Day 1: Jaipur
Our guide meets at your hotel around 08:30hrs. We take an Arts & Crafts Walk with our local expert Vineet, in the pink city bazaar, to get up-close and personal with the life of Jaipur. The walk covers areas of Marble statue makers, lacquer bangle makers, Metalworkers, Jewelry workers, Embroidery workers, etc. In this walk, we crisscross the medieval center of the city, recapping the most important historical events, while briefly introducing the basic cultural fabric that Jaipur has to offer from its history.
Post-lunch, we do bike fit before starting with a visit to Amer Fort. After bike fit, visit the famous fortress of Kacchawaha kings at Amber. Large courtyards, intricate carvings on formidable structure, and nuances of Rajput rule can be seen in the fort overlooking the Maota Lake. If you’re up for a walk, take a tunnel to Jaigarh Fort.
The rest of the day is at leisure. Jaipur is the erstwhile capital of the ruling Kacchawahas in the early eighteenth century. We recommend taking a walk in the old city and experience the delightful ancient markets at ease. Hawa Mahal and the numerous bazaars selling bright textiles and silver are worth every hour spent.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Jodhpur
This day we start early in the morning and take a train (06:00 – 10:50) from Jaipur to Jodhpur.
We arrive at Jodhpur, the second largest city of Rajasthan, and has earned the moniker of ‘Sun City’ for its bright clear skies and sunny weather. Notice how a large number of houses here are blue in colour – a striking contrast to the pale sandy colour of the city. The towering Mehrangarh Fort, a key highlight of Jodhpur, looms over the city from a small hill and can be seen from everywhere.
In the afternoon, we explore the magnificent 15th century Mehrangarh fort built by Maharaja Man Singh. Clutching onto a 100 feet perpendicular cliff, the fort epitomises the majestic history of Rajasthan. One of the best-preserved forts of India, it is replete with antiques, artifacts, palanquins and intricate carvings spread over the period rooms and galleries. The fort expands over 5kms on top of the hill. So colossal are its proportions that Rudyard Kipling called it “the work of giants”.
Here we have chosen one of the most architecturally delightful hotels at Jodhpur, to start your journey with complete immersion in history and a charming slice of Rajasthan’s grandeur, at the Raas Hotel. Winding through the quaint streets of the city, the hotel comes as a pleasant luxurious oasis in the jumble of houses and markets – undoubtedly an authentic location for you to get inducted into the Rajasthan culture. Check in and relax in this perfect synthesis of contemporary designs, modern facilities and old world charm of Jodhpur – you can see the famous Mehrangarh Fort from every room here.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Chanoud Garh
We start cycling early this day across lush millet vegetation and carpets of yellow mustard fields. En route, you may spot animals like deer, blackbucks, camels, and blur bulls as you ride past swaying masses of yellow mustard and wheat. The riding is through the typical hinterland to get up close and personal with the rural life of Rajasthan. Small shrines and village huts of the hamlets are extremely picturesque. The ride remains largely flat and you can enjoy the vistas with ease and look forward to your stay at the Chanoud.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 60km / 36mi*
Day 4: Narlai
This morning, we hop onto the bikes and make our way to Narlai. Narlai lies at the epicenter of an area rich with more than 400 historic temples. Arriving in Narlai, settle into the Rawla Narlai, an enchanting 17th-century mansion. Formerly used as a hunting lodge, it is located in the heart of a typical rustic Rajasthan village amidst a craggy rockscape interjected with village houses. Rawla boasts of an esteemed guest list with the likes of Mick Jagger and Francesco Clement having stayed here.
The hotel lies under the shadow of Elephant Hill, a massive granite monolith. In the evening, climb the 700 steps to the top for a panorama over lakes, fields and forests, and beautiful sunset.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 50km / 30mi
Day 5: Deogarh
We ride through a quiet and narrow backroad that offers ample opportunities for spotting wild animals like the blackbuck, blue bulls and if you’re lucky, the shy but extremely graceful Indian Gazelle too. As you ride past swaying masses of yellow mustard and wheat, you’ll meet run into hordes of camels and goats as well as friendly villagers always happy to pose for a photograph or two. The rugged Aravalis runs alongside the flat route and the last leg involves a short climb as you arrive at Deogarh, set in tranquil surroundings of the low lying Aravalli hill ranges, vast shrubby forests teeming with wildlife, Deogarh is a great stop. This is the most wholesome ride of the tour as you get a balanced day of different topographies.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 60km / 36mi*
Day 6: Deogarh
We take a break from the bike and on a little tour of a nearby village on foot, to get up close and personal with the rural life of Rajasthan. Hanging acacias, small shrines, and village huts of the hamlets close to Deogarh are extremely picturesque. Back at the hotel, you can relax, browse through books, and know more about the history from the host itself.
A half-day trip can also be taken on the meter gauge train that still runs through the beautiful countryside.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Kumbhalgarh
The Aravallis are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world and its rugged, worn downhills are thickly wooded and littered with numerous mountain streams and brooks. The terrain is slightly challenging and offers excellent opportunities to experience at close quarters the lifestyles of the Bhil tribals – an indigenous tribal people of India and one of the oldest inhabitants of the subcontinent.
Another beautiful day on a bike through the dense forest and gradual inclines takes you close to the Aravalis and later to the famous Kumbhalgarh, a historic fort town from the 15th century, through the rugged Aravalis and undulating stretches. This is the most wholesome ride of the tour as you get a balanced day of different topographies.
In the evening, we climb the rugged Kumbalgarh Fort, surrounded by a 35km wall with 365 temples within.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 80km / 48mi
Day 8: Udaipur
This is the most scenic ride of the trip as you climb the Aravalis, maneuver through the rolling hills, and cycle past a Dhonk (Anogeissus Pendula) strewn topography. The ride is extremely gorgeous today and takes you through the interior parts of Rajasthan. The beautiful landscape unfolds like poetry in motion as you bike through picturesque countryside to Udaipur. Udaipur can be a jumble of sights, sounds, and smells but is an absolute must for travelers.
In the afternoon, we cover some Udaipur highlights – a guided walk of the City Palace. The City Palace is enclosed in a large complex on the banks of Lake Pichola and has many more palaces inside.
In the evening, we recommend enjoying an enthralling cultural show organized at Bagore Ki Haveli.
We convene tonight at the dinner, next to the beautiful lake, to celebrate the end of a fabulous cycling journey.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 50km / 30mi
Day 9: Udaipur Airport
Today, you can venture out into the markets on your own. The narrow market streets splashed with colour in the form of bright textiles, silver jewelry, ethnic bags, and more – a classic taste of Rajasthan’s vibrant culture.
Meals: Breakfast
*With shuttle – short transfers
