Mehrangarh Fortress Jodhpur - Rajasthan India

Scheduled Tours

Riding the Real Rajasthan

India

Bike India's historic Rajasthan State
Cycle the back roads of Rajasthan, India on this immersive active adventure. Pedal through fascinating towns such as the blue city of Jodhpur or lake city of Udaipur, to the ancient desert hamlets and oasis of Marwari forts. This bike tour starts in Delhi and finishes in Udaipur, and along the way, we’ll stay in historic palaces, fortresses, and Havelis. You’ll ride through rural farmlands, desert scrubland, and mountain passes, exploring temples and shrines from all faiths as you experience Indian history for yourself on this journey. If "variety is the spice of life", India is the dish for you. Hop on your bike and let’s discover the real Rajasthan.
This bike tour departs from Delhi

Rajasthan is one of India's most captivating states, famed for its Rajput forts and palaces, desert villages, spice markets and the warmth of its people. However, the deserved popularity of Rajasthan's highlights sometimes leaves scant room for a sense of adventure. Touring by bicycle is the perfect antidote to this! As well as some of the big drawcards like Jodhpur, Rankapur and Udaipur, our back-road cycle route takes us through barren desert and lush oasis to remote villages where traditional Rajasthani life continues untouched by the outside world, as it has for centuries.

The exact back-country tour route we take between Jodhpur and Udaipur is a closely guarded secret, but distances covered are between 40km and 60km a day, and the route progresses from the flatlands south of Jodhpur, climbing up into the Aravali Hills towards the end of the journey. Along the way, we take rest stops at the principal attractions as well as at a few places where you'll have the chance to experience rural Rajasthan firsthand. Rather than the well-known sites, you may well find that the highlight of your bike tour is a chance encounter with a pink-turbaned man in the middle of nowhere, or maybe a shared Rajasthani family meal. That is the beauty of this trip!

Tour details

$3300 USD

8 days duration

230 km distance

Difficulty: Moderate

Deposit payment: $900 USD

Single room option: $700 USD

Tour code: GHHR20

Trip Features & Tour Inclusions

What makes a Grasshopper bike tour so special?
Find out how your next cycle tour goes the extra mile.
Click on each icon below to see more...

Vietnam ocean road bike tour celebration

Great Bikes

No matter where we are some things don’t change. Great bikes are essential to a great cycle tour. All the bikes we use are quality imported bikes in all sizes. with appropriate tires, lockout front suspension and hydraulic disc brakes. Set up for touring these bikes are perfectly suited to the distances and terrain we cover. Sizes available to suit all heights.

Live It!

Grasshopper bike tours have always focused on quality riding and experiences. Accommodation and cuisine play a large part in this. Our focus on accommodation and cuisine is to deepen the richness of your experiences. Staying, wherever possible, in beautiful, unique places, that reward you after a day's cycling. Food is equally important, we understand the importance of a quality meal after a ride. But it can also be part of the experience, we will open horizons in your culinary adventure, with delicious and exciting local fare. From mouth-watering snacks presented mid-ride to the adventurous tasting of local delicacies you will never go hungry on a Grasshopper bike tour!

Leader

This tour has been hand crafted by Grasshopper's Expedition Engineers. This team brings with them a wealth of knowledge on all things Asian, and all are experienced in the delivery of outstanding expeditions. In addition to a Grasshopper representative joining you, you will be supported by a well informed, English speaking local guide who can provide unique insights on the local customs, cultures and landscapes.

Comfortable Bed, Quality Hotel, Bike Tour

Comfy Beds

All hotel nights are in comfortable 3-5 star hotels, many of which are beautifully restored heritage properties with swimming pools. After a full day of adventures you'll love settling down for some R&R in these select locations.

Support

Pioneering bicycle tours have the same Grasshopper support systems as our regular cycle tours. Groups of 4-8 guests will be accompanied by our expert local guide and our expedition leader. For groups of 8 or more, we will be joined by a cycle mechanic. Our support crew are always on hand to help tired riders whenever needed.

Support Van

Full vehicle support follows riders at every step of the tour. The vehicles carry your luggage and bikes when not in use and there is always a comfortable seat when needed.

Snacking

Energy bars and electrolyte drinks as well as delicious local snacks are provided to keep your energy up for the riding.

Ayutthaya tour guide and guest - cycle Jersey

Take It Home

A beautiful souvenir Grasshopper cycling jersey is yours to wear and take home. We also provide a Grasshopper drink bottle as an extra memento from your bike tour.

Partners

This is one of the few tours where we work with partners. In the remotest parts of Asia, we have worked very hard to seek out the finest partner businesses to work alongside us to create bike tours that are unique to Grasshopper. These businesses share the same attention to details and customer centred focus, working together to bring you the best possible cycle tour. Importantly, each tour is comprehensively researched in advance by the Expedition Leader.

Grasshopper

Being pioneers doesn't stop us doing what we do best! The Grasshopper attention to details and quality service is ever present throughout all of our tours. From the time you arrive to the time you leave the details are taken care of. There are no additional (hidden) costs to our tours.

4 to 14

This pioneering cycle tour is guaranteed for a minimum of 4 travellers. And we limit the group size to only 14 travellers so that you get all the attention you want in an intimate group.

Singles

There is no surcharge for single travellers - we will match you with another same sex single traveller. If you want a single room there is a an optional upgrade that you can book.

Bike Tour Itinerary

for Riding the Real Rajasthan

Delhi Meet-up, Transfer & Cycle Jodhpur

10km cycling

Welcome to the hustle and bustle of modern India! We’ll meet at 9 am in the lobby of the Delhi airport hotel before a quick flight to Jodhpur where our tour begins. Let’s get acquainted with our bikes with a fitting before a quick warm-up ride around the blue city. We’ll tour the imposing walls of the 15th century Mehrangarh fortress with views of the indigo houses below before enjoying dinner in the old town.
Meals: LD

Cycle to Rohat, Jeep Tour

40km cycling

Today is full of desert palaces as we ride out of the old city of Jodhpur to have lunch in Jhalamand Garh. By the end of the day, we will be riding dusty lanes through the desert to Rohet. These roads are as old as time and were used by Marwari then Rajput traders to navigate the treacherous lands between the different warlord kingdoms. The ride ends at historic Rohet Garh. This Rajput stately home, set next to a desert oasis, is beautiful and comes complete with swimming pool and massage therapy to take the edge off the saddle sore! We will take a Jeep trip out to visit local villages among the sand dunes where communities of the Bishnoi tribes have very unique ways of living and produce interesting crafts.
Meals: BL

Cycle to Khairwa, Transfer to Jojawar

50km cycling

This morning we’ll set off on our bikes, stopping at a shrine on the main road that is dedicated to travelers to say thanks for our safe travels before we veer off onto narrow farm lanes through the picturesque desert. We’ll pass through friendly Rajasthani villages and keep our eyes peeled for a camel sighting. Once we’ve reached Khairwa, we’ll make a stop at a traditional Heritage Haveli there for a tasty lunch before transferring on to Jojawar. Take the rest of the day to enjoy our heritage hotel’s pool before a traditional dinner is served.
Meals: BLD

Cycle to Deogarh, Train Ride

25km cycling

If you’re keen for the challenge, saddle-up on your bike and start the climb to Deogarh. For those who would rather rest their legs, the morning is free before a transfer to Deogarh. We’ll enjoy lunch at the luxurious Deogarh Mahal before boarding a train for a scenic ride from Khambli Ghat to Phulad. During this hour-long narrow gauge train ride, you’ll glimpse another side of Rajashtan: a verdant oasis with the backdrop of the Aravalli hills sparkling in the sunlight. We'll have short 14km transfer back to Jojawar and in the evening you are free to sample the different tastes of the town before another night in our heritage hotel.
Meals: BL

Cycle to Ranakpur

55km cycling

Today we continue our bike journey, and as we ride the landscape starts to change dramatically. Sandy scrubland shifts shape to boulder-strewn plateaus dotted with villages as we ride towards the Aravalli range. We overnight in the lush, wooded valley of Ranakpur. The village of Ranakpur is a popular holiday destination for local families with its beautiful forests, cool climate, and jaw-dropping Jain temple. In the afternoon we'll have some time to explore the intricate Jain Temple complex, as well as time for relaxation to enjoy the hotel’s amenities.
Meals: BL

Cycle Kumbhalgarh Fort, Explore & Transfer

50km cycling

Although only a relatively short ride, the route from Ranakpur up to Kumbhalgarh is the most challenging we will encounter so far. As we start to climb up into the Aravalli Hills on completely different terrain, we pass small hillside hamlets and villages and see traditional ox-drawn wells. Keep pedaling through the undulating hill-scape to our destination, and you’ll be rewarded with awesome views.

Deep in the heart of the Aravalli hills is the incredible hilltop fortress of Kumbhalgarh. With the world’s second largest man-made wall creating the impenetrable defenses of the Marwar kingdom, this fortress is an awe-inspiring sight, and we’ll get the chance to discover it for ourselves this afternoon. To round out a busy day we have a 2-hour transfer to the city of Udaipur, our destination for the night.
Meals: BLD

Udaipur - Palace & Old Town Walking Tour

Now that the cycling portion of our journey has ended, we’ll explore Udaipur by foot today. Our walking tour starts with a visit to the grand city palace and continues into the historic Old Town, along the way you'll learn all about the history of this fascinating and beautiful city. Following a nourishing lunch the afternoon is free to spend at your leisure

This evening we'll gather together along the lakeside for dinner. Take in your magical surroundings and celebrate our last night together as we reminisce about our adventures through Rajasthan.
Meals: BLD

Tour Concludes in Udaipur

Our tour concludes today in Udaipur and you can stay on in the city, or continue your journey. There are flight or train options if heading back to Delhi, and we are happy to help assist you with any onward travel plans from here.
Meals: B

What's the Riding Like?

Mixed terrain

Can get cold at night

6 days riding

230km distance

India's state of Rajasthan offers a variety of cycle terrain. This bike tour follows predominantly small, flat, country roads and lanes with little traffic and some occasional stretches on busier roads. To mix it up a little there are some days of hill riding in the tour but all the cycling is broadly achievable at a moderate level of fitness. A support vehicle is always on hand throughout the entire trip to give you a lift if you need a break from the riding.

What our guests tell us...

A selection of reviews from our tours in India...

Riding Rajasthan was an amazing trip. The trip provided a great insight into Rajasthan - the food, the people, the history. Every day was a surprise. The highlights were often the unexpected people and things we happened to come across. The riding was really interesting and the food and accommodation was amazing.
Karen & SimonIndia 2016

We’re 60, live in regional Australia, and have liked occasional rides along local country roads in light traffic. So going to India and ‘Riding the Real Rajasthan’ was something very, very new, and turned out to be an absolute, wonderful eye-opener. The “Land of Kings” exceeded expectations! We’ve travelled countries where the landscapes, ‘things-to-do’, hotels, even eating spots all merge into a single hazy memory. India was different!
Paul & MareaIndia 2016

Other Bike Tours in Bucket List Locations

If you've caught the bug for pioneering bicycle travel to remote locations have a look at the tours below to see what exciting destinations are available with Grasshopper Adventures. Traverse Nepal via the ancient Tibetan trade routes, or lose yourself in the wonders of Mongolia before venturing out to explore the great steppe. How about riding through the beautifully remote wild lands of Uzbekistan? Or circumnavigating Timor Leste?