10Days Bike Maharajas to Taj Mahal
Price on Application
This exhilarating journey starts in Bundi, a captivating little town which has more or less retained a medieval atmosphere, before making a 5 days bike hike to Bharatpur National Park, crossing an area of remarkable diverse flora, fauna and landscape. Our journey takes us along the Aravali mountain range (oldest mountain range in the world), dotted with tribal villages, cultivated fields, fascinating temples, dense forest, sandy deserts, and views of dramatic ruined forts. This is a perfect adventure (some time off-road), with exhilarating ascends and descents, rivers, small lakes and a fascinating wildlife like Neelghai or Blue Bull ( India’s largest Antelope), Deers, Peacocks, and possibly Tigers! This exciting adventure comes to an end Near the Red Sand Stone Buildings of the Greatest Mughal Emperor – Akbar, just short of Taj-Mahal ( A love story in Marble).
Best Time: Mid October to March. Journey on Bike: About 400 KMs.
Delhi – Kota – Bundi – Indergarh - Ranthambore NP – Sapotra – Hindon – Bharatpur - Fatehpur Sikiri – Agra - Delhi.
Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel.(rooms foreseen from 1400 hrs onwards) Overnight at hotel
Day 2: Kota - Bundi ( By train).
After breakfast we transfer to the Railway station for Jan Shatabdi Express to Kota, Departure at 1310hrs. Arrive Kota at 1940hrs and transfers 39kms by jeeps to our overnight stop in Bundi, in a nice heritage hotel Ishwari Niwas or kesra paradise. Pack Lunch on board, dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 3: Bundi - Indergarh (75km).
Early breakfast, time to check bikes, and start our bike challenge initially (about 5kms) through market, and then through open fields for about 15 kms, before we find ourselves in the foot of Aravali hills, a small gradual ascent takes us to a small ridge and then through the valley offering fines views of the hills, villages fields to a small Talwas lake ( our Lunch stop) offering a great opportunity for bird watching. After lunch we cycle another 23/24kms to our Camping Palace for night just before Indergarh in a delightful farm of the head man of the village Mr. Brij Mohan Garg. Offering fine views of the Vijasan mata Temple on a hill, which will guard us throughout the night! Dinner and overnight in tents.
Day 4: Indergarh - Ranthambore National Park (55kms).
Early breakfast and time to check bikes, and start with a short descend to Indergarh cross roads we turn left and bike through the fields of Millet and peanuts to along the dry river bed to another cross road, from here we turn right, with a gradual ascent through the fields to a hill lock and continue to Ranthambore National park once the private hunting reserve of the maharaja of Jaipur, this is one of the most dramatic places to sport tigers, leopards, jungle cats, hyenas and sloth bears. Animals roam the scrub forests and low hills against a dramatic backdrop of ruined forts, temples and palaces. Graceful chital deer, antelopes and gazelles populate the undulating savannah, and marsh crocodiles, the watercourses. Birdlife, both resident and migratory, is prolific with up to 264 species within the 400sq km Ranthambore NP. Today we finish our bike ride just outside the park gate, where we will have lunch and board open canter with resident naturalist for 2hrs safari through the park. Our overnight will be in the gardens of hotel Raj Palace, where we ill have proper toilet and shower facilities. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Day 5: Ranthambore NP - Sapotra (70kms).
After early breakfast we set off for another fine ride through the fields, ravens and beautiful Tribal village (people are very welcoming and charming for about), as soon as we leave the village we will find ourselves cycling along river bed of Banas, which we will have to cross further ( not much water) to another side, cycling may be difficult for 2/3 kms as after crossing the river the entire area is sandy, and we are circled by small dry hills know as Buriparahi, this is a fascinating place till we hit the road again, turning left through another villages with few shops, we continue through open fields, dry river beds to our overnight camping place in Forest nursery which is well shaded by ecliptics trees. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Day 6: Sapotra - Hindon (85kms).
After early breakfast we continue for 5kms on mettle road, and then immediately find ourselves on off road, this is a great ride for about 20kms, though the dry hills with bushes, cactus, dry river beds till Kelan Devi temple ( the most powerful goddess temple in the area), we continue with the fine views of distant ruined forts, cycling through green fields to our Camping place at Hindon in the gardens of Surot Places, we have proper toilet and shower facilities ( the place is used for local wedding parties). Camp in the green lawns of the Surot Palace.
Day 7: Hindon - Bharatpur National Park ( 85km).
After early breakfast continue the day through the open fields with distant views of the Aravali mountain range, after about 50kms into days cycling we suddenly see a bit of traffic, with occasional trucks, and local jeeps, camel carts, we continue for another about 30 kms through the dense ecliptics plantation provide welcome shade, till we hit the national highway coming from Jaipur, we turn left and cycle for about 5kms on the highway to our overnight camping place in Vatika farms. Camp in the garden, nice proper toilet and shower facility. Overnight and dinner in tents. If time permits we will have a visit to Bharatpur wet-land ( one of the best bird watching location in the world).
Day 8: Bharatpur - Fatehpur Sikiri (30kms cycling) - Agra ( 26kms drive).
Morning after breakfast we have time to say good by to our camping crew, who have looked after us so well all these days, we continue for 30kms cycling and finish off near Fateh Pur Sikiri, after drinks and we board our cycles back on truck, board bus to Agra, arrive and stay overnight in hotel Mansingh Place ( A 3star hotel with small garden and swimming pool). After lunch time free to relax. Evening visit to Taj Mahal . Lunch/Dinner and overnight in Mansingh Hotel or Similar. Note : Taj Mahl is closed on Friday !!
Day 9: Agra - Delhi ( 250kms/5hrs):
After breakfast drive back to Delhi. Arrive Delhi and stay one night in Hotel. Afternoon free or take our half-day optional sightseeing visit to Red Fort and Sliver market by Cycle Rickshaw. Dinner and overnight in hotel. ( Lunch enroute).
Day 10: Delhi
Morning transfer to the airport for onward flight
Note: Some of the rides are quite demanding and half day off road, so physical fitness is must. Jan Shatabdi runs every day from Delhi to Kota except on Sundays.
Included: Accommodation through out with all meals and taxes,Train fare from Delhi to Kota in aircon chair car class,Transfer from Agra to Delhi by A/C Bus, All transfers, sightseeing and overland journey by A/C mini Bus & jeeps, Two cycling Guides depending on the number, Jeep and van support with radio system, Ambulance and general medicine, 5 mineral water bottles on cycling days and 3 bottles on non cycling days, Alpine style tents with thick mattresses, pillows, bed sheets, blankets, Dinning halls with chairs and table, Toilet tents with folding cammods, Kitchen tent, Celebratory meal in local restaurant and half a bottles of wine per person, One open Canter safari with resident naturalist, entrance fees for the park, Entrance fees for Taj Mahal, Service of Cook, helpers and camp boys, One truck to carry camping gear and staff, one truck to carry cycles, one Cycle mechanic, extra tubs, spares for cycles, 02 extra cycles, Assistance on all arrival and departure transfers, Service of TWX Tour Escort/ Manager throughout.
Excluded: Travel insurance, camera fees to monuments and national Parks, laundry, telephone calls, extra sightseeing and transfers (other than specified above). Please bring your own: Mountain bike, cycling gear like helmets, boots, clothing, sun glasses, sun lotion, hat/cap, personal medicine.
* This tour can be arranged on a private or group tour basis. Please contact us for more details.
Prices quoted are valid till 30 September 2023. Cost above is indicative, based on Low Season in NZ Dollars and subject to change due to fluctuation in exchange rates. Please read T&C before booking. Call 09 410 5060 or 0508 EXOTIC (0508 396 842) or email info@exoticholidays.co.nz for more information.