The Land of Maharajas, Rajasthan

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1 The Land of Maharajas, Rajasthan 14 days 12 days of riding Best time: October - November & February - March Half board Franck Charton HIGHLIGHTS o Discovering the most charming state of India o Breathtaking natural and cultural heritage o Riding the legendary Royal Enfield 500cc motorbike DIFFICULTY LEVEL: AVERAGE For experienced riders who are physically fit. We generally ride on good asphalt roads and sometimes on broken roads and tracks. ROYAL ENFIELD 500CC Divided between India and Mongolia, our fleet consists of 16 Machismos 500cc (2010 models) and 19 Royal Enfield Classics 500cc (purchased in 2012 and 2013). The bikes have a European style gear shifting system (left side, first gear down) to ensure the comfort and safety for our riders. The Machismos are also equipped with a tailor made 21L tank, which is very helpful for longer-distance trips.

2 LOGISTICS & ORGANISATION Your tour leader is a very experienced rider who speaks English and is familiar with the area you will visit. He is in charge of coordinating the support team (mechanic, driver, helpers ) and makes sure that the group travels safely. The tour leader is not a local guide, so, for your convenience, we advise you to bring a pocket guide with you. The entourage comprises of a tour leader and a well experienced mechanic. For groups of more than three, a support vehicle will be provided to carry the luggage and the mechanical equipment. The van can also accommodate participants (who must be registered with a pilot) if they choose to enjoy the ride in the comfort of a van. To guarantee a safe and pleasant tour, we recommend a maximum of 12 participants, including riders and pillions. We can easily welcome more participants in our A la Carte and tailor-made options. In that case, for your own comfort and safety, the content of the program and the logistics might change (itinerary, number of accompanying persons and support vehicle ). For more information, please ask your travel advisor. P a g e 1

3 AT A GLANCE Traveling across the state of Rajasthan is the best way to get the feel of a bygone era whose exotic charm and royal atmosphere still linger in the narrow alleys, the magnificent dunes and the old palaces. Riding the equally legendary Royal Enfield against the stunning backdrops of desert and extravagant green landscapes, we will cover 950 miles (1500 kilometers) full of pure adventure. A true rendezvous with Rajasthan Our route takes us in a loop, which covers all the diversity of the "Land of Lords". We start towards the western part of the state, the Thar Desert. On the way, we cross the sandy lands of the Shekawati region and discover its famous havelis ancient villas made of yellow sandstones - to arrive at the city of Bikaner, known as the gem of Rajasthan. We finally reach the citadel of Jaisalmer, standing in the middle of the desert, where we will enjoy a desert ride that will take us through untouched and colorful villages. Then we head east towards the city of Jodhpur, famous for its blue colored houses and its awe inspiring Fort, before making our way south, to the Aravali hills whose main city is Udaipur: The Venice of the East". On our way back North, we discover Pushkar, a small peaceful village built along a holy lake, an important place of pilgrimage for the Hindus and finally, Jaipur, the pink city, known for its palaces, its jewelers and its liveliness that strikes any visitor. Throughout the ride, we take pleasure in seeing the wondrous landscapes or rural scenes: sunrise above the sand dunes where twisted acacias dance, paved lanes and cob houses decorated with sacred statues of Ganesh, women wrapped in their luminous saris, harvests of chilies drying in the sun, village festivals and turbaned musicians, temples of mysterious idols... We enjoy a life of luxury, sometimes staying in old forts converted into charming hotels, but still occupied by Rajputs (lords) who warmly welcome their guests. This Royal Enfield tour includes a number of optional visits and strolls, both in amazing untouched areas as well as in more touristic cities. P a g e 2

4 YOUR ITINERARY ON A MAP P a g e 3

5 ITINERARY (Subject to change) Day 1: Arrival in Delhi Arrival in Delhi at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and transfer to your hotel in the heart of the city. Your room is available at 1200hrs. Overnight stay at the hotel. Day 2: Delhi Shekhawati [170 km 6H of riding] We start with a 3 hour drive in a private vehicle to the western part of the state towards the land of Shekhawati. We discover its famous fresco Havelis or simply, painted palaces. The region is well known as the Open art gallery of Rajasthan. The bikes are waiting for us in Behror. We enjoy our first ride of 170 Km around the area during which we familiarize ourselves with the functioning of the bikes. We spend the night in Mandawa, a village in the middle of semi-arid surroundings. Overnight stay in a Haveli. In the past, Shekhawati was one of the most important bargaining centers for caravans coming from the ports of Gujarat in the South and from Asia Minor in the West. Traditional villages make the Shekhawati province a charming place and is yet unknown by many tourists. P a g e 4

6 Day 3: Shekhawati Bikaner [200 km 5H of riding] We ride deeper into sandy landscapes, towards Bikaner the Pearl of Rajasthan. The road is good. Bikaner is located in the Thar Desert. As we visit its fortress and crowded streets, we are fascinated by its overwhelming liveliness. Arrival at the hotel and free afternoon to visit Bikaner and its splendid fort. Overnight stay at the hotel. Day 4: Bikaner Jaisalmer [340 km - 7/8H of riding] A long ride deeper into the Thar Desert, we are still riding on good roads. As we get closer to Phalodi, it is not a rare sight to see antelopes on the edge of the road. At the end of the day, we reach Jaisalmer which dominates the desert horizon. Overnight stay at the hotel. Bishnois are ardent nature lovers. Inhabiting the arid region surrounding the town of Phalodi, Bishnois have gone to the extent of sacrificing their lives in order to protect the wildlife and trees. Despite being staunch Hindus, Bishnois bury their dead kith and kin, not following the Hindu practice of cremating the dead so as to save trees. Bishnoi men stand apart with their large white turbans in contrast to the men of other tribes who sport colorful turbans. Women are dressed in bright hued saris and wear traditional gold nose rings. P a g e 5

7 . Day 5: Jaisalmer Free visit of Jaisalmer. Surrounded by the desert, the imposing golden city of Jaisalmer presents a striking picture of rich culture and architecture. Being en route to the Middle East of Asia, the city remained very prosperous until recent times. Present day revenue for Jaisalmer largely depends on tourism. Jain temples and palaces are the highlights of this sandy and mysterious city. Possibility to take a peek at the beautiful havelis and bustling streets before leaving for a stroll to the Gadi Lake. Overnight stay at the hotel. Day 6: Jaisalmer Thar desert [130 km 4H of riding] In the morning we start towards the Thar Desert, visiting the Jain temple of Lodurva on the way. Then follows something that you will remember: We head into the heart of the desert on over 50km of sandy tracks amongst the sand dunes. To draw the maximum pleasure out of the desert and the sun set, we spend the night in a fully equipped camp (equipped with tents, bedding and warm blankets). P a g e 6

8 Day 7: Thar desert - Jodhpur [330 km 7/8 of riding] After a night in the desert, we head east towards Jodhpur, the blue city of Brahmins (main roads for the last 100km). Overnight stay at the hotel. Day 8: Jodhpur Ghanerao [170 km 5H of riding] In the morning, we visit Jodhpur, learning fascinating facts, gaping in amazement at its historical Mehrangarh Fort and its gorgeous Umaid Bhawan Palace and catching a glimpse of life while walking in the bustling, colorful, narrow alleys. In the afternoon, we head south to the ancient Mewar kingdom. Overnight stay in a charming fort built in P a g e 7

9 Day 9: Ghanerao Udaipur [120 km 4/5 H of riding] We make a short stop at Ranakpur to visit its Jain temples that are as imposing as cathedrals and as white as ivory. Going up and down the boulders and small hills of the Aravali Mountains, we reach the Venice of the East, Udaipur, built around the Pichola Lake. The ancient capital of the Mewar region, Udaipur, is one of the highest cities above sea level with dense forest and rich green areas. Overnight stay at the hotel. The Aravali Mountains are a 700 km range, stretching from Gujarat to Delhi. Its south west part, in Mewar province, is the highest, reaching up to 2000 m. This is also a very green and wooded part. The province allows you to discover lovely country scenes, such as women drawing water at a well, shepherds with their goats, nomad families belonging to the Gaduliya gypsy community on their carts pulled by donkeys Day 10: Udaipur Dhamli [220 km 6/7H of riding] Early departure towards the fortress of Khumbalagarh, which has the second longest wall after the Great Wall of China. In the afternoon, we head north to the city of Dhamli. We leave the Aravali hills to reach the wide semi-arid plains of the Marwar region. Overnight stay in a fort. Day 11: Dhamli Pushkar [220 km 6H of riding] We ride towards Pushkar, a small and very important pilgrimage site for Hindus. Built around a holy lake, Pushkar has the only temple dedicated to Brahma (the Creator in Hindu mythology). It is also famous for its annual Camel fair; Pushkar is a museum in itself. Overnight stay at the hotel. P a g e 8

10 Franck Charton Day 12: Pushkar Jaipur [190 km 5H of riding] Heading north, we take small roads to the pink city of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. On the way, we discover the great salted lake of Sambhar. In the afternoon, you are free to visit the pink city. Overnight stay at the hotel. Jaipur is known for its palaces, its jewelers and its liveliness. The city was built in 1727, by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. One of the wealthiest cities of Historic India, today Jaipur is a beautiful and vibrant amalgam of modern times and ancient Indian culture. From Camel rides to swanky cars, multiplexes to boulevard shops, Jaipur gives a true picture of the princely state of Rajasthan. Day 13: Jaipur Alwar [170 km 6H of riding] It is the last day of riding. We make a morning visit to Amber fort and then ride a few kilometers up north of Jaipur before taking small roads to the countryside fort of Alwar. Overnight stay in a heritage hotel. Day 14: Alwar Delhi [150 km 4H of riding] On this last day of the trip, we return to the hustle and bustle of Delhi in a private vehicle. Transfer to the hotel. Rest/shower at the hotel. Drop off and farewells at Indira Gandhi International Airport. End of our services. NB: Schedules of the stages are given as a rough guide. The itinerary may change a bit from one year to another according to the natural state of the roads. P a g e 9

11 CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY You have a little more time You have found a cheaper flight which allows you to spend more days in India? Don t miss the bustling and exuberant Delhi, rich in historical sites, markets and charming parks Continue your journey towards Agra and its gorgeous Taj Mahal, one of the 7 wonders of the world. Ask your travel advisor for more details! P a g e 10

12 PRICE AND SERVICES* Fixed Departure 15/03/15-28/03/15 04/10/15-17/10/15 01/11/15-14/11/15 31/01/16-13/02/16 13/03/16-26/03/16 09/10/16-22/10/16 06/11/16-19/11/ /pilot Be 4 or more to book: 2540 /pilot Season 2015/2016 A la Carte Formula Dates of Your choice 11/12 pers. = /10 pers. = /8 pers. = /5 pers. = /3 pers = 3990 Prices are valid for all tours between 1 st April 2015 and 31 st March 2016 *Pillions: deduct 400 *Single Supplement Room: 390 PRICES INCLUDE PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE A Royal Enfield 500cc motorcycle is provided with full mechanical assistance and all spare parts; Domestic transfers as appearing in the program, by private vehicle; An English speaking Tour Leader (from day 2 to day 11); Fuel expenses An expert mechanic of Royal Enfield motorcycles A support vehicle with driver for groups with 4 or more participants; side luggage carrier for groups of less than 4 participants. Lodging in comfort hotels, in double bed rooms on a twin-sharing basis. If you wish to stay in a single room (extra), please inform your travel advisor at the time of registration. Meals: half board meals, breakfast and lunch, during days of riding (except during days of transfer: day 1, and day 12) Compulsory insurances, such as repatriation assistance which covers you in case of a motorbike accident in India legal assistance. A refundable security deposit of 400 for the motorcycles. International Flights and airport taxes Visa fees Dinners and meals during days of transfers (day 1 and day 14) Admission fees to various monuments, temples etc. Drinks and personal expenses Tips Christmas Eve and New Years Eve event fees Third party motorcycle insurance P a g e 11

13 My checklist Appropriate equipment is a component of a successful journey! Travel lightly, TRY TO STAY UNDER 45LBS (20 KGS) BAGS: A sailor bag would be perfect, a walker's bag too (without steel bar). You can close it with a padlock if you want to (Don t forget to tag it before leaving with your address. Also with the address of Vintage Rides in India) A small backpack of 20 liters is advised for daily necessities such as camera, sunscreen lotion CLOTHES AND PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: Light pants A swimsuit Hot sweater or jacket for cold nights Sun glasses Hat Light sport shoes Flip flops Some sweats and cereal bars Shirts (including some with long sleeves, to protect yourself from the sun) 1 liter canteen (flask) and a flashlight (don t forget the batteries) SPECIAL MOTORCYCLE CLOTHES: Light motorbike jacket (leather or synthetic) A rain suit (just in case!) Gloves Helmet Motorcycle boots are strongly advised or trekking shoes (waterproof) PERSONAL MEDICINE: Sun screen lotion Lip balm Broad-spectrum antibiotic Paracetamol Anti-diarrhea Elastoplast Skin disinfectant Bandages and special blisters bandage Any further question? Please contact us: info@vintagerides.com P a g e 12

14 Would You like to make a contribution to the community? We support a local non-governmental organisation, Project Why, which is working in New Delhi to educate children from disadvantaged backgrounds. To learn more about our involvement with ProjectWhy, please visit our website: o-partnership How can You contribute to this project? Purchase one of our Vintage Rides t-shirts all the money received will be passed to Project Why funds. Support Project Why with a direct donation and select from a list the school supplies You want to buy for the school. Visit their school in New Delhi, close to the Vintage Rides office, at the end of Your motorcycle tour. P a g e 13