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For more information contact in the saddle. Tel: 01299 272 997, Fax: 01299 272 935, Email: rides@inthesaddle.com, Internet: www.inthesaddle.com
Updated 20 Feb 2019 LD Page 1 of 9
Hola Mohalla, Punjab, India 2019
(including Shimla)
Wednesday 13-Mar-19
Arrive in Delhi and transfer to Hotel Vasant
Continental. Rooms will be available from midday.
Meet the other members of the group and share
expectations of the week ahead.
This afternoon join a guided tour of Delhi with the
group.
Dinner and overnight at Vasant Continental, Delhi.
Thursday 14-Mar-19
You will be transferred to Delhi train station for a train
departing at 07.40. The train has comfortable spacious
seating as you would find throughout Europe.
Arrive Chandigarh at 11:05.
You will be met on arrival and transferred by vehicle to
Ramgarh (c.22 kms ) and to the Hotel Ramgarh Fort.
www.thefortramgarh.com
The fort was built 350 years ago and is famous for its
huge wooden door, apparently the world’s tallest door.
After lunch at the Fort Ramgarh, you are driven away
from the hustle and bustle of town to meet your horses
which are ready and waiting for you in the Ghaggar
river bed.
The riding today mainly follows the river bed and is a
good opportunity for you to get to know your horse.
Sometimes you climb up onto the banks and ride
through small villages.
You finish riding near to the town of Pinjore and, if
time, you will make a visit (on foot) to the beautiful
Pinjore gardens, one of the oldest gardens in northern
India which is laid out on seven terraces. It is a pretty
place, particularly at dusk.
Later arrive at your tented camp which is within sight
of a Sikh temple, called a “gurudawara”.
Overnight in the Tented Camp
Friday 15-Mar-19
After a delicious breakfast in camp, you set off riding.
You mostly follow the river bed with occasional
detours through small villages. There is much to see as
you ride.
For more information contact in the saddle. Tel: 01299 272 997, Fax: 01299 272 935, Email: rides@inthesaddle.com, Internet: www.inthesaddle.com
Updated 20 Feb 2019 LD Page 2 of 9
Today, as on each day, the grooms and support vehicle
will meet you about midday. The horses are untacked
and rested and you have a delicious lunch and a chance
to rest.
After lunch continue riding following the river bed. It
is fascinating to pass by the nomadic people, with their
herds of water buffalo, who have set up semi-
permanent homes right in the middle of the river. In
just a few months, they will move on and their homes
will be washed away as the river floods (when the
snow melts in the mountains and the monsoon rains
arrive).
Later arrive at the town of Siswan and to your
accommodation at the lovely Siswan Jungle Lodge.
Tonight you are in for a treat with a delicious meal,
possibly served in the gardens if the weather is good.
Overnight at Siswan Jungle Lodge.
www.siswanjunglelodge.com
Saturday 16-Mar-19
You are likely to have attracted quite a crowd of
onlookers since the horses are corralled almost in the
middle of town just across the road from the Siswan
Jungle Lodge.
Today your ride continues to follow the river bed,
sometimes following the many jeep tracks which cross
back and forth. You can only imagine the
communication problems when the river is in flood.
Many people live along the river bank in very basic
living conditions, but times are moving fast and many
people in modest houses have their own tractor.
Have lunch at a shady spot near to a village.
The smell of marijuana plants pervades. It is
remarkable to see it growing in widespread abundance
everywhere, as far as the eye can see. It is used in tea,
lassis and also its own crushed smoothies. This may
well account for the Nihangs benevolent disposition, as
they consume large amounts of the plant in a variety of
ways.
As you continue riding after lunch you might see some
water buffalo forage and bathe in the shallows. Egrets,
grey herons and a variety of raptors feed off the
abundant fish and meadow rodents.
For more information contact in the saddle. Tel: 01299 272 997, Fax: 01299 272 935, Email: rides@inthesaddle.com, Internet: www.inthesaddle.com
Updated 20 Feb 2019 LD Page 3 of 9
There are beautiful high cliffs on the left of the river
which have been eroded and etched by rain and
waterfall into impressive battlements.
Ride on crossing and re-crossing the river until you
arrive at the town of Nalagarh.
You leave the horses about 3 kms short of Nalagarh
and drive the final stretch up to the Nalagarh Fort (a
heritage hotel). http://nalagarh.in/
Nalagarh Fort is a gateway to Himachal Pradesh and
was built in 1421 during the reign of Raja Bikram
Chand. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas it
offers panoramic views of the Shivalik hills. It is the
most handsome of the many forts in the area and within
easy access to the others (Palasi in the plains and
Ramgarh , Chamba and Malaon in the hills).
The rooms are spacious and comfortable, reflecting its
heritage status. There is also a pool, a large communal
dining room, and lovely gardens and quiet corners that
meander around the hilltop as the fort was added to
over the years. The rooftop offers some spectacular
views over the surrounding hills with the twinkling
domes of the Gurudwaras (Sikh temples) in the
distance.
Weather permitting you might have dinner on the
rooftop. Overnight at Nalagarh Fort heritage hotel.
Sunday 17-Mar-19
After breakfast drive back to the horses and ride out
back to the river bed.
It is a fairly short morning ride with a couple of
opportunities for fast canters along the tracks until you
come close to the ruins of Palasi Fort.
You climb up to the Fort for your lunch stop. There is
grass for the horses, broken battlements to explore and
shady corners to eat and rest in after lunch.
After lunch there may well be an opportunity to
explore the village, visit a hindu temple and perhaps be
invited into one of the village homes. Everyone is very
welcoming.
For more information contact in the saddle. Tel: 01299 272 997, Fax: 01299 272 935, Email: rides@inthesaddle.com, Internet: www.inthesaddle.com
Updated 20 Feb 2019 LD Page 4 of 9
After lunch set off riding again towards Bharatgarh.
Eventually you ride along the side of the canal and will
start to see heavily laden motorbikes and lots of
tractors pulling trailers full of people. All are flying an
orange flag. These are Sikhs either coming from the
temple or going to Hola Mohalla.
Your destination tonight is Bharatgarh Fort.
www.bharatgarhfort.com
Bharatgarh was built in 1783 and was the most
important stronghold of the Singhpuria missile as its
location over the banks of the Satluj river gave it a key
strategic position.
The area of the fort is about 7 acres and it has 100
acres of forest land. Bharatgarh Fort remains with and
is occupied by the descendant family and operates as a
private family-run hotel with its own unique charm.
The fort is small and compact, well maintained and
with wonderful views from the roof-top. The rooms are
comfortable and pretty. One very much gets the feeling
one is staying in a rather unusual bed and breakfast.
Overnight at Bharatgarh Fort
Monday 18-Mar-19
Ride out after breakfast from Bharatgarh Fort.
You are now on the home run to the Hola Mohalla and
will be riding alongside the canals. These canals run
from a huge dam called Bhakra – one of the highest
gravity dams in the world. The dam holds excess
waters during the monsoon and releases it into this
huge network of canals which provide irrigation and
run all the way to western Rajasthan – almost 500kms
away. The water in the canals flows very fast and is a
bright blue.
The back–up vehicle will also negotiate the trails along
with increasing numbers of motorbikes and small
For more information contact in the saddle. Tel: 01299 272 997, Fax: 01299 272 935, Email: rides@inthesaddle.com, Internet: www.inthesaddle.com
Updated 20 Feb 2019 LD Page 5 of 9
trucks going to the festival. You may encounter fellow
pilgrims who have pitched camps along the canals
offering tea and refreshments to any and all who pass
by.
You break for lunch at Kiratpur a short distance from
the river and the grooms are able to bathe the horses in
the shallows.
After lunch continue riding along the canal, past a huge
dam and to the town of Anandpur Sahib.
As you get closer to the town you can hear a huge roar
of music and voices coming through loud speakers, as
well as the throbbing engine noise and air-horns from
turbo-charged tractors and bikes that people are using
to get to Anandpur Sahib.
In the late afternoon you arrive at your tented camp
near to Gogamedi temple, just on the outskirts of the
town of Anandpur Sahib.
All being well, after an early dinner, you may be able
to drive into town just to experience a little of the
excitement. Everything is lit up with a million fairy
lights and there is a huge carnival atmosphere.
Overnight in tented Camp for two nights.
Tuesday 19-Mar-19
In the morning, after breakfast, you will be driven into
the town of Anandpur Sahib.
You should take the opportunity to visit Virasat-e-
Khalsa, the beautiful museum of the Sikhs. The
museum, opened in November 2011, celebrates 500
years of the Sikh history and the 300th anniversary of
the birth of the Khalsa. The architecture is stunning and
the exhibits fascinating.
The rest of the day is spent visiting various aspects of
the Hola Mohalla. You will visit the main Gurudwara
temple where people are relaxing and listening to
teachings and music.
At some point in the day you will return to camp for
lunch.
For more information contact in the saddle. Tel: 01299 272 997, Fax: 01299 272 935, Email: rides@inthesaddle.com, Internet: www.inthesaddle.com
Updated 20 Feb 2019 LD Page 6 of 9
In the afternoon, you return to town. There may be the
opportunity to see some displays of horsemanship or to
see the martial arts displays.
There is colour and excitement everywhere.
Later this evening, depending on how much you have
seen and how tired you are, you might go back again to
town to see further displays.
Overnight at camp.
Wednesday 20-Mar-19
This morning those leaving for home will be driven to
Chandigarh in time for a train to Delhi.
Those continuing to Shimla will depart by vehicle
(about 2 hours’ drive) to the town of Kalka and to the
train station.
Shimla is famous as the former summer capital of the
British Raj. From the 1860’s the Viceroy of India
would move the entire administration between Calcutta
and Shimla, a journey of some 1000 miles, to get away
from the heat on the plains. The railway between Kalka
and Shimla was opened in November 1903. Some
facts: it is 96kms long, goes through 102 tunnels and
over 886 bridges and climbs from Kalka at 655m to
Shimla at 2,100m.
You will be boarding the Himalayan Queentoy train
which departs Kalka at 12:10 and arrives Shimla at
17:20. The transfer vehicle will continue by road to
Shimla and so you only need to take onto the train
what you need for the journey.
The train, which is pulled by a diesel engine, doesn’t
travel very fast (25kms/hr) and there is plenty of
opportunity to watch the world go by. You may have
short stops at some of the stations and it is sometimes
possible to get off for a quick leg stretch.
There are many highlights – Bridge 541 is the highest
arch gallery bridge in the Indian railway. It has a total
of 34 arches in a four storey construction.
After a relaxing and fascinating journey you see
Shimla in the distance, a sprawling town stuck onto the
hillside.
On arrival at Shimla you will be met by your guide and
vehicle who have made the journey by road and will be
transferred to your hotel.
Depending on availability, accommodation in Shimla
will be in either the Clarkes Hotel or Woodville Palace.
For more information contact in the saddle. Tel: 01299 272 997, Fax: 01299 272 935, Email: rides@inthesaddle.com, Internet: www.inthesaddle.com
Updated 20 Feb 2019 LD Page 7 of 9
Clarkes Hotel is a short walk from the Mall in Shimla
and so you are within easy access of many shops and
restaurants.
Woodville Palace is built in the style of an English
Country Manor and has twenty-seven rooms.
Each room has a separate theme and no two rooms are
decorated alike.
Dinner to your own account in Shimla.
Overnight Shimla for three nights.
Thursday 21-Mar-19
Today is Holi - the Hindu festival of colour. Almost all
of the shops, museums and places of interest will be
closed because of the merriment which will take place.
Your guide will accompany you or you are free to
explore on your own.
Shimla is a great place to celebrate the festival of
colours. You are recommended to wear clothes which
you don’t mind getting completely covered in coloured
powder. It should wash out, but just in case, don’t wear
your best shirt and trousers.
Young people and adults purchase bags of different
coloured powder which they throw over anyone they
might meet.
It is recommended that you put cold cream on your
face to create a barrier between your skin and the
powder and also makes the Holi colours easier to wash
off. You will probably also wish to have a scarf to
protect your hair from the worst. But rest assured, it
does wash off.
Some shops may re-open later in the evening; the
Shimla mall is famous for its shops selling everything
from books, to expensive fabrics to jewels.
For more information contact in the saddle. Tel: 01299 272 997, Fax: 01299 272 935, Email: rides@inthesaddle.com, Internet: www.inthesaddle.com
Updated 20 Feb 2019 LD Page 8 of 9
Lunch and dinner to own account. Overnight Shimla.
Friday 22-Mar-19
Day to explore Shimla. You will have a guide and
vehicle at your disposal but you could go and explore
on your own if you prefer. The main things to visit will
be the Jakhu (Monkey) temple, the State Museum and
the Viceregal Lodge.
The monkeys at the temple are a real nuisance so do
take your guide’s warnings seriously.
Lunch and dinner to own account. Overnight Shimla.
Saturday 23-Mar-19
For more information contact in the saddle. Tel: 01299 272 997, Fax: 01299 272 935, Email: rides@inthesaddle.com, Internet: www.inthesaddle.com
Updated 20 Feb 2019 LD Page 9 of 9
You will drive from Shimla to Kalka (which will be
quicker than the train).
Arrive in Kalka in time for the Shatabdi Train which
departs Kalka at 17:45 and arrives into Delhi at 21:55.
You will be in premier class and be served dinner
during the journey.
You will be met on arrival at Delhi and transferred to a
hotel where those flying later have the opportunity to
wash and change.
Later transfer to the airport for your homeward flight.
Your flight should depart very late evening on
Saturday 23 March or in the early hours of Sunday 24
March. If you would prefer to or need to overnight in
Delhi, then we can make these arrangements for you.