Taste of the Raj
8 Days
India ( Best airport: Udaipur)
Head to north west India for exploring on horseback with wildlife spotting and visiting the beautiful town of Udaipur and Kumbhalgarh Fort. 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.
Level of Riding and Fitness
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.
Guides and Group Size
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.
Tack and Riding Equipment
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.
Accommodation and Dining
You’ll be spending the first two nights of the trail in local hotels. 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).
Get a free Taste of the Raj mini-brochure in PDF format.
Gallery
Itinerary
Taste of the Raj
8 days / 7 nights / 5 days riding
Single supplement £300
Flights & Airport transfers
Do not book flights until you have received the Booking confirmation email from saddletravel.com.
Please plan your flights to/from Udaipur as follows:
Arrive at Udaipur by midday on the first day of your holiday.
Departure flight on the last day of your holiday should not leave Udaipur before 16:00.
Transfers are included from/to Udaipur airport. Departures or arrivals at different times to the above can be arranged but the itinerary may need to be adjusted.
- 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
- All arrangements as detailed in itinerary
- Internal or international flights
- Tips
- Drinks outside of mealtimes