February 17-25, 2018 - TBD 

Due to current world events, we've made the decision to postpone this trip, until we can be sure that our air-travel routes are unaffected.
New dates to be announced... which means, if you were considering joining us, but the timing wasn't right... there's still an opportunity to join us later this year. For more information and to be sure you're on the list for the announcement of the new dates, please email Dr. Maria directly at mskatsamani@aol.com.

Join Us for 7 Magical Days of Transformational Horsemanship in the Birthplace of the Marwari Horse with World-renowned Trainer and Clinician, Dr. Maria Katsamanis

You’ll learn directly from the Marwari horses, facilitated by Dr. Maria Katsamanis, bringing back with you lessons about connection, communication, and partnership that will change your relationship with your own horse - and all you meet - forever.

Dear Friend,

If you’re reading this, it’s because something has piqued your curiosity about the upcoming trip to India to spend time learning in the presence of the incredible Marwari horses, right here in their birthplace, under the hospitality of the Royal Mandawa Family, caretakers and stewards of this rare breed for the last 2,000 years.

Our party, arriving in Mandawa, December 4, 2018

I wanted to include this personal note here, because there are so many things I wish to share with you that don’t fit into the traditional “tour information” which is included below. 

Allow me to start with a story.

Many years ago, before I’d ever become involved with the Marwari horses, I knew I wanted to host equestrian tours as a part of my business. Besides the obvious fun of combining travel and horses, I wanted the opportunity to show students how to apply the tools of connection, communication, and wellness to any horse they would meet, so that they could see how quickly partnership, respect, and friendship could be reached, even with a strange horse - and show them how to bring that magic back to their own partnerships.

When we were putting together one of my first websites, my designer asked me what I wanted to put on the “Tours” page, and one of the first places to come out of my mouth was “India.” 

I didn’t know why. While I had many Indian friends and colleagues, I didn’t know anyone in India at that time. I’d never met a Marwari horse either. 

But I knew India needed to be on our list of places to go, along with Brazil, and Spain, and Austria, where I had deep ties to the equestrian communities.

Years later, after I’d come to be connected with the Marwari horses even riding some in England at the Royal Windsor grounds for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, a woman approached me about putting together a tour and introduced me to my friends at the Mandawa Stud.

It all came full circle. We were going to India.

This is a very special tour to me, and that’s why I only take a very small group.

Over the years, I’ve become close, personal friends with the Mandawa Royal Family, and they’ve graciously opened their home and famous hospitality to my guests. 

Their wish is to have me and our group back to Mandawa and the Mandawa Stud Farm to work with their horses, because in their long-time stewardship of this special breed, they recognize the value in developing deep connection and communication with their horses. 

And so every year, the Mandawa family invites me to support their staff of horsemen and caretakers in further developing their skills and knowledge, the way all great horsemen continually seek to learn and grow.

It is my special privilege to work with these amazing horses, in their homeland, and to be able to invite a select group along with me to participate hands-on, while also enjoying everything Mandawa has to offer.

This year is extra special, as we’re opening the trip up to spouses and partners of our equestrian travelers as well. Mandawa offers so much - from sarafis to vintage cars, rally driving through the desert, exploring the deep history of surrounding region - there is truly something for everyone who has a desire to experience something unique when they travel.

Personally, this has been a deeply transformational trip for me, and those who have traveled with me, every time I have gone.

There’s a special magic about India, the Marwaris, and the deep history and joy of Mandawa.

It is the type of experience that words cannot adequately describe, and photos cannot fully capture. It must be experienced first-hand.

And it’s my special joy to be able to invite you along.

If you’re interested, read on. And if you’d like to inquire directly about joining us, please click the button below and we’ll schedule a time to speak about it personally.

In gratitude and lightness,

Dr. Maria Katsamanis

Enter the World of the Marwaris….

Mandawa, Rajhastan, India
Dates TBD

As morning awakes, Mandawa comes alive with the scents and sounds of exotic, historic, India...

You experience the awakening only faintly, because you are immersed in the language of the horse. Your teacher in this journey is the world-renowned trainer and clinician, Dr. Maria Katsamanis, who is helping you uncover magical levels of communication between you and your most important teacher - one of the Royal Family’s rare Marwari horses.

Your Marwari partner and you converse. Dance. Create. 

As you honor his courage, his bravery and passion, he acknowledges your kindness, acceptance and respect.

A partnership is born.

For seven mornings... 

For seven mornings, Dr. Maria guides this journey of communication with the horse, teaching, clarifying, and opening you up to a new connection, both unmounted and mounted.

In the afternoons....

Venture out with your Marwari partner, exploring the breathtaking beauty of an afternoon safari, retire to Mandawa to enjoy the spa and partake in the rich history of the castle, head into town for some local shopping, or enjoy any of the other delights the area has to offer from cycling tours or Camel safaris to Jeep tours and vintage cars… The time is yours.
For those who wish to continue studying Dr. Maria’s work...
Spend the afternoon under the shade of the auditors' tent along with the Mandawas, studying Dr. Maria’s afternoon sessions, and taking in additional insights as she works privately with the horses and staff of the Royal Family.

The choice is yours. The only question will be...

Is 7 days enough to take it all in?

About the Marwari:
The rarest breed on earth

The Marwari horse is currently designated as the most rare horse breed in the world. In fact, there are less than 1,000 Marwari horses in existence, and only about 30 outside of India. 
These horses have an incredibly rich history, and at one time were the chosen mount of the Maharaja, ridden into battle only by the likes of the Indian nobility due to their exceptional stamina and superior intellect.

The breed’s most distinctive and well-known feature are their characteristic “heart-shaped” ears, which they alone possess in the equine world. 
Among many things, the Marwari horses are exceedingly noble, hardy, sensitive, sensible, and exceptionally loyal animals. It takes a truly tactful and intuitive approach to develop a strong rapport with a Marwari horse, which has made them the perfect teachers for horsemen and women who wish to develop the gift for creating magic in all of their equine partnerships.

About Your Guide:

Dr. Maria Katsamanis

Dr. Maria Katsamanis has received worldwide recognition as a horse trainer, clinician, exhibition rider, and author.

With a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, Dr. Maria uses her education as a clinical scientist to help demystify and explain the elements of a magical formula that are key in establishing the ultimate connection with our horses. 
 
Her explanations of the barriers and myths that block the path between horse and rider results in freeing them both and thus makes the dance accessible to anyone regardless of age or breed. Dr. Maria is honored to be sought out as a clinician both here and abroad while continuing to maintain an appointment as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Rutgers Medical School.
Recognized as one of the nation’s foremost experts on the Marwari breed of horses, when at her home base of Ringoes, New Jersey, Katsamanis enjoys working with her own Marwari stallion, Bahadur, whose name means “brave one” in Hindi. 

Together, Dr. Maria and “Baba” Bahadur have been raising awareness about the breed and setting an example for ethical training practices at large.

Join us for the trip of a lifetime

Mandawa, Rajhastan, India

Who is this trip for?

  • This trip is for those who have a deep love of the horse and wish to deepen their ability to communicate and connect with their equine partners back at home…
  • ​Horsemen and women who are open to new ways of thinking, communicating, and creating with their equine partners… 
  • ​Horse lovers who are looking for a new perspective and approach to creating magic with their horses…
  • ​And those who are open to new experiences, adventures, and possibilities.
(And of course - this trip is also open to non-horsey partners who wish to experience the deep history of India’s famous Rajhastan region and a once-in-a-lifetime adventure)

Why go halfway across the world to work on your relationship with YOUR horse?

There is something magical about India and the Marwari horses that cannot be put into words. It’s an experience unlike any other. 

The Marwari horses are also teachers unlike any other. Known to be a strong-willed and courageous breed, they are highly sensitive, opinionated, and do not connect with just anyone.

It makes them the most incredible teachers.
When you make that connection with a Marwari, and when you see how fast that can happen, with a little tact, communication, and willingness to listen, it is transformational for how you approach every other horse in your life.

When we work with our own horses, we carry with us the baggage of past rides, past history, injuries, limitations, and more. 

When we come to a new horse, we are able to be fully present, focusing on just what is in front of us.

It’s a perspective and a skill that follows us home, and changes our relationship with our own horses forever.

7-day trip itinerary

Days 1-3

During the first three days of your stay, you will spend time connecting with your horse and working closely with Dr. Katsamanis in a state of the art, newly constructed indoor arena to establish the basic foundational principles of the alchemy of lightness. You’ll practice groundwork and proper lunging before moving on to connect with your horse in the saddle. After day 3, the goal is for you to become deeply connected with your mount so you can continue your tour feeling completely safe and in tune with your horse.

After your daily lesson, you’ll have plenty of time to relax and take in the beauty and rich history of the land of the Marwari and it’s breathtaking surroundings. Lounge by the pool, stop by the spa or enjoy a delicious gourmet meal- your time is your own!

Days 4-6

After settling in to your new surroundings and establishing the basics of lightness during the first three days of your stay, you’ll split your time between riding lessons in the morning and exciting afternoon safari excursions to satisfy your appetite for adventure and give you a taste of the local Marwari riding culture. You may ride to a nearby village or explore a wildlife sanctuary to spot some of the most amazing and exotic animals on the planet!

On longer trips, you’ll make a stop along the way for a catered, sit-down meal and get the chance to enjoy live entertainment including traditional music and dance while you dine.

Day 7

No trip to India is complete without a visit to one of the world’s most fantastic destinations (and one of the seven world wonders) the Taj Mahal! For the last leg of your stay, you’ll get the chance to travel to the city of Agra to visit the world famous destination that attracts millions of visitors every year. It’s the perfect ending to an unforgettable week full of fun, learning, and horses, immersed in the epicenter of India’s equestrian history and culture.

Your Accommodations

A Castle in the desert

Modern Luxury and Old World Hospitality

Live like a Royal

Your trip will be based out of an exquisite and luxurious
Castle in Rajhastan, India

This iconic and historic castle was built in 1755 AD in a township that was a trading outpost for the ancient caravan routes from China to the Middle East.

The Castle boasts all the comforts of home (and then some!) plus all the luxury and amenities of a modern resort.

modern Amenities for an old-style castle

85 Rooms (3 Royal Suites, 11 Suites, 36 Deluxe Rooms & 35 Standard Rooms)

Suites have Mini Bars, Tea And Coffee Maker, Heaters/ Air Conditioner, Safes

Attached bathrooms fitted with modern amenities including hair dryers

Telephones with internal Dialing Facility, Wi- Fi , 24 hr. Room Service, Coffee Shop, Reception Desk, Credit Cards, Doctor on Call

Laundry and Dry Cleaning

Multi- Cuisine Restaurants, Bar, Satellite TV , Spa, Swimming Pool and a Jacuzzi, Children’s Swimming Pool

Travel Counter & Taxi Services, Motorcycle on hire

Modern Conference Facilities, LCD Projector & Theatre for Hollywood and Bollywood movies

Indoor Gym‚ Table Tennis

Luxury Tented Camps

If you wish, you can also arrange to stay a night in luxury camps set up in the wilderness! You’ll get to experience true “Old World” Indian hospitality in luxury tents and camps, where you are served gourmet sit-down meals by liveried staff in the middle of the wilderness.

Spouses & Partners

While this trip is organized around a love for the horse, it is an experience that is ripe to be shared with spouses and partners, whether they wish to join us with the horses or create their own adventures.

All of the Castle’s activities are included in this once-in-a-lifetime trip. 

While you work closely with Dr. Maria and your Marwari partner in the mornings, your partner may choose to take a personal tour of the Castle, enjoy rally driving in the desert with one of the Princes, enjoy the family’s vintage care collection, or simply relax and enjoy the old-world hospitality as they explore the courtyards and terraces.

In the afternoons, you may choose to join them and embark on your own adventures together, including Jeep Tours, camel safaris, shopping in the neighboring villages, or exploring on bicycle.

A sampling of the many activities...

Instead of traditional accommodations, maybe you wish to experience the Luxury Tented Camping, eating and sleeping under the stars for part or all of your stay.

Whatever your pleasure and theirs, you are invited to create the experience that will delight you most, as part of this all-inclusive trip.

The Mandawa Family is delighted to share their passions for history, cars, horses, and culture with their guests, and we hope you’ll join us and take them up on their hospitality.

Travel Details:

Getting to mandawa

On this trip, you’ll travel to the heart of India with Dr. Katsamanis. 

You’ll get the royal treatment while staying a historic castle with every detail of your trip taken care of- so you can focus on getting the most out of your stay and your connection with the royal horses of India. Experience this enchanting destination with its magical and mythical horses and feel like royalty for a week. This is the trip of a lifetime!

Dr. Katsamanis has teamed up with Jaya Travel & Tours to provide you with a seamless and worry-free travel experience. From the moment you step on the plane to embark on your tour in India, your every need will be catered to- so come expecting nothing less than the “royal” treatment!

With over 40 years of experience creating dream vacations for travelers, Jaya Travel & Tours will take care of everything you need on your tour- from securing your travel visa, to booking your flight and other travel arrangements, to selecting the very best accommodations, to building the perfect itinerary- so all you have to worry about is relaxing and enjoying your trip of a lifetime.

Jaya Travel & Tours has the experience, contacts, and insider knowledge of India’s top destinations so you can focus on enjoying every moment of your
tour to the fullest..

The Trip of a Lifetime Awaits…

“What could a trip like this possibly cost?"

You may be wondering, “What could a trip like this possibly cost? Is it the price of a lifetime as well?” And if you were organizing a trip to Mandawa yourself, that could very well be true. 

The accommodations at the Castle for lodging alone would cost over $3,000 for the duration of this trip. 

Activities, tours, spa services, meals, safaris, and equestrian activities to fill your days, plus airfare, ground travel, and other necessities would all be additional costs, easily bringing the cost of such a vibrant, full trip to $6500 or more.

And outside of this trip, instruction with Dr. Maria and the Mandawa Marwaris is simply not available. This level of access to Dr. Maria, from breakfast until you retire for the evening, is not available anywhere outside of her tours.

To work with Dr. Maria in a similar context runs $600 for a weekend clinic that includes 4 hours of instruction, and audit access to the rest of the clinic (10 hours over the weekend).

On this trip, you’ll have access to 3 hours of instruction with Dr. Maria every morning, private educational talks during lunch and audit access to her private afternoon training sessions. Maria spends dinner and the rest of the evening with the group, recounting the days’ sessions, answering questions, and sharing her wisdom and joy for the horse.

If you could arrange for that level of access yourself, this trip would easily cost $8000 or more.

But because of Dr. Maria’s personal relationship with the Mandawa Family, and her work with the horses of the Mandawa Stud Farm, this trip costs just over half of that per traveler, and includes everything from visas and airfare to ground travel and the all-inclusive accommodations.

Thanks to our fellow horsewomen and expert travel planners at Jaya Travel & Tours, all of those details are booked and coordinated for you. 

All you need do is show up at the airport, and the rest is planned and handled to the last detail.

If you are interested in joining us…

This is a small trip. To keep the group small, tight-knit, and connected, there are just 10 spots available, including those for non-horsey partners and spouses who may wish to travel with us. 

It is paramount to Dr. Maria that the personalities who join us for this trip are open to getting the most from the experience, and are able to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime trip to its fullest.

If you are interested in joining us, the next step is simple: Just click the button below to send Dr. Maria a note and coordinate a time to discuss the trip.

Dr. Maria will answer all of your questions, help you decide if this is a trip you would enjoy, and if so, she will put you in touch with the team at Jaya Travel & Tours to handle your travel details.

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