Most cases you fly to Mumbai (BOM) or Delhi (DEL) and then connect with an internal domestic flight and vice versa. For internal flights, Make My Trip, is a great resource. You want a non-stop flight duration. Allow 4-5 hours between connecting flights.

Consider staying one night in Mumbai or Delhi to allow for potential flight delays and so that you are well-rested and ready to meet your group on Day 1.

Group Rendezvous Point:

There are two meet-up points for this trip depending on when you arrive.

On the day of the trip:

Date: Day 1
Time: Midday
Location: Udaipur International Airport (UDR)

If you arrive before the first day of the trip:

Date: Prior to Day 1
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Reception of Udai Kothi Hotel

RECOMMENDED PRE-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS

In Delhi, there is the Aerocity complex near the airport where you get hotels like IBIS / Lemon Tree / Holiday Inn hotels. For those who have time to spend in the city, check out Maidens, The Imperial or Haveli Dharampura in the heart of Chandni Chowk old city (narrow lanes).In Mumbai, Niranta Hotel is conveniently located within the airport.In Udaipur, if you arrive early you can arrange to stay at the following:

Hotels

Homestays

DEPARTURES FROM JODHPUR

Drop Off Point:

Date: Day 13
Time: mid-afternoon / Evening
Location: Jodhpur Airport (JDH)

RECOMMENDED POST-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS

In Jodhpur, if you stay on after the ride, you can arrange to stay at the following:

Hotels

Homestays

TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS

You are responsible for booking your own flights or other transport arrangements to the trip start location. These arrangements and any other independent arrangements that you may make are not a part of the trip booked with Wild Women Expeditions and are entirely at your own risk. Wild Women Expeditions accepts no responsibility, directly or indirectly, for any loss, damage or injury to property or person in connection with such arrangements. Should you require assistance with your travel arrangements, please contact:

Megan and Zale | Now Boarding Travel, Travel Specialists

Email: wildwomen@nowboarding.travel

Note: Now Boarding Travel only provides services of 3-star quality or greater. For budget alternatives, please refer to the Lonely Planet guide for your destination.

Important: For international and remote destinations, there is always the risk of flight delays, baggage delays and flight schedule changes which may cause late arrivals, which may, in return, result in you missing the group tour departure. We encourage you to consider arriving one or two days early, which will help you overcome any jet lag from traveling!

PASSPORTS & VISAS

You are fully responsible for your own visa requirements, permits, and certificates for your trip. It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. It is your responsibility to check with the country's Consulate and your country's travel website such as Canada’s for up-to-date information about traveling internationally.

Passport:

Most countries and airlines recommend passports be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to your home country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Important: A copy of your passport must be emailed to the Wild Women Expeditions office by 130-days pre-trip.

Visa:

Everyone needs to obtain a visa before arriving in India.

Some nationalities can obtain a 60-day e-Tourist visa/Visa on Arrival. You can also apply online. This is valid from the day you arrive.

If your application is approved, you will receive an attachment to an email, which you’ll need to print out and take with you to the airport. You’ll then have the e-Tourist visa stamped into your passport at the airport, hence the term ‘Visa on Arrival’, though you need to apply for it beforehand. It is valid from the date of arrival.

If you are from Canada, you can find more information on obtaining an e-Tourist visas: here

You’ll need a local host address, which will be our partner, Horse India.

Address:

Dr. Rao Ajeet Singh

Jodha Stud

P.O. Narlai

Dist. Pali Pin Code: 306703

Rajasthan INDIA

Tel: +91 9828361489

E-mail: info@horseindia.com

Note: As fees and policies can change, we highly recommend that you contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.

If you would like additional assistance in securing your visa, we recommend you consider using the services of CIBTVisas.

Click HERE if you are in the USA.

Click HERE if you are in Canada.

TIPPING

Tipping is the custom in India.In hotels – it is the custom to tip the room boys 50 rupees per bag.On the ride – It is suggested a tip at the end of the ride, of 13,000 INR from each guest (ie £10 for each day of your holiday) – but ONLY if you have enjoyed it and you feel the grooms and tent boys deserve it!Please tip all together at the horse goodbye ceremony. A tip bag is passed round the guests the night before and the proceeds are split into tentwalas / grooms / transport / logistics / kitchen & bar teams. This way those behind the scenes, are counted in, as without them this trip would not function.

ACCOMMODATION DETAILS

Rooming Arrangements:

Our trip prices are based on a twin-share (minimum of two women per room/tent), so we’ll team you up with another solo wild woman to share with if you’re on your own, or of course, you can share with your travel partner. Single rooms are available at the hotels and tents, subject to availability. Please contact support@wildwomenexpeditions.com to request a single room.

Bathrooms

All accommodations have ensuite bathrooms (hotels and tents)

Hotels: Toilet, sink and shower available

Tent: Toilet, sink and shower tray – cold buckets of water provided for flushing the toilet and bucket of hot water and jug provided for washing/jug shower.

Electricity / Internet / WiFi / Cell Coverage

All hotels certainly have WiFi in the reception area and in some rooms 2-round pin European adapter plugs are required when connecting to electricity. There is generally a good cell coverage in Rajasthan though it may not be the case in some parts on the ride.

Potable Water

Bottled water is provided throughout the trip. Never drink tap water. Bottled water is generally safe – check the seal is intact. Avoid ice unless you know it has been made hygienically. Be careful of fresh juices served at street stalls in particular – they may have been watered down or may be served in unhygienic jugs/glasses.

If you would like to join Wild Women Expeditions in its commitment to reducing single-use plastic, you can travel prepared with your own water treatment system!

Lifestraw

GRAYL Canada | OnePress™ Global Protection

Travelers Against Plastic | Take the TAP pledge

Water-To-Go

Overnight Arrangements During Your Stay

Udai Kothi or Hotel Lake Pichola
Rawla Narlai
Devi Bhawan
Kurja Resort
Tented Safari Camp
Maharajah ‘Shikar’ Tents 14’x14′, each with en suite bathroom w toilet, shower tray, wash basin and mirror (hot and cold water buckets provided) and beds complete with all linen, quilts and towels, changed daily. These tents are erected and dismantled every night by our tentwala team. There is no wifi at the Safari tent camps.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT INDIA

Wildlife Spotting

Some of the wildlife you may encounter are cows, dogs, leopards, water buffalo, nilgai or blue bull, chinkara gazelle, mongoose, a variety of birds including demoiselle crane and rarely a snake.

The Indian Horse

The Marwari or Malani is a rare breed of horse from the Marwar (or Jodhpur) region of India. Known for its inward-turning ear tips, it comes in all colours. The height is usually 15.2 to 16.2 hands. It is known for its hardiness and is quite similar to the Kathiawari, another Indian breed from the Kathiawar region southwest of Marwar. Many breed members exhibit a natural ambling gait. The Marwari horses are descended from native Indian ponies crossed with Arabian horses, possibly with some Mongolian influence. They are uniquely adapted to living and working in the desert.

The Rathores, traditional rulers of the Marwar region of western India, were the first to breed the Marwari. Beginning in the 12th century, they espoused strict breeding that promoted purity and hardiness. Used throughout history as a cavalry horse by the people of the Marwar region, the Marwari was noted for its loyalty and bravery in battle. The breed deteriorated in the 1930s when poor management practices resulted in a reduction of the breeding stock, but today has regained some of its popularity.

The Marwari is used for light draught and agricultural work, as well as riding and packing. In 1995, a breed society was formed for the Marwari horse in India. The exportation of Marwari horses was banned for decades, but between 2000 and 2006, a small number of exports were allowed. Though they are rare, they are becoming more popular outside of India due to their unique looks.

About the Tack & Equipment

Bridles: We ride in English bridles, with soft plain bits (snaffles, kimblewicks, and the odd pelham) but most of the horses respond to one-handed / neck reigning too. Traditional ‘pugaree’ or cloth standing martingales are used, attaching from the girth to the noseband and are mostly for decoration.

Saddles: We use ‘sawar’ saddles (Indian cavalry) and have cotton covered foam ‘seat savers’ for those that need them. They’re very comfortable as they are designed for long-distance maneuvers.

Saddlebags: Each horse has a pair of canvas saddlebags that fit behind the saddle (your leg) and in this every day is your 1-litre mineral water bottle (put in every morning and lunchtime during the ride, and as required during your trip.), and a toilet roll. They are also big enough to take a rolled-up jumper, etc.

Helmets are NOT provided and are required for this trip. You must bring your own horseback riding specific helmet.

A complete first aid kit is carried by the guide at all times.

Climate & Weather:

The trip is based in Northwest India. It is a dry heat as it is a desert state.

MONEY MATTERS

Wild Women Expeditions recommends that each participant should bring enough cash in local currency or available credit/debit funds to cover their meals during travel to and from their destination. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, meals not included in the trip package, shopping, etc., and we also suggest you have access to emergency funds.

Currency Exchange Offices & Banks:

Please check online for current exchange rates. Wild Women Expeditions likes XE Currency Converter

We highly suggest you read this article: Where to Exchange Currency Without Paying Huge Fees for more information about this for your trip.

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs)

There are many ATM machines that accept both Visa and Mastercard but these are limited to major cities. We recommend the use of cash in USD currency and exchange them at the hotels as you go (Udaipur & Jodhpur). Major credit cards are accepted in most shops but they usually charge a 2-4% transaction fee.

Credit Cards

VISA is accepted at most shops and hotels, but not for exchanging money, only for buying or paying for goods.

Cash

India is a closed currency, which means you cannot buy rupees before you travel.

It is recommended that guests bring 300 to 500 USD cash with them and change 50 on arrival in India at the airport.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Youtube:

Watch: An Interview with WWE Guide Caroline Moorey

GETTING FIT

Please be sure to provide complete, accurate, and up-to-date information about your health & fitness level and keep us updated if there are changes. Wild Women Expeditions trips travel to remote areas where limited or no sophisticated medical facilities exist.

A medical emergency situation is extremely unlikely; however, should it arise we need to be prepared with the necessary information to help you.

Important Note: If you choose not to disclose a condition, infirmity, injury, or ailment herein and are subsequently deemed to be unfit for expedition travel due in whole or in part to such condition, infirmity, injury or ailment, Wild Women Expeditions guides, and partners shall have the right to remove you from the trip with no refund or compensation payable. Any evacuation expenses incurred are payable by the evacuee via their medical travel insurance or personal expense. Generally, our expeditions are intended for travelers in reasonably good health for their safety, along with that of their fellow travelers.

Wild Women Expeditions recommends that in the months leading up to your adventure, you prepare yourself by walking often on various types of terrain and exercising regularly to increase your level of fitness with cardio and/or weight training.

As there are some water-based activities on this itinerary, please notify Wild Women Expeditions if you are a non-swimmer.

Tips:

You don't have to be a professional athlete to enjoy your Wild Women expedition. Not by a long shot! You'll be surprised at what you can achieve with our experienced guides at your side and a little camaraderie.

That said, you’ll definitely enjoy yourself far more if you do some preparation so your body is conditioned and ready to enjoy and make the most of the outdoors.

Here are a few ideas to help you get ready:

Ride!

You will be spending many hours each day with your bum in a saddle, so please ensure you get some riding in before this trip. While this trip is rated “novice (comfortable at walk and trot)”, we do recommend that you have some familiarity with horses, being around them and riding, at least a little bit, to make it a more comfortable and enjoyable adventure.

Work your Core.

Keeping good posture and balance on a horse requires a strong core, especially when going up and down steep trails. Doing pilates, or a balanced (focused on strength as well as flexibility) yoga program, can be a great way to prepare for this trip.

Take every opportunity you can to be active.

You can improve your fitness a lot just by adopting some new habits; take the stairs at work, go for a walk at lunchtime, park your car away from work and walk. Aim for 30 minutes a day and keep a diary so you can look back on it and feel proud. These may sound trivial but they’re all building blocks!

Join a local walking or running group.

This is a great way to get fit and you’ll also see new places, meet great people… and make them all jealous when they find out what you’re about to go on your travels.

Warm up, cool down and stretch.

If you’re doing a workout then make sure you start and finish gently and stretch any tight muscles – this will help you avoid any aches, pains and pulled muscles. If you’re a member of a gym try some yoga, tai chi or pilates classes to build up your flexibility, stability and balance.

Hydration.

When you suddenly ask your body to walk or be active, it needs a bit more fuel than it needs when, say, sitting at a desk all day! The main thing your body needs is water, so stay hydrated and practice sipping water often. Getting a water bottle or hydration bladder is a great way to make sure you have it on hand at all times. Make a habit out of taking a bottle of water with you wherever you go.

Nutrition.

Eating little and often will keep your body well fuelled for outdoor exercise, especially food like nuts, dried fruit and bread. The odd bit of chocolate and a few boiled lollies are good for keeping your blood sugar levels up while you’re hiking as well!

Have fun!

The most important point of all! You are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. You’re going to meet some amazing people, see some wonderful places and create memories that will stay with you for life. The more prepared you are to tackle the various challenges, the more fun you will have. Also, with all the endorphins you create from all this training, you’ll be smiling from ear to ear! It’s a great way to boost your happy vibes.

More information on getting fit!

Check out our blog, Getting Fit: For a Horseback Riding Trip, which includes a 20 minute workout video specifically aimed at preparing the muscles you’ll need for riding.

GENERAL FAQ'S

For general Wild Women Expeditions FAQs please click [HERE].