INDIA / Rajasthan - Desert & Palaces

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 have never 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.

At a Glance ...

Best traveltime	October, November, February, March
Start/Finish	Delhi / Delhi
Duration	15 travel days, 13 riding days
Distance covered	around 1.400 mi / 2.200 km
Day rides	70 - 215 mi / 110 - 340 km
Roads	Mainly tarmac
Motorcycles	Enfield Bullet 500cc or RE Himalayan, left side gear shift, e-start
Rider's requirements	Easy riding but important to keep one's cool when coping with the traffic!
Group size	Min. 4 and max. 10 riders - space for pillion rider in our follow up car.
Accomodation	Heritage hotels, old palaces and castles converted into Hotels, some middle-class Hotels
What's included	All meals, water and soft drinks, all entry fees, petrol for the bikes, back-up car, mechanic
Highlights	Taj Mahal, Udaipur "Venice of the East", Jaisalmer Desert Fortress, Rajput Palaces and the Colours of Rajasthan...
Important	You need a VISA to enter India! Many nationalities now can apply online for a "Visa on Arrival"

Upcoming tours ...

INDIA / Rajasthan - Desert & Palaces / February 2024

11/02/2024–24/02/2024

Rider 3.300 € | Co-rider 2600 € | Single room supplement 480 €

Booking until 01/02/2024

The Maharaja Tour - Touring the Marvels of Rajasthan!

Day 1	Delhi - Neemrana. We drive straight from the airport to a palace hotel called Neemrana Fort. It's a comfortable 2-hour drive and helps us avoid Delhi's urban sprawl by directly getting us into the right mood and ambience for Rajasthan!
Day 2	Neemrana - Jhunjhunu [124 Kms]. After a small briefing on the Enfield motorcycles and the peculiarities of the traffic in India, we do some learning by doing and deep dive into our first bike ride. We are heading towards the Shekhavati region, famous for it's Havelis (traditional, ornately decorated residences).
Day 3	Jhunjhunu - Mandawa - Bikaner [200 Kms]. Today's journey is approximately 4 Hours of riding, and takes us to the city of Bikaner. Visiting Fatehgarh Fort will be our first encounter with the rich and opulent lifestyle the Maharajahs adorned. A Small drive takes us to the curious and incredible Rat Temple. Not for the faint of heart, but definitely Worth visiting. Don't worry if you are not in the mood for Rats, you can just relax in the Gardens of our Palace Hotel.
Day 4	Bikaner - Jaiselmer. Today is a long driving day alongside the Thar Dessert . The medieval Fort of Jaisalmer stands toll like a sentinel on the edge of the dessert. We will visit this beautiful old town.
Day 5	Jaiselmer surroundings. Small excursions into the surrounding desert and some free time to enjoy the sunset on the crumbling walls of the medieval fort.
Day 6	Jaiselmer - Osian. Back on the long roads again, we are heading to Osian. The town being rather small in size, it is impressive how many beautiful old stone carved Jain temples this town has. Small introduction into the Jain religion and some good local food is the highlight.
Day 7	Osian - Jodhpur. A small drive takes us to Jodhpur. We have a full sightseeing day ahead of us. The Mehrangarh fort is perhaps one of India’s most well-maintained museums, you will just love it! And the spice market is our favorite place to talk about the spices, spice trade and their various uses. You will have to drag us away from this market, so we do get a fantastic dinner overlooking old town.
Day 8	Jodhpur - Ghanerao. Again we take small roads and head towards Ghanerao. Let's just say, the magic of this place will enchant you once more. We have left the arid desert behind and have reached green surroundings. Even some hills for biking pleasure.
Day 9	Ghanerao - Kumbalgarh - Udaipur. Drive through the Aravalli Mountains and Ranakpur National Park. In a hidden valley, the temple complex of Ranakpur was built in the 15th century. This Jain sanctuary is made of white marble. A forest of 1444 ornate pillars support the 29 temple roofs. In this scenic section of our journey, we continue through original villages of the Aravallis, populated mainly by Bhil. Another detour to the gates of the historic Kumbalgarh Fort, the largest in India, and then on to Udaipur.
Day 10	Udaipur. Fabulous Udaipur is a garden city with many palaces, situated on the edge of a vast lake district. Within walking distance is the Fateh Prakash complex and behind it the old town. A leisurely day with city strolls and local visits. Boat ride on Lake Pichola is included.
Day 11	Udaipur - Chitorgarh - Bijaipur. The next day is part of our rural, non-touristy exploration. We head towards Chittorgarh, one of the largest forts of Asia, and on we continue to the small hamlet of Bijaipur. Here you can experience the Indian Village atmosphere.
Day 12	Bijaipur - Bundi. Bundi is a lovely stopover on our journey, it has become a favorite among many guests. Maybe for its blue houses, the completely authentic Indian marketplace (no tourist souvenir shops) or the beautiful guesthouse we stay in. Whatever it is, we are happy it works.
Day 13	Bundi - Karauli. Passing Lush green settings, we are heading towards Karauli. Here it's the ancient Temple town and the rituals performed in the evening that are just fascinating and mesmerizing.
Day 14	Karauli - Bharatpur. This is our last riding day. We will enjoy and welcome the green, lush countryside, finishing off in Bharatpur.
Day 15	Bharatpur - Agra - Delhi. Today we have a long and interesting day. For all who are interested, we head out for an Ornithological rickshaw ride (it's a cycle rickshaw ride through a small National park famous for birding). Some interesting bird sightings are guaranteed. Coming back to the Hotel, we have breakfast and leave for the Taj Mahal. Truly an architectural marvel to be cherished. Since all international flights leave past midnight and thanks to a new highway, we still have ample time to make it to Delhi airport.