Rajasthan Highlights by Bike

Begin your adventure in pulsating Delhi. It’s a city split in two, with historic Old Delhi in the north and the nation’s capital, New Delhi, in the south. Around 6pm, say namaste to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome by arranging a group dinner. Want more time in Delhi? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative

We’re off to New Delhi Railway Station, where we catch the 6.10am Shatabdi Express train to Ajmer, arriving early afternoon. The route passes through towns and open fields, and our tour leader provides us with snacks and refreshments along the way. Upon arrival, we transfer (30 minutes) to our Pushkar hotel. After check-in, we set up our bikes and take a short orientation ride, cycling through peaceful countryside and flower farms. Along the way, gain insight into local agricultural practices and visit community-led gooseberry (amla) orchards, where we can interact with farmers and learn about their traditional cultivation methods. In the evening, we walk around Brahma Temple, among the very few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma, then explore Pushkar Bazaar, where our tour leader leads us through the lively narrow lanes and introduces us to the vendors. We stay tonight in a grand heritage-style property, designed to reflect the elegance of 19th-century Rajasthani palaces and regarded as one of the best hotels in Pushkar.

Our cycling begins properly today as we ride out of Pushkar and into the Rajasthan countryside. Dry riverbeds, fields and village roads set the tone for the days ahead, giving us an early feel for life beyond the cities. Later, we pass through an ancient bazaar, offering a rare glimpse into traditional trading life – reminiscent of Old Delhi, but on a much smaller, more intimate scale. Reaching the historic village of Roopangarh, we settle into our hotel: Roopangarh Fort, an elaborate fortress constructed in 1648 for the Maharaja Roop Singh of Kishangarh.

We’re back on our bikes, continuing through rural Rajasthan to the town of Jobner on village roads and dirt tracks. Our first stop is a family home, where we take a tea break and enjoy a warm interaction with the household. Later, we visit Sambhar Lake, the largest inland saltwater lake in India. The landscape is vast and open, with seasonal water bodies and small irrigation tanks (talabs). We cycle along parts of the lake, taking in this striking environment. Finishing our ride, we transfer (1hr 30min) to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. The contrast is immediate: after quiet roads and open countryside, we arrive in one of India’s most carefully planned historic cities.

Start early to explore the Pink City as it wakes: expect morning temple visits, shops opening, and daily life beginning. Our ride takes us through the flower and produce markets and to Govind Dev Ji Temple, one of the most important Krishna temples in the city. Returning to the hotel for breakfast, we then transfer to Amer Fort to explore the glorious blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture found at the 16th-century hilltop stronghold. After, we head into Jaipur’s bazaars, where our tour leader helps cut through the noise and shows us how each bazaar specialises in a different industry.

Today’s route leads us through farming villages and open countryside to Ramgarh Dam, a human-made reservoir that once acted as a major water source for Jaipur. After, we stop to explore the historic Hindu temple of Jamwai Mata Mandir, before finishing outside the ancient city of Dausa – named after the Sanskrit word dhau-sa, meaning beautiful like heaven. We then transfer (45 minutes) to our accommodation for the night, a heritage hotel whose foundations stretch back to the 11th century.

Today is one of our longest rides of the trip, but one that takes us through hamlets, farmland and small settlements. We visit the Ram Janaki Temple, a peaceful, photogenic stop where we can explore and take pictures. The landscape changes gradually as we make our way to our accommodation for the night: Talabgaon Castle, a beautifully restored 200-year-old fort.