Relief Riders International (RRI), the award-winning adventure travel company whose humanitarian expeditions on horseback through The Thar Desert of India have been covered in Outside Magazine, Forbes, National Geographic Adventure, O-The Oprah Magazine, and The Washington Post, is pleased to announce it is expanding its signature Relief Rides into mystical Southern Rajasthan. Two new Relief Rides to the region are scheduled for January and February of 2010.

These unique humanitarian aid-via-horseback trips were temporarily suspended for the past year while Relief Riders International focused on the creation of its sister company, Relief Workers International (RWI; www.reliefworkersinternational.com). RWI's successful inaugural January 2009 expedition provided travelers not interested in riding horses the opportunity to bring much-needed medical care to remote communities of The Rann of The Kutch region of Gujarat, India.

The newly reinstated Relief Rides combine breathtaking rides on magnificent Marwari horses through some of the most beautiful landscapes in India with humanitarian aid. Riders volunteer their time to distribute books and school supplies to children, and help provide basic but vital healthcare services for villagers in rural communities. Over the years, the lives of thousands of villagers have been changed for the better, and dozens of riders have been transformed by the experience.

In its past Relief Rides, RRI has provided treatment for blindness, general and pediatric medical care, educational supplies, and famine relief for over 15,000 villagers, 7,800 of them children.

For its 2010 trips, RRI will be adding free dental care to its extensive medical care program for rural villagers. According to Alexander Souri, Executive Director of RRI, "I am thrilled to be returning to Rajasthan after a year's absence. It is good to be seeing new areas of a region I have come to love and be providing care to people I have yet to meet. Our new dental camp program, will be offering dental treatments and minor surgeries. Like our other groundbreaking humanitarian programs, it brings much-needed aid to people who may otherwise never have had access to this type of care."

RRI will be riding in the culturally vibrant region located in Pali district, three hours from Udaipur. The region is known for its electrifying landscapes, exotic wildlife, and wandering Sadhus, who roamed the desert in ancient times in search of sacred ground for the magnificent temples of this beautiful section of The Thar Desert.

The 15-day Narlai Relief Ride begins on Monday, January 18, 2010 in Delhi. The Rawla Narlai will serve as the initial base camp and departure point for the Relief Ride. This simple yet elegant 17th century hunting retreat once owned by the Maharajah of Jodhpur lies in the heart of the arid Aravelli Hills. The area is known for its large granite rocks surrounded by hills dotted with temples and ancient caves once inhabited by the wandering Sadhus.

During thr ride from Narlai to Neemaj, Relief Riders will traverse sandy dunes and granite-strewn, moonlike landscapes-home to Sãmbhar deer, water buffalo and Blue Bulls. Riders will stop at Gudha Akheraj to deliver livestock to needy villagers, and give resident children basic medical care and school supplies before camping overnight in luxury tented encampments.

This adventurous and meaningful humanitarian experience culminates in Nimaaj with RRI's powerful new humanitarian program, a two-day Dental Camp led by Dr. Vivek Chaturvedi and staffed by three dental surgeons. The Dental camp offers free dental treatments, with a focus on minor dental surgery.

The Luni Relief Ride runs from Saturday, February 20, 2010 through Sunday, March 7, 2010, and offers the same unique blend of adventure on horseback and humanitarian relief. The majestic Fort Luni, built in 1894, will serve as the initial base camp and departure point for this Relief Ride in to the Mewar region en route to the Rawla Narlai. Villagers in Roopawas, Hemawas, Baanta, Bordi, and Narlai will benefit from RRI's medical, livestock and educational programs.

Relief Riders International

Relief Riders International

Relief Riders International (RRI) is a humanitarian-based, adventure travel company that organizes horseback journeys through breathtaking areas in developing countries around the world. Relief Riders International is designed to offer individuals not only an exhilarating journey but the chance to use their skills, enthusiasm and experience to promote positive change.

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