Cycle Rajasthan

Beginning in Delhi we have an opportunity today to set up our bikes and go for a test ride through the city. Over the coming days we will be covering an average of some 65 kilometres a day on the bikes, spending up to six hours a day in the saddle. It is important therefore that we make sure that we are comfortable with the bikes before we leave Delhi tomorrow.

Overnight Standard Hotel

This morning we leave Delhi behind and drive along the Delhi-Jaipur highway to Neemrana, arriving in the town around lunchtime. This afternoon we then cycle through the villages of rural Rajasthan, heading through Maudher and Kantikhas, to enjoy a little something of the colour and spectacle of a way of life that has remained relatively unchanged for generations. Returning to Neemrana later this afternoon, we then spend the evening in this historic old town, once the capital of the Chaunan dynasty.

Total cycling distance approximately 40km.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Leaving Neemrana behind this morning we head next towards Sariska National Park, set amongst the lush vistas of the Aravali Hills. The journey takes us by way of the fort at Kesroli and the bustling, historic town of Alwar, whose massive fortress once protected the northern gateway into Rajasthan. We cover some 130 kilometres today, around 70 of which will be by bike, meandering our way through sleepy villages and past fields of yellow mustard as we travel across a rural landscape still steeped in the traditions of the past. Depending on the wishes of the group we may be able to increase our cycling distance today.
Total cycling distance approximately 70km.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

A former hunting ground of the maharajah’s, Sariska National Park is home to a rich abundance of wildlife, as well as a number of interesting medieval ruins. This morning we take a ride through the park in jeeps. A haven for sambhar, chital and wild boar, the park also plays host to small numbers of leopards and tigers, as well as India’s largest population of peafowl. This afternoon we are then free to explore the surrounding area by bike, travelling into the villages to enjoy some time amongst the local people.
Total cycling distance approximately 24km.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

From Sariska we continue cycling through the scenic beauty of the Aravali Hills, enjoying some exhilarating ascents and descents as we make our way towards Jamwa Ramgarh. We then complete the rest of our journey to Rajasthan’s fabled ‘Pink City’ by vehicle, arriving in the state capital later this afternoon. Rich in the history of the Rajput princes, Jaipur is considered by many to be one of the finest planned cities anywhere in India, the usual urban chaos being somewhat tempered by wide streets and formal gardens. We have two nights here to make the most of this famous city.
Total cycling distance approximately 65km.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

With a full day to enjoy some of Jaipur’s magnificent highlights we begin our day with a visit to the splendid City Palace, a dazzling fusion of Moghul and Rajasthani design. We also visit the stunning Amber Palace on the outskirts of the city, a superb marble and sandstone fortress. There is the option to hire an elephant instead of walking up to the palace, these are only available in the morning. Back in Jaipur we take in the unique majesty of the Hawa Mahal, the famous ‘ Palace of the Winds’ and pay a visit to the remarkable 18th century observatory of Jantar Mantar, before a free evening to enjoy the city at our own pace.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

After first travelling by road to the Naraina railway crossing this morning we begin cycling by way of the famous marble town of Rupangarh, and then on towards the ancient city of Pushkar. One of the oldest cities in India and revered as one of the five sacred dhams (holy shrines) of the Hindus, Pushkar lies beside the shores of Lake Pushkar, to the north-west of Ajmer. Our journey today takes us along interesting back roads, with some gradual ascents and descents as we make our way through rural villages towards the holy city. Later we get the opportunity to explore the camel fair. Pushkar camel fair is one of India's most highly rated travel experiences, a spectacle on an epic scale, attracting hundreds of thousands of people and camels, cattles and horses. Its a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness the carnival of livestock, farmers, traders and villagers from all over Rajasthan. Our accomodation today is luxury tent camps with proper beds and attached bathrooom.

Total cycling distance - approximately 85 kms

Overnight Comfortable Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today morning we get to spend more time exploring the colourful fair before departing Pushkar. Later in the afternoon we head first for Ajmer, a 25 kilometre ride that takes us up over the hills that surround the town, affording us some great views back down towards Pushkar before we begin the long descent to Ajmer. From here we then drive on to Gomti some 120 kilometres away, from where we begin the second leg of our day’s ride. Leaving the national highway behind we head away from the desert, towards the green landscapes of the Aravallis and the remote hilltop fortress of Kumbhalgarh, one of the finest defensive fortifications anywhere in Rajasthan.  
Total cycling distance approximately 60km.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

From Kumbhalgarh we cycle on to Ranakpur this morning, a distance of some 55 kilome-tres. The road takes us through the countryside by way of Saira village, before depositing us amidst the stunning complex of Jain temples at Ranakpur. Built around the middle of the 15th century, this incredible collection of white marble domes, turrets and cupolas rep-resent some of the most exquisite temple architecture in India. The main temple is sup-ported by no fewer than 1,444 intricately carved marble pillars, of which no two are alike. From here we can then continue around the steep loops of the Aravali Hills towards the beautiful lake city of Udaipur.
Total cycling distance approximately 65km.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Considered by many to be one of Rajasthan’s most elegant and sublime settings, Udaipur is a city of temples, palaces and gardens, encompassing some of the finest examples of Rajput architecture anywhere in India. This morning we head out on our bikes to explore the city, visiting the Jagdish Temple and the City Palace, whose opulence and grandeur provide a fascinating insight into what is believed to be the oldest dynasty on earth. Time allowing we may also have a chance to visit the gardens of Gulab Bag, or take a sunset cruise on Lake Pichola.
Total cycling distance approximately 20km.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

A short drive to the outskirts of the city avoids the worst of Udaipur’s crowded streets this morning. Heading out into the countryside we then begin a ride that ends with a long descent towards the magnificent fortress of Chittorgarh, perched high above the plains of the Berach River. Once the capital of the Mewar kingdom, the fort is the largest in India; a stunning testament to a golden age of chivalry and sacrifice. After lunch we continue cycling for another couple of hours, before completing the rest of the journey to the historic city of Bundi by bus.
Total cycling distance approximately 65km.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Ranthambore National Park, on the eastern borders of Rajasthan, is one of India’s best ‘Project Tiger’ conservation projects. Cycling there today we follow a series of good roads and quiet cross-country tracks, as we make our way towards what was once the private preserve of the Maharajahs of Jaipur. The last part of the journey (around 70 kilometres) will again be undertaken by bus.
Total cycling distance approximately 50-60km.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Ranthambore encompasses nearly 400 square kilometres of lush jungle, turquoise lakes and ancient temples, providing a rich haven for crocodiles, leopards and some 300 species of birds. It is also one of the best parks in the country for spotting tigers. Today we enjoy morning and evening game drives in the park, with an option for those that wish to also pay a visit to some of the local villages by bike. Rathambore is also home to one of the oldest forts in the country, from whose ramparts there are some fabulous views to-wards the Aravali and Vindhya Hills.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Heading north this morning we drive from Rathambore up to the city of Lalsot, from where we begin our final bike ride on to Dausa. From Dausa we then complete the journey to Agra by bus. Once the capital of the Mughal Empire, Agra (along with Delhi and Jaipur) makes up the third part of India’s historic ‘Golden Triangle’ and remains a rich repository for some of the country’s most iconic monuments including the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.
Total cycling distance approximately 30-40km.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we rise early to watch the sunrise over the Taj Mahal, surely one of India’s most beautiful and most revered monuments. Certainly one of the most universally recognised buildings on earth, the Taj Mahal was built by the emperor Shah Jahan to honour the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, and was once described by Rudyard Kipling as ‘…the embodiment of all things pure’. Later we have an opportunity to visit the city’s im-posing fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before travelling back to Delhi to enjoy a final evening in the Indian capital.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

The tour ends in Delhi this morning after breakfast.

Included meals: Breakfast