Arrive in Jodhpur and make your way to the hotel, located within ancient walls and with a great view of Meherangarh Fort. Get to know your fellow cyclists at the welcome dinner.
Seize the day with an early start to explore Jodhpur. Take a trip to the Meherangarh Fort which watches over the city from 410 feet above, the best preserved fort in India. After, you’ll have some free time to discover the city at your own pace. In the late afternoon there will be in introductory ride around a few Chandelao villages.
Join the locals departing the village and you may even spot a few demoiselle cranes up above who have migrated from the Himalayas. Discover rural landscapes along with small towns and farms, and enjoy a break at a local durrie weaver. Tonight’s accommodation will be a heritage fort hotel in Lini, a village renowned for its metal and clay artisans.
As you cycle parallel to the Luni River you’ll notice the landscape gets drier and the atmosphere starts to resemble a desert. Rakhi is a town nestled in the Thar desert and despite its climate it boasts salt flats, adding diverse nature and wildlife to the area. Tonight you will stay at a house owned by the Singh family, whose ancestors were aristocrats.
You’ll start today on dusty paths to Bhawrani, an isolated village, giving you a sense of village life. Contrastingly, you’ll then cycle through the wild salt flats, a unique experience. Tonight you’ll have another night hosted by the Singh family, this time on a sand hill, with views of a nomadic herders camp.
The journey to Sodawas leads you through farms of cattle and wheat. There is an option to complete an additional 40km of cycling. Tonight’s accommodation comes in the form of a 1940s built hunting lodge, with art deco architecture.
It’s time to say goodbye to the desert and hello to heavenly green land. You’ll pass traditionally dressed shepherds, Rabaris who delightedly wear their tribal uniform of red turbans, whilst women wear black and red printed skirts, saris and bangles. The Aravalli mountains become clear as does Jojawar, where you will spend the night.
This looped route around the Aravalli hills base takes you to remote villages, foothills and shepherd’s land, showcasing the best of Jojawar. You’ll have a free afternoon to explore further, or relax at the pool of our historic hotel, which used to be a residence of the Royal house of Marwar.
Today you’ll cycle through dried river beds and past rock formations to the Jain temples of Ranakpur, with the Araveli mountain range on our left all the way. Today is a wonderful day on the bike.
Get ready for the first ascent of the trip. It will take you up the Araveli mountain range and through Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. The climb is a gentle 10km, allowing you to go at your own pace. After this, the route waves until the hulking hilltop fortress of Kumbhalgarh (1,110m) where the road elevates. This remarkable fortress is composed of 360 temples and two villages.
Beginning in the Aravelli Hills, cycle blissfully through fields and open spaces until you reach Udaipur, a lake city. Acclaimed for its tranquillity and landscape, Udaipur was the feature of James Bond’s Octopussy.
It’s time for some more luscious greenery as you cycle through Udaipurian countryside. Explore the Monsoon Palace which boats fantastic views of the city. The route back takes us around the Fateh lake, the afternoon will be free time, before we meet up for a sunset cruise and farewell dinner.
After breakfast its time to depart for your onward travel after an amazing trip.
Rajasthan is India at its vibrant best. Explore grand palaces, medieval forts and barren deserts. Encounter wildlife at every turn and towns steeped in beautiful colours.