Motorcycle Tour

Rajasthan Round Tour

More than 1300 years ago, the wild warrior tribes of the Rajputs, the "prince's sons", settled the area we know today as Rajasthan.

Description

Fleeing Muslim invaders, they emerged from the surrounding states of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab, subjugated the native tribes, the Bhils and the Minas, and established their constantly feuding kingdoms, traces of which reach to the present day.

The origin of the former 36 Rajput clans were three mythological lineages, the "Suryavansa" or Sun Race, who derive their origin directly from Sri Rama, the "Induvansa" or Moon Race, who see themselves as descendants of Sri Krishna, and the "Agnikula", the Fireborn, born from the flames of a sacred fire on Mount Abu.

The history of Rajasthan is the story of endless bloody wars between the individual clans on the one hand and against attackers from outside on the other. Time and again, the territory was occupied by foreign rulers, as the sons of princes were more busy fighting each other than uniting to defend the land against invaders.

This senseless bloodshed came to an end only when the British concluded treaties of protection with individual princes that guaranteed the Rajputs secure incomes and their posts and titles, but turned them into will-less pieces on the chessboard of British power politics. Uprisings by the enslaved rural population and the middle classes shook this power construct and finally brought it down under Mahatma Gandhi's leadership.

In 1947, all Rajput empires were integrated into the newly formed Indian nation-state. To get them to cooperate, the Sun-, Moon-, and Fire-born were assured a fixed income and maintenance of their titles and other privileges. In the late 1950s, Indira Gandhi put an end to this as well. The more enterprising of the once indescribably wealthy maharajas converted their palaces and castles into hotels or other tourist attractions, while the others became impoverished and simply disappeared from the scene.

Today, Rajasthan is the second largest state in the Indian confederation after Madhya Pradesh. Most of it is desert and steppe. Only in the south we find somewhat richer vegetation and some hills and mountains.

There is probably no region in the whole of India as rich in historical witnesses of a glorious past as Rajasthan. No matter which of the famous cities - Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Pushkar and what they are all called - you visit, they all draw you into the spell of long gone times and a trip through Rajasthan imperceptibly grows into a journey through time.

On our 19 day tour we will visit the most significant places of Rajasthan. Our journey begins in New Delhi. First we will bring you to your hotel where you can relax from the journey. Early in the morning we will go by car to Mandawa and from here by bikes to Bikaner and Jaisalmer. From there we ride via Jodhpur, Ranakpur, Udaipur and Bundi to Ranthambore. Finally, we will visit Jaipur and the Taj Mahal in Agra before our journey ends again in Delhi.

Our program includes visits to forts and palaces, day tours to out-of-the-way temples and havelis, and of course a camel ride into the desert. Rajasthan is a feast for the eyes. The monotonous gray-yellow of the desert is contrasted by the indescribably colorful saris with which the women of this state adorn themselves. The palaces and havelis boast architectural and artistic splendor.

Riding-wise, the tour does not make any special demands. Any good road rider can comfortably master the journey. The total distance is about 2,400 km, the longest daily distance is about 330 km. You just have to be prepared for "somewhat higher" temperatures, after all Rajasthan is a desert state. As far as possible we sleep in very good middle class hotels, former palaces and havelis. The Rajasthan tours take place in the best travel season, winter/spring and autumn. They are a pleasure in every respect and become an unforgettable adventure.

Route

Day 1: Arrival

Destination airport is Delhi (DEL). Flights usually arrive in the middle of the night. We will pick you up from the airport and take you to the hotel.

Day 2: Transfer Delhi - Mandawa

Breakfast. Transfer to Mandawa. About seven hours later we will arrive at our haveli in Mandawa, in the Shekhawati district. Today we first arrive, rest and enjoy the day.

Day 3: Excursions in the Shekkawati region (approx. 100 km)

After a restful night and a sumptuous breakfast we set off for a half-day motorcycle excursion. We get familiar with the bikes and the Indian traffic. And we discover some of the famous havelis and fountains of Shekhawati.

Day 4: Mandawa- Bikaner (approx. 225 km)

Breakfast. Today the round trip begins. First stop is Bikaner. We will leave early. At 15:00 we are expected at our hotel. Now begins an adventure of a special kind. After a short ride by jeep we arrive at a small desert village where our camels are waiting for us. On four legs we will now go into the middle of the desert of Rajasthan, where we will spend the night, after a sumptuous meal, under the open sky.

Day 5: Bikaner (approx. 80 km)

After breakfast we will return to the hotel by camel cart and jeep. Together we will visit the Jhunagarh Fort, one of the most impressive sites in Rajasthan. It gives an eloquent impression of the splendor in which the Maharajas of earlier times lived. Optional: Visit to the rat temple of Deshnok. The small rodents lead a sogless existence here, and it is considered a sign of special luck if a white rat runs over your bare toes.

Day 6: Bikaner - Jaisalmer (approx. 330 km)

Breakfast. And again we are early on our feet or rather wheels. Today we have the longest stretch of the whole tour ahead of us, 333 km to Jaisalmer. Fortunately, the roads in Rajasthan are in excellent condition with only light traffic. The further west we go, the more the vegetation recedes until we finally find only sand and scree with a few isolated thorn bushes.

Day 7: Jaisalmer

Breakfast. Jaisalmer, the westernmost city of Rajasthan, is only a few kilometers from the Pakistani border. We stay in a haveli run by the descendants of one of the last ruling families of Jaisalmer. Everyone can spend the day as they please. Jaisalmer invites you to relax and enjoy. It is also the ideal place to buy all kinds of travel souvenirs.

Day 8: Jaisalmer - Jodhpur (approx. 285 km)

Breakfast. Today's tour will be a pure desert journey. From Jaisalmer to Jodhpur it is only through sand, scree and thorny bushes. Jodhpur is a typical Indian big city, hectic and noisy and cheerful. Our hotel complex, however, is like a peaceful oasis in the midst of traffic and car horns. The large pool invites you to swim and relax. If you want, you can also take an exploratory walk through the bazaar of Jodhpur on your own.

Day 9: Jodhpur

Breakfast. Today, a visit to the Meherangarh Fort is on the agenda. Afterwards we will ride to the Jaswant Thada Memorial built of white marble, also called the Taj Mahal of Jodhpur. However, the real highlight is the Makhani lassi at the Shri Mishrilal Hotel. Connoisseurs claim that it is the best lassi in all of India. I am curious to hear your verdict.

Day 10: Jodhpur - Ranakpur (approx. 180 km)

Breakfast. We leave Jodhpur in southern direction. After a few kilometers of highway, we leisurely tour through fields and farmlands. Again and again picturesque villages and small towns invite us for a tea break. In the afternoon we reach Ranakpur and check into our resort. We have enough time to visit the famous Jain temple and to take a walk through a nearby nature park. Afterwards, a huge pool invites us to swim and lounge.

Day 11: Ranakpur - Udaipur (approx. 170 km)

Breakfast. The morning belongs to the fort of Kumbalgarh. The area is gigantic, the fort wall measures about 36 km with a width that can accommodate eight horses side by side. We visit the palace and some of the numerous temples scattered over the beautiful natural landscape. Around noon we continue our journey and reach Udaipur, the most romantic city in India, as it is often said, in the late afternoon.

Day 12: Udaipur

Breakfast. The day can be spent at leisure. Highlights of the city are the City Palace, the Jaghdish Temple and the Lake Palace, where the 007 thriller "Octopussy" was filmed years ago. For me, however, the most beautiful thing is a walk through the seemingly endless maze of small streets and alleys, where time seems to stand still and people live as they did hundreds of years ago. Udaipur is a paradise for souvenir hunters.

Day 13: Udaipur - Bundi (approx. 270 km)

Breakfast. At first the route leads us on a well-built highway. Mileage is the order of the day. If we wish, we will make a short stop in Chittorgarh and visit the fort. We continue on the highway for some time until we turn onto a small side road in Bijolia. We are now in deepest Rajasthan. Wide fields and tiny, picturesque farming villages dominate the landscape. In the early evening we reach Bundi.

Day 14: Bundi - Ranthambore (approx. 130 km)

Breakfast. And on we go through the hinterland of Rajasthan. The road conditions are now not as good as we experienced in other parts of the country. But we are compensated by beautiful landscapes and dreamy villages. Photographers get their money's worth. In Ranthambore we spend the night in a small resort with pool. Whoever feels like it, can already go on a first safari this afternoon on a "tiger hunt".

Day 15: Ranthambore - Jaipur (approx. 150 km)

Breakfast. Do you feel like tigers? Of course we cannot guarantee that you will see one of the wild cats on one of the safaris. But the attempt is worthwhile in any case. The Ranthambore National Park is also scenically a small jewel and the three-hour excursion takes you right into the middle of India's wild life. Around noon we will make our way to Jaipur, which we will reach after about four hours of riding.

Day 16: Jaipur

Breakfast. Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is known as the Red City, The Pink City. At the end of the 19th century, on the occasion of the visit of the British Viceroy, the then ruling Maharaja had all the houses in the city painted red, the color of welcome. Until today this tradition is continued in the old town. We will visit the Palace of the Winds, the Observatory and wander the great bazaar in the old town.

Day 17: Jaipur - Agra (about 240 km)

Breakfast. Highway No. 11 has been completely rebuilt in recent years and should now be slowly completed. We can ride our Enfields to our heart's content and cover the 230 kilometers to Agra in a record-breaking short time by Indian standards. At the hotel, a nice pool and ice-cold Kingfisher beer await us. If you feel like it, you can stretch your feet in this typical Indian mega city. Tomorrow it goes early from the feathers and in the evening better early in.

Day 18: Agra - Delhi (approx. 200 km)

Early morning is the best time of day to visit the Taj Mahal. At six o'clock we have to stand at the ticket counter. It is a breathtaking experience when the sun slowly sends its warm pink rays on the bright white marble of the mausoleum. You will never forget this sight. Afterwards breakfast. Around noon we ride back to Delhi and reach our hotel in the early evening.

Day 19: Journey home

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Return flight. And this is the end of our journey through space and time. We hope to have offered you an enjoyable, adventurous trip to India. If you enjoyed it, just come to India again, next time maybe to the south or to the roof of the world, to Ladakh or Garhwal in the Himalayas.