Motorcycle Tour

Heart of India

A journey to Madhya Pradesh, the heart of India !

Description

Since our world is no longer bipolarly dominated by two blocs, several global powers have developed. One of them is India. But despite all technological and economic progress, a large part of the population still lives in conditions that differ little from those of their ancestors. We can see this for ourselves on the journey to the deepest interior of the subcontinent, to the heart of India, to Madhya Pradesh.

India is still predominantly an agricultural country. 60% to 70% of the population lives from agriculture. Their world view corresponds to the mystical ideas of their ancestors and has hardly changed in the last centuries. Deep religiousness, traditional social structures, these are the characteristic features that determine the lives of the majority of Indians.

Hardly any other part of India is more suitable to get to know this, the real India, than Madhya Pradesh. We also find outstanding examples of religious architecture from the Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic world.

Highlights of the trip are the visit of the Taj Mahal in Agra (UP), the palace and temple complexes in Orchha and Khajuraho as well as the visit of the holy Hindu city Varanasi (UP). A real Indian experience of a special kind is the train ride from Varanasi to New Delhi at the end of the journey.

Route:

Day 1: Arrival

Today the adventure begins. The flight to India should be booked so that you arrive in Delhi at Indira Gandhi International Airport at night. We will pick you up at the airport and bring you to the hotel where you will spend the first night. By the way, after completion of the ultra-modern Terminal 3, Delhi now has the fourth largest airport in the world.

Day 2: Arrival in Delhi, transfer to Agra

After breakfast we drive by car to Agra. The Royal Enfields await you there. You will receive a short introduction to the handling of these classic oldtimers and a couple of hints on how to handle them with care. We will also try to give you an understanding of the logic of Indian road traffic. But once you "swim along", you will see that it is not that difficult.

Day 3: Agra (about 70 km)

Early in the morning, before sunrise, we experience the magic of one of the most perfect and beautiful buildings in the world, the Taj Mahal, a dream of white marble and colored gemstones in perfect symmetry. For the famous Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore, the Taj is "a tear on the face of eternity". It was built in the 17th century by order of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, who erected a monument to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of the most well-kept and best guarded places in India.

Afterwards and after breakfast we will get on our bikes for the first time. On a small tour we carefully get used to this special motorcycle and the Indian road traffic. On request we ride to the historical imperial city of Fatepur Sikri about 30 kilometers away. It was once the capital of the Mughal ruler Akbar and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Back in Agra you can spend the rest of the day as you like.

Tip: a tuktuk ride into the park on the other side of the Yamina River with fantastic views of the Taj. If this is not possible due to traffic jams: there are also great viewpoints on this side of the river. Costa Coffee" (good coffee and tasty cake) is recommended as a refreshment.

Day 4: Agra - Gwalior (about 125 km)

After breakfast at the hotel you will be back on your bikes and ride about 125 km to Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, India's magical state. Gwalior houses a magnificent fortress high above the city. The sound and light spectacle that is organized there every evening deserves to be seen.

Day 5: Gwalior - Orchha (about 120 km)

Today's route takes us after breakfast to Orchha (about 120 km), which was the capital of the Bundela kings in the 16th century.

Day 6: One day in Orchha

Breakfast. Orchha (in English: hidden) is a city of irresistible charm and is home to an impressive ensemble of temples and palaces. There is so much to discover that it is worth spending the night here again.

Day 7: Orchha - Chanderi (about 160 km)

Breakfast. We ride to Chanderi over small roads without much traffic. Chanderi is located about 160 km south of Orchha and has been an important trading hub for central India and the seat of government of important ruling dynasties since the early 11th century. It lies in the middle of a green, wooded hilly landscape with many lakes. The place is famous for its hand-woven saris. Your guesthouse is situated on a slope with a beautiful view over the landscape. In the afternoon city walk.

Day 8: Chanderi - Sanchi (about 160 km)

Breakfast. The journey continues in a southerly direction on small side roads through rural India. Even today, the chance of encountering an ox cart is greater than that of being overtaken by a car. The history of the city of Sanchi dates back to the 3rd century B.C., when the legendary empire of Ashoka extended over the whole of India. Ashoka converted to Buddhism and pursued Buddhist missionary work with extreme vigor. In Sanchi there are several stupas that remind us of the heyday of Buddhism in India.

Day 9: Sanchi - Sagar (about 160 km)

Breakfast. The road conditions on today's stage leave a lot to be desired, we make only a slow progress. The whole distance to Kajuraho, as originally planned, can only be covered by very experienced riders in one day. So we'll make a stop in Sagar.

Day 10: Sagar - Khajuraho (about 180 km)

Breakfast. Today we go back on the National Highway, otherwise the route to Khajuraho is not possible. We probably won't get there until late afternoon. Therefore we have planned the next day for sightseeing.

Day 11: Khajuraho

Breakfast. Today you have plenty of time to admire the unique temple complex with 25 temples. Originally there were 85 artistically decorated churches, all of which were built in only 100 years, from 950 - 1050 AD. It is still unclear why this unique ensemble was built there, in no man's land, not near a large capital or fortress. The purpose of the erotic representations is also controversial: some researchers assume that the Chandela clan, which ruled at the time, adhered to Tantrism, a belief that assumed the path to bliss to be the "fulfilment of earthly needs". Another interpretation says that the Brahmin offspring needed vivid sex education before entering the family phase.

Day 12: Khajuraho - Chitrakoot (about 180 km)

After breakfast we ride to Chitrakoot. Chitrakoot, the "hill of many wonders", is situated in the middle of a lovely landscape with many forests and small rivers. According to legend, God Rama and his companion Sita spent eleven of their fourteen years of exile here. Over the centuries, poets, philosophers and seekers of meaning have been inspired by the special atmosphere of this place. He also bears the epithet "Little Varanasi".

Day 13: Chitrakoot - Varanasi (about 240 km)

Breakfast. A ride to Varanasi. Today we reach the religious capital of Hinduism, Varanasi, the former Benares, on the banks of the Ganges, one of the seven holy cities. Varanasi is mentioned in the oldest epics as "City of Light" or "City of Enlightenment". The name comes from the two rivers Varuna and Asi, which flow together here. It is one of the oldest cities in the world. About 1 million Hindu pilgrims come to Varanasi every year to wash away their sins in the Ganges and pray for the deceased. Every devout Hindu wants to die in Varanasi, because only here can "moksha", the release from the eternal cycle of birth and death, be achieved.

Day 14: Varanasi

Breakfast. Two days in Varanasi are hardly enough to capture the special spiritual atmosphere of the city. It is best to start with a boat trip at sunrise to observe the hustle and bustle of the more than 100 ghatts on the western riverbank. The evening ceremonies in honor of the river goddess Ganga are also an unforgettable experience. Besides the many sights, Varanasi is also famous for its silk saris, which are part of the outfit of every Indian bride.

Day 15: Varanasi - by train to Delhi

Breakfast. Day at leisure. Dinner together. Afterwards an adventure of a very special kind begins. We're taking the train to Delhi. Travelling by train in India is not comparable to travelling by train with us. It already starts at the station. Everywhere people are waiting, sometimes whole tribes, standing, sitting, lying. When the train finally arrives to the station, often many hours late, the masses crowd into the probably already overcrowded wagons. But don't worry, we do not travel in wooden class, but in comfortable first class sleeping cars.

On the way, there are always unexplainable stops on open roads. Salesmen, jugglers, beggars, everything that can move about roams the compartments in search of customers. A fun program if you don't take the whole thing too seriously. Early in the morning we reach the train station in Delhi more or less well rested.

Many of our guests especially like to remember this experience after the trip - a train ride in India.

Day 16: Delhi

Breakfast. A day in Delhi rounds off the journey into the heart of India. You will have plenty of time to visit some of the sights and take advantage of the extensive shopping facilities.

Day 17: Journey back home

Early in the morning your plane departs. We hope you enjoyed your journey through the heart of India and we can welcome you back in India soon. Maybe this time in the exotic-tropical south of the country or in Ladakh, high up in the mountains of the Himalayas.