Rajasthan is a beguiling land of hilltop forts, lavish palaces and colorful cities that hark back to a time when royal families ruled over western India’s princely states. From the “Pink City” of Jaipur to the “City of Lakes”, Uddaipur, this cycling tour traverses Rajasthan's arid yet culturally vibrant rural hinterland as we hop from one resplendent heritage site to the next. Throughout the journey we stay in some beautiful heritage hotels occupying the refurbished buildings of centuries’ old palaces, residences and forts.

Meeting in the state capital of Jaipur, we embark on a fantastic route through the vast countryside that sprawls along the fringes of the Thar desert. We share the roads with camel-carts and herds of cattle as we wind through countless villages and stop to visit steadfast Rajput and Mughal forts as well as intricate Hindu and Jain temples. Once we reach Jodhpur, the “Blue City”, we give our bikes a rest to marvel at the sight of its azure-hued skyline from the top of the colossal Mehrangarh Fort. We then head for the hills, climbing into the Aravalli range where we’ll spend two days surrounded by nature and exploring Kumbhalgarh Fort, with its labyrinth walls that meander along the mountain ridges. The cycling concludes with a descent towards Udaipur where we’ll crown our adventure with an exploration of scenic city lakes and ornate palaces. The tour ends in Udaipur.

Rajasthan has attracted travelers for centuries, but by bike you will not only get to see the vestiges of its regal past but also experience local life up close. Join us in immersing ourselves in this rich culture!

Because some people can't imagine going on a trip without their own beloved bicycle, we do not provide them as part of this tour. However, you can hire bikes locally for the price listed in the tour pricing section.

If you bring your own bike, please make sure it is in good mechanical order.

Bike Repairs

Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though we cannot guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.

Safety

Wearing a helmet is required on all our biking adventures and is non negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.

Guides

You will be led by a local English-speaking guide and if the group is 9 people or more we will add another guide to the tour. All our guides are well informed in the history, culture and religions of the area where you are biking and are skilled at passing that knowledge on to you. Your guide is also medically trained and an experienced cyclist, able to handle most minor repairs en route.

Passports and Visas

Please make sure that your passport is still valid for at least six months at the end of the tour. An electronic visa (e-visa) is available for passport holders of 150 countries including Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA and citizens of EU countries, with the application and the fee submitted at least 4 days before date of arrival. Fees vary depending on nationality. The visa is valid up to 60 days from the date of arrival. Visit here to apply and for the full list of eligible countries. For citizens of countries not specified a visa must be acquired before arriving in India. Please contact your local Indian embassy to receive a standard tourist visa. Locations on embassies worldwide are available here.

Health

There are no compulsory vaccinations although it is strongly recommended that you are vaccinated against Typhoid, and Hepatitis A and B. Tetanus and polio vaccinations should also be up to date at the time of travel. Please speak to your doctor/physician for the most recent information.

Weather

As India is such a large country, the climate and weather conditions vary across the vast region. However, the country is divided into six main climatic zones ranging from arid desert in the west, alpine tundra and glaciers in the north, and humid tropical in the southwest and the island territories.

We have tours in the following regions

Rajasthan: weather can be divided into four seasons - summer, monsoon, post-monsoon, and winter. Summer from April to June is the hottest season with temperatures ranging from 32C to 45C. Monsoon extends from July to September with a slight drop in temperature but plenty of rain. The post-monsoon period is from October to November where the lowest temperatures can reach as low as 18C. From December to March is the cold season and the best time to visit Rajasthan. Temperatures range from 15C-18C with little or no humidity.

Kerala: mostly has a tropical wet climate, which can be divided into three seasons. Summer is from February to May and is generally hot and humid. Monsoon season begins in June till around October or November. December to January holds the best weather for travel as it is cooler and the rains have subsided.

Leh/Ladakh has a cold desert like climate with somewhat extreme conditions. summers bring in harsh direct sunlight at such high altitudes while winters can get as cold as below freezing point. Lowest ever recorded was -23C. May to August is the best time for tourists to enjoy the weather and everything it has to offer.

Sikkim: has a very temperate climate with enjoyable 5 seasons. Depending on the location and altitude, the weather can vary. In Summer, the lowest temperatures reach 13C up to 28°C while in winter Temperature between 0C to 13C. The monsoon season hits around June to September.

Food

Meals are included in the itinerary where B = breakfast, L = lunch, and D = dinner. Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for as well. Please let us know at the time of booking.

Drink

Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water and energy-restoring drinks are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. Beer and alcohol are available, but NOT included in the price.

Solo Travelers

SpiceRoads does not require you to pay a surcharge for traveling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveler of the same gender and if we can not match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.

Extra Expenses

We recommend that you tuck away a few extra dollars a day for incidentals. Included entrance fees are those for the listed sites and national parks that are part of the itinerary. Any other site fees are not included.

Money

The currency is the Indian rupee (Rs) and there are ATMs in major cities and most towns that take international cards. However, we suggest that you withdraw money at the airport at the start of your tour. During the tour, our guide will inform you of the ATM locations in different cities.

We meet in Jaipur, the "Pink City" of Rajasthan! Please arrive a day ahead of the trip and we’ll pick you up from your pre-tour hotel in the morning. After a tour briefing and bike fitting we'll dive right in with a historical exploration of Jaipur by foot and car. We'll visit Amer Fort to delve into the grandeur of Rajput architecture and soak in views from its majestic ramparts before heading to Jantar Mantar, a pre-modern astronomical observatory commissioned by Jaipur's founding ruler. Along the way we’ll enjoy lunch and, in the evening, treat ourselves to a delectable welcome dinner.

Let the riding begin! After a short vehicle transfer out of Jaipur, we saddle up and get our first taste of the Rajsthani countryside. We enjoy a mostly flat ride along the roads and small paths that cut across the earthy terrain, passing by mud brick villages, corn fields, Hindu temples and ancient monuments scattered across the landscape. Watch out for village traffic – a mix of auto rickshaws, bicycles, and livestock! Our destination is the historic city of Kishangarh, once the capital of the princely state of Jodphur during British rule. Nowadays Kishangarh is known as the “Marble City”, producing some of India’s finest stone constructions. We will be spending the night at the lake-facing Phool Mahal Palace, the former residence of the Kishangarh Maharaja which has been beautifully refurbished as a boutique heritage hotel.

Ride 70km • +366m • -329m

We begin with a one hour transfer to Roopangarh. With the town’s mighty 17-century fort in the background, we begin cycling through a colorful local market before we find ourselves back in the countryside. Though the landscape is arid, it is teeming with local life and we’ll enjoy endless scenes of rural communities going about their day to day, occasionally stopped in their tracks by the curious sight of a bunch of sweaty cyclists whizzing by! We'll ride past shrub forests, home to Rajasthan's elusive wildlife inhabitants, until the low-lying Aravalli hills and the town of Pushkar come into view. Pushkar is located by of one of India’s most sacred lakes, believed to have been made by Lord Brahma - the creator of the universe in Hindu mythology. Lake Pushkar is highly revered and its shores are adorned with ghats (steps leading to the water for ritual use). We will visit the nearby Brahma Temple and in the afternoon you can explore some of Pushkar’s vibrant bazaars.

Ride 70km • +287m • -329m

After a quick transfer out of Pushkar we’ll begin our day of riding which will be more undulating as we traverse the foothills of the Aravalli mountain range. Spanning across the eastern edge of the Thar desert, the mountainous landscape in the background offers a striking contrast of deeply weathered ridges, arid expanses and pockets of greenery. We will conclude our ride at Fort Khejarla, a majestic 17th century stronghold perched atop a hilltop, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area and a glimpse into the region's regal Rajput legacy. The fort is now a heritage hotel and staying here tonight will be a real treat. To complement our stay, we will partake in a camel cart ride to the nearby village and a 600 year old Durga temple.

Ride 80km • +331m • -482m

In the morning, we'll make our way from the quiet surroundings of Khejarla towards bustling Jodhpur, Rajasthan’s second largest city. Though our route traverses more of the Thar desert's seemingly barren landscape, it is home to a surprising diversity of wildlife. Keep an eye out for colorful birds in the vegetation, spotted deer, and even wild camels! After crossing more desert terrain, we arrive in Jodhpur, lovingly referred to as the “Blue City ' due to the striking visual of its azure labyrinth of houses pinned against the desert background. We’ll be based here for two nights, staying in yet another storied Rajasthani heritage hotel.

Ride 80km • +130m • -196m

Today we'll give the bikes a rest and explore Jodhpur by car and foot. The fascinating blue city presents photo-ops from nearly every angle, but just wait until we get to the 500 year old Mehrangarh Fort, with sweeping views of the city and landscape beyond. We’ll also discover opulence at Umaid Bhawan Palace – a splendid blend of Rajput and Art Deco architecture – before stopping off at Jaswant Thada, a serene marble memorial adorned with intricate carvings. We’ll enjoy lunch and the afternoon is yours to relax at the hotel or do some more exploration.

We transfer 40 km by support vehicle to the village of Rohat where we’ll start cycling south. We’ll be riding along the main road flanked on both sides by vast fields of millet and bright yellow mustard and we may be passed by the occasional camel carts which are still widely used for transportation. Our route takes us well off the tourist trail and deeper into authentic Rajasthan, giving us a chance to witness the daily life of the rural population who masterfully cultivate crops under harsh, semi-arid conditions. After 80 km of riding, we arrive in the small city of Ahore from where it is only a short distance to our beautiful heritage hotel located in a small village near the seasonal Jawai River.

Ride 80km • +224m • -226m

After breakfast, we'll transfer by vehicle around 90 km east and enjoy a change of scenery. We get on our bikes and notice how the arid plain gradually fills in with forest, as we edge the foothills of the Aravalli mountain range. There are some climbs in our path, but after mostly flat riding so far we're ready for it! After some initial climbing we reach Ranakpur Jain Temple, an impossibly intricate masterpiece carved from marble more than 600 years ago. We’ll spend some time here and learn all about Jainism, another fascinating and ancient Indian religion. In the afternoon we’ll continue climbing deeper into the Aravalli mountains where the Kumbhalgarh Fort looms majestically over the landscape. We’ll be based here for the next two nights, staying at a hotel overlooking the shores of Lake Kelwara and the surrounding hills.

Ride 80km • +1460m • -638m

Based from our hotel, this morning we’ll ride a short 20 km loop to Kumbhalgarh Fort. Built in the 15th century, this historic stronghold stands atop the Aravalli hills and is enveloped by a nearly 36-kilometer-long defensive wall. As we approach the fort, its impressive architecture and strategic positioning become evident, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. We'll delve into the rich history of the fort, explore its temples and palaces, and marvel at the engineering prowess that created this UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll also be riding through the nearby village and market. The afternoon is at leisure to relax or explore more.

Ride 20km • +137m • -40m

Time for our last ride of the tour! We will start by cycling along the ridges of the Aravalli hills, taking in the views of the rugged landscape up close, before descending down into the valleys that lead to the city of Udaipur. We’ll be enjoying some refreshing downhill sections as well as undulating sections through the countryside. We stop riding at Iswal, the location of an ancient Jain temple. From here we hop in the support vehicle for the final stretch to Udaipur. Known as the "City of Lakes," Udaipur is blessed with beautiful natural scenery and historical architecture that rivals almost anything we have seen on our journey through Rajasthan. We’ll save an exploration of the city for the following day as this evening we will be visiting a lakeside haveli (mansion) to attend a regal folk dance performance.

Ride 90km • +500m • -776m

After a long journey through the state of Rajasthan, it's not easy to be awestruck by another historic fort or haveli. However, Udaipur's scenery and architecture are some of the best in all of Rajasthan, and the best has certainly been saved for last! Departing from our hotel, we will walk through the heart of the historic district to visit the ornate City Palace. This architectural masterpiece, overlooking the shimmering waters of Lake Pichola, invites you to explore its intricate courtyards, elegant palaces, and ornate balconies. Immerse yourself in the opulent history of the Mewar dynasty as you wander through opulent rooms adorned with intricate mirror work, vibrant murals, and rich artifacts. The fusion of Rajput and Mughal architecture captures the essence of Udaipur's royal heritage, offering a glimpse into the lives of the erstwhile maharajas and maharanis. In the afternoon you can stroll around the city and visit some markets to pick up any final souvenirs. In the evening we regroup for a final Rajasthani farewell feast!

For those leaving today we’ll organize a shared transfer to the airport. Feel free to extend your stay in Udaipur or travel onwards to discover more of incredible India.