SARDAR SAMAND RELIEF RIDE

FEBRUARY 23RD THROUGH MARCH 9TH 2011

Day 1: February 23rd
Arrive in Delhi and spend the night at a Boutique Hotel or similar.

Day 2: February 24th
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: February 25th
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: February 26th
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: February 27th
Prepare for a day’s worth of heartwarming and purposeful work as we conduct our first dental camp, offering minor surgeries and treatments to villagers of Kherwa. The camp will open its doors at 10.00 am and will close by 4.00 or until the last patients have been treated. We will overnight at our tented encampment on the outskirts of Kherwa.
 
Day 6: February 28th
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: March 1st  
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: March 2nd
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: March 3rd
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: March 4th
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: March 5th
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: March 6th
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: March 7th
We will depart early for a 6-7 hour drive via AC coach to Jaipur, where we will check into the Narain Niwas 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 Narain Niwas Jaipur

Day 14: March 8th
Enjoy a leisurely day by the pool or in the gardens of Narain Niwas or head out into Jaipur for a visit to Amer Fort or Hawa Mahal

Day 15: March 9th
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.

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TRIP COST