Rajasthan itinerary
Riding with Kings 3 - 13 October 2009
Itinerary (subject to change)
Day 1 Fly London to Delhi and transfer to Hotel
Day 2 Delhi to Nawalgarh : morning drive 6 hours by private coach
Royal Welcome on arrival at the Roop Niwas Kothi. Which lies just a kilometer from the town and is a fascinating blend of European and Rajput style of architecture. The Palace has a lovely, spacious lawns, a billiard room and a swimming pool.
After lunch you will be taken to the stables where you will be introduced to all the team for the safari. A briefing will follow it on Horse riding in India. Later Devendra Singh will introduce each participant to their horse and also advise us on riding the Marwari horse. You can then ride around the field tracks near the Palace to get accustomed to your horse, if riders are not comfortable they can try another horse.
Nawalgarh in the Shekhawati region in Rajasthan's districts of Jhunjhunu & Sikar is known for the painting houses or " Havelis " of its wealthy merchant class, the Marwaris. This region could be called the open-air art gallery of Rajasthan. The drive to Shekhawati is through picturesque village and farms.
Founded in 1737 AD. By Thakur Nawal Singh, a warrior statesman, whose name is enshrined in history and folklore. The town exudes an old world charm and the colourful bazaar has the largest number of painted Havelies in Shekhawati.
Overnight Roop Niwas Kothi.
Day 3 Nawalgarh
Morning ride out with picnic breakfast in the countryside, return in time for lunch. Afternoon free time at the palace with an option to invite ladies to decorate the palms of lady guests with henna, then sightseeing of Nawalgarh by car with guide visiting havelis , to see frescos and painted houses.
Overnight Roop Niwas Kothi.
Day 4 Nawalgarh
Morning ride around Nawalgarh. During the ride we visit farmhouses and village homes of people who keep local Marwari horses. Visit the stables and have interactive meetings with the farmers. Picnic lunch en route.
Afternoon talk on Marwari horses followed by interactive discussion on how to encourage local horse lovers to continue to keep Marwari horses and beliefs of Indian people about horses. Traditional folk entertainment and dinner.
Overnight Roop Niwas Kothi.
Day 5 Nawalgarh – Churiajitgarh/ Nabipura 26 kms
Ride through semi desert areas with small farms and countryside dotted with Khejri trees. En route picnic lunch. Many flocks of blue bull antelopes may be seen around camp site.
Overnight in camp
Day 6 Nabipura/Dabri / Fatehpur Beed 30 kms
Morning ride through semi desert region and Fatehpur Beed. Picnic lunch near a typical Shekhawati architecture water tank "Johda". The Nawab of Fatehpur 300 years ago has encircled an area riding on a horse from sunrise to sunset and declared it protected. Today Fatehpur Beed is an amazing 70-sq.km area with all species of desert plants. Camping in Beed one gets to see Desert Fox, Jackal / Blue Bull and Deer. The protected area proves that if humans don’t interfere a semi forest can be created in a desert.
Overnight Camp near a ruined travellers home overlooking the entire Beed. This is a most beautiful campsite.
Day 7 Ftehpur Beed / Ramgarh 20 kms
Riding north today you will go further into the Shekhawati region. The sand dunes are dotted with greenery where farmers have found water from deep tube wells. Ramgarh is a town with many painted Havelis, an interesting traditional market place.
Overnight camp in a farmer’s field.
Day 8 Ramgarh/ Mehansar Castle 24 kms
You will pass through very high sand dunes and desert villages, to reach the beautiful small village of Mehansar of Shekhawati region. The hotel is a charming family run hotel with basic comforts but very tasty home cooked food.
Overnight in Mehansar Castle.
Day 9 Mehansar/ Lalsinghpura/ Mehansar 23 kms
Ride out with picnic lunch. Late afternoon sight seeing of Mahensar visiting the Gopinath Temple and the famous ‘Sone Chandi Ki Haveli’.
Overnight Mahensar Castle/ Camp.
Day 10 Mahensar / Delhi
Early morning ride and say goodbye to your horses. After breakfast drive (7 hrs) to Delhi.
Day 11 Fly Delhi to London
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