks outside of mealtimes
Accommodation
You’ll be spending the first two nights of the trail in a hotel in Udaipur (usually Udai Kothi Hotel). Once on the trail you’ll spend each night camping (5 nights). Tents are large 14 x 14ft Maharajah “shikar” tents. These tents are erected and dismantled every night by a tent team. You can easily stand up in them and they are decorated inside. Each tent comes complete with real beds, linen and an attached private bathroom with a sink, mirror, shower tray and a plumbed-in porcelain toilet.
A variety of food is provided at mealtimes. Breakfast options include toast/butter/Jam, porridge, corn flakes, eggs, fruit, plus Indian options of Poha (savory flaked rice), Puri (puffed bread) and Chai (sweet spicy tea). Coffee is available but bring your own if this is a necessity as Indian coffee is not the same!
Lunch is a picnic on the trail and could be rice, Chapati, eggs, okra, aubergine, egg plant, peas, carrots, potato, pasta, turmeric chips, chick pea, cabbage, etc plus fruit juice and chai as per breakfast, local sweets for pudding, soft drinks (Pepsi, Sprite, cold beer). There is always one plain dish for those finding the heat and spices too much. Dinner will have similar options to lunch but also a meat dish when available and allowed (some camp locations are in the Bishnoi tribe area, who are vegetarian, so we respect this). A small selection of alcoholic drinks are available (Kingfisher beer, Indian whisky, dark rum and gin).
Leopard Safari
Booking Conditions
See the full booking conditions specific to this trail here.Flight and transfer information
Do not book flights until you have received the Booking confirmation email from saddletravel.com
- Arrival airport: Udaipur (UDR)
- Arrival time: 12h00 (midday)
- Departure time: Not before 16h00
- Transfer arrangements: Transfers are included from/to Udaipur airport.
Single room supplement: £300