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Rajasthani Trails
12 days Hotels/Sleeper Train Adventures in Rural Rajasthan
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Delhi. 2 Arrive Delhi; PM free. 3 Sightseeing Old and New Delhi; overnight sleeper train to Udaipur. 4 Arrive Udaipur; orientation on foot and warm-up cycle out of the city. 5 Drive Kumbalgarh, visit fort. 6 Cycle Ranakpur, visit Jain temples. 7 Cycle to Korta. 8 Cycle Bhenswara; PM optional jeep safari. 9 Cycle Bhadrajun; PM visit village and castle. 10 Drive Jodhpur, visit fort. 11 Fly Delhi. 12 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 9nts hotel, 1nt Sleeper train; 9 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 5 dinners included. See p45. Bicycle: 21 gear Trek 4300 mountain bikes. Daily distances day 01 day 02 day 03 day 04 day 05 day 06 day 07 day 08 day 09 day 10 day 11 day 12
15km 35km 78km 49km 49km
Grade & Terrain: Grade B 226km/5 days (average 45km/cycling day). Cycling is mostly on the flat 60% asphalt, 40% unsealed village tracks which can be quite sandy making the going tough. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader, drivers, support crew and some local guides. A support vehicle follows each day of the cycling and any rides/part rides, can be opted out of. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16.
Rural trails/Steve Coackley CYCLE GRADE B
Regarded by many as one of India's most exotic and romantic corners, the colours, sounds and smells of Rajasthan, Land of the Maharajahs , will delight your senses. Exploring by bike affords the chance to discover more; for as well the fabulous forts, palaces and temples, it is in the many villages along rural trails that we discover the very essence of India's cultural heart.
Udaipur & Beyond Catching the overnight Mewar Express train, we arrive in Udaipur, an enchanting city of white marble palaces, placid blue lakes and
lush gardens ablaze with bougainvillea. Theres time to explore the magnificent palaces and temples before taking to our bikes; riding through winding honeycomb lanes of the old city, we soon reach the tranquillity of the countryside, with the stark beauty of the arid Aravalli hills all around us. Kumbalgarh Fort & Ranakpur Strategically sited on the border of two ancient Rajput kingdoms, the impressive fort at Kumbalgarh commands stunning views over the villages and scrub forest of the wildlife sanctuary nearby and beyond to the deserts of Marwar. We walk along part of its black walls; 36 kilometres long, they were built to defy scaling and up to six horses could walk the ramparts side by side.
Rajasthani Trails Ref CRD
INDIA
DATES & PRICES in £s per adult 12 days from London (Sat-Wed) 2008 deps 18 Oct-29 Oct 20 Dec-31 Dec 2009 deps 14 Feb-25 Feb 28 Feb-11 Mar Flight Incl 1475 1749 Flight Incl 1499 1499 Land Only 1055 1099 Land Only
BHADRAJUN
Jodhpur Visit Jaswant Thada & Mehrangarh Fort To Delhi
The City Palace, Udaipur/Caroline Phillips
Peddling through rural Rajasthan we reach the exquisitely carved, white marble temples of Ranakpur, an important pilgrimage centre for Jains. Rural trails to Jodhpur Cycling country roads well off the beaten track, we witness the timelessness of rural India. Turbaned men discuss the days business at the village chai stall, whilst women gather at the well, clad in colourful saris, carrying copper water pots on their head with impossible grace, barefoot with anklets jangling. Reaching Jodhpur, the Blue City, we explore the awesome Mehrangarh Fort; built on a high sandstone ridge it commands fine views. Looking down onto the walled old quarter, we can see the tangle of winding alleyways and blue-painted dwellings and courtyards that give this desert city its name.
Luni
Train from DELHI Tour of India Gate, Humayuns Tomb, Chandni Chowk
R A J A S T H A N
Jeep Castle safari BHENSWARA Ummedpur
1055 1055
RANAKPUR
Jain temples
KUMBALGARH
Visit fort & palace
A
ra v Ra a l ng l i e
UDAIPUR
km 0 75
Land Only tour: 11 days - start Delhi day 2 (Sun), end Delhi day 12 (Wed) Single Room Option: £210* These are guide prices, see p46 for full details
KORTA
Visit village & temple
Walking tour & warm-up ride
Sorting chillies/Caroline Phillips
34
For latest tour availability visit www.explore.co.uk
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