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Highlight of the Horse Safari trip : Rajasthan - Land of the Kings - is steeped in romantic history, chivalry and valour. Formerly known as Rajputana, it boasts of the finest fortress-palaces, built with sandstone quarried from the land itself. In contrast with the pastel shades of the desert landscape are the brightly coloured costumes of its handsome people. With its turbaned men and richly jewelled women, it’s Havelis and villages, its fairs and festivals, Rajasthan beckons you. In Rajasthan especially, India’s Raja’s and Maharajahs of the past have turned their palaces & fortresses in cities, hotchpotch bazaars, countryside and forests into Hotels. Heritage hotel is a grouping of such 50 such gems, and for a dedicated India ‘buff’, prepared to face the occasional technical imperfection and eccentricity of service or understanding, a visit to such locations give a rare insight into the world of princely India now largely lost. The Safari tour incorporates some of these atmospheric locations.
Suggested sketch program:
Day 1 Arrive at New Delhi
Arrive Delhi, met upon arrival at International airport & transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2 At New Delhi
Morning combined sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. In Old Delhi visit Red Fort, Jama Masjid, drive past Chandni Chowk and visit Raj Ghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. In New Delhi visit Qutab Minar - 234 feet high tower, nearby stands the Iron pillar, the Tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun, the modern Birla Mandir Temple. Drive past India Gate (War Memorial), President’s House, which was once the Viceroy’s Palace, Parliament House and Secretarial building. Evening witness a pageant of Indian Music and dance followed by Dinner at The Village BISTRO or similar theme restaurant.
Day 3 Drive to Nawalgarh
Morning drive to Nawalgarh 6 - 7 hrs. Arrive at Nawalgarh by lunch time. Founded in 1737 A.D. by Thakur Nawal Singh, a warrior statesman , whose name is enshrined in history and folklore. It has one of the biggest groups of havelis in the Shekhavati. There are literally dozens of them to wander into. Aath Haveli (;EightHavelis”) is interesting, with amusing European influence reflecting in its frescoes. Chhawehhariya and Poddar havelis are perhaps the most splendid. The latter has been converted into what must surely be the worlds most picturesque school. Uttarian Haveli is notorious for its resident ghost. Here, even the telephone exchange has frescoes that are worth seeing. But the piece de resistance is Bala Quila Fort, whose frescoed kiosk is perhaps one of the finest examples of the art in all of shekahawati.
Royal Welcome on arrival at the Roop Niwas Palace with horses, camels, folk music flower garlands and non alcoholic welcome drink. Roopniwas is 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. Evening meet at the stables over tea, welcome gifts are distributed and Devendra singh ji helps guest choose their horse and ride around the palace grounds. Cocktails and detail briefing of the tour and introduction talk on the arid region ecology followed by Dinner.
Overnight Roop Niwas Palace.
Day 4 At Nawalgarh
Morning ride out with picnic breakfast around Nawalgarh to get accustomed to your horses. Afternoon sightseeing to Nawalgarh town by car / camel buggy with a guide. Overnight Roop Niwas Palace.
CROSS COUNTRY SAFARI COMMENCES Average riding distances are 25-30 kilometers per day.
Day 5 Horse Safari to Dundlod
The route will be through picturesque villages and farms. The Safari will move about 20 to 30 Kms a day with a lunch halt and breaks for tea coffee and refreshments. Ride from Roop Niwas Palace to Dundlod Fort.
After having traveled through sandy tracks of Shekhawati, you enter the village of Dundlod. the village is noted for its two impressive Goenka Haveli and its painted Goenka chhatri or cenotaphs. You will stay here as special guests in a quaint fort which stands in the middle of the village, almost Scottish in its design. Inside it is an interesting Mughal-style, divan khana or hall, with copies of Louise XIV furniture and old family portraits of the local thakur (chieftain’s) family. Overnight stay at Dundlod Fort.
Day 6 Horse Safari to Mandawa
Ride from Dundlod Fort to Mandawa Castle. This morning as you leave your hotel and ride through the town onto dry sandy tracks. Through farmland and lunch will be in a desert woodlot of KER bushes at churi. At this time of the year most land is planted with crops being raised by monsoon rain. Crops being bajra (millet) lentils and guar. Overnight Mandawa Castle
Day 7 Horse Safari to Mehansar
Ride from Mandawa Castle to Mehansar Fort. This morning as you leave your hotel and ride through the town onto dry sandy tracks. Visit a typical local farmer families home at village Dhakas. Lunch halt is near Nangli on a high sand dune "Gogameri". Here there is a temple dedicated to famous folk hero "Gogaji". The area has a large population of peacocks in the wild.
Mahensar was founded in mid 18th century. It is one of less visited towns of Shekhavati, but definitely one of the most rewarding. Sone Chandi ki Haveli (‘Mansion of Gold and Silver’). Which belonged to the Poddar family of jewelers, has the finest frescoes in Shekhavati. Don’t miss the frieze of the battle scene, as delicate as a miniature painting. The Raghunath Temple with beautiful paintings resembling the Bikaner school of art are worth seeing. Overnight stay at Mehansar Fort.
Day 8 Horse Safari to Desert Resort
Ride from Mehansar Fort to Desert Resort. The Desert Resort is recreated in the style of a typical Rajasthani Village. The mystery and romance of the desert are captured in the unusual architecture of the Resort. Created by local craftsmen using mud and brick, the cottages reflect the traditional harmony between man and nature in the region. Each cottage and room is furnished in a distinctive style. The exteriors are decorated with traditional lime paste mandana or rice flour patterns which are redone daily by women from the village, while the interiors are ornamented with mirror-work and glass beads in myriad colors.
Authenticity blends seamlessly with modernity. Each cottage has a double bed, an intimate seating area, and a spacious bathroom, complemented by woven fabric and hand-made pottery. Apart from the cottages guests can choose to stay in a spacious deluxe suite of rooms, furnished with old wooden furniture and designed to recreate the royal ambience of the past. Overnight stay at Desert Resort in Mud Cottages.
Day 9 Horse Safari to Naharsingani
Ride from Desert Resort Mandawa to Kothi Naharsingani. The ride takes you through semi-desert farming country a typical shekahawati landscape - field dotted with Khejri trees - low sand dunes, small villages with common grazing woodlots with desert flora and fauna. The route will be Desert Resort to Phuskhani village - Churi Ajitgarh-Mukangarh- Naharsinghani. Picnic lunch en route.
On arrival stay at Naharsinghani Farm house. The Farm was a desert retreat of the erstwhile Mandawa Family. It is a working farm. Evening traditional folk entertainment around a camp fire followed by a traditional Indian meal. A talk will also be given on the history of the region and customs and traditions that are prevailing in India. Overnight at Naharsinghani Farm house. (Accommodation in Rooms with modern western style toilets) or in oriental Shamiana type tents pitched in the courtyard depending on the weather.
Day 10 Horse Safari to Nawalgarh
Ride from Kothi Naharsingani to Roop Niwas Palace Nawalgarh. Overnight Roop Niwas Palace.
Day 11 Drive to New Delhi.
Morning departure from Nawalgarh by private car / coach for Delhi after Breakfast. Arrive at check –in at the Hotel. Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 12 Leave New Delhi
Departure transfer to International Airport to board onward destination flight.
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(This web page last reviewed on 01st. Dec. 2009)
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