Cycling Through Rajasthan

15 days - from $2070

Explore the palaces, temples and wildlife of India's colourful desert state by bike
Rajasthan has landscapes varying from green rolling hills to barren deserts. The whole state is dotted with dramatic fortresses, reminders of the Rajputs and their warrior past, while away from the desert the countryside is a patchwork of villages and small towns where we can see the timelessness of rural India. Cycling is the perfect way to explore, with some vehicle assistance to cover the longer distances. From Jodhpur our journey takes us first to the beautiful lakeside city of Udaipur, and on to the holy town of Pushkar. Leaving the desert scenery behind we ride to Jaipur, a town overlooked by the splendid hilltop Amber Palace. We also visit Sariska National Park, beautifully located and home to an abundance of wildlife, and finish with the magnificent Taj Mahal.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Start Delhi. 2 Morning cycle tour of quieter parts of New Delhi; afternoon sightseeing tour of Old Delhi; overnight train to Jodhpur. 3 Arrive Jodhpur; free morning then afternoon city cycle tour including Mehrangarh Fort. 4 Ride/drive to Udaipur via 15th Century Jagdish Temple at Ranakpur; cycle towards stunning lakeside town of Udaipur. 5 Cycle tour of the ancient Hindu capital of Udaipur and its surroundings including City Palace and Jagdish Temple 6 Ride on secluded backroads to the fort of Kumbhalgarh. 7 Ride/drive to the holy town of Pushkar on backroads; optional walk to the hilltop temple for sunset. 8 Ride/drive to Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan, via rural villages and Rupnagar. 9 Cycle sightseeing tour of Jaipur, including the City Palace, the observatory of Jai Singh and the Palace of the Winds. 10 Ride/drive to Sariska N.P. via Pratap Garh. 11 Morning and evening game drives. 12 Ride/drive to Bharatpur N.P., renowned for its fantastic bird sanctuary. 13 Early morning explore bird sanctuary by bike; late morning cycle to Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted royal city; transfer to Agra. 14 Visit Red Fort and Taj Mahal; transfer to Delhi; evening free. 15 End Delhi.

Mode of travel: Average daily distance: 70 km (43 miles) No. of days cycling: 11 Vehicle support: 100% Terrain and route: all surfaced roads. Mostly quiet backroads but there are occasional roads with traffic. This part of India can be very hot. Although this trip is moderately demanding there is plenty of time to explore.
Group size: Normally 6 to 16 plus leader and local guides.
Accommodation: 13 nights comfortable hotels, all en suite, 1 overnight air-conditioned sleeper train. We use a combination of tourist class and 3 star category hotels, some with swimming pools.
Food: All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 1 dinner included.
Optional Single Supplement: from $577.50
Trip Reference: MIJ
Reverse Itinerary: trips that run in reverse are specified with an 'R' in the dates and prices table below.
Notes: Trips between March and October will use an air-conditioned vehicle Local Bike Hire: Firefox Target mountain bikes with front suspension GBP100, paid on booking
Trip Reference: MIJ