Pushkar Fair Ride
11 days - Delhi to Jaipur
The exuberantly colourful Pushkar Fair takes place in November. Over 200,000 Rajput traders assemble in this small town to buy and sell livestock.The Indian state of Rajasthan, where this ride takes place, was once known as Registhan, "land of desert". You ride over a wide variety of terrain, including not only desert but farmlands, rocky gorges, acacia forests, jungle scrub and the fertile Aravali hills. Historically this is one of India's richest regions scattered with magnificent forts and palaces that were once home, and in many cases still are, to royal princes. Some of these are now hotels where you stay during the ride.
A very special feature of the ride is the horses, the locally bred Marwari with their characteristic ears curling in at the top. The horses are well schooled, responsive and reliable. These Marwari horses come from the stables at Dundlod Castle, home to Kanwar Raghuvendra Singh, known as Bonnie. Bonnie is a warm and considerate host and also an expert horseman. He is a direct descendent of Kesari Singh who built Dundlod Castle in the 1750's. At Dundlod, Bonnie has set up the largest Marwari stud farm in India and has established a breed improvement programme.The Pushkar Fair Ride operates in two halves with the fair taking place in the middle. The itinerary shown is for the first half. The second half of the Pushkar Fair Ride starts with a visit to the fair and then continues westwards. The area covered is more hilly and Bonnie's horses are not used. Please call 0845 130 6981 for more information.
- Day 1
- Arrive Delhi. Transfer to a hotel where you spend the night.
- Day 2 to Day 7 (B,L,D)
- After breakfast you are driven to Dundlod Fort for a 2-night stay. Enjoy some great riding in the Dundlod area before accompanying your guide across farmlands and over the Aravali Hills. Along the way there are opportunities to meet local people with visits to villages and temples where numerous beautiful frescoes can be admired. Overnight stays include luxury tented camps with one night in the impressive Mandawa Castle. The ride finishes at midday on day 7. After lunch you will be driven to Samode Bagh arriving in time to enjoy a gala dinner at the Samode Palace.
- Day 8 (B)
- After an early breakfast, drive to Amber (about one and a half hours) just outside Jaipur. On arrival in Amber visit the Amber Fort on elephantback, before continuing on into Jaipur where the night will be spent.
- Day 9 & Day 10 (B,D on day 9 and B,L,D on day 10)
- Morning at leisure before continuing on to Pushkar for a 2-night stay. On day 10 you have a full day to enjoy the splendour of the Pushkar Fair.
- Day 11 (B)
- Transfer to Jaipur.
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- Cost per person:
- Ride Only: £1,825
- Includes: Transfer from Delhi, accommodation and meals as indicated, and all riding.
- All Inclusive: £2,705
- Includes: All flights, taxes, transfers, accommodation and meals as indicated, and all riding.
- Single Supplement: £600
- Departure Dates: 28 Oct
- The Accommodation: The accommodation is either in ancient forts or palaces which have now been converted into hotels or where such hotels are not available, under canvas, using deluxe tents. Amidst the sometimes faded grandeur of the hotels, it is possible to imagine the buildings in their glory days. The bedrooms are all different, varying in size and decoration but all are comfortable with private bathrooms. The tents used are large, colourful and comfortable and have three folding windows besides the entrance. All the tents are carpeted and furnished with proper beds, one small table and two chairs, mirror, and candles with candle stands and towels. The toilets/shower facilities have to be shared whilst camping. Occassionally private homes may have to be used, in which case facilities would also be shared.
- Food & Drink: All the meals are served fresh and hot and prepared by camp staff. The breakfast and dinner are served at the camp. There is a proper dining table and chairs at the camp. For lunch, a buffet is laid out and the food is served hot. Breakfast comprises of canned fruit juice, cereals, bread, butter, jam / marmalade, eggs and fruits. Dinner consists of soup, one non vegetarian dish, two or three vegetables, lentils, Chapatis (Indian bread), rice and dessert. The cooks are well trained and can offer a variety of food.
- Laundry: Is possible on most days.
- Children: Children are welcome and riding ability is important than age. Children should be competent riders capable of controlling a horse at a canter with a group of other riders. They must be accommpanied by an experienced adult rider.
- Non-Riders: Non-riders are welcome and can either follow the ride in the back-up vehicle or in a seperate vehicle, which would enable you to visit some sights along the way (an additonal fee would be applicable if a seperate vehicle was required).