Rajasthan Talchappar Horse Riding

  India

• Other Cities in India: 
Nawalgarh

Dates: 1st - 10th Oct. 2008

Description: Horse Trekking in Rajasthan

Join us for one of the best trekking experiences available and ride one of these extraordinary horses, the Marwari horse has always been regarded as a superior being. These horses are very distinctive with their curved ears, height, majesty of bearing, intelligence and apparent loyalty. When they leap they can span as much as 12 feet. The Marwari became the battle-horse of the Rajputs and a beloved breed, only found in Rajasthan.

Day 1 Arrive in Delhi - Transfer from the airport to your hotel.

Day 2 Delhi - Nawalgarh - During the morning we drive you to Nawalgarh. Founded in 1737 the town exudes an old world charm and the colourful bazaar has the largest number of painted havelies in Shekhawati. The Shekhawati region of Rajasthan is well known for the painted houses or "havelies" of its wealthy merchant class. Our drive through Shekhawati is very enjoyable as the area is very picturesque with a variety of villages and farms to see.         

We receive a welcome fit for royalty on arrival at Roop Niwas Palace. Which lies just one kilometer from the town and is a fascinating blend of European and Rajput style of architecture. The Palace has a grand lawn, a billiard room and a swimming pool.

After lunch you will be taken to the stables where you will be introduced to the team, followed by a briefing on horse riding in India. Our host Devendra Singh will introduce each member to a horse and he will also advise the group how to ride these particular horses. The guests then ride around the trails near the Palace to get accustomed to the horses. If any rider is not comfortable with a particular horse, they can try another. You are encouraged to arrive a few days early and go through the horse selection process with no fees for riding, just accommodation and food. Overnight Roop Niwas Palace. B, L, D.

Day 3 Nawalgarh - Morning: ride out with picnic breakfast in the countryside and return in time for lunch. Afternoon: free time to relax at the palace. Overnight Roop Niwas Palace. B, L, D.

Day 4 Nawalgarh - Morning ride around Nawalgarh. During the ride visit farm houses and village homes of people who own Marwari horses. Visit the stables and have meetings with the owners. Picnic lunch en route.

After lunch we listen to a talk on Marwari horses, followed by an interactive discussion. Then we see the ancient horse medicine book, known locally as "Salotra", a hand written book, handed down through the generations. Interactive discussion on how to encourage local horse lovers to continue to keep Marwari horses. Talk on the beliefs of Indian people about horses.

Traditional folk entertainment and dinner. Overnight Roop Niwas Palace. B, L, D.

Day 5 Nawalgarh - Barwasi - Naharsinghani: We go riding through a semi desert area which is dotted with small farms and Khejri trees (prosopis spicigera). En route we take a picnic lunch. We also visit a farm where women are supported by a charity to encourage natural resource management and use of eco friendly farming techniques. Evening stay at Naharsinghani Jod, an old ranch house. Overnight Camp. Ride: 26 kms. B, L, D.

Day 6 Naharsinghani - Dabh - Churiajitgarh: Ride through semi desert area that is home to a number of farms to reach a small wood and waterhole, surrounded by ker bushes (capparis decidua). Here we will see many blue bull antelopes around our camp site. Blue bulls (boselaphus tragocamelus pallas) are in fact antelope. The Hindi word neelgai refers to the bluish colour of the adult male, and therefore "blue bull" is a local name for this animal. These animals probably evolved in open, dry forests during the Tertiary geological period. They are classified as bovids (family bovidae), and with their closest relative, the four-horned antelope (tetracerus quadricornis), are the only living representatives of Boselaphini. Overnight camp. Ride: 22 kms. B, L, D.

Day 7 Churiajitgarh / Fatehpur Beed: Morning ride through semi desert region and Fatehpur Beed. Picnic lunch near a typical Shekhawati water tank (Johda). 300 years ago the Nawab of Fatehpur encircled a area riding on a horse from sunrise to sunset and declared it "a protected area". Today Fatehpur Beed is an amazing 70 sq. km area with all species of desert plants. We should see desert fox, jackal, blue bull and deer. The protected area has allowed a forest to grow in what was an arid desert. Overnight Camp near a ruined travellers home overlooking the entire beed, a most beautiful campsite. Ride: 30 kms. B, L, D.

Day 8 Fatehpur Beed - Khuri: Riding west we enter Bikaner state. There will be a dramatic change in the terrain with many large sand dunes, a very enigmatic setting. The going will be slow through this sandy area. Overnight camp in the dunes. Ride: 30 km. B, L, D.

Day 9 Khuri - Talchappar: Today we leave behind the sand dunes and we welcome the hard ground. Most of the ride will be through (if we get permission) or around the peripheries of Talchappar, the famous black buck sanctuary. You will see black buck antelope (antelope cervicapra L.) and also deer during the ride today. Overnight camp just outside the sanctuary. Ride: 31 kms. B, L, D.

Day 10 Talchappar: We explore the area around the outer areas of Talchappar Wildlife Sanctuary. Talchappar Wildlife Sanctuary covers about 71 sq. kms of desert scrubland. It has largest population of black buck antelope in India as well as chinkara (gazelle indienne), desert cat (felis lybyea), desert fox, jackal and other wildlife that thrives in arid conditions. Flocks of demoiselle and common cranes can be seen at nearby lakes and wet lands. The bird life includes sand grouse, quails, cream coloured desert courser. We take a picnic lunch with us and stay out all day viewing the wildlife, riding as much as is needed to gain sightings of the wildlife. Overnight camp just outside the sanctuary. Ride: 15-20 kms. B, L, D.

Day 11 Talchappar - Bikaner - Delhi: Early morning ride and say goodbye to your horse. After breakfast we drive (3.5 hrs) to Bikaner. On arrival we take lunch at Bheruvilas hotel, afterwards visiting Junagarh Fort and if time permits, the camel breeding farm. Evening transfer to the railway station for the overnight train to Delhi. Overnight Train (Air conditioned class). B, L, D.

Day 12 Delhi Early morning arrival in Delhi. Additional services can be arranged in advance to fit your travel arrangements.

There are places for 10 guests only.

Highlights: The Marwari horse has always been regarded as a superior being. These horses are very distinctive with their curved ears, height, majesty of bearing, intelligence and apparent loyalty. When they leap they can span as much as 12 feet. The Marwari became the battle-horse of the Rajputs and a beloved breed, only found in Rajasthan.

Cost in US$: USD 2250

Participants Travel to India Independently

Post-Program Services Include:

• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Nepal Kingdom Foundation & Muirs Tours's Mission Statement: The Nepal Kingdom Foundation was established in 1982 to develop community spirit and preserve the culture and traditions of the Nepalese people in the UK. In 1999 the objectives were extended to include development projects in Nepal to help the needy of one of the world's poorest countries. The not-for-profit tour operation - Muirs Tours was set up in July 1999 by the Nepal Kingdom Foundation as a means of raising funds for use in projects in Nepal and the Nepalese Community in the UK. From the outset Muirs Tours planned to provide trips to other places outside of Nepal and support to other charities. It currently supports the WWF, the John Muir Trust, Tourism Concern, Survival International, the Tibetan Government in exile, the American Indian Heritage Foundation as well as the Nepal Kingdom Foundation.

Year Founded: 1982 & 1999