Cycle Rajasthan

1-Join tour Delhi
Beginning in Delhi we have the 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 in the saddle. It is important therefore that we make sure we are comfortable with the bikes before we leave Delhi tomorrow.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

2-Drive to Neemrana and cycle through the rural villages
This morning we depart the capital 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
Single Room option available

3-Sariska National Park via Kesroli and Alwar
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

4-Morning game drive. Free afternoon to cycle around the villages
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

5-Sariska to Jaipur
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
Single Room option available

6-In Jaipur
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
Single Room option available

7-Cycle to Pushkar via Rupangarh
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. Total cycling distance approximately 85km.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

8-Pushkar to Kumbhalgarh via Ajmer
Departing Pushkar after breakfast 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
Single Room option available

9-To Udaipur via the Jain temples at Ranakpur
From Kumbhalgarh we cycle on to Ranakpur this morning, a distance of some 55 kilometres. 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
Single Room option available

10-Explore Udaipur by bike
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
Single Room option available

11-Udaipur to Bundi via Chittorgarh
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

12-Bundi to Rathambore National Park
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
Single Room option available

13-Game drives in Rathambore National Park
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 towards the Aravali and Vindhya Hills.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

14-Rathambore to Agra via Lalsot and Dausa
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
Single Room option available

15-Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Return to Delhi
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
Single Room option available

16-Tour ends Delhi
The tour ends in Delhi this morning after breakfast.

Tour includes:

15 Breakfast
Transport:
Bicycle, Bus, Train, 4WD
Accommodation:
15 nights Standard Hotel
Tour Staff:
Driver(s), Local Guide(s), Bike Mechanic, Explore Tour Leader / Cycle guide, Assistant Cycle Guide
Cycling Information:
We cycle 590 km over twelve days (an average of 50 km per day) following backroads and some larger main roads. The terrain is mostly flat however the heat of the day can make the days a little more tiring. A support vehicle is available throughout the tour. We have graded the route as moderate.
Group Size:
Generally 10 – 16

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