Your journey to the rugged Rajasthan deserts of India begins when you arrive in the nation's capital, New Delhi.
From your glimpse of this sprawling metropolis you will immediately begin to appreciate that India is a land of contrasts, a land of diversity and variation unparalleled anywhere else in the world. Squalid slums sit incogruously alongside amazing modern buildings of stunning beauty, like the lotus-flower shaped Ba-hai temple. Five-star hotels are served by 1950's vintage taxi cabs with engines the same size as their batteries. More than nine million people somehow manage to eke out an existence in this city whose levels of activity continue to escalate at an apparently unsustainable pace. At times confusing, at times challenging, at times uplifting and at all times chaotic, Delhi is never still, never restful, never boring.

 

Rajasthan - the land of kings and warriors, of mighty fortresses and incredible palaces, of desert landscapes and ancient cities. Rajasthan is a kaleidoscope of vivid colour, ancient splendour, vibrant music and exuberant life. There is truly something for everyone in this amazing land.

Day-to-Day Itinerary in Brief
A detailed hard-copy version will be sent on request

Day 1 – 25^th Jan – Arrive New Delhi. 
Transfer to hotel. What happens then depends on flight arrival time.

Day 2 – 26^th Jan – Delhi – Sightseeing (India’s National Day)
Today is for fun and getting used to the culture shock some people experience in Delhi. There will be a half-day guided tour and because it is India’s National Day, there will be an opportunity to experience the celebrationss.

Day 3 – 27^th Jan – Delhi – Neemrana (120kms)
After a practice ride in the safety of the hotel car park, we head out onto the road a gentle pace is set to allow you to come to terms with the bikes and Indian traffic. We soon enter Rajasthan heading for our hotel, the 15^th century Neemrana Fort Palace with its stunning garden setting and facilities.

Day 4 – 28^th Jan – Neemrana – Mahansar (160kms)
The peacock is the state emblem of Rajasthan and many can be spotted roaming freely in the rural areas as we make our way to the Shekhawati region. Our stop for tonight is Mahansar and a mediaeval castle – rather dilapidated, but completely charming.

Day 5 – 29^th Jan – Mahansar – Bikaner (210kms)
Today sees us heading directly west through arid wastelands, approaching the Great Thar Desert which constitutes much of Rajasthan. Our destination today is Bikaner, once an important staging post on the great caravan trading routes of the middle-ages. Our accommodation here is in one of the impressive palace hotels.

Day 6 – 30^th Jan – Bikaner – Pokaran (200kms)
Our ride today takes us through progressively sparser vegetation and population, to the remote outpost of Pokaran, a charming little village. Our hostelry tonight is the old Pokaran Fort Palace Hotel..

Day 7 – 31^st Jan – Pokaran – Jaisalmer (110kms)
Today’s journey takes us right into the heart of the desert and the stunning fortress city of Jaisalmer, the Golden City. With its incredible array of bastions, battlements and ramparts it looks like something straight out of Arabian Nights. A feature of Jaisalmer is the abundance of splendid havelis (mansions) with their intricate carvings and works of art.

Day 8 – 1^st  Feb – Jaisalmer (Rest Day)
There’s time today to explore more of the walled city before we take a trip out into the desert in the late afternoon for a camel safari to the top of the dunes to watch the sunset. A very surreal experience.

Day 9 – 2nd Feb – Jaisalmer – Manvar (180kms)
Our ride today is not a long one, but if we leave early enough we’ll arrive at our destination, Manvar Desert Resort in time to enjoy many of its facilities and activities.

Day 10 – 3rd Feb – Manvar – Jodhpur (110kms) Ride followed by sightseeing and leisure.
This morning we head the last 110kms in the ‘Blue City’ of Jodhpur. Although not appearing blue from ground level, the view from the huge fortress of Meherangarh Fort over the town shows a true spectacle as all the blue-washed Brahmin houses shimmer in the sunlight.

Day 11 – 4^th  Feb – Jodhpur (Rest Day)
A day of leisure with time to explore on your own or simply relax in the grounds of the hotel. Jodhpur is famed for its old markets, spices, antique reproductions, furniture manufacture, silverware, architectural fixtures and handicrafts.

Day 12 – 5^th Feb – Jodhpur – Mount Abu (220kms)
An early start to ride to Mount Abu, Rajasthan’s only hill station and major pilgrimage centre. The Dilwara temples in Mount Abu are reputedly the best Jain temples in the country and few descriptions can do justice to their intricate beauty.

Day 13 – 6^th Feb – Mount Abu – Udaipur (184kms)
It’s a lovely ride today, first down from Mt Abu, then a blast across the plains before heading up a winding road through the hills to Udaipur famous for the beautiful white Maharaja’s palace in the middle of Lake Pichola  and the settings for many scenes in Octopussy and Jewel in the Crown.

Day 14 – 7^th Feb – Udaipur (Sightseeing and leisure)
A rest day, but we will spend time visiting the many special places of interest in Udaipur, such as the City Palace and Museum and the Ladies Garden, Sahelion Ki Bari, with its beautiful fountains.  

Day 15 – 8^th Feb – Udaipur – Bassi (120kms)  
This morning sees us heading out of Udaipur to the little village of Bassi, where we stay the night. En route we will visit the huge Chittorgarh Fort, which runs for 12kms along a ridge overlooking the plains.

Day 16 – 9^th Feb – Bassi – Pushkar (150kms)  
Pushkar, where we stay for two nights is home to the annual, month-long, world-famous Pushkar Camel Fair. It is a picturesque little town with its beautiful lake a pilgrimage site for devout Hindus who come to bathe in its waters.

Day 17 – 10^th Feb – Pushkar (Rest Day)  
If you rise early you can catch the dawn bathing and prayer rituals (‘puja’) and watch the town come to life. For those with the energy and inclination, there’s a one-hour trek up to the Savitri Temple perched on a hilltop overlooking the lake. The bazaar areas are full of colourful souvenirs, trinkets and inexpensive clothing.

Day 18 – 11^th Feb – Pushkar – Jaipur (140kms)  
We ride to the Rajasthan capital of Jaipur, the Pink City. Pink is the traditional Rajput colour of hospitality and many of the homes in the Old City are this colour. The Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, in the centre of the old town is a fine example of Rajput craftsmanship.

Day 19 – 12^th Feb – Jaipur (Sightseeing & Leisure)  
If you haven’t done any shopping yet, now is the time to do it! Jaipur is world famous for its textile industries and is the place to buy gem stones and jewellery, furnishing fabrics, fine muslin, block prints, tie-dye and exquisite embroidered material. If it’s a rejuvenating massage you want, a one-hour herbal or ayuvedic session in local premises costs a measly $AUD8 to $15 (more in the hotel).

Day 20 – 13^th Feb – Jaipur – Fatepur Sikri – Agra (140kms)  
We hit the road early for the ride to visit the incredible, deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, once the capital of the Moghul Empire. From Fatepur Sikri we ride the last 40kms to Agra home of the world’s greatest symbol of love – that most famous of all Indian monuments – the Taj Mahal.

Day 21 – 14^th Feb – Agra – New Delhi (200kms) – Valentine’s Day!  
For those who wish to rise early, you can make a second, Valentine’s Day pilgrimage to the Taj Mahal at sunrise to see the amazing colour changes on the brilliant white marble. We then head off on the last leg of our tour to cover the 200km between Agra and Delhi, arriving mid-afternoon in time for rest before our farewell dinner.

Day 22 – 15^th Feb – Delhi – Fly Home  
Last day for cramming in some sightseeing and shopping before transferring to the airport for late evening departures to Bangkok or Singapore.

Should you wish to extend your visit to India, this office can arrange accommodation etc for you.

 

General Information Departure Date: The Rajasthan tour will commence in New Delhi on the 25th January 2008 and finishes in Delhi on the 15th February. Tour Prices: Please contact us direct so we may furnish you with rider and/or pillion costs and discuss with you your individual requirements and recommendations for flights etc. Although pillions and riders may use the support vehicles at any time, Saffron Road no longer offers a fulltime bus-passenger option except to private groups. Saffron Road Motorcycle Tours believes in WYSIWYG - "What you see is what you get" - there are no hidden costs and we offer more standard inclusions than any other motorcycle tour company going to the same destination. Price includes: ·        Group transfers to/from airport and hotel ·        Accommodation throughout the tour on a Twin-Share basis (Single supplement TBA) ·        All meals with tea/coffee (breakfast, lunch and dinner) ·        Confortable support vehicle with driver and staff (for luggage transport, assistance and occassional passengers) ·        Full motorbike rental for the duration of the tour (electric start and front disc brakes as standard) ·        Experienced mechanic ·        All fuel and oil costs  ·        Repairs, maintenance and spare parts ·        Motorcycle Damage Insurance ·        Basic emergency first-aid equipment and some medicines ·        English-speaking local guide ·        Entrance fees to selected monuments and attractions ·        All hotel, restaurant and staff gratuities (except porters) ·        Lonely Planet travel guidebook (Australian and New Zealand members only) Price excludes: ·        Travel insurance policy covering use of motorcycle  ·        Tourist visas for India  ·        International Driving Permit (currently $20.00) ·        Vaccinations and personal medication including known allergy antidotes ·        Items of a personal nature such as postage, laundry or souvenirs ·        Personal consumptions such as bottled water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages Bikes On all our Indian tours we use the Royal Enfield Bullet – single-cylinder, 500cc with left-hand brake and right-hand gearbox (one up, three down). Yes – really, but you do get used to the configuration pretty quickly! You may have also heard horror stories about the virtual lack of front brake – untrue. The bikes used by Saffron Road are all fitted with efficient front disc brakes as standard and also electric start (many other companies charge for the last two features).   In addition to being delightfully authentic, these wonderful old bikes are comfortable, well-balanced, maneuverable with lots of low-end torque and perfect for Indian traffic and road conditions. The pillion seat is roomy and quite comfortable with the foot pegs set so knee height is below hip height – a great thing when travelling any distance. Driving Licences and Travel Insurance Riders must have a valid and unrestricted international rider’s licence. Travel insurance is mandatory and, if on a bike at all, must cover riding motorcycles. For non-Australian participants, or those not purchasing insurance through this office, please check the rider clause carefully and any clause relating to medical evacuation before you purchase or use any existing insurance (such as that provided by some credit card companies). Accommodation & Food The general standard of accommodation is excellent and will be almost exclusively in heritage hotels (converted forts and places). However, due to their age, these can vary from four/five-star hotels and resorts to “best in town” in more remote areas. Except for breakfast where there is usually a western menu (cereal, eggs and toast etc), meals are usually local cuisine, but for those who prefer, there is generally a choice. Further Information More detailed information and a travel check-list will be mailed to you after receipt of your completed booking form and deposit. Australian and New Zealand residents will also receive a Lonely Planet guide book, plus travel insurance applications forms. Prior to departure you will receive maps, a list of hotels and other important contact numbers. Please Note: This is a “best-fit” itinerary and may need to be changed from time to time due to amended timetables, weather and road conditions, political expediency and/or on advice from our local ground agent. On a tour such as this it is not always possible to comply with plans made months in advance, so a flexible attitude is crucial.