icon Trip Overview

icon Lodging

Route Rating Level 2 to Level 4

PDF iconDetailed Itinerary

RESERVE THIS TRIP!

Premiere Inns
  • From $7,298
    To $7,698 pp dbl. occ.
  • (+$1,200 for sgl. occ.)
  • Internal Flights: From $200
    To $220

Reserve early for the best available price. More Info

10 DAYS, 9 NIGHTS
ROLLOVER DATES BELOW FOR SPECIFIC PRICES
2009 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
2010 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
ROLLOVER DATES ABOVE FOR SPECIFIC PRICES
TRIP NOTES

All meals included except 1 lunch and 1 dinner.

Cancellation Policy

View cancellation policy

Meet / Depart

Jodhpur, India/Udaipur, India

Special Interest

Camel Ride, Culture & History, Natural Beauty &/or Wildlife, Spa

My Backroads

View albums for this trip

Recommended Reads

Essential trip reading

Search
Contact Us

Call: 800-462-2848
or 510-527-1555
Fax: 510-527-1444
E-mail us

801 Cedar St.
Berkeley, CA 94710

Business Hours:
7 days a week
from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Time

Or contact your travel agent

India Biking Tour

India Biking

The Caravan Routes and Desert Palaces of Rajasthan

In India’s majestic arid northwest corner, our epic ten-day biking journey ushers you into one of the world’s most spectacular regions. Over the millennia, tribal conquest and rule have dotted the barren scrubland with exquisite palaces and menacing fortresses overlooking bustling sun-soaked towns. Today the route from princely Jodhpur through the heart of the Thar Desert to regal Udaipur is perfectly suited to fantastic rides on two wheels - a unique way to travel through the region - and on the backs of camels, the more traditional transport mode! Bed down each night in the region’s unique and world-renowned hotels.

View the Family Premiere Inns Itineraries.

View other trips in Asia & the Pacific

Days 1-2 Jodhpur

Tour Jodhpur’s staggering 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort overlooking a sea of ancient blue-washed abodes before strolling down serpentine alleys and through traditional markets  Saddle up for a culturally rich first bike ride to the town of Bisnoi, stopping en route to admire the region’s finest pottery  Learn the subtle ins and outs of dhurry rug weaving

Day 3 Manvar

Bike into the vast desert amid rolling sand dunes and traditional nomadic tribes to isolated Manvar  Trade handlebars for reins, making your way by camel to our home for the night, a remote desert camp (with all the necessary amenities, of course).

Days 4-5 Narlai

Shuttle to Pali, home to three exquisite Brahman temples  Ride from Pali to Narlai among the starkly beautiful, heart-pumping Aravalli Hills  Watch a breathtaking sunrise from atop Elephant Hill  Pedal to Kumbalgarh, an exquisite 15th-century citadel perched on a hill overlooking the arid landscape.

Days 6-7 Delwara

Today’s route continues through the rolling terrain of the Aravalli Hills to our spectacular hotel nestled in the rugged landscape  Along the way, visit Ranakpur, a temple housing 4,000 intricately carved marble pillars dating from the 14th century  Spend the day luxuriating at our palace, or head out to explore the countryside  Perhaps you’d like to play a game of croquet or cricket, or work on your lotus position at an optional yoga class.

Days 8-10 Udaipur

Cycle past lake palaces, temples and small colorful villages en route to the easy-paced city of Udaipur  Ride to Pie, passing through rugged terrain and small tribal villages  Take a final stroll around Udaipur, stopping in local craft shops along the way.

Route Rating What's this? Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Each offers options for more or less activity, so you can decide exactly how much you want to do day by day.

Lodging What's this? Our lodgings are divided into three different categories.

Premiere Inns:These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.

Casual Inns:These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the areawith such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.

Deluxe Camping:We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.

Detailed Itinerary

Reserve This Trip!

For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the India tour experts. For biking tours in Asia & the Pacific, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Asia & the Pacific biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Asia & the Pacific walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Asia & the Pacific multisport tours click here.

India Biking

DESERT OASES: Premiere Inns*

Umaid Bhawan Palace

Jodhpur (2 nights): Lauded on the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List, this sandstone palace blends modern design with classic royal elegance.

Manvar Desert Camp

Manvar (1 night): Nestled among the rolling hills and sun-streaked dunes once frequented by nomadic camel traders, this collection of tents is not your typical rustic dwelling; full plumbing and plush amenities accompany this traditional wilderness retreat.

* With 1 Casual Inn night

Rawla Narlai Hotel

Narlai (2 nights): This 17th-century fortress retreat midway between the cities of Jodhpur and Udaipur once served as a luxurious hunting lodge. Today it offers charming and colorful (and rustic) guest rooms in the heart of a vibrant desert village.

* With 2 Casual Inn nights

Devi Garh Palace

Delwara (2 nights): Guarding the road to the Udaipur Valley, the palace-turned-luxury-hotel’s chic guest rooms overlook the surrounding mountain town.

Oberoi Udaivilas

Udaipur (2 nights): With near perfect marks on the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List and claiming Travel+Leisure's spot for top hotel in the world, this exquisite property located on Lake Pichola has perfected the art of hospitality.

India Biking India Biking

Oberoi Udaivilas

View the Family Premiere Inns Itineraries.

India Biking

Route Rating

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
  • Fort & Market Walking Tour 2 hours
Day 2
  • Levels 2 to 4   2 Route Options Available
  • 30, 42 miles
  • 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
  • Levels 2 to 3   2 Route Options Available
  • 22, 34 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
  • Camel Trek 1 hour
Day 4
  • Level 3   1 Route Option Available
  • 38 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
  • Levels 3 to 5   2 Route Options Available
  • 31, 62 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
  • Optional Hiking 1-3 hours
  • 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 6
  • Levels 1 to 5   3 Route Options Available
  • 15, 30, 74 miles
  • 0 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 7
  • Level 2   1 Route Option Available
  • 22 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 8
  • Level 2    1 Route Option Available
  • 26 miles
  • 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 9 & 10
  • Levels 1 to 4   2 Route Options Available
  • 16, 56 miles
  • 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
India Biking India Biking

Trips For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Average Distance
    Biking Walking
& Hiking
1 2-3
hours		 10-20
miles		 2-5
miles
2 2-4
hours		 21-30
miles		 5-7
miles
3 3-5
hours		 31-40
miles		 7-9
miles
4 4-6
hours		 41-55
miles		 9-11
miles
5 5-7+
hours		 56-75+
miles		 11-13+
miles