Chic & Charming, The Tracks of the Tiger Madhya Pradesh

Transcription

1 Chic & Charming, The Tracks of the Tiger Madhya Pradesh 13 days Including 8 riding days Best season: Mid-October to November & February-March HIGHLIGHTS o An incredible wildlife in the national parks of Madhya Pradesh o Charming accommodations, in harmony with the surrounding nature o Important places of Hindu worship : Orchha and Khajurao o Places steeped in the atmosphere of the maharajas of bygone days DIFFICULTY LEVEL: AMATEUR For riders of all levels. We generally ride on good asphalt roads and sometimes on small roads and uneven tracks (approx. 75km of the ride). ROYAL ENFIELD 500CC Divided between India and Mongolia, our fleet consists of 16 Machismos 500cc (2010) and 11 Royal Enfield Classics 500cc (2012). 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. P a g e 1

2 LOGISTICS & ORGANISATION Your tour leader is a very experienced rider who speaks English and is familiar with the areas 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 Aboard the legendary Royal Enfield, we travel around 1000 km on small roads through the state of Madhya Pradesh. From Delhi, we experience the folklore of Indian trains during a 5h trip to Orchha. The Hindu village seems to be a haven of peace after the chaotic atmosphere of Delhi. We begin our motorcycle journey by heading South on small country roads and through forests to reach the tiny village of Bijawar. We then reach Panna, a peaceful stop-over on the banks of the Ken River. The plan here is simple: relax and enjoy a boat ride. From here, we continue to Khajurao, famous for its erotic sculptures and sublime temples. We continue our tour on winding roads through the dense forest of Panna, and then spend the night in the fabulous palace of Maihar. The journey continues towards the south on beatifuk roads with amazing landscapes: mustard fields, rice paddies and traditional villages, where time seems to stand still. We spend two nights in the national park of Bandhavagarh, a small paradise amidst the nature. From here, we explore the surrounding area by jeep. We can observe: a large variety of birds, stags, deers, and for the lucky ones: wolves, hyenas, reptiles, buffalos, leopards or tigers. We get back on the road, still heading south. The landscapes are very changing, ranging from arid stretches to green plains. We arrive in the Kanha national park, known for its reserve which contains about thirty tigers. This is where you go for a safari in the jungle of Kanha, definitely one of the biggest highlights of the trip. The reserve has a unique flora and fauna. We end the motorcycle tour in Jabalpur, from where we take a plane back to Delhi. During the tour, we mostly ride in the morning to make the most out of the afternoons at the different stop-overs. We enjoy unique accommodations throughout the trip. Boutique hotels, lodges in the wilderness, and palaces, specifically for your comfort. P a g e 2

4 YOUR ITINERARY P a g e 3

5 ITINERARY (Subject to change depending on the road conditions. Booking of the hotels according to availabilities) D 1: Arrival in Delhi Pick-up at the airport (usually in the evening) and transfer to the hotel "Amarya Villa" in the center of Delhi. Your room is available from 1200hrs onwards. Night at the hotel. D 2: Delhi Orchha [5H30 train ride- 470 Km] We leave the hotel at dawn to catch the early morning train to Orchha. We arrive around noon to check-in at the hotel and have lunch. Introduction to the bikes. We then drive a few kilometers to the center of Orchha, for a first contact with the Royal Enfield. Visit of this peaceful and beautiful village. Orchha is a tiny city founded in the sixteenth century, and is the former capital of the princely state of the same name. In Orchha, time seems to stand still. There are several palaces and beautiful monuments of the same period. Night at the Bundelkhand Riverside hotel. The hotel is on the banks of the Betwa River. The oldest part, dating from 1895, was used as a hunting lodge. The property and its furniture were built in the British colonial style. Swimming pool. Wifi at the front desk. P a g e 4

6 D 3: Orchha-Bijawar [4H ride Km] This is the first big day of riding! The day's ride will take us to the Fort of Bijawar. We start by crossing the forest of the reserve of Orchha and get to more rural landscapes: mustard fields as far as you can see. We have lunch en route in an exceptional, private place: the "Rani Ki bauri" Palace, built in the 18th century for his queen. Halfway through the day s ride, we find civilization in the town of Tikamgarh, dominated by its huge fortress. We arrive at the Fort of Bijawar. An exceptional place, still in ruins, mystical, enchanting, and always steeped in its past splendor and wealth. Ceramics and murals have remained intact since the abandonment of its last owners. The house dates from the 18th century and was built by Maharaja Sawant Singh, the second son of the Maharaja of Orchha. We sleep in the garden of the property. Luxurious tents will be installed to enjoy the charms of the place. Possibility to have a small boat ride on the tranquil lake opposite the Fort. D 4: Bijawar-Panna [3H ride - 90 Km] We drive towards the Northeast, to the National Park of Panna. It's a short but gorgeous riding day, with the crossing of mystic forests and views of beautiful lakes on the way. Arrival at the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, we leave the bikes for rest to enjoy a moment of relaxation. The hotel is located on the Ken River, where you can go on a boat ride to observe the birds. For fishing enthusiasts, this activity is also a possibility. We spend the night at the Ken River Lodge. An Eco-lodge consisting of spacious homes built with natural materials and equipped with a fireplace. A charming place in the heart of nature. Comfortable rooms. P a g e 5

7 D 5: Panna Khajurao - Panna [1H30 ride - 50 Km] Free morning. Optional activity: Jeep safari in the park of Panna. Declared a National Park since 1981, Panna hosts a large number of mammals such as deer, wolves, foxes, langurs, hyenas, antelopes, sambars and tigers. After lunch, we get the bikes for a 25km ride on country roads to Khajurao, archaeological site, famous for its erotic sculptures (these being in reality only a small portion of the design). In the architecture of Indian temples, the complex of Khajurao remains unique. One thousand years ago, during the reign of Chandela Rajput kings of Central India, 85 beautiful elaborately carved temples were erected near the village of Khajurao. Today, only 22 have survived the ravages of time. Khajurao sculptures depict scenes of everyday life through an exceptionally refined and meticulous work. Back to the hotel by the main road. Night at the Ken River Lodge. D 6: Panna - Maihar [4H ride Km] In the first kilometers, we enter the forest of Panna by a series of zigzags and small hills. A real pleasure on a bike! We then find the typical plains and villages again. Today, we witness plenty of authentic scenes: Women carrying bundles of wood, mustard fields, soft slalom through herds of cattle, villagers on their bicycle... Passage through the hills of Surdaha Ghati, giving us a beautiful view of the valley. We arrive at the Palace of Mahiar to spend the night. The palace is a century old and was recently renovated to host you in a property full of charm and history. P a g e 6

8 D 7: Maihar Bandhavgarh [3H ride Km] Departure towads the South. During the first 20 kilometers, the traffic is dense. We then reach the back roads. The colors of the landscapes vary between dried cultures, bright yellow mustard fields and green rice fields. To reach our hotel in the middle of the forest, we ride about 13 kilometers on a trail. Lunch at the hotel. Free afternoon; you can relax, use the swimming pool, go for a bicycle ride or take a walk to the nearby village. Night at the King's Lodge. The Lodge is located between the wooden hills of Sal and the Bandhavgarh National Park, in a breathtaking natural environment. Its spacious and exceptionally comfortable cottages are scattered throughout the woods. Pool, spa, and delicious food. Please note: telephone network is inaccessible. D 8: Bandhavgarh Today, the motorcycles stay at the parking and are pampered by the mechanics. Early morning safari (at sunrise) in the Bandhavgarh National Park. At dawn, we increase our chances to cross the track of a feline. The Bandhavgarh National Park was established in 1968 and is spread over an area of 1150 square kilometers. It is mostly covered by forests and vast stretches of grasslands spread over 32 hills. The park has the highest density of tigers in the world. Bandhavgarh was once the hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa. The region was an important hunting area, where, in 1914, Maharaja Raman Singh shot a prodigious number of tigers: 111 in total. Night at the King's Lodge. P a g e 7

9 D 9: Bandhavgarh Kanha [6H ride Km] Big riding day on beautiful roads. The surrounding scenery sometimes resembles the African savannah. Then, when rivers and lakes cross our path, the landscape is transformed into an oasis. It is not uncommon to see school children getting out of their schools, or groups of children playing cricket, the national sport. This is an opportunity for a moment of exchange and sharing. Arrival at the hotel by a series of tracks. Night at the Kanha Earth Lodge. The hotel is situated in 16 acres of forest. Its luxury bungalows are created from locally available materials such as mud, plaster, stone, terracotta tiles, wooden beams and furniture made from recycled wood, allowing our accommodation to blend into the surrounding scenery. The Lodge has won several international and Indian prices for its high environmental standards. Activities: Swimming pool and bicycles available to residents. Please note: telephone network is inaccessible. D 10: Kanha We get up at dawn for the last safari of the trip. The jeeps are waiting for us at 0615hrs (on the dot) to take us into the reserve. The rolling landscape of Kanha are interspersed with groves, hills and meadows, and bring together a large number of animals such as deer, wolves, foxes, langurs, antelopes, sambar, gaur, monkeys, peacocks, civets as well as their fiercest predators: reptiles, leopards, bears, and tigers. The park also houses over 1,000 species of flowering plants and 300 species of birds. The lush bamboo forests of Kanha were an inspiration to Rudyard Kipling for his famous story, "The Jungle Book". Free afternoon: Use the swimming pool, relax, go for a bicycle ride or take a walk to the nearest village. Night at the Kanha Earth Lodge. P a g e 8

10 D 11: Kanha - Jabalpur [6H ride Km] Last day of riding. The roads are new and the coating is flawless. We drive through forests and countryside before reaching Jabalpur, one of the largest cities in Madhya Pradesh. Night at the Kalchuri Residency. This is a mandatory step and the hotel doesn t have much charm. The hotel offers all the necessary comfort for a good night's sleep before the journey of tomorrow. D 12: Jabalpur-Delhi [2H flight] Transfer to the airport according to the flight schedule. Arrival in Delhi, transfer and check-in at the hotel. Free day to visit the city and do some shopping in Delhi. Night at the Amarya Villa. D 13: Delhi International airport End of this beautiful ride through Madhya Pradesh and its natural and architectural wonders. Transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule. NB: The schedule of the stages is indicative. The day to day itinerary may slightly vary from year to year according to the road conditions. P a g e 9

11 Fixed Departure /pilot Be 4 or more to book : 3250 /pilot PRICES & SERVICES* Season 2015/2016 A La Carte Formula Dates of your choice 11/12 pers. = /10 pers. = /8 pers. = /5 pers. = /3 pers. = 4090 * Prices are valid for all trips between 16th October 2015 and 31st March 2016 *Pillions: Deduct 300 *Single room supplement: 790 (comfort, superior comfort and luxury hotel category) PRICES 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 D2 to D12); 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 twinsharing basis. If you wish to stay in a single room (extra), please inform your travel advisor at the time of registration. Meals: Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner from D2 to D11) The flight Jabalpur to Delhi at the end of the trip 2 jeep safaris: in Bandhavgarh and Kanha Boat-ride and fishing in Panna Third party motorcycle insurance PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE Compulsory insurances, such as repatriation assistance which covers you in case of a motorbike accident in India legal assistance. A refundable security deposit of 500 for the motorcycles. International Flights and airport taxes Visa fees Tips and personal expenses Meals on non-riding days (D1, D11 and D12) Admission fees to various monuments, temples etc. Drinks and personal expenses Christmas Eve and New Years Eve event fees P a g e 10

12 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 Shirts (including some with long sleeves, to protect yourself from the sun) A swimsuit Hot sweater or jacket for cold nights Sun glasses Hat Light sport shoes Flip flops 1 liter canteen (flask) and a flashlight (don t forget the batteries) Some sweats and cereal bars SPECIAL MOTORCYCLE CLOTHES: Motorcycle boots are strongly advised or trekking shoes (waterproof) Light motorbike jacket (leather or synthetic) A rain suit (just in case!) Gloves Helmet 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 11

13 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 12