This tour is for a group of 6-10 persons
Design your own group with cycling companions as you bike through India’s rural villages. Enjoy the culture as you share the road with with goats, camels and sacred cows. This biking tour begins in Delhi. It includes must see places such as Ranakpur, the Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri. You ride through India’s diverse State of Rajasthan, home to the Rajput warrior clan whose legacy hosts an amazing collection of forts and incredibly impressive castles and palaces. This tour is fully supported – cycle as little or as much as you wish each day. On most days a reasonably fit cyclist will be able to cycle the entire distance. Cycle India is a biking tour for those of you who want cycle your way down the cultural road.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Meeting Day / Arrive Delhi:
Namaste! You will be welcomed in the traditional Indian way with hands clapped together and then transferred to your Hotel. Hotel in Delhi (1 Night)
Day 2: Delhi/Udaipur by flight # 9W 2629, Dep: 18:35 Hrs, Arrival: 20:15 Hrs
Meet your guide and Tour Escort in the lobby of the hotel at 9.00 am where you will meet your fellow travelers and given an overview of the days ahead. We will then check out from the hotel and take tour of the city and visit Birla House – The Former Residence of Mahatma Gandhi. Later we visit the famous India Gate followed by the Houses of Parliament, Connaught Place, Humayun’s Tomb and the Qutb Minar – a perfect minaret towering 72.5 meters / 80.5 yards into the sky and there are 379 stairs inside the tower.
After the tour we are transferred to airport for our flight to Udaipur. On arrival in Udaipur we are transferred to our hotel. Overnight: Hotel in Udaipur (2 Nights) Please Note: Birla House is closed on Monday’s (B, L, D)
Day 3: Udaipur
In the morning we will fit you to your Bestway Bike or help you to unpack your own prior to a short shakedown ride. We take ride around Fateh Sagar Lake, Badi Talab and nearby area about 15- 20 Km.
In the afternoon we take city tour of Udaipur visiting City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Seheliyon Ki Bari and folklore museum. We end our tour of Udaipur with a boat ride at Lake Pichhola and visit Jag Mandir. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Udaipur- Jhadol (Ride cycling 40 km)
Today we take a beautiful ride from Udaipur to Jhadol. We drive from hotel to Rampuria Circle where we start riding; a superb day cycling on narrow paved roads through rolling country and little villages. On arrival we check in at Jhadol Safari Resort; set like a precious jewel, an emerald in desert country, this oasis is nestled in the foothills of the Aravalis at the edge of a magnificent lake with gently lapping waters. Rest of the day is free to enjoy the area. Overnight: Jhadol Safari Resort (1 Night) (B, L, D)
Day 5: Jhadol- Kumbhalgarh (Ride cycling 80 Km)
Today we take a beautiful ride from Jhadol to Kumbhalgarh – a little climbing through pleasant rural countryside with increasing views. On arrival at Kumbhalgarh, we check in and enjoy our lunch. After lunch we visit impressive Kumbhalgarh Fort. Built by Rana Kumbha in mid-15th century, Kumbhalgarh is the second most important bastion of Mewar, after Chittaurgarh and covering an area of 12 sq km.
The fort lies 1,100 meters above sea level and enclosed within its fortified ramparts are palaces, temples, fields, water sources and farms fully self-contained to withstand a long siege. Kumbhalgarh provides an excellent view of the countryside where many fierce battles were fought. Overnight: The Aodhi
Day 6: Kumbhalgarh –Ranakpur- Rawala Narlai: (Ride cycling 55 Km)
In the morning after breakfast we cycle to Ranakpur, an easy ride on a quiet road that includes a major downhill. Named after Rana Kumbha, Ranakpur is renowned for some marvelously carved Jain temples dating from 1439; it is amongst the five holiest places of the Jain community. We visit the impressive Ranakpur temples.
After visiting Ranakpur Jain temple, we take lunch at Maharani Bagh Royal Orchid. After lunch we drive to Rawala Narlai to our next stop from where we can further pedal down approx 20 KMS. Overnight: Rawala Narlai (1 Night) (B, L, D)
Day 7: Rawala Narlai- Deogarh (Ride cycling 65 Km)
In the morning after breakfast we cycle to Deogarh. On arrival we check in at Deogarh Mahal, an imposing structure built in the 17th century. It stands atop a hill and offers a commanding view of the Aravalli mountain range and the numerous lakes, strewn across the countryside. With its greying battlements, domes, turrets, jharokhas and huge gateways, it is a picturesque sight from the town below. Rest of the day is free. Overnight: Deogarh Mahal (2 Nights) (B, L, D)
Day 8: Deogarh: Day ride cycling .40 km
Today we take a beautiful day ride through the countryside. (B, L, D)
Day 9: Deogarh – Jaipur (Drive: 280 Km/ 6 Hours)
In the morning after breakfast we cycle towards Beawar. After lunch in Beawar we drive to Jaipur. On arrival in Jaipur we check in our hotel. Dinner at hotel. Overnight: Hotel in Jaipur (2 Nights) (B, L, D)
Day 10: Jaipur
A royal experience awaits us as we take an elephant ride uphill to the intriguing Amber Palace, a distinguished example of 17th Century Rajput architecture. After the tour and enjoying a panoramic view, we return to Jaipur to visit the old astronomical observatory built by the founder of the city, Jai Singh. Next we visit the majestic Palace, which houses a rare collection of Indian art, and the colourful bazaar. Jaipur is noted for its craftsmen, skilled in brass inlay, lacquer work and stone setting. Most of the buildings in the old city are made of pink sandstone and one of the most beautiful is Hawa Mahal, Palace of Winds, where the ladies of the royal harem used to watch the city from behind the intricately carved facade. After a photo stop at Hawa Mahal, next we visit Albert Hall Museum, situated in the Ram Niwas Gardens. Its Indo-Saracenic style of architecture is a combination of European style with traditional Indian elements. The museum has a rich collection of artifact like paintings, carpets, ivory, stone, metal sculptures, colorful crystal works etc. In the evening we enjoy dinner at Diggi Palace. (B, L, D)
Day 11: Jaipur – Fatehpur Sikri- Agra (Drive: 245 Km/ 6 Hours)
In the morning after breakfast we drive to Agra en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful capital built in 1640 by the Mughal King, Akbar the Great. The city was later abandoned for lack of water. A superb example of Mughal architecture, it stands perfectly preserved in the desert. We also visit the artistically designed mausoleum of Salim Chisty who is reputed to have prayed for a son for Akbar leading to the birth of Salim Jehangir. From here we proceed to Agra, the city of Taj. On arrival in Agra we check in our hotel. Overnight: Hotel in Agra (1 Night) (B, L, D)
Day 12: Agra- Delhi- Home
At sunrise we visit one of the most well known wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal*. An immense mausoleum of white marble, built in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, the Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage. Situated on the right bank of the Yamuna in a vast Mogul garden, this funerary monument combines elements and styles of Persian, Central Asian and Islamic architecture. After enjoying a sunrise visit to Taj, we return back to our hotel for breakfast. After breakfast we visit Agra Fort*. This powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within its 2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. It comprises many fairy-tale palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful mosques.
After lunch at local restaurant we drive to Delhi. In Delhi we are transferred to hotel for Wash & Change. Later we enjoy our farewell dinner. After a memorable journey through incredible India, we are transferred to the airport for our departure home or to our next exciting destination. Note: Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays. (B, L, D)
NOTE: Cycling distances given are entirely optional: the support vehicle will be available at all times
