Pushkar Fair Safari

Introduction
Rajasthan India Once a year we organize a horseback safari from Udaipur to the Camel Market and Pushkar Fair in this little town at the edge of the Thar Desert.
Being a certain highlight of our safari year, this safari is certainly most spectacular firstly for its great landscapes and secondly of course for the participation in the colorful Pushkar Fair, probably one of the most vibrant festivals of India.
The safari trail leads from the Aravalli Mountains with its unique geographic features down into the great Thar Desert and the little town of Pushkar. Considered a holy town, once a year Pushkar sports the biggest Camel Market of India, which is also a religious festival and a handicraft fair.
There are only a few places of interest along the way but the rather substantial change of landscape taking place is simply breathtaking.
After leaving the Aravalli Mountains behind, the riders will enter the semi-desert stretching around the edges of the Thar Desert where man fights hard in order to make a living from the poor soil. Camels replace horses and cows and the stony terrain of the hills gives way to the sandy desert ground.
A few highlights are along the route such as the interesting tribal culture of this region or the impressive fort at Kharwa, which our riders can visit. The local noble family is much interested in horses and if at home, never misses a chat.
But the real highlight of this safari is of course the Pushkar Camel Fair where every year around 25 000 animals, camels, horses and cattle, are traded. It is also a major festival so many people of the region come to Pushkar in order to enjoy the fair, take part in the religious ceremonies or indulge in purchasing all sorts of items.
The first set of dates is our safari Udaipur to Pushkar. The second set of dates is our safari from Pushkar to Udaipur (Pushkar Return Safari). The time spend on the Pushkar Fair in both safaris is equal.

Terrain: From the Aravalli Hills to the flat sandy plains of Thar Desert.

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a wilderness ride, so nights will be spent in a combination of hotels and camps. You will spend 1 night in a hotel and 8 nights in tents, staying in 8 different locations total.

Description
Accommodation during the riding portion of the tour (in most cases) will be in a safari camp. The reason for this is that many of our routes lead through scarcely populated areas away from the usual tourist paths. Very often the night has to be spent in the nature away from human dwellings.

Accommodation Itinerary (Udaipur to Pushkar) - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Boheda Palace Hotel in Udaipur
Night 2: Camping near Deogarh
Night 3: Camping near Sohangarh
Night 4: Camping in Lalpura
Night 5: Camping in Jawaja
Night 6: Camping in Kharwa
Night 7: Camping in Sarsari
Nigh 8 & 9: Camping in Pushkar

Boheda Palace Hotel in Udaipur
This small hotel has been classified as a heritage building thanks to its traditional architecture. Each of the 16 rooms all come equipped with a TV, air conditioning, private facilities and free Wi-Fi access. The hotel’s most appreciated feature is without doubt its rooftop terrace offering panoramic views over the city. There are laundry facilities onsite (extra charge).



Camps
Our campsites are chosen with great care and offer a maximum safety and superb views. Away from the busy Indian towns or villages, they are a paradise for nature lovers and bird-watchers. The camp offers all necessary facilities to the riders. The tents are comfortable and inviting Indian hunting tents with high ceilings, double or single occupancy. The tents are made in the traditional Indian style with a roofed entrance where the riders can leave their shoes. Each tent is equipped with mattresses, sheets, pillow, cushion, quilts, and woolen blankets. The camp has bathroom trolleys with two showers (bucket shower with hot water) and toilets. Hot water is provided in buckets. Towels, soaps, etc. are supplied. Grouped around the dinning area, they are encircled by a partition enclosure of cloth with a colorful Rajasthan pattern.



Meals
All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 10.
Breakfast and dinner is served in our dining area, an open space with a sunroof, tables and chairs.

Breakfast is Continental style with fruits of the season, eggs, and toast.
Lunch will be either taken as package on the trail or brought to you by Jeep.
Dinner is a traditional 3-course menu of Indian food (non-spicy).

Alcoholic beverages are not included but alcohol can be purchased (not expensive) or brought. Beer, wine (Indian), whiskey, rum, gin and vodka are available.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions with prior notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Daily Schedule
A normal safari day includes between 5 and 6 hours in the saddle plus a lunch break (lunch is either taken as a lunch packet or brought to the riders by our jeep) and several smaller breaks for sightseeing on the way or a tea stop in the little hamlet by the way.

Our Horses
Nearly all the horses we use for safaris and trail riding are Marwari horses. This breed is native in Rajasthan and best suited for long rides in this region.
Our horses live in comfortable stables and paddocks and are left to roam free during the day on our farm. All our horses have been handpicked by us as we wanted to have only the best suited horses for our safari. As we have some foals every year, some of our riding horses were born in our stable and raised and trained by us. In fact, we are very proud that today we have a stable of finest Marwari horses fit for riding and breeding.
We believe in the principle of Natural Horsemanship which means that we keep our horses as natural as possible and train them according to NHS. Some of them are ridden with a hackamore, just a halter or even a simple neck rope. All are very well trained, obedient and a pleasure to ride. Our horses are cared for with love and affection. They are properly fed, vaccinated, de-wormed and shoed.
On the safaris we take only horses which are 100% fit and prepared. Already before the safari, we try to find a suitable horse for each rider according to riding skill and preference. Spare horses go along each trail in case another horse goes lame or one rider wants to change.

Tack & Riding Style
We have imported saddle tack for all our horses in order to maximize comfort for horse and rider.
The riding style is different to both English and Western. We offer lessons on the horses prior to the ride. A couple of extra days for pre-safari lessons may make your riding experience more enjoyable. Please let Hidden Trails know if you would like to book lessons before your ride.

Guides
The safari is run by a member of the oldest and most honored noble families of Udaipur, whose history is interwoven with horses for many centuries, and his German wife.

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary: Udaipur-Pushkar - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival in Udaipur
Time for sightseeing. Dinner and overnight in middle class hotel.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Boheda Palace in Udaipur

Day 2: Test Ride & Sightseeing
After breakfast pick up from your hotel and transfer to Deogarh, the starting point of the safari. On the way we can visit the Sas Bahu Temple at Nagda, a 10th centaury example of pre-Islamic Hindu architecture with beautiful stone carvings. After reaching our camp we have lunch together and our safari briefing. Our first camp is situated at the shore of a lake, which is situated pleasantly in the hills. In the afternoon we will try out the horses and go for a ride through the surrounding countryside. Overnight stay in our safari camp.  
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping near Deogarh

Day 3: Deogarh to Sohangarh
The first day ride goes through the lower hills of the Aravalli Mountains with lush vegetation, countless birds and fertile cultivation area. The terrain is rocky and we pass through some villages and an area of marble and granite mining. Arrival in the camp around late afternoon. Today our camp is situated near the former hunting palace of a nearby noble family. If the family is at home, they are happy to have a little chat with us. Overnight stay in our safari camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping near Sohangarh

Day 4: Sohangarh to Lalpura
Another day riding through the hills. The landscape becomes somewhat drier and the underground rocky. After lunch the riders pass through some tribal villages. Arrival in our safari camp in the afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping near Lalpura

Day 5: Lalpura to Jawaja
Today the riders need to cross a part of the Aravalli Mountains which is still in between us and Pushkar. In the morning we climb up the hills, which are rocky and partly steep. The landscape has changed and green trees and lush vegetation have given way to thorn trees and shrubs. The landscape becomes lonely and somewhat desolate. The riders can enjoy great views over the mountains. Lunch is held at a scenic spot on the way. In the afternoon the peak height is crossed and the riders start a slow descent towards our camp. Arrival there in the late afternoon and overnight stay in our safari camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping near Jawaja

Day 6: Jawaja to Kharwa
Today the riders enter the semi-desert, which borders the vast expanse of the Thar Desert. Large areas of wasteland with little more than thorn bushes have to be traversed. The ground becomes sandy and the predominant colours are now yellow and brown, compared to the previous green. The terrain is level and the hills are left behind. Open savannah invites for long trots, canters and gallops and occasionally antelopes such as Nilgai or Chinkara can be spotted.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping near Kharwa

Day 7: Kharwa to Sarsari
Another day of riding through semi-desert dotted with occasional tribal villages. Close to Pushkar already, the riders will encounter herds of cattle, camels or sheep, going or coming from the Fair. The trading in Pushkar starts a long time before the actual fair and in the course of nearly a month thousands of animals are streaming into the otherwise sleepy town of Pushkar. The major attractions, such as horses and camels are however usually brought in the last and are thus mainly traded during the Camel Fair.
Arrival in the camp around late afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping near Sarsari

Day 8: Sarsari to Pushkar
The last day ride before reaching Pushkar leads through first semi desert and then proper desert along a range of mountains, which offer breathtaking views. In the morning the riders cross a countryside dotted with thorn trees, home of Nilgai and Chinkara antelopes. Villages are rare and the underground is rocky with occasional stretches of sand. After lunch the trail leads along a major trade route to Pushkar and the riders will pass many animals, especially cattle, camels and occasional horses. Sand roads invite for fast riding, only broken by an occasional village.
Pushkar is reached in the afternoon. In order to reach our safari camp, which is conveniently situated on a small farm at the outskirts of the town, the riders have to ride over parts of the Fair and can catch a glimpse of the colourful gathering.
After arrival in our camp, a walk over the Fair or the participation in some of the evening activities are possible.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping near Pushkar

Day 9: Ride over the Pushkar Fair
Today the riders have a chance of exploring the Pushkar Fair on Horseback. Starting in the early morning we ride over the trading ground and can observe the animals being watered and fed. Afterwards, the area around Pushkar is explored. Pushkar is situated at the edge of the desert in spectacular scenery. A lonely mountain ridge of the Aravallis run from south to north and Pushkar is thus at a meeting point between desert and mountains. Behind the fair ground there are sand dunes over which we can ride and enjoy smooth canters. Return to our camp for breakfast.
After breakfast the riders have a chance of visiting the Camel Fair on foot and participating in the cultural activities organized by the Rajasthan Tourism Board or strolling through the town of Pushkar, going to the lake and seeing some of the temples. Overnight stay in our safari camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping near Pushkar

Day 10: Departure
Morning free to do sightseeing in Pushkar and then departure.
*Possibility to add on other sight-seeing options for the tours end.

Note: the second week runs in the opposite direction of the first week. When doing the Pushkar to Udaipur route it's possible to arrive earlier and add 3 days prior to the tour date to join in the Diwali Festival. The program would start on 12th of November (arrival and Lakshmi Puja celebration in the evening) and finish on 15th morning. We offer accommodation near our farm with breakfast and dinner, Diwali family celebrations and two 2-hour rides to get to know the horses.

 

 

Sample Itinerary: Pushkar-Udaipur - subject to changes

Day 1:
Arrival in Pushkar and first sightseeing of the town and market. Visit with us the Pushkar Fair, the Camel and Horse market and the Old town with its many temples, the holy lake and the ghats. You will stay overnight in a luxury tented camp resort in walking distance to the Camel Market and Fair.

Day 2:
Day Ride around Pushkar, riding along the hills surrounding the city. Part of the ride leads over the beautiful sand dunes before the rides come to a number of orchards and rose fields. Pass the pink fields and head towards the hills. The horses enjoy the soft sandy ground under their feet and you can go for long trots and canters. The route passes through villages of camel herders and shepherds and you will again and again encounter animals. Have your picnic lunch on a hill overlooking the arid landscape surrounding Pushkar. Return to the town in the afternoon in time to see the marked wake up. Overnight stay in a luxury tented camp resort.

Day 3:
Start for a very early morning ride over the Pushkar Fair. This is the perfect time to see the market from horseback. Everyone is waking up, the animals get fed and the traders are having their cup of tea by a small cow-dung fire on the sand dunes. The ride leads through the middle of the market, through the rows of horses, camels and cattle, all barely a stone throw away. The ride continues over the Pushkar Sand dunes where horses and riders can enjoy some wonderful trots and canters. Return to our safari camp for breakfast. After breakfast you can visit the Pushkar Fair either alone or with us. Every day has a different program with horse, camel and cattle competitions besides fun competitions and cultural events such as folk dances or a spiritual walk through town. It also never gets boring to walk over the Fair and see horses and camels being sold and bought. Some owners will show of their horses’ skills as riding or dancing horses, always interesting to see. Dinner and overnight stay in a luxury tented camp resort.

Day 4:
Today we take you from Pushkar to Southern Rajasthan, the little town of Mangalwad. On the way you can visit Chittorgarh Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the biggest forts in India. Arrival in our safari camp at the lake side in the afternoon where the horses have already reached. Go for some walks around the lake or just enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Malwa Plain. Overnight stay in our safari camp.

Day 5:
Mangalwad to Boheda
Today your ride will start after breakfast. The landscape is now very different but still flat with a soft ground. We pass small and bigger villages, palm groves and flat-water lakes which are home to many different birds and animals. With some luck you might see large herds of Nilgai antelopes or other smaller animals. Occasionally we pass trees hanging full of fruit bats. The pace is fast and you can enjoy long trots and canters. Arrival in the safari camp around late afternoon. Overnight stay in our safari camp.

Day 6:
Boheda to Parsoligarh to Boheda
Another day ride through a fantastic countryside. The soil is now so fertile that even Opium is grown in small fields. It flowers between January and March, with many small white flowers. The ride takes you along shaded country lanes through a few villages and alongside fields of chick peas, wheat or mustard. The countryside is flat and the ground allows for a speedy pace. Around late morning the riders will reach a more lonely and hilly area. Here the old ruined fort of Parsoligarh is situated. Have lunch in the fort with enough time to enjoy the great views over the countryside and discover the remainants of the fort. Return to the plains in the afternoon and circle back to our farm in Boheda, riding through a mix of farmland and wilder, open areas dotted with the typical Dhak trees and palms. With some luck we might spot Nilgai antelopes, mongoose or the the everpresent peacocks. Return to Boheda in the afternoon and go for a village walk if you like or just rest and enjoy the beautiful sunset over the Malwa Plain.

Day 7:
Boheda to Badwei
Another beautiful day ride over the Malwa Plain. We ride through fields of mustard and chickpeas, along villages and lakes. The soil is extremely fertile here and we can observe rural life. We pass buffalos, cows and goat herds. Sometime a camel herder passes with his animals. The temples here are painted in bright colors with scenes from Hindu mythology and all of them are amazing pieces of art. Each village has at least one temple, so we will pass plenty of them and have enough time to enjoy them. Long sandy country lanes invite for long trots and canters and again and again we will pass small lakes and ponds, often with a few water buffalos bathing inside. This area of Rajasthan is much richer than elsewhere, as the soil is very fertile, allowing for multiple harvests during the year. Most farmhouses sport beautifully ornamented entry gates made of wood and even the bullock carts which are still rather common, are beautifully carved or painted. Livestock is plenty, water buffalos, cows, bullocks, goats and sometimes camels can be found on each farm and in each village. In the afternoon we reach Badwei Lake, another flat-water lake of the area. If we are lucky we might spot a swarm of Flamingos or some graceful Sarus Cranes which are residents of the region. This is the end of the safari and you can dismount the horses and let them graze for a while. Then we bring you to Udaipur, the famous City of Lakes. Arrival there in the evening and overnight stay in a Haveli Hotel or on our farm.

Day 8:
After breakfast you can visit the Udaipur City Palace and go for a boat ride. In the afternoon we invite you for a last beautiful ride through the Aravalli Mountains surrounding Udaipur, so you can really appreciate the different landscapes of Rajasthan. End the day with a BBQ dinner on our farm. Overnight stay in a Haveli Hotel in Udaipur or on our farm.

Day 9:
Program ends after breakfast. Feel free to spend your day doing more sightseeing in Udaipur.

Rates and Dates for Pushkar Fair Safari

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Udaipur or Pushkar
Airport: Maharana Pratap Airport in Udaipur (UDR)
Transfer: Udaipur airport or railway station

Climate:
                                                Udaipur area