Princess Trails · Udaipur, India
Riding the historic mount of the Maharajas, run on gas not wood
Princess Trails, run by Ute and Virendra Singh Shaktawat, he from one of the oldest noble families of Udaipur and she originally from Germany, is based on a farm 8km outside the city, its pasture partly flooding in monsoon season to form a natural lake that draws peacocks, kingfishers and ibis. It is a genuinely eco-minded operation: the camps cook and light on gas rather than cutting forest wood, use local supplies and employ local people. Rides are on Marwari horses, the historic mount of the Maharajas, from short trails around Udaipur to multi-day safaris through the Aravalli hills and Malwa plains, including a signature annual ride to the Pushkar Fair, where around 25,000 camels, horses and cattle are traded each year.
You should be balanced and in control at all paces and comfortable riding out for several hours a day. Marwari horses are spirited and forward-going, so previous experience on lively horses is a real help. The open plains allow long trots, canters and gallops, with steadier riding through the hills and villages. Beginners are better suited to the short rides from the farm.
The Marwari is India's native horse, with distinctive inward-curving ears and Arab and Turkmeni ancestry. Bred for war by the Rajput clans in the deserts of Marwar, it is hardy, intelligent and full of stamina. Princess Trails uses Marwari horses for almost all its safaris and rides.
Days are spent riding out across the Rajasthan countryside, past villages, lakes, forts and temples, with the Marwari horses at the centre of it all. On the longer safaris the tented camp moves to a new spot each evening, sometimes beside a village, sometimes out in open country. Riders are encouraged to arrive a day or two early to get to know their horse before setting off.
On the multi-day safaris, nights are in a mobile tented camp of spacious double tents with flooring, proper beds and a small porch, moved to a new location each evening. The Castle-to-Castle route instead uses hand-picked heritage hotels, and the family farm outside Udaipur has comfortable rooms for the start and end of a trip.
All meals are included: local Indian cooking made with local produce. In keeping with the eco-friendly approach, the camp cooks and lights on gas rather than firewood.
Best months: October to March
The cool, dry winter season is the time to ride; summers are very hot and the monsoon floods the farm pasture into a lake. The Pushkar Fair ride runs to fixed dates once a year, in both directions between Udaipur and Pushkar.
Nearest airport: Udaipur (UDR), connected via Delhi and Mumbai
Transfers: The farm is about 8 km from Udaipur; transfers are easily arranged
Fly to Udaipur via Delhi or Mumbai, then a short transfer to the farm.
