CYCLING THROUGH RAJASTHAN

Itinerary

• Flight Inclusive itinerary
• Land Only itinerary

Day 1

Depart London by scheduled flight of Gulf Air for the overnight flight to Delhi.

Day 2

We land in Delhi and transfer to a hotel where breakfast can be purchased locally (extra cost). Those who have made their own flight arrangements will join us at the hotel in the morning. The rest of the day is used to assemble the bikes and explore locally before an evening briefing about our cycling adventure.

Day 3

After breakfast it's time to try the bikes out for the first time and get used to the Indian weather and city traffic as we do some cycle sightseeing of New Delhi. During the afternoon we use the support vehicle to visit Old Delhi. The city is full of contrasts with the broad avenues lined with government buildings and embassies of New Delhi the direct opposite to the narrow busting street of its older neighbour. In the evening we transfer to the station and catch the overnight train to Jodhpur. Ride approx 20km.

Day 4

We arrive into Jodhpur in the morning and transfer to our hotel where we have some time in the morning to relax or have a wander in the surrounding area. In the afternoon we get the bikes out and go sightseeing on two wheels. Jodhpur was founded by the Rajput chief Roa Jodha and was formerly the capital of the State of Marwar. The city is surrounded by an immense wall almost ten kilometres in circumference and is dominated by the massive fort that stands on a rocky hill commanding the surrounding desert. In the afternoon we visit the magnificent Meherangarh Fort from where we have a great view of the blue houses, painted to distinguish them as those of Brahmins. Ride approx 20km

Day 5

We start our day with a transfer through desert scenery before climbing into the Aarvalli hills, which separate the desert from the cultivated parts of Rajasthan. Reaching Ranakpur there is time to visit the stunning 15th Century Jain Temple. The main temple, beautifully carved from marble, is dedicated to Adinath. It has 29 halls supported by 1444 pillars, each delicately carved with a different design. Taking to our bikes we follow the scenic road down through the hills until we reach the stunning lakeside town of Udaipur. Ride approx 72km

Day 6

Known as 'The Pearl of Rajasthan', the 'City of Sunrise' and 'Venice of the East', Udaipur is a beautiful place regarded by both Indians and travellers as the most romantic city in India. Situated on the east side of Lake Pichola, the main palace commands an unsurpassed view across the shimmering lake to the dusty Aravalli Hills with the luxurious Lake Palace hotel adding to the scene. Lake Pichola has two islands, each with a palace to rival that on the mainland; Jag Mandir and Jag Nivas (the latter is now the luxurious Lake Palace Hotel) rise out of their own reflections in the waters of the lake. We spend the day cycle sightseeing, visiting the City Palace and Jagdish Temple, with a huge black stone image of Jagannath, an aspect of Lord Vishnu. If time allows it may be possible to visit the gardens of Gulab Bag or take a boat trip on the lake. Ride approx 20km.

Day 7

Its time to leave this beautiful city and turn north as we cycle to Kumbhalgarh. The route stays away from the main road and follows a less direct but quieter series of back roads and allows us to see the fascinating rural life of India. It can be hot cycling in India but the vehicle support will be on hand if required for a four-wheeled break. Kumbhalgarh has one of the finest examples of defensive fortifications in Rajasthan with a lovely temple and palace with panoramic views. Ride approx 89km.

Day 8

It's back to the desert scenery today as we make our way to the holy 'town' of Pushkar. Our route today follows rural back roads to the main highway from where we transfer in the vehicle. Reaching Ajmer we turn into the desert to ride to Pushkar via a pass in the Snake Hills. Surrounded by the desert the little town is a holy site on the fringes of a lake. This is a great place to relax and soak up the faintly hippy atmosphere. If you still have the energy a 45 minute climb on foot to the hilltop temple for sunset is recommended before returning to the town to watch the giant bats drink from the lake in flight. Ride approx 57km.

Day 9

We leave Pushkar on our bikes travelling through desert backroads and small villages to the town of Rupnagar a marble working centre then (optionally) extend the ride to Naraina railway crossing, from where we transfer by vehicle to Jaipur. Ride approx 94km.

Day 10

A day of cycle and vehicle sightseeing. The Pink City of Jaipur is one of the most attractive and colourful cities in India. Rajah Jai Singh decided to abandon his nearby fortress and palace at Amber in 1727 and laid out a planned city of broad avenues, built of sandstone and painted pink at a later stage. In the centre of Jaipur is the City Palace, formerly the residence of the Maharaja, it is now a fine museum containing rare manuscripts, paintings, royal garments and weapons. Close to the palace is one of the most intriguing sights of India, the observatory of Jai Singh. This is an assembly of immense astronomical instruments made of marble and brass set in a pleasant garden. We will also see Jaipur's impressive landmark, the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds. A few miles from the main city is the splendid Amber Palace, rising above a lake. We can walk or ride an elephant (optional) up the hill and through the massive gateway to the courtyard. Jaipur is a centre of many handicrafts, such as durries (woven rugs), carpets, printed cloth, semi-precious stones, leather ware etc.; it will be difficult to leave a workshop without buying anything! Ride approx 20km

Day 11

A combination of cycling and transfer as we leave the 'pink city' behind us and return to rural India. We transfer to Tonk for coffee then it's back on two wheels as we make our way to one of India's most famous tiger reserves, Ranthambore National Park. Ride approx 78km

Day 12

At Ranthambore we stay in a lodge with all the basic facilities, a swimming pool and a lovely garden not far from the park entrance and we make 2 excursions into the park. Our first game drive will be in the early morning and the second in the evening, and we take a large open truck (called a canter) from which we have unobstructed views of the park and the animals. Ranthambore is one of India's tiger reserves under Project Tiger. Sadly, after initial success, poaching has drastically reduced the tiger population but many Exodus groups over the last four years have seen wild tigers. There is also other wildlife, such as several species of monkey, deer, crocodiles, birdlife. During the day you are free to relax or visit the local village and conservation projects. Men can experience a cheap haircut, shave and head massage in one of the shacks along the main road!

Day 13

We depart in the morning and ride to Lalsot (or optionally on to Dausa), from where we transfer to Bharatpur, which is renowned for its World-heritage listed bird sanctuary, the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. This region was originally semi arid only filling with water during the monsoon season. The Maharaja of Bharatpur diverted water from a nearby irrigation canal and it was converted into a bird Sanctuary in 1956. Ride approx 103km

Day 14

In the morning we visit the bird sanctuary, home to an array of Egrets, Ducks, Coots, Storks, Kingfishers, Owls eagles and Harriers. There are now over 360 species of birds to be found there. We can spend the morning exploring on our bikes. Leaving Bharatpur we cycle to Fatipur Sikri, the emperor Akbar's deserted royal city. This impressive and well-preserved citadel became his capital in 1571. The mosque (designed to hold ten thousand worshippers), the palaces, residences and halls of audience are all made from decorative red sandstone. But this magnificence only lasted 14 years, as in 1584 Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri to secure his outlying territories, leaving this city much as we see it today - in perfect condition. Later we transfer to Agra where we wash and pack the bikes. Ride approx 55km.

Day 15

In the morning we will visit the beautiful white marble Taj Mahal, built by the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. The Taj is serenely beautiful and never fails to amaze a first time visitor; the white marble exterior changes colour according to the position of the sun during the day and is matched by the rich interior detail. There is also time to visit the imposing Red Fort of Akbar whose mighty sandstone walls enclose the beautiful white marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards and fountains of his sons and successors, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. In the afternoon we transfer to Delhi by bus arriving that evening in time for dinner.

Day 16

We depart Delhi in the morning for the day flight back to London. The arrangements for those not flying with the group with the group ends after check out. Arrive London.