Talchappar Black Buck Sanctuary
Horse Trekking in Rajasthan

Join us for one of the best trekking experiences available and ride one of these extra-ordinary 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.

Horseback trekking is easy with the various pure Indian bred horses we use as they accept our riding style easily and are very willing, apart from being exceptional horses.

 Each year we are trekking through the area adjacent to the Thar desert in Rajasthan. Our objective is Talchappar Wildlife Sanctuary, a small but significant open grassland area which is an excellent habitat for black bucks, which come in at fairly close range and allow great pictures. You will also see birds of prey, migratory birds, the Great Indian bustard, chinkara, blue bull antelope and maybe the desert cat or the desert fox.

If you have a friend or partner who does not ride, we can provide a jeep and a guide for your non-riding friend / partner and the driver / guide will ensure that the jeep and the horses meet up as often as possible each day. The lunch stop is certainly designed for jeep and horse to meet up as well as the evening halt, of course. There is a 10% discount for non riders.

Itinerary

Day 1 (25th Sept 2008)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 the mansion & stables. Which lies just one kilometer from the town and is a fascinating blend of European and Rajput style of architecture. The mansion has a grand lawn, a billiard room and a swimming pool, in addition to the stables.

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 hosts 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. The santuary 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.

 

The luxury mobile camp has fully furnished oriental tents with comfortable camp beds complete with bed linen, floor covering, chairs, adjoining shared toilet and separate shared bath tent. We supply soap, towels and hot water for baths and washing morning and evening. A traditional large scale dining tent with tables and chairs. All meals provide a choice of Indian and European dishes.

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