Essentials of Rajasthan 7 days including 5 riding days Best season: October - November & February - March Franck Charton HIGHLIGHTS o A good introduction to India in 7 days o Charming accommodation o 95% of the itinerary is off the beaten track o Riding the legendary Royal Enfield DIFFICULTY LEVEL: AVERAGE For experienced riders who are physically fit. We generally ride on small, beautiful 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 ROYAL in 2012 ENFIELD and 2013). 500cc The bikes have a European style gear shifting system (left side, first gear down) to ensure the comfort and safety for our riders. Divided The between Machismos India are and also Mongolia, equipped our with fleet a consists tailor made of 1621l Machismos tank, which 500cc is very (2010 helpful models) for and 19 Royal longer-distance Enfield Classics trips. 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. P a g e 1
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. Franck Charton P a g e 2
AT A GLANCE On the legendary Royal Enfield 500, we ride a little over 700km on the small roads of the Shekhawati region to the capital o Rajasthan. The rides are punctuated with a few visits and walks (optional) in the cities and countryside. Rajasthan, perfect introduction to India, takes to the world of the Arabian nights. From Delhi, our itinerary draws a loop and shows us the diversity of the «Land of the Lords». We first head south-west towards the Thar-Desert. We visit the semi-arid region of Shekhawati on the way, known for the beautiful paintings on its havelis (great noble houses). We continue our journey to reach Nagaur and its famous fort before heading to Pushkar, a small and peaceful town build around a sacred lake. Pushkar is an important place of pilgrimage for Hindus. Our trip continues towards Jaipur, the «pink city», capital of Rajasthan, before finishing the journey in a little Fort in Alwar, haven of peace. Throughout the trip, we admire beautiful landscapes and endearing life-scenes ; cobbled streets and mud-houses with lucky Ganesh statues, women at the well wrapped in their bright saris, the harvest of chilies drying in the sun, village celebrations and turbaned musicians, temples with mysterious gods We also taste the castle life as we sometimes stay in old forts that have been transformed into hotels, but which are still inhabited by Rajputs (lords) and their warm welcome. P a g e 3
YOUR ITINERARY P a g e 4
Franck Charton ITINERARY (Subject to change depending on road conditions) D 1: Arrival in Delhi Arrival in Delhi at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and transport to a comfortable hotel in the heart of the city. Overnight stay in the hotel. D 2: Delhi Mandawa [7/8 H ride 300 Km] At dawn, while the Indian capital is still asleep, we familiarize ourselves with our Royal Enfield, our new ride for the week. Briefing on the rules of conduct in India and early morning departure before the city wakes up. We begin our journey heading towards the Shekhawati region (northeast Rajasthan), famous for its majestic havelis (great noble houses) built by the merchants of the region. Arrival in Mandawa, a traditional village planted in a semi-desert setting. Night in a haveli. In the past, Shekhawati was one of the most important bargaining centers for caravans coming from the ports of Gujarat to the South and from Asia Minor to the West of Rajasthan. Traditional villages make the Shekhawati province a charming place as yet unknown by many tourists. P a g e 5
D 3: Mandawa Nagaur [6 H ride 220 Km] Our route continues through landscapes becoming more and more desert like, towards Nagaur, near the Thar Desert. Check-in at the hotel. Visit of the city and its magnificent Fort. Overnight stay at the hotel. East Rajasthan, called Marusthali, the "land of sand" in Marwari, is one of the ends of the Thar desert, an expanse of rubble and sand that extends to Sindh (now Pakistan) and is encompassed in this vast arid belt that runs from the Sahara to the Gobi desert through Central Asia. D 4: Nagaur Pushkar [4 H ride 150 Km] We head towards Pushkar, first on small roads and then on the National for ten km. We then ride on some tracks and semi paved roads to the small peaceful town of Pushkar, built around a sacred lake and high place of pilgrimage for Hindus. Overnight stay at the hotel. P a g e 6
Franck Charton D 5: Pushkar Jaipur [4 H ride 190 Km] Towards the North - East, we ride on small roads to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. We take the fast lane on the last 50 kilometers to enter the city. In the afternoon, free time 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. D 6: Jaipur Alwar [5 H ride 170 Km] Last day of biking. In the morning, we visit the immense Amber fort, located a few kilometers north of Jaipur, before riding on small and sometimes mountain like roads to the Alwar Fort. Night in a Heritage hotel. P a g e 7
D 7: Alwar Aéroport international de Delhi [4 H drive 160 Km] Back towards the capital in a private vehicle to avoid the dense traffic. Transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule in the evening. End of our services. NB: The scheduled route is indicative. The itinerary may vary slightly from year to year depending on the conditions of the roads and tracks. P a g e 8
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 9
PRICES AND SERVICES* Fixed Departure Season 2015/2016 A la Carte Formula 21/02/2016 27/02/2016 23/10/2016 29/10/2016 1590 /pilot Be 4 or more to book: 1490 /pilot Prices are valid for all tours between 1 st September 2015 and 31 st March 2016 *Pillion : Deduct 200 *Single room supplement : 210 Dates of Your choice 11/12 pers. =1430 9/10 pers. =1490 6/8 pers. = 1590 4/5 pers. = 1850 2/3 pers =2340 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 day 2 to day 6); 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 standard and 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 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. Visa fees International Flights and airport taxes A refundable security deposit of 400 for the motorcycles (to be paid on arrival) Tips and personal expenses Dinners and meals during days of transfers (day 1 and day 7)) Drinks (tea, coffee, sodas etc ) Admission fees to various monuments, temples etc. Christmas Eve and New Years Eve event fees P a g e 10
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 11
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: http://www.vintagerides.com/en/vintagerides/n go-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