Rajasthan - Desert & Palaces

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15 Days

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Delhi

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Rajasthan

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Delhi

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India

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2,200 km

Overview

This trip is a beautiful combination of classic Indian highlights (Jodhpur, Jaiselmer and Udaipur) and off the beaten track areas of Rajasthan! Hand-picked accommodations in former palaces and carefully curated routes make it all the more remarkable.

Rajasthan- as the name implies, is a place of grandeur. One of India's largest states, it is home to the Thar Desert but also some of India's most fascinating cities. There is considerable romanticization when it comes to former Maharajahs (Kings and Princes), aristocracy and the by gone days of colonial grandeur. We at Asia Bike Tours are quite critical about the ambiguous legacy of monarchies and the opulence of former rulers living grand lifestyles. However, we do have to admit that they left behind some fabulous architecture and incredible palaces that are a pleasure to visit. The countryside is also full of rustic charm; you will be enchanted by the colors and the scenes that we can witness while cruising through this rugged landscape.

India can be quite a mayhem of sensory assault; be it the food, the sounds and smells or the sheer visual incredibility of it all. Rajasthan brings all of it. Driving through the cities is sometimes challenging with its chaotic traffic, but till date our guests have always managed it very well and also fell in love with the anarchy. We believe that it moves you in ways you would never have expected to be moved. Yet be assured that we take great care providing ample time and relaxation to feel comfy. The Palace Hotels and Our Guidance play a great role, providing leisure, comfort and some intellectual stimulation after those thrilling rides. This trip is generally the beginning of a great friendship with this astounding and incredible country called India.

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At A Glance

Category	Details
Best Travel Time	October, November, February, March
Tour Start/End	Delhi / Delhi
Travel Duration	15 travel days, 13 riding days
Distance	Approx. 2,200 km
Daily Stages	110 to 340 km
Road Conditions	Mainly asphalt, occasionally short sections with gravel/sand. Overall, the road network in Rajasthan is well-developed. This tour is suitable for pillion riding.
Motorcycles	Royal Enfield Bullet 500cc with left-side gear shift, electric starter, front disc brake for nostalgia enthusiasts, or Royal Enfield Himalayan, 410
Riding Skills	No special requirements, but strong nerves are necessary to handle Indian traffic.
Group Size	Minimum 4 and maximum 10 riders. For pillion passengers, there is always space in the support vehicle.
Accommodation	Mostly old palaces and forts converted into hotels, as well as some mid-range hotels
Included in Price	All meals, water with meals and en route, entrance fees, motorcycles, fuel, support vehicle, mechanic, local guide (English-speaking), German-speaking guide throughout the entire tour
Highlights	Taj Mahal, Udaipur "Venice of the East," Jaisalmer desert fort, the Rajput palaces, and the colorful splendor of Rajasthani attire and its wearers.
Important	Visa required, to be applied for online from home
Tour Guides	Experienced German and English-speaking guides throughout the journey on their own motorcycles (trained guides from Austria and Germany)
Extras	Local mechanic in the support vehicle, who is also available as a backup rider

ITinerary

Day	Description
Day 1	Delhi - Neemrana. We take a bus directly from the airport to a palace hotel called Neemrana Fort. It’s a comfortable 2-hour drive and helps us immediately get into the right mood and atmosphere for Rajasthan.
Day 2	Neemrana - Jhunjhunu 124 km. After a brief introduction to the Royal Enfield motorcycles and the peculiarities of Indian road traffic, we practice riding and immerse ourselves in our first motorcycle trip. We head to the Shekhavati region, known for its havelis (traditional, intricately decorated mansions).
Day 3	Jhunjhunu - Mandawa - Bikaner 200 km. Today’s ride lasts about 4 hours and takes us to the city of Bikaner. A visit to Fatehgarh Fort will be our first encounter with the rich and opulent lifestyle of the maharajas. A short ride takes us to the curious and incredible Rat Temple. Not for the faint-hearted but definitely worth a visit. If you’re not keen on rats, you can relax in the gardens of our palace hotel.
Day 4	Bikaner - Jaisalmer. Today is a long day of riding along the Thar Desert. The medieval fortress of Jaisalmer stands like a guardian on the edge of the desert. We will visit this beautiful old city.
Day 5	Jaisalmer Surroundings. Short excursions into the surrounding desert and some leisure time to enjoy the sunset on the crumbling walls of the medieval fortress.
Day 6	Jaisalmer - Osian. Back on the long roads, we head to Osian. Although the town is relatively small, it is impressive how many beautiful old Jain temples made of carved stone it has. A brief introduction to Jainism and some excellent local cuisine are the highlights.
Day 7	Osian - Jodhpur. A short ride takes us to Jodhpur. We have a full day of sightseeing ahead. The Mehrangarh Fort is perhaps one of the best-preserved museums in India, and you will love it. We feel the same way about the spice market, our favorite place, where we can talk about spices, the spice trade, and their various uses. The scent and vibrant colors make it hard to leave. Almost reluctantly, we move on to a fantastic dinner overlooking the old town.
Day 8	Jodhpur - Ghanerao. Again, we take small roads and head to Ghanerao. Let’s just say, the charm of this place will captivate you. We’ve left the dry desert behind and arrived in a lush green area. Even a few hills invite some cycling.
Day 9	Ghanerao - Kumbalgarh - Udaipur. A ride through the Aravalli Mountains and the Ranakpur National Park. Hidden in a valley is the Ranakpur temple complex, built in the 15th century. This Jain sanctuary is made of white marble. A forest of 1,444 ornate columns supports the 29 temple roofs. On this scenic section of our journey, we continue through original villages of the Aravallis, mainly inhabited by Bhil tribes. Another detour takes us to the gates of the historic Kumbalgarh Fort, the largest in India, and then we proceed to Udaipur.
Day 10	Udaipur. This fairy-tale city is a garden city with many palaces located by a vast lake landscape. Within walking distance is the Fateh Prakash Complex and behind it the old town. A relaxed day of strolling around the city and sightseeing. A boat trip on Lake Pichola is included.
Day 11	Udaipur - Chitorgarh - Bijaipur. The next day is part of our rural, non-touristic exploration. We ride to Chittorgarh, one of Asia’s largest forts, and continue to the small village of Bijaipur. Here, you can experience the atmosphere of an Indian village.
Day 12	Bijaipur - Bundi. Bundi is a charming stop on our journey that has become a favorite for many guests. Perhaps it’s due to its blue houses, its completely authentic Indian market (no tourist souvenir shops), or the lovely guesthouse where we stay.
Day 13	Bundi – Karauli. Passing through lush green landscapes, we continue to Karauli. The old temple town and the evening rituals here are simply fascinating!
Day 14	Karauli - Bharatpur. This is our last day of riding. We will enjoy the green, lush landscape and end the day in Bharatpur.
Day 15	Bharatpur - Agra - Delhi. Today, we have a long and exciting day ahead. For those interested, there’s an ornithological rickshaw ride: a cycle rickshaw takes us through a small national park known for birdwatching. Some interesting bird sightings are guaranteed. After returning to the hotel for breakfast, we head to the Taj Mahal. Truly an architectural wonder to admire. Since all international flights depart after midnight and thanks to a new highway, we have enough time to reach Delhi Airport.
Extension	Additional nights in Delhi or a short trip to Jaipur, the Pink City.