ROYAL RAJASTHAN TOUR
Experience royalty and travel royaly
Any stereotypical image you may have of India is probably of Rajasthan- the intense hues of men’s turbans and colourful women’s clothing with block patterns and tiny mirrors, the vast desert vistas, colourful and chequered history that hearkens to the famed Rajput warriors, impregnable fortresses, lavish palaces, bustling bazaar streets with rickshaws, and lip-smacking food.
Apart from such colourful history and culture, Rajasthan is also blessed geographically- From the silent dunes of the Thar desert to the Jungles and Valleys of Aravali and Vindhyachal Mountain Ranges. Moreover, unlike what you may think of the desert flora and fauna, Rajasthan is home to many National Parks and Sanctuaries, 3 of whom are part of our route. In fact, in the middle of our tour, we will be trading in our Royal Enfield for a royally Rajasthani experience of jungle safari.
An amazingly bewildering maze of heritage cities, palaces, castles and forts, parks await you even as you will experience the unparalleled Rajasthani hospitality fit for Royalty, which is practically synonymous with Indian hospitality.
We have worked out an exclusive motor bike tour, off the beaten track, over back roads, dirt roads and country roads where no regular tourists are to be seen- all thanks to our team’s intimate knowledge of Rajasthani villages, roads, trails, palaces, and local contacts.
You may not be royalty but you can damn near live like one during this tour. That we can promise !
RIDING SKILL :
Perfect for All
HIGHEST ALTITUDE :
Practically Sea Level
SIGHTSEEING :
There will be atleast 1 place of interest per day.
RIDE LENGTH & TIME :
Approx. 1400 kms over 13 days
ROAD SURFACE :
80% tarmac, 20% unpaved roads
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Rajasthani hospitality and stays at the royal castles of Mandawa, Ghanerao, Bijaipur
Rides to the desert cities of Osian and Jodhpur
Visits to Chittorgarh fort, the ‘Pride of Rajasthan’ and the blue city of Bundi and its fort along with stays at Hadoti Palace
Stunning architectures of ancient Hindu and Jain temples
Jungle safari at Ranthambore Tiger reserve.
Trips to the famous rat temple of Karni Mata and the Bullet baba Enfield temple.
UPCOMING TOURS :
24th Feb 2024 to 9th March 2024: Bookings Closed
12th Feb 2025 to 8th March 2025: Bookings Open*
*We need a minimum of 7 participants for the tour to take place ; and a maximum of 14 participants.
MOTORCYCLES AVAILABLE :
Royal Enfield: 3.495 € per Biker
Pillion : 2.795 € per Pillion
ACCOMODATION :
845 € Single Room surcharge on tour price
Overnight stays at royal castles and heritage hotels ;
double accommodation, with en - suite showers / WC
MEALS :
All meals (breakfast, lunches and dinner) throughout the tour and non-alcoholic beverages with the meals.
VEHICLE DETAILS :
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Enfield Bullet 500 cc motorcycle with comprehensive insurance.
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Support jeep for baggage and reserve seats for pillions.
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Touring gear, fuel, oil and all replacement parts.
TOUR ITINERARY
DAY 1 :
SHEKHAWATI DISTRICT,
DELHI AIRPORT - MANDAWA (255 KM BY TAXI )
After arrival at Delhi airport, sink back to your comfortable taxi seat as you enjoy the sights of the Indian countryside and roads. Your royal experience awaits at the end of a 6- hour journey in the form of Mandawa Castle, with its unique architecture and pure luxury. Recuperate and enjoy a languid day with wining and dinings under the dark desert sky. Stay overnight at the Royal Mandawa Castle.
DAY 2 :
MANDAWA CASTLE - SHEKHAWATI COUNTRYSIDE - MANDAWA CASTLE (80 KMS )
Lets get those Enfield bikes fired up and get acquainted with your steed in the best way possible - by touring the arid countryside of the Shekhawati District after lunch. Test those reflexes, control over the bike, and the feel of the desert under the tires. Admire the uniformity of the all-brown, bustling town of Mandawa, punctuated by colourfully sari-ed women and individuals. End your first day on those heated motorcycles with dinner at Mandawa Castle.
DAY 3 :
MANDAWA - TAL CHAPPAR - BIKANER (200 KMS)
Travelling via scenic country roads, we pass through the Tal Chappar Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the endangered species of the Black Buck deer, which is the focus of state intervention. At night, you will rest your weary eyes in the Heritage Palace Hotel Gaj Kesri in the city of Bikaner.
DAY 4 :
BIKANER - OSIAN (190 KMS)
Before leaving Bikaner, we will visit the famous Karni Mata Temple, known for its harmonious relationship with rats. After a late afternoon cruise through the desert, you will be welcomed in a desert camp amidst the endless sandy stretches that extend across the northern Thar Desert. We will end this epic day with a dinner in style in the desert camp and the comfy Queen beds for a great night under the stars.
DAY 5 :
OSIAN - JODHPUR (70KMS)
From Osian, we will have a thrilling ride to a blue-blooded city. Literally ! After all , Jodhpur is known as the Blue city. A royal city founded in 1459, the city is dominated by the mighty Mehrangarh Fort. As we ride in a convoy through the bustling city, denizens will undoubtedly look upon us akin to some mechanical convoy of ancient warriors !
Make room in your hungry bellies for dinner and an overnight stay in the comfortable Polo Heritage Hotel. A cool beer in the garden by the swimming pool will allow us to sink in the impressions of the famous blue city.
DAY 6 :
JODHPUR - TEMPLES OF RANAKPUR - GHANERAO (170 KMS)
The route chosen today will bring us over quiet country roads, through wonderfully green valleys in the shadow of the Aravalli Ranges, to the old Castle of the Royal family of Ghanerao. On the way, we’ll stop at the Enfield Temple, a temple dedicated to our very own Enfield Bullet ! We will also explore Jain beliefs and architecture at the Jain Temples of Ranakpur, Stay at Royal Hotel Ghanerao Castle.
DAY 7 :
GHANERAO - UDAIPUR (120 KMS)
Secret back roads will bring us to the ‘most romantic spot on the Indian subcontinent’, Udaipur- an assessment that your better half will wholeheartedly concur with and thank you for ! Udaipur is known for its luxurious Palace Hotels, picturesque walkways throughout the city that connect one castle to another, and the stunning Rajasthan’s arts and handicrafts on sale. We will stay on the shores of the truly enchanting Pichola Lake at the Udai Kothi Heritage Hotel offering amazing views of Udaipur. You also have a free afternoon to explore and soak up this fascinating city so make the most of it.
DAY 8 :
UDAIPUR - CHITTORGARH PALACE - BIJAIPUR CASTLE (160 KMS)
Today will be a day full of history ! From Udaipur, the first imposing sight is the Chittorgarh Fort, regarded as one of the most outstanding forts of the country and rightfully considered the "Pride of Rajasthan". Perched atop a 180 metre high hillock and covering a massive area of 700 acres, it contains palaces, temples, water bodies, memorials, and victory tower, a silent sentinel and witness to the incredible courage and valour of Rajputs who fought and resisted invader after invader. It is believed that the fort was built by the Mauryans in the 7th century and further structures were added to it by the successive Mewar rulers. We will ride through this slab of history.
We will stay overnight at the tucked away Bijaipur Castle- A 16th century Castle now converted to a hotel in 1991 by the ruling family. The Castle is still home to the family who run it not as a hotel but as a ‘HOME’ where people can come and experience traditional Rajput hospitality first hand.
DAY 9 :
BIJAIPUR CASTLE - BUNDI (150 KMS)
Today, we ride through the south-eastern region where Rajasthan borders Madhya Pradesh in a narrow valley within the Aravalli Hills. Here, like a small oasis, lies the city of Bundi, also known as the blue city of Eastern Rajasthan. It is mainly famous for its mansions, forts, paintings, step wells, and palaces. All these places together make Bundi an architectural must visit. Overnight at Hadoti Palace in the shadow of the impressive Bundi Fort.
DAY 10 :
BUNDI - RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK (150 KMS)
Time to allow in some silence and soak up the wonders of nature. After traversing through a quiet and truly lovely country road, we arrive at the Ranthambore National Park. Here, we will exchange those low growls of a Bullet for a roar of a majestic tiger instead (hopefully !) We will spend the rest of the day relaxing by the pool and prepare for the next day’s jungle safari. Stay in Nahargarh Palace Hotel.
DAY 11 :
RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK (0 KM)
Folks ! keep your eyes extremely peeled and on the lookout for those tigers, hyenas, bears, crocodiles, elephants, and more. For centuries, Ranthambhore was a hunting ground for the maharajas, who even created artificial lakes and watering holes to attract big game. Thankfully, such shooting no longer happens and other kinds of ‘shooting’ happens, which we happily welcome ! Keep your cameras ready for the truly spectacular sights of the richest wildlife in India. After a day of hopefully successful animal spotting, we will return for another night at the Nahargarh Palace Hotel.
DAY 12 :
RANTHAMBORE - BHARATPUR (230 KMS)
Today is going to be our last day on the Royal Enfield. Leaving Ranthambore and heading towards Bharatpur, we will have a biker’s dream ride- a lively, dynamic mix of country roads and national highways today. So, your enthusiasm and curiosity should be at its highest! After a long day on the road, we will be spending the night in the nature’s reserves Palace Hotel Lakshmi Niwas. Bliss!
DAY 13 :
BHARATPUR – AGRA – DELHI (250 KMS)
Finally, we kiss that Royal Enfield goodbye; we have a bus tour today. Of course, no tour of India is complete without an early morning visit to sublime Taj Mahal, a monument to love built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. There’s not just stunning architecture and marble situated here inside, but a lot of intense, romantic, powerful history. After, we will be making a brief stop for lunch and relaxation before driving to the airport for our flight back home.
