A safari is journey into the desert,
but one that is accompanied with rudimentary
comforts, and even luxurious amenities.
As each journey progresses, there is the
excitement of setting camp at a new spot
in the lonely wilderness of the Thar, of
being entertained by groups of wandering
minstrels, of coming in proximity of village
life in one of the harshest conditions of
the world, of enjoying splendid camp meals
and sleeping under the stars that hang suspended
from the sky like twinkling fairy lights.
None of these journeys are arduous because
the organizers ensure that all facilities
are provided, from entertainment to fine
dining, and from setting up deluxe camps
to ensuring that your slightest needs are
met. But eventually, it is the landscape
that is spellbinding. For miles altogether,
there is nothing but sand, but from this
aridness one can expect the unexpected as
groups of women appear and disappear in
their colorful clothes, apparently going
nowhere. Just as suddenly, medieval cities
rise magnificent for their architectural
heritage, and are just as suddenly lost
to sight. Mirages? No, in the Thar, these
are only too real.
Camel Safari :About the only thing
you will have to get used to, when you plan
a camel safari, is the ungainly movement
of the ship of the desert. The camel may
look aloof, but is the lifeline for the
people of the desert whose communication
needs depend on this vital beast for their
very survival. Most journeys into the hinterlands
are still made on camel-back, or in camel
carts, and the camel is also used for ploughing
the arid fields of the desert.
A saddle is mounted across the camel's hump,
providing comfortable seating for two, legs
astride. At first the rolling gait of the
camel is a little disconcerting, but riders
soon get used to the rhythm.
Since the sun can get very hot in the desert,
the best times for a camel safari are in
the morning and evening, even in the cooler
winter months. Such safaris are usually
run by professional outfits who hire Raikas,
the camel-keepers who are adept at finding
the best routes and waterholes in the desert,
and navigate almost by instinct, guided,
of course, by the position of the stars
at night. This becomes necessary should
you be planning a longdistance safaris,
of course, can range from just a day to
serveral days, and you can choose an option
that best meets your needs and schedules.
Remember, most such safaris can traverse
a distance of 30-40 km a day, and you may
need to plan accordingly should you wish
to trlans-navigate between two different
towns.
Best camel safari points are the desert
region that includes the entire Shekhawati
belt, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, and
around Pushkar and Nagaur, and only the
winter season (October-March) is recommended.
Visitors are advised to dress modestly since
the safari may pass, and camp, in close
proximity of villages. A sola-topee, the
local turban or some form of head protection
is essential, and people should ensure that
they drink water at regular intervals.
Horse Safari :
A more recent, and exciting, variation
of the camel safari is the horse safari.
The Rajputs were born to be horseback riders,
and the tradition was strongly enforced
in the medieval ages when the cavalry formed
one of the most important flanks of the
desert armies. Special horses were bred
at the thikanas or aristocratic homes of
the Thakurs who served their kings with
armies of horsemen. The Marwari horse is
an indigenous species, hardy, agile, and
among the notables in world breeds. In addition,
the Kathiawadi and Sindhi horses are also
adept at traversing the desert countryside.
Horse safaris are usually conducted in the
vicinity of Udaipur where the hilly terrain
and forested countryside are ideal for taking
to the trail. Depending on the size of the
group, the pack of cavalry can move swiftly
or at leisure, moving from the vicinity
of one old fort to another. There is additional
excitement in that the route you choose,
and the heritage hotels you stay in, may
have been those very ones where the ancient
armies once rode and camped.
Horse safari routes can, of course, be diverse,
but most will pass close to villages, ruined
historical monuments, and temples. These
are ideal places to halt for a bit of rest
and relaxation, or lunch, and a quick snooze.
Riders are advised to equip themselves with
riding gear- the famous Jodhpuri breeches,
hat, and boots. Depending on your capability
to ride, the horses may trot or canter through
the countryside. What matters most, however,
is that each evening, you are assured of
the comforts of former palaces and forts:
no better, or more historic way of exploring
Rajasthan is possible.
Elephant Safari :
The most regal way of seeing Rajasthan
is on an elephant safari, since nothing
can even compare with the majesty of the
pachyderm- no wonder the rulers used elephants
for their journeys. Equipped with a howdah,
a large seat on which they would sit, complete
with soft silk cushions, and with a ceremonial
umbrella over their heads, modern day safaris
may pale in comparison, but are no less
regal on that account.
The elephant treads treads slowly and steadily,
and a safari would be ideal in and around
principal towns, especially in the vicinity
of wildlife sanctuaries where the same elephants
can do double-duty for viewing wildlife.
Since an elephant safari is an elaborate
affair, and requires many attendants for
the beast as well, such camps too tend to
be more lavish, and so these are best for
incentive groups who can be promised an
experience, the like of which they are unlikely
to ever have elsewhere.
Jeep Safari :
The open jeep is the most conducive way
of seeing Rajasthan, especially in the winter
months when the chilly breeze and warm sunshine
provide a heady combination. Such jeep safaris
can be organised by travel agents, but should
not be confused with the mere hiring of
vehicles to commute between different destinations.
A safari means an exploration of lesser-known
destinations and the countryside, and may
also include forays off the roads, though
it is not advisable to drive in the sand
for obvious reasons.
The best jeep safari country is similar
to that used for horse safaris, in and around
Udaipur, since the rugged Mewar terrain
with its forested valleys and scraggy hills
and rocky outcrops provides and entrancing
landscape. The tribal regions, the small
villages, the ruins of old forts, the temple
complexes all add up to providing a sense
of destination to such safaris. Another
rewarding region for jeep safaris is the
Shekhawati belt with its painted towns that
are in close proximity to each other, but
interspersed with the scraggy desert where,
for miles around, nothing but the sand stretches.
Jeep safaris can be fun because the pace
can be varied to suit one's needs, packing
in days of fast travelling with leisurely
comping. Safari outfits send a recce team
ahead for picnic lunches, and for setting
up camps in the open. Alternates can be
to stay in a choice of heritage hotels that
dot the vast regions of the desert.
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