Sadar Samand, Rajasthan, India, January 25 - February 8, 2012
Day 1: January 25th
Arrive in Delhi and spend the night at a Boutique Hotel or similar.
Day 2: January 26th
Relax the morning away at your leisure in and around your hotel. Enjoy Delhi’s beautiful sights and sounds with an afternoon tour of the city. In the evening we will depart for the Thar Desert on the overnight train to Jodhpur.
Day 3: January 27th
Sunrise arrival in the” Blue City” of Jodhpur. The city, once the capital of the former princely state of Marwar and an important stop on the ancient Silk Road boasts lively color and culture. We will transfer via coach to Sardar Samand Fort for an introductory breakfast to RRI and its 15 day program. Built in 1894 this Majestic Fort will serve as our initial base camp and departure point for the Relief Ride. Stroll around touring the fort, after light refreshments in the afternoon we’ll gather around to meet the horses for a casual afternoon ride.
Day 4: January 28th
We’ll depart after a healthy breakfast for Kherwa. The ride will take us through a sprawling moonscape of rock outcroppings and vast plains as we ride alongside the Aravelli Hills. We will break for a peaceful and relaxing lunch at a very old temple. Expect to see a wide array of wildlife such as Chinkara’s, Black Buck and Blue Bulls. We will overnight at our tented encampment on the outskirts of Kherwa.
Day 5: January 29th
Prepare for a day’s worth of heartwarming and purposeful work as we conduct both our Give the Gift of Sight and Dental care program in the village of Kherwa. We plan on screening eye patients in order to qualify them for free eye surgeries as well as treat those in need of dental care. The camp will open its doors at 10.00 am and will close by 4.00 or until the last patients have been screened or treated. We will overnight at our tented encampment on the outskirts of Kherwa.
Arrive in Delhi and spend the night at a Boutique Hotel or similar.
Day 2: January 26th
Day 3: January 27th
Sunrise arrival in the” Blue City” of Jodhpur. The city, once the capital of the former princely state of Marwar and an important stop on the ancient Silk Road boasts lively color and culture. We will transfer via coach to Sardar Samand Fort for an introductory breakfast to RRI and its 15 day program. Built in 1894 this Majestic Fort will serve as our initial base camp and departure point for the Relief Ride. Stroll around touring the fort, after light refreshments in the afternoon we’ll gather around to meet the horses for a casual afternoon ride.
Day 4: January 28th
We’ll depart after a healthy breakfast for Kherwa. The ride will take us through a sprawling moonscape of rock outcroppings and vast plains as we ride alongside the Aravelli Hills. We will break for a peaceful and relaxing lunch at a very old temple. Expect to see a wide array of wildlife such as Chinkara’s, Black Buck and Blue Bulls. We will overnight at our tented encampment on the outskirts of Kherwa.
Day 5: January 29th
Prepare for a day’s worth of heartwarming and purposeful work as we conduct both our Give the Gift of Sight and Dental care program in the village of Kherwa. We plan on screening eye patients in order to qualify them for free eye surgeries as well as treat those in need of dental care. The camp will open its doors at 10.00 am and will close by 4.00 or until the last patients have been screened or treated. We will overnight at our tented encampment on the outskirts of Kherwa.
Day 6: January 30th
We’ll ride from Kherwa to Jawali. Along the way we may see the khejri trees commonly found in this district. The Khejri tree’s leaves provide fodder for livestock, and it also gives gum, both of which have commercial value. The Khejri tree has been traditionally protected by the Bishnois of Rajasthan, for its value in checking soil erosion. Overnight in tented encampment on the outskirts of Jawali.
Day 7: January 31st
We plan to ride into Jawali and visit a school in order to treat school children as well as deliver educational materials in the morning. After lunch we will return to the village and distribute livestock to the villagers who qualify for our Give a Goat program. We will spend the night at our tented encampment on the outskirts of Jawali.
Day 8: February 1st
The ride from Jawali to Muthana Lake will take us through a range of varied terrain from sandy dunes to farmed millet fields. The landscape is peppered with Sāmbhar deer, water buffaloes and exotic birds such as King Fishers and Pelicans. Experience an intimate view of these beautiful animals as they visit the water hole from the decks of your tents. Overnight in our tented encampment on the edge of Muthana Lake.
Day 9: February 2nd
Enjoy the village of Muthana as we de-worm children at the local school. Enjoy a post lunch leisure afternoon. Prepare for fun and games as we play Ball and Bucket a wonderful race between horse and rider, where the object of the game is to put 5 tennis balls into a bucket which are positioned on the other side of the field. Caution: This game is highly addictive and competitive! If Ball and Bucket is a bit too fast paced for your enjoy yourself and your horse in a game of Musical horses! Overnight in our tented encampment on the edge of Muthana Lake.
The ride from Jawali to Muthana Lake will take us through a range of varied terrain from sandy dunes to farmed millet fields. The landscape is peppered with Sāmbhar deer, water buffaloes and exotic birds such as King Fishers and Pelicans. Experience an intimate view of these beautiful animals as they visit the water hole from the decks of your tents. Overnight in our tented encampment on the edge of Muthana Lake.
Day 9: February 2nd
Enjoy the village of Muthana as we de-worm children at the local school. Enjoy a post lunch leisure afternoon. Prepare for fun and games as we play Ball and Bucket a wonderful race between horse and rider, where the object of the game is to put 5 tennis balls into a bucket which are positioned on the other side of the field. Caution: This game is highly addictive and competitive! If Ball and Bucket is a bit too fast paced for your enjoy yourself and your horse in a game of Musical horses! Overnight in our tented encampment on the edge of Muthana Lake.
Day 10: February 3rd
The ride from Gudha Muthana Lake to Ranakpur will take us through more fascinating terrain punctuated by large crumbling rock formations. At the end of our days ride the terrain will transform into rolling hills as we get ready to cross the Aravelli Mountain range destination Kumbalgarh! Overnight in our tented encampment on the outskirts of Ranakpur.
Day 11: February 4th
We will ride into Ranakpur for our educational program at the local school. On the way back and before lunch we will visit the famed Jain Temple of Ranakpur. After a wonderful lunch we will return to Ranakpur for a Give a Goat program, where specially selected villagers will receive goats. We will dine at Ranakpur Resorts a beautiful destination retreat who has wonderfully supported Relief Riders in the research work of the region. Overnight at our tented encampment on the outskirts of Ranakpur.
Day 12: February 5th
Get ready to experience an exciting day of riding as we cross the Aravelli mountain range. We will travel from Ranakpur to Kumbalgarh where we will overnight in a beautiful fort.
Day 13: February 6th
We will depart early for a 6-7 hour drive via AC coach to Jaipur, where we will check into the Mandawa Haveli Hotel and have tea upon arrival followed by dinner in the evening. Enjoy the gardens and pool should we happen to arrive at our hotel earlier than expected. Overnight at Mandawa Haveli Jaipur.
Day 14: February 7th
Enjoy a leisurely day by the pool or head out into Jaipur for a visit to Amer Fort or Hawa Mahal.
Day 15: February 8th
Travel by coach from Jaipur to Delhi for transfer to airports for return flights home or onward.
THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES.
Travel Requirements
India offers both extraordinary opportunities and challenges. It is large, pulsing with energy and ever-changing drama, a feast for the senses. If you can appreciate the unexpected, you will quickly come to love it.
Travel Documents
A person applying for a visa must have a passport that will be valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date of the date of their intended departure from India. So make sure to renew your passport if it is due to expire within that period of time.
Tourist Visas
Entry visas for tourists are generally issued for six months from the date of issue. If you intend to visit neighboring countries and re-enter India, ask for a six months visa with a request for multiple entries.
To find the Indian Embassy or Mission nearest you and for the most reliable information about visas, please visit the Consular Passport & Visa Division of the Indian government.
Health
For the latest information on international health alerts, please check the website of the Center for Disease Control.
Meeting Point: New Delhi, India
Length of Ride: 15 days, 14 nights and 11 days of riding
Riding Ability: Beginner/Novice/Strong intermediate/Advanced
Group Size: Minimum 8, Maximum 15
Riding per day: 4-6 hours
Pace: **Slow/Moderate/Fast
Tack: English Trekking
Horses: Marwari
Weight Limit: 200 lbs
Dates: January 25th - February 8th, 2012
Price: $6850
Single Supplement: $850
** We welcome novice riders, slower riders can ride alongside the caravan. Riders may choose to finish any segment by riding in our accompanying jeep. If you have a member of your party who would like to join the trip but is not a rider, RRI can make provisions for him/her to accompany us in the jeep.
RATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANYTIME
What is included in the price of the trip?
•Inland transfers to and from arrival airport
•Lodging. Tour cost is per person, based on double occupancy. We do have limited availability for single occupancy, with a supplemental fee.
•All meals
•Taxes and gratuities, excluding all taxes at overseas airports.
•All scheduled entertainment
•All fees in regards to the humanitarian aspect of the trip
What is NOT included in the price of the trip?
•Airfare to and from our designated arrival/departure airport
•All unscheduled excursions to markets or other places such sights that are not on the scheduled itinerary.
•Snacks, beverages and incidentals other than meals provided.
"This trip is for you if you enjoy helping people, love to experience unique new cultures, enjoy riding want an experience you will likely not forget. The horses are unlike any you have ridden. The people are warm, interested in westerners, and very kind and happy. The kids are so wonderful, always smiling."
Timothy Donahue, Relief Rider
