Cycling Through Rajasthan

Flights usually depart London in the evening.

The adventure starts at our hotel in Delhi. The rest of the day is used to assemble the bikes and explore locally before an evening briefing about our cycling adventure.

Accommodation: Ashok Country Resort (or similar)

The group flight arrives in the morning. Those who have made their own flight arrangements will join us at the hotel. The rest of the day is used to assemble the bikes and explore locally before an evening briefing about our cycling adventure.

Accommodation: Ashok Country Resort (or similar)

We start cycling early in the morning to get used to the Indian weather and city traffic. After about 15.5mi (25km), we return to the hotel. Post breakfast and a shower, we start our sightseeing of New and Old Delhi by bus. The bikes and main luggage will be transferred to Jodhpur by bus (you are advised to take your required toiletries and other essential items in your day bag for the overnight train journey). In the evening, we transfer to the station and catch the overnight train to Jodhpur.

Accommodation: Overnight sleeper train

We arrive at Jodhpur train station in the morning and take a short transfer to our hotel where we have time to relax or explore the 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 Marwar state. The city is surrounded by an immense wall almost 6mi (10km) in circumference and is dominated by a massive fort that stands on a rocky hill commanding the surrounding desert. In the afternoon, we visit the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort where we have a great view of the blue houses, painted to distinguish them as those of Brahmins.

Accommodation: Standard hotel

Today is a long day so we start early, cycling from the hotel for about 25mi (40km). We then take a bus transfer to Ranakpur (approximately 3hr 30min) where there is time to visit the 15th-century Jain temple. The main temple, beautifully carved from marble, is dedicated to Adinath. It has 29 halls supported by 1,444 pillars, each delicately carved with a different design. We then take a 9mi (15km) transfer by vehicle (approximately 30 minutes) to a roadside Hindu temple. From here, we get back on our bikes and ride through the Aravalli hills for about 21mi (34km) and finally transfer by bus (approximately 1hr 30min to two hours) to the lakeside town of Udaipur.

Accommodation: Standard hotel

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 the country. 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 lake waters. After breakfast, we spend the morning exploring the countryside around Udaipur by bike. We cycle on quiet roads past farmland and small villages as we head to Tiger Lake. Continuing on rural backroads, we can visit Animal Aid, an NGO hospital for injured animals. We finish our ride close to the city, where we visit the impressive City Palace.

Accommodation: Standard hotel

This morning, we drive (approximately 1hr 30min) to Iswal where we start our bike ride to Kumbhalgarh. The route stays away from the main road and follows a less direct but quieter series of backroads, allowing us to see the fascinating rural life of India. It can be hot cycling here but the vehicle support will be on hand if required. We arrive in Kumbhalgarh for a late lunch and a rest. Then there is a chance to cycle to Kumbhalgarh Fort, a challenging 3mi (5km) uphill ride (there is an option to take a 4×4). Kumbhalgarh has one of the finest examples of defensive fortifications in Rajasthan, including a lovely temple and palace with panoramic views.

Accommodation: Standard hotel

It’s back to the desert scenery today as we head to the holy town of Pushkar. Our route follows rural backroads to the main highway, where we dismount nd travel the rest of the way in our vehicle (approximately five hours’ drive). Surrounded by desert, Pushkar is a Hindu pilgrimage town on a holy lake. Legend has it that the lake was created from petals that fell from the divine hands of the creator god Brahma and it is here you can see one of the few Brahma temples in the world. Dotted with 52 ghats (flights of steps) and around 400 milky-blue temples, this town is also known for hosting the annual Pushkar Festival, transforming the town into a bustling market. Before heading to our hotel, we spend time exploring the sites and sounds of a town like no other in Rajasthan.

Accommodation: Comfortable hotel

Pushkar Festival departures: 29 October 2023, 5 November 2024 and 26 October 2025 (Land Only)

The itinerary for these departures is slightly amended to spend two nights in Pushkar (days 7 and 8) and one night in Sariska National Park (Day 11), this is done to maximise time at the festival. Accommodation in Pushkar during the festival departure will be provided in Swiss cottage tents (canvas tents designed to emulate Swiss cottages) with attached bathrooms. The facilities are basic and hot water and electricity can be limited but your leader will assist with any issues if they occur. All meals will be included.

We leave Pushkar on our bikes travelling through desert backroads and small villages to the town of Rupnagar; a centre for working marble. There is the option to extend the ride by another 21mi (34km) to the Naraina railway crossing, where we transfer by vehicle to Jaipur (approximately 1hr 30min to two hours’ drive).

Accommodation: Comfortable hotel

Cycle: Approximately 37mi (60km) or 58.4mi (94km) including optional ride

If you’re up early, we have an optional ride around this wonderful pink city, cycling through its fascinating narrow laneways. Passing havelis (private mansions) and sacred temples, we head for the majestic Albert Hall, which was built to welcome the Prince of Wales on his visit during the 1870s. Along the way, we stop at popular food stalls where you can sample what the local people enjoy for breakfast. After the ride, we have time back at the hotel to freshen up before we head out for a wonderful day of sightseeing. We visit the Amber Fort and enjoy the fine museum within the City Palace, former residence of the Maharaja. A trip to Jaipur must include a photo stop at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds). This city is also the centre of many handicrafts, such as woven rugs, carpets, printed cloth, semi-precious stones and leatherware. During our stay, we have time to visit the markets and possibly pick up a souvenir.

Optional cycle: Approximately 7mi (12km)

Accommodation: Comfortable hotel

We leave Jaipur with a combination of cycling and a transfer and return to rural India. We transfer by vehicle to Jamwa Ramgarh (approximately 45 minutes to one hour) and then cycle to Sariska via Pratap Garh and through the beautiful Aravalli foothills.

Accommodation: Standard hotel

Pushkar Festival departures: 29 October 2023, 5 November 2024 and 26 October 2025 (land only)

The itinerary for these departures is slightly amended to spend two nights in Pushkar (days 7 & 8) and one night in Sariska National Park (Day 11), removing the optional afternoon cycle ride.

On Day 11, after arriving in Sariska, we head off in open 4x4s for our early evening game drive. Sariska is a beautiful and interesting park to explore with an abundance of wildlife, including leopards, deer, wild boars, antelopes, jackals, hyenas and more.

The following morning will continue to Bharatpur National Park.

Before breakfast, we head off in open 4x4s for our early morning game drive. Sariska is a beautiful and interesting park to explore with an abundance of wildlife, including leopards, deer, wild boars, antelopes, jackals, hyenas and more. A large variety of bird species also grace the landscape.  We return to the hotel for a late breakfast and, in the afternoon, there is the option to cycle to the nearby Siliseth Lake. This takes us on backroads through rural villages and farmland. We can have tea at the Lake Palace Hotel with stunning views across the waters to the Aravalli hills. Those who would prefer to relax can enjoy the garden and swimming pool at the hotel.

Optional cycle: Approximately 9mi (15km)

Accommodation: Standard hotel

After breakfast, we begin our ride from our hotel to Muhwa, where we take a short transfer to our lunch spot (approximately 60 to 90 minutes’ drive) and then another short transfer (about one to two hours) takes us to Bharatpur National Park. This park is renowned for its Unesco World Heritage-listed bird sanctuary, the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. This entire region was originally semi-arid and only received rainfall 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. On arrival in Bharatpur, we visit the bird sanctuary on our bikes, home to an array of egrets, ducks, coots, storks, kingfishers, owls, eagles and harriers. There are now more than 360 bird species living here.

Accommodation: Comfortable hotel

In the morning, we leave Bharatpur and cycle on backroads passing through Fatehpur Sikri, the emperor Akbar’s deserted royal city. Later we transfer to Agra (approximately one to two hours’ drive) in time to see the sun set over the Taj Mahal. This romantic monument was 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 and is matched by the rich interior detail.

Accommodation: Standard hotel

In the morning, we visit the imposing Agra Fort of Akbar, where mighty sandstone walls enclose the beautiful white-marble pearl mosque, palaces, halls, courtyards and fountains of his sons and successors, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. In the afternoon, we transfer to Delhi by bus (five to six hours’ drive, depending on traffic) arriving early evening. Your leader will arrange a group dinner for those who would like one last time together to share memories of the trip.

Accommodation: Hotel Amrapali Grand (or similar) – Changing to Hotel Deventure for all 2024 departures

The adventure ends after breakfast. However, if you’d like more time to explore Delhi, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

For those who are on the flight inclusive package we depart for Delhi airport in the morning for the day flight back to London. The arrangements for those not flying with the group ends after check out.