Bucket lists. We bet you have one. And if biking in India isn’t on it, it should be. You need one epic journey. This could be yours. The colors, the sounds, the smells, the history, the culture…the ride. A bit overwhelming at first? Perhaps. But who wants to cross an ocean and be underwhelmed. Yes, India is crowded - but our route through regal Rajasthan is not. Those cows ambling down the road and the kids walking to school? Think of them not as obstacles on your bike path but as fellow travelers. When you need a break from the raw energy of it all, peace can be found. In Brahmin temples. In the quiet desert. And in our luxury hotels - some of the finest in the world - where you’ll dine and slumber like royalty. Come with us. It’s time to check India off.
Days 1-2 A journey through Rajasthani history,
from the Maharaj kingdoms to British rule and India's dynamic present 
Tour Jodhpur'’s staggering 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort Sleep like kings and queens in a palace still inhabited by the Jodhpur royal family Saddle up for a culturally rich bike ride to Bisnoi, stopping to admire the region's finest pottery and dhurrie rugs A local family welcomes us into their home for a traditional Indian feast.
Day 3 Relive a classic Indian form of travel - with a camel caravan across desert sand
for a night beneath the stars in safari-style tents (with all the necessary amenities, of course) Pedal through the countryside, stopping along the way to meet local schoolchildren.
Days 4-5 Bike rural India, past friendly villagers, colorful temples, peacocks, cows and goats
Pali's three exquisite Brahman temples leave you inspired for the heart-pumping ride through the Aravalli Hills to Narlai Explore Kumbhalgarh, an imposing 15th-century citadel perched above the arid landscape.
Days 6-7 From Ranakpur, a breathtaking 14th-century Jain temple with 1,444 intricately carved pillars,
cycle through rolling terrain to the exquisite Devi Garh Palace, our home for the next two nights Venture into the countryside by foot, bike - or even elephant!
Days 8-10 Spin past lake palaces and temples en route to Udaipur
Rugged terrain leads to the traditional village of Piplya (pop. 100), where we're invited for lunch in the community house Stroll through the craft shops in Udaipur for handmade paper, silver, copper or leather goods - or relish some R&R at one of the most luxurious and romantic hotels ever included on a Backroads trip.
Trip Highlights
- A journey through Rajasthani history, from the Maharaj kingdoms to British rule to India's dynamic present
- Cycle through peaceful countryside past small villages, ancient temples and stately palaces
- Rush hour traffic? Depends on how keen those cows are to move off the road
- Explore the Thar desert as travelers and nomads have for centuries: on camelback
- Accompanied by our Indian friends, be welcomed into a vibrant culturally rich land
- Exquisite accommodations, from former Raj estates to a hotel recently named the world's best
Premiere Inns
Umaid Bhawan Palace (2 nights): The last great palace to be built in India now stands as one of the country's leading hotels, blending modern design with classic royal elegance. Travel + Leisure World's Best. (pool, spa, golf)
Manvar Desert Camp (1 night): Enjoy stunning sunrises and dazzling night skies in this remote desert tented camp with simple but comfortable amenities. (pool)
Rawla Narlai (2 nights): This 17th-century fortress midway between the cities of Jodhpur and Udaipur once served as a luxurious hunting lodge. (pool)
Devi Garh Palace (2 nights): Guarding the road to the Udaipur Valley, this palace-turned-luxury-hotel welcomes us with fabulous amenities and comfort. (pool, spa)
Oberoi Udaivilas (2 nights): This exquisite hotel located on Lake Pichola has perfected the art of hospitality. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member. Condé Nast Traveler Gold List; Travel + Leisure World's Best. (pool, spa)
Routes 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.
| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | Mehrangarh Fort walk and market tour (2 hours) | |||||||||
| 2 | 22* | 0 | 29* | 0 | 42 | 0 | ||||
| 3 | 15* | 0 | 21* | 0 | 44 | 0 | ||||
| Sunset camel ride or walk (1 hour) | ||||||||||
| 4 | 24* | 0 | 37* | 0 | ||||||
| 5 | 25* | 0 | 28* | 0 | 56* | 0 | ||||
| Hiking (1 - 3 hours) | ||||||||||
| 6 | 22* | 0 | 26* | 0 | 34* | 0 | ||||
| 46 | 0 | |||||||||
| 7 | 18* | 0 | 24 | 0 | ||||||
| Guided Delwara Village walk (1 hour) | ||||||||||
| 8 | 16* | 0 | 21* | 0 | ||||||
| 9 | 15* | 0 | 22* | 0 | 30 | 0 | ||||
| 10 | Trip end and tavel day | |||||||||
On this trip, we'll be using titanium mountain bikes that are just right for the non-technical dirt road riding as well as the paved riding. (approximately 20% dirt and 80% paved).
* Includes a shuttle
2013 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 10/27-11/5 Price: $7598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1620 for sgl. occ.)
- 11/29-12/8 Price: $7598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1620 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/12-20 Price: $6598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1620 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/25-1/2 Price: $6998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1620 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
2014 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 1/19-27 Price: $6798 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1740 for sgl. occ.)
- 2/23-3/3 Price: $6598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1740 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/26-11/3 Price: $6598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1740 for sgl. occ.)
- 11/28-12/6 Price: $6598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1740 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/11-19 Price: $6598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1740 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/24-1/1 Price: $6598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1740 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
I have been on several Backroads trip. The trip to India takes First Prize. The flow of trip was amazing...the right mix of biking, culture, down time...it really seems like a dream. I look at my pictures and realize how much I am still digesting from the trip. Every day was so full. I have already recommended this trip to several of my friends. Thanks for making this trip a highlight of my life.- Golden Valley, MN
Everything about the trip was amazing. The experiences, the sights, the sounds, the smells....will be in my mind and in my heart for the rest of my life. The trip leaders now feel like friends, the other travelers were lovely people, the hotels and activities were all top notch. I truly cannot say enough about what a once in a lifetime experience this was for me.- Golden Valley, MN
As usual, Backroads did a great job of showing me around a very foreign place. I really enjoyed the emphasis towards cultural experience. I saw and experienced amazing things that I never would have experienced without Backroads.- Seattle, WA