Rajasthan

Tour Price: £2,259       Fuel Supp: £75       Single Supp.: N/A


• We have now added another exciting new tour for 2007, Rajasthan, where, for the majority of the time, we will be staying in one of the many old forts palaces and havelis along the route. We will continue to use the expert knowledge of experienced local tour leaders and, of course, our support vehicle will provide full medical and mechanical backup, thus ensuring that our riders enjoy an adventure of a lifetime safe in the knowledge that help and advice is always close at hand.

Day 1.

Depart UK.

Day 2 & 3.

Arrive in Delhi and transfer (approx. 4 hours) by train to Jaipur where you will be met by the Blazing Trails Team and given the chance to  unwind after your journey and relax and absorb the atmosphere of Jaipur. This famous city, also known as the Pink City, is the capital of Rajasthan and bombards the senses at every turn. Founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II in 1727 the entire old city was painted pink in 1876 by Maharaja Ram Singh to welcome the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) and the tradition has been maintained. The bazaars are legendary and crowded to the gills with all types of traffic and animal. There is some fantastic shopping in Jaipur but beware on your first couple of days. Starting at Jaipur is certainly diving into the deep end!.

Day 4.

From Jaipur we travel on to Pushkar (approx. 150 km), which is an oasis in the desert and one of the holy cities of India. It's an important pilgrimage centre and is generally packed with sadhus (holy men) and chilled out travellers. Set around the holy lake, said to have appeared in the desert when Brahma dropped a lotus flower, the white temples all have bathing ghats (steps) leading down to the water.

Day 5 & 6.

From Pushkar we make our way to Udaipur (approx. 300 km), famous for its Lake Palace, and probably the most romantic of all Rajasthani cities. Centred around Lake Pichola, it is a maze of tiny, winding streets full of palaces, temples and havelis. It is also a major centre for the performing arts, painting, miniature painting and crafts. We will spend 2 nights here to give everyone a chance to wander around.

Day 7.

From Udaipur we journey on to Mount Abu (approx. 150 km), Rajasthan's only hill station and a famous Jain pilgrimage centre. It is full of beautiful and intricately carved Jain temples and as well as drawing the religious it is also a big Indian tourist destination. The two main temples: the Vimal Vasahi, built in 1031, and the Tejpal Temple, built in 1230, are among the finest examples of Jain architecture in India.

Days 8 & 9.

From Mount Abu we head up to the Blue City of Jodhpur (approx. 200 km). Traditionally, blue signified the home of a Brahmin but nowadays everyone paints their houses the same pale indigo blue, giving the city an almost luminous glow. The old city is a tangle of winding streets and bazaars and is surrounded by a 10km long wall. We will spend 2 nights here and visit the famous Meherangarh Fort which dominates the hillside 5km outside the city.

Day 10.

From Jodhpur we venture out into the deep desert and to the Golden City of Jaisalmer (approx. 300 km). It is an old forted city and surrounded by high walls. The walls and buildings glow golden and seem to be made of sand. Tiny twisting streets within the walls are full of bazaars, temples and havelis. Traditionally, it is the starting point for camel treks, but we'll stick to our trusty bikes for a foray into the dunes of the desert.

Day 11.

From Jaisalmer we head up to Bikaner (approx. 300 km). This is another old walled city and was an important staging post on the great caravan trade routes. The busy town is filled with dark red sandstone havelis and Jain temples. On the way in or out we will visit the famous Karni Mata Temple, 30km to the south, where thousands of holy rats are worshipped (not for the faint hearted!).

Day 12.

From Bikaner we make our way south-west to Mandawa (approx. 200 km). This is a quiet little market town and we will spend a night readying ourselves for the return to Jaipur.

Day 13.

From Mandawa we return back to the hustle and bustle of Jaipur (approx. 200 km).

Day 14.

Spend the day in Jaipur doing any last minute shopping and saying good-bye to this magical part of India.

Day 15.

Transfer by train (approx. 4 hours) from Jaipur to Delhi and onward flight back to the UK. (Please note that whilst every effort will be made to keep to this itinerary, it may be necessary on certain occasions to amend the routing slightly or content according to local conditions. In the event we are obliged to make necessary changes, we will always endeavour to ensure the quality and enjoyment of the tour is not compromised in any way).