Cycling Through Rajasthan

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Start in Delhi

   You'll meet your tour leaders and the rest of the group at the hotel. The rest of the day is used to assemble the bikes and explore locally before an evening briefing about your cycling adventure.

   • Hotel in Delhi
2. Day 2Morning cycle tour of New Delhi; afternoon sightseeing tour of Old Delhi; overnight train to Jodhpur.

   You will start cycling early in the morning in order to get used to the Indian weather and city traffic. After cycling for about 25km (16mi),  return to the hotel.

   After breakfast and a shower, you will start with some 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, you will be transferred to the station and catch the overnight train to Jodhpur.

   • 15.5 miles
   • Overnight Sleeper Train
   • Breakfast and Dinner
3. Day 3Arrive Jodhpur; free morning then afternoon city cycle tour including Mehrangarh Fort

   You will arrive into Jodhpur in the morning and will be transferred to the hotel where you will have some time to relax or have a wander in the surrounding area. In the afternoon, get on the bikes 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, visit the magnificent Meherangarh Fort from where you can have a great view of the blue houses, painted to distinguish them as those of Brahmins.
   

   • 14.3 miles
   • Hotel in Jodhpur
   • Breakfast
4. Day 4Ride/drive to Udaipur via Jain Temple at Ranakpur; cycle towards the lakeside town of Udaipur

   Today is a long day so you will have an early start. Begin the day by cycling from the hotel for about 40km (25mi). You will then take a transfer by bus to Ranakpur where 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.

   Afterwards, take a short 15km (9.3mi) transfer by vehicle to a roadside Hindu temple. From here, get back on your bike and ride through the Aravlli hills for about 34km (21mi) and finally transfer by bus to the stunning lakeside town of Udaipur.
   

   • 46 miles
   • Hotel in Udaipur
   • Breakfast and Lunch
5. Day 5Cycle tour around Udaipur including City Palace

   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.

   After breakfast, set off on the bikes and spend the morning exploring the countryside around Udaipur. Cycle on quiet roads past farmland and small villages as you head to Tiger Lake. Continuing on rural backroads, you will have the chance to visit Animal Aid, a local NGO animal hospital for injured animals.

   You will finish the ride close to the city, from where you will visit the impressive City Palace.
   

   • 15.5 miles
   • Hotel in Udaipur
   • Breakfast
6. Day 6Ride on backroads to the fort of Kumbhalgarh

   In the morning, take a short drive (1.5 hours) to Iswal where you start to cycle to Kumbhalgarh. The route is mainly on back roads and away from the busy main roads. It follows a less direct but quieter series of secondary or tertiary roads where you'll see the fascinating rural life of India.
   

   The temperature in India rises around mid-day. It can be hot cycling during this time but the support vehicle is always on standby if you need a quick rest on four wheels. You’ll arrive in Kumbhalgarh for a late lunch and a quick rest. There is a chance to cycle all the way to Kumbhalgarh Fort, a challenging 5km (3.1mi) uphill ride or you can opt to take a jeep. Either way you will still be able to see Kumbhalgarh Fort, one of the finest examples of defensive fortifications in Rajasthan. It also has a lovely temple and palace with panoramic views.

   • 37.3 miles
   • Hotel in Kumbhalgarh
   • Breakfast and Lunch
7. Day 7Ride or drive to Pushkar

   It's back to the desert today as you make our way to the holy town of Pushkar. Your route today follows rural backroads to the main highway where you’ll travel the rest of the way in a vehicle. Surrounded by the desert, the small town of Pushkar is a Hindu pilgrimage site on the fringes of a holy lake. Legend has it that its lake was created from the petals that fell from the divine hands of the creator god Brahma and it is here where you will see one of the worlds few Brahma temples. Dotted with 52 ghats and around 400 milky-blue temples this town is also famous for its annual Camel fair that transforms the town into a bustling market.  Before heading to the hotel, you can spend some time exploring the sites and sounds of a town like no other in Rajasthan.
   
   PUSHKAR CAMEL FAIR DEPARTURES: The itinerary for these departures is slightly amended to spend two nights in Pushkar and one night in Sariska N.P, this is done in order to maximise time at the Camel Fair. Accommodation in Pushkar during the festival departure will be provided in en suite Swiss Cottage Tents (canvas tents designed to emulate Swiss cottages) with attached bathroom and all meals will be included.
   

   
   

   ***Pushkar Camel Fair is held yearly during the month of November.
   

   
   

   • 21.7 miles
   • Hotel in Pushkar
   • Breakfast and Lunch
8. Day 8Ride or drive to Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan, via rural villages and Rupnagar

   You leave Pushkar early in the morning on your bike. En route you’ll pass through desert back roads and small villages to the town of Rupnagar, a marble working center. You can opt to extend the ride by another 34 kilometers (21 miles) to the Naraina railway crossing, then on to Jaipur via the shuttle van. 

   • 58.4 miles
   • Hotel in Jaipur
   • Breakfast
9. Day 9Jaipur Sightseeing

   For those who are up early there is an optional heritage ride around the wonderful Pink city. A great way to discover the life of Jaipur is cycling through its fascinating narrow laneways. Passing havelis (private mansions) and sacred temples you will head for the majestic Albert Hall which was built to welcome the Prince of Wales during his visit circa 1870.
   

   Along the way you can stop at some of the popular food stalls where you can sample what the locals enjoy for breakfast. After the ride you will have time to return to the hotel and freshen up before you head out for a wonderful day of sightseeing.
   

   You’ll visit the majestic Amber Fort and enjoy the beautiful museum within the City Palace, a former residence of the Maharaja. A trip to Jaipur must include a photo stop at the iconic Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the winds. This city is the centre of many handicrafts such as woven rugs, carpets, printed cloth, semi-precious stones and leather ware. During your stay you’ll have time to visit the shops and pick a treasure that will remind you of Jaipur.
   

   • Hotel in Jaipur
   • Breakfast
10. Day 10Sariska National Park

    Today is a combination of cycling and transit as you leave the "The Pink City" behind and return to rural India. There will be a transfer to Jamwa Ramgarh and then cycle to Sariska via Pratap Garh. The beautiful landscape of Aravali foot hills will keep you company on the ride.
    

    • 52.8 miles
    • Hotel in Sariska
    • Breakfast and Lunch
11. Day 11Game drive and optional afternoon ride

    The day will start before breakfast as you head off in open jeeps for an early morning game drive. Sariska is a beautiful and interesting park to explore and it has an abundance of wildlife.
    

    Some of the wildlife you’ll encounter are – leopards, deer, wild boar, antelope, jackal, hyena, jungle cat and many more. A large variety of bird species are also found here. You’ll return to hotel for a late breakfast and in the afternoon, there’s an option to do a quick ride to Siliseth Lake. The ride is approximately 36 kilometers (22 miles) and takes you to the backroads, rural villages and farmland.
    

    You can have tea at the Lake Palace Hotel with stunning views across the lake and surrounding Aravali hills. If you don’t feel like riding today, you can enjoy the garden and swimming pool at the hotel.
    

    • 22.4 miles
    • Hotel in Sariska
    • Breakfast
12. Day 12Ride/drive to Bharatpur National Park

    After breakfast, you start the day's ride from the hotel to Muhwa with a quick transit to your lunch spot. Another short transfer takes you 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, visit the bird sanctuary on your bike where it is 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 here. 

    • 43.7 miles
    • Hotel in Bharatpur
    • Breakfast
13. Day 13Cycle to Agra and visit the Taj Mahal at sunset

    In the morning you leave Bharatpur and cycle on backroads passing through Fatehpur Sikri, the emperor Akbar's deserted royal city. Later you'll transfer to Agra in time to see the sunset over the stunning 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 during the day and is matched by the rich interior detail.
    

    • 24.9 miles
    • Hotel in Agra
    • Breakfast
14. Day 14Visit Agra Fort and transfer to Delhi

    In the morning, you will visit the imposing Agra Fort of Akbar where the 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, there will be a transfer by bus to Delhi which arrives early evening in time for dinner.  Your leader will arrange a group dinner for those who would like one last time together to share memories of the trip.
    

    • Hotel in Delhi
    • Breakfast
15. Day 15End of tour in Delhi

    The tour ends after breakfast and check out.
    

    • Breakfast