This special experience is heavenly for horse lovers and photographers - this is a truly biblical horse fair attended by few other tourists and set in a beautiful environment. Untouched by modern amenities or influence, this safari reminds you of the old-age charm of travel on horseback. Guests ride local Indian breeds such as the famed Marwari horse, with its delightfully curly ears, from Jodhpur to Tilwara and the Balotra fair. The spectacular fair involves thousands of horses, camel and cattle with displays and markets not to be forgotten. Gallop in the deserts and across the plains, canter through the sandy hills or explore the river beds. The path leads you by forts, palaces and historical landmarks. You will spend evenings in camps, swinging along to traditional folk dances. 

11th March (Day 1) - Arrival: 

Most guests fly into Delhi this day and spend a night here (hotel night not included) before taking the train the next morning. 

12th March (Day 2) - Delhi - Jodhpur:

Train from Delhi to Jodhpur, with arrival before midday and transfer to Hotel Ratan Vilas Palace. The hotel was built in 1920 by Maharaj Ratan Singh of Raoti, a keen horse lover and one of the greatest polo players of his time. Ratan Vilas, with its imposing exterior carved from red Jodhpur sandstone, is a genuine heritage edifice in a sylvan setting. 

The villa continues to be home to the grandson of Maharaj Ratan Singh, Maharaj Bharat Singh, and his family. In order to put the place to good use they now welcome visitors and run it as a family hotel. Lunch is eaten here. 

After lunch there is a drive of approximately 45 minutes to the base camp where the horses and safari team are waiting, having arrived from their home in Nawalgarh. Guests are welcomed with folk music and gifts and will be allocated suitable horses for an introductory ride in the surrounding countryside. Overnight tonight is at Ratan Vilas or a similar standard hotel in Jodhpur. 

13th March (Day 3) - Jodhpur:

This morning you are taken sightseeing at Mehrangarh Fort and to explore parts of the old city of Jodhpur with car and guide. In the afternoon you will be driven to the camp for a ride - Jodhpur is on the eastern fringe of the Thar Desert and serves as the gateway to its wonderland of sand dunes and shrubs, rocky terrain and thorny trees. 

Rao Jodha established the Rathore Dynasty in Jodhpur in 1459AD. The Mehrangarh Fort was hewn out of the rocks and the city of Jodhpur emerged from the sands of the Thar Desert to form the flourishing kingdom of Marwar. This encompassed some 36,000 square miles and was strategically placed on the trade route between Delhi and the Middle East. It was also a flourishing trading centre of wood, cattle, camels, salt and agricultural crops. The past, in fact, is never very far behind in Jodhpur where palaces, forts, temples and other elegant monuments of architectural and historical worth vie with each other for attention. 

Mehrangarh Fort spreads over 5km and is situated on a hill. It houses a palace intricately adorned with long, carved panels and latticed windows which have been exquisitely carved from red sandstone. It also has a museum with a rich collection of palanquins, howdahs, royal cradles, miniature paintings, folk music instruments, costumes and impressive armoury. 

Overnight tonight in Ratan Vilas or similar standard hotel in Jodhpur. 

14th March (Day 4) - Jodhpur / Luni / Satlana (Safari Begins!):

This morning you are driven into camp to start your safari! The ride begins in a dry, flat region with a lunch halt in a small rain catchment area beside a temple to the folk divinity 'Mamoji'.

Each day on your safari you will cover distances of around 25 - 30km, riding through open countryside, farms and villages. The route follows the dry riverbed of Luni. Overnight stays are in tents in your moving luxury camp. Each evening you will swing to the rhythm of the camps' folk musicians. 

During the safari you will pass through many settlements of the Bishnoi community who have made environmental protection their religion. The Bishnoi people follow 29 principles laid down by Guru Jambhoji who made environmental and wildlife protection a "religion" in the fifteenth century. Common throughout Rajasthan and Gujarat, they are renowned for their concern for nature and particularly their refusal to harm the Blackbuck which now only survive in Bishnoi villages and reserves. 

Bishnoi beliefs came to the political forefront in 1730 when the king of Jodhpur ordered his men to collect wood for his new place. Despite the pleas of the Bishnois, felling commenced in the small village of Khejadali, near to Jodhpur. In desperation Amritdevi, a Bishnoi woman, hugged a tree. The fellers assumed that the king's request was to be respected and so ignored the woman's please... she and 362 of her fellow people lost their lives trying to protect the forest. On hearing the news, the king recalled his men and accorded state sanction to the Bishnoi religion, a turning point in history remembered each September when thousands attend a festival in Khejadali. 

Tonight is your first night in camp. 

15th March (Day 5) - Satlana / Ghana:

Riders will head upstream into the large expanse of the dry riverbed of the Luni river. Being very sandy, the going this morning is quite slow. After leaving the riverbed the ride takes you through villages and dry, scrubby country. The festival of colour, Holi, has just passed and so in this region people are still celebrating with dancing and drumming. 

Before reaching camp tonight you will cross 8 or 9km of protected bushland, belonging to the Ramdev ji Temple. Such temple protectorates are called "Oran". The camp tonight is in a farmer's field and in the evening we may have the farmer's family or other ladies of the nearby village come to visit us. 

Overnight in camp. 

16th March (Day 6) - Ghana / Karmavas:

Today's ride takes you through flat, dry desert land which is arid but not sandy. Riders will be surprised by the clean, well-maintained houses of the villagers. Your direction today is north-west and you will approach the campsite with the low hills of the Aravali ranges visible on the horizon. Typical desert flora will be seen this day. 

Overnight in camp. 

17th March (Day 7) - Karmavas / Asotra:

Riding towards the hills you will pass clusters of acacia before crossing the village 'Mangla'. Today's lunch stop is in the backdrop of a hillock, facing the riverbed. After lunch you will ride on to Asotra... a big surprise, a green belt. Around Asotra an aquifer from 2000BC was discovered, created by the ancient Saraswati river basin. As a result, farmers now pump water using electric pumps to raise their crops and riders will head through this fertile oasis. Camp tonight is in a farmer's field and riders are able to meet the villagers and the family. 

Overnight in camp. 

18th March (Day 8) - Asotra / Balotra Fair (Tilwara):

Rather than having to ride along a road with steady traffic to pass by Balotra city, riders will travel by jeep to Jasol. The horses will have been taken by the grooms early in the morning and you will meet up with them to Jasol for the ride on to the fair at Tilwara village, approximately 16km. You will reach Tilwara by evening and can explore the fair ground on arrival.

Evening campfire and folk entertainment. Overnight in camp.

ABOUT BALOTRA HORSE AND CAMEL FAIR:

In south-west Rajasthan, around 145km from Jodhpur, lies the small village of Tilwara, situated on the banks of the dry, seasonal Luni river. The closest town is Balotra (19km away) which falls in the district 'Barmer' of Rajasthan. Many centuries the famous ruler Mallinathji was in control and he is now worshipped as a divinity. The temple to Mallinathji is located on the opposite bank of river to Tilwara. Every year in the first fortnight of the Hindu month of 'Chaitra' there is a large fair held here - horses, camels and bullocks come to the fair, as well as donkeys in the last phase.

The owners of the animals camp in the dry riverbed, perhaps using their carts or making temporary dwellings from acacia bushes. The prosperous horse owners and traders bring their tents and attendant staff, cook and so on. The animal owners occupy the riverbed for many kilometres and they cook, sleep and trade in these temporary dwellings which are called "aali" in the local dialect. At sunrise and sunset the horse owners display their horses by riding up and down the riverbed whilst audiences and buyers cheer them. Anybody can accost the riders and bid or negotiate on a deal. 

These days the state government organises horse shows and competitions - last year this was presided over by the Maharaja of Jodhpur! The fair is held in the very heartland of the Marwari horse, the local Indian breed, and some very good quality horses are brought to the fair. People travel from faraway states (Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra) to purchase animals from the fair. 

It is a rare spectacle to see five to seven thousand horses, fifteen to twenty thousand camels and about thirty to forty thousand bullocks and cattle and their owners in the flat expanse of the riverbed. The market places which appear sell all kinds of goods from camel and water tanks to earthenware utensils, rugs, ropes, tack, camel saddles, colourful girdles, beds, doors, brass, copper and steel pots and pans. There are also many stores of recycled materials like conveyor belts, parachute materials, musical instruments and all sorts of things that villagers would buy. This fair is a paradise for photographers and it takes a visitor back to an atmosphere from biblical times - one feels to have walked in the past. 

Your safari camp is set up roughly 1 - 1.5km away on the banks of the riverbed, overlooking the fair. Guests will go on their horses to ride around the fair and at pre-decided points the grooms will wait so that you may leave your horse and walk around if you wish. Guests are warned that temperatures in March are getting hot but you are more than rewarded by this extraordinary event. 

The fair is much larger than the famous Pushkar or Nagaur camel and cattle fair and is not frequented by tourists, it remains unspoiled. 

19th March (Day 9) - Balotra Fair: 

Morning and evening ride with afternoons free to explore the fair. 

Evening campfire and folk entertainment. Overnight in camp. 

20th March (Day 10) - Balotra Fair: 

Morning and evening ride with afternoons free to explore the fair. 

Evening campfire and folk entertainment. Overnight in camp. 

21st March (Day 11) - Balotra Fair / Jodhpur:

Morning ride around the fairground if you wish. After breakfast you will be driven back to Jodhpur (around 4 hours) for lunch at Ratan Vilas. Later transfer to railway station for train to Jaipur or Delhi. 

NB. March is the beginning of the summer season and days begin to get very hot, with peak temperatures ranging from 25 - 38C (night temperatures 15 - 20C). Riding will start early in the day and there will be a long lunch break so as to avoid riding during the heat of the day. 

Day 1 - Arrival:

Arrive into New Delhi on a morning flight and take an airport transfer to the hotel/base stables in Nawalgarh, a journey of approximately 6.5 hours (not included in the price but can be arranged by and paid to Far and Ride). You will receive a royal welcome at Roop Niwas Kothi which lies just a kilometre from the town and is a fascinating blend of European and Rajput style of architecture. The former palace offers spacious lawns, a billiards room and swimming pool. 

After lunch you will be taken to the stables and introduced to the team who will assist you during your safari. There will be a briefing on horse riding in India and a chance to meet some of the horses. Guests arriving early in the afternoon will have a chance of a test ride today, but most transferring from Delhi will take their first ride the next day. Nawalgarh is situated in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, an area which comprises of the districts Jhunjhunu and Sikar. It is know for the painted houses, known as "havelis", which belongs to its wealthy merchant class (the Marwaris!). The region is sometimes considered as an open-air art gallery! The drive to Shekhawati is through picturesque villages and farms. 

Nawalgarh was founded in 1737AD. by Thakur Nawal Singh, a warrior statesman, whose name is enshrined in history and folklore. The town has an old world charm and the colourful bazaar offers the greatest number of painted havelis in Shekhawati. 

Tonight you will have dinner and stay overnight at Roop Niwas Kothi. 

Day 2 - Nawalgarh:

Morning ride out with picnic breakfast in the countryside, returning to Roop Niwas in time for lunch. Afternoon involves free time at the palace though an optional activity is offered - ladies are invited to have their palms decorated with henna in the traditional style. Later you will enjoy some sightseeing of Nawalgarh by car, with a guide, in order to see the havelis, frescos and painted houses. In the evening you will visit the stables and then enjoy another night in the hotel. 

Day 3 - Nawalgarh/Churiajitgarh/Nabipura (28km):

Today's ride is through semi-desert farmland towards a small woodlot and a dry watering hole, surrounded by ker bushes. There are often large numbers of blue bull antelope here and you can see them around your campsite. Overnight in camp. 

Day 4 - Nabipura / Dabri / Fatehpur Beed (30km):

Morning ride through semi-desert region and Fatehpur Beed. You will enjoy a picnic lunch near a typical Shekhawati architecture water tank, 'johda'. Three hundred years ago the Nawab of Fatehpur encircled an area, by riding on horseback from sunrise to sunset, and declared it protected. Today Fatehpur Beed is an amazing 70 sq. km area with a variety of desert plant species. Camping in Beed allows you to see desert foxes, jackal, blue bull antelope and deer. The protected area proves that if humans don't interfere then a semi-forest can be created in a desert. 

Overnight in camp, near to the ruined of a travellers home which overlooks the entire beed. This is a beautiful campsite!

Day 5 - Fatehpur Beed / Khuri / Shynanmata (34km):

Riding west today will take you into the territory of the former Bikaner state. There will be a sudden change in terrain, your surroundings becoming large sand dunes. After lunch the going will be slow. Overnight camp in the protected woodlot of the Shynanmata rock edifice temple. 

Day 6 - Shynanmata / Khuri / Talchapper (31km):

Today the ride continues west and you will leave the sand dunes and come to flat land of loam soil. Most of the ride (providing permission is given) will be through or around the peripheries of Tal Chappar, the famous blackbuck sanctuary. Scarfs/turbans will be useful here as fine dust rides when you ride across this flat ground. You will get to see blackbuck deer and also other deer species during the ride. 

Overnight camp will be set upon the peripheries of the sanctuary. 

Day 7 - Tal Chappar Blackbuck Sanctuary:

A full day ride, exploring the area surrounding the peripheries of the Tal Chappar sanctuary. Tal Chappar covers 71 sq. km. of desert scrubland and it has the largest herds of blackbuck antelope in India, as well as chinkara gazelle, desert cat, desert fox and other dry land wildlife. Flocks of demoiselle and common cranes can be seen at the nearby lakes and wet lands. Other bird life include sand grouse, quail and the cream coloured desert courser. There will be a picnic lunch and then you will return to camp. 

Overnight camp in on the peripheries of the sanctuary once again. 

Day 8 - Talchapper / Delhi:

Early morning ride and a chance to say goodbye to your horses. After breakfast you will take your transfer to Delhi or your chosen onwards destination (transfer can be included by Far and Ride). 

Day 1 - Arrival:

Arrive into New Delhi on a morning flight and take an airport transfer to the hotel/base stables in Nawalgarh, a journey of approximately 6.5 hours (transfer not included in the price but can be arranged by and paid to Far and Ride). You will receive a royal welcome at Roop Niwas Kothi which lies just a kilometre from the town and is a fascinating blend of European and Rajput style of architecture. The former palace offers spacious lawns, a billiards room and swimming pool. 

Nawalgarh is situated in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, an area which comprises of the districts Jhunjhunu and Sikar. It is know for the painted houses, known as "havelis", which belonged to its wealthy merchant class (the Marwaris!). The region is sometimes considered as an open-air art gallery! The drive to Shekhawati is through picturesque villages and farms. 

Nawalgarh was founded in 1737AD. by Thakur Nawal Singh, a warrior statesman, whose name is enshrined in history and folklore. The town has an old world charm and the colourful bazaar offers the greatest number of painted havelis in Shekhawati. 

Depending on your arrival time there may be time to meet your horse today and even try them out, otherwise you will be introduced to them tomorrow and given tips on how best to ride them. These are purebred Indian horses and your host, Devendra, is very passionate about them.

Tonight you will have dinner and stay overnight at Roop Niwas Kothi. 

Day 2 - Nawalgarh:

Morning ride out with picnic breakfast in the countryside, returning to Roop Niwas in time for lunch. Afternoon involves free time at the palace though an optional activity is offered - ladies are invited to have their palms decorated with henna. Later you will enjoy some sightseeing of Nawalgarh by car, with a guide, in order to see the havelis, frescos and painted houses. In the evening you will visit the stables and enjoy another night in the hotel. 

Day 3 - Nawalgarh/Churiajitgarh/Nabipura (28km):

Today's ride is through semi-desert farmland towards a small woodlot and a dry watering hole, surrounded by ker bushes. There are often large numbers of blue bull antelope here and you can see them around your campsite. Overnight in camp. 

Day 4 - Nabipura / Dabri / Fatehpur Beed (30km):

Morning ride through semi-desert region and Fatehpur Beed. You will enjoy a picnic lunch near a typical Shekhawati architecture water tank, 'johda'. Three hundred years ago the Nawab of Fatehpur encircled an area, by riding on horseback from sunrise to sunset, and declared it protected. Today Fatehpur Beed is an amazing 70 sq. km area with a variety of desert plant species. Camping in Beed allows you to see desert foxes, jackal, blue bull antelope and deer. The protected area proves that if humans don't interfere then a semi-forest can be created in a desert. 

Overnight in camp, near to the ruins of a travellers home which overlooks the entire beed. This is a beautiful campsite!

Day 5 - Fatehpur Beed / Thimoli Crossing / Dhakas (22km):

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 and an interested traditional market place. 

Overnight camp on farmland. 

Day 6 - Thimoli Crossing / Dhakas / Mehansar Castle (14km):

You will pass through very high sand dunes and desert villages to reach the beautiful small village of Mehansar of the Shekhawati region. The hotel is a charming, family-run hotel with basic comforts but very tasty home cooked food. 

Overnight in Mehansar castle. 

Day 7 - Mehansar / Lalsinghpura / Mehansar (23km):

Ride out with picnic breakfast. Late afternoon sightseeing of Mehansar including a visit to the Gopinath temple and the famous 'Sone Chandi Ki Haveli'. 

Overnight in Mehansar castle. 

Day 8 - Mehansar / Delhi:

Early morning ride (if time permits) and a chance to say goodbye to your horses. After breakfast you will take a transfer (around 7 hours) back to Delhi. The transfer is not included in the price but can be arranged by and paid to Far and Ride, as can a hotel in Delhi for the night before flying home the next day. 

This new mini trail is ideal for those who want to experience the best of a riding safari in Rajasthan but who are on a limited time-frame. The ride combines three nights in the base hotel with two nights luxury camping and the stay can be extended with more hotel nights as you prefer. There are three full riding days and two shorter rides including in the programme.

Sample Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival to the hotel in time for lunch. Introduction to the stables and a short ride to get accustomed to your horse. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Day 2: Morning ride out for a picnic breakfast, back to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon you are taken on a sightseeing tour of Nawalgarh which is famed for its beautifully painted havelis (country mansions). Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Day 3: Trail ride begins! Today you will cover 28km, stopping for lunch on the way, before reaching your first campsite at Nabipura. This is camping with a difference - comfortable beds, hot bucket showers, sit down meal and plenty of great campfire tales. Hot water bottles are provided for those who get chilly! The horses stay just outside the tents and are kept well fed, watered and washed down. Blue bull antelope are often seen in this area.

Day 4: After breakfast you will depart for your next day ride, this time covering approximately 30km on the way to your next campsite at Fatehpur Beed. This is an amazing 70 sq. km area with a variety of desert plant species, home to desert foxes, jackal, blue bull antelope and deer. This is a beautiful camping spot!

Day 5: This is your last day of riding. You will depart from camp after breakfast, riding on until Thimoli crossing with a lunch stop on the way. This ride takes you further into the Shekhawati region where the sand dunes are dotted with greenery - this is thanks to farmers who have sourced water from deep tube wells. After today's ride you will dismount and be transferred by jeep back to the hotel for a good dinner and overnight. The horses will follow you home by lorry.

Day 6: Breakfast and departure, otherwise you may wish to extend your stay here.