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The Amber Palace

Cycle Rajasthan 10 days • India

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About the Challenge

India offers a broad diversity of landscapes, people and wildlife, with an incredible mix of colourful cultures and a sense of history at every turn.

We travel to the desert state of Rajasthan, India's largest state, where our exciting ride takes us through an historic area known for its characteristic old forts, painted houses and maharajah’s palaces – some of which we stay in overnight. Trip highlights include the Pink City of Jaipur (recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage status), Ranthambore National Park, and the old abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri. We then celebrate our achievements at India’s most iconic monument, the graceful Taj Mahal.

The heat can make this a demanding trip, but there are plenty of rewards for your efforts along the way! This is a truly unforgettable experience as we combine some challenging cycling with some of the best sights the area has to offer.

 

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Dates & Prices

Edward - November 2023

The great experience was having our guide Harish, who was exceptional. He took a great interest in us as individuals and his knowledge on all aspects of India’s history, culture and wildlife was amazing. He gave us 100% of his time and would answer all our questions…
Read more + making sure we understood what he has said. For me, I came back with a huge amount of knowledge on all I had wanted to learn. All other aspects of the tour were also great with Simon, our leader, who was on the ball at all times.
Read less -

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Itinerary

Cycle Rajasthan


OPEN • 10 DAYS

  • Flying via one of the main hubs in India, we take a connecting flight to Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel and can relax! Night hotel.

  • Jaipur is known as the Pink City because of the terracotta colour of many of its buildings, and we spend a whole day exploring its many sights. The setting for ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ films, it’s a fascinating city and gives us a good cultural introduction to India, whose frenetic and vibrant street-scenes assault the senses wonderfully but can be a shock to the system! We visit Amber Fort, a magnificent ornately-decorated hill-top fort perched above the city; there are stunning views. Look out for monkeys playing on the fort walls! We also have time to visit the famous Observatory, or Jantar Mantar – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and the City Palace, and see the striking Hawa Mahal, or ‘Palace of the Winds’, which is actually just a facade. Heading back to our hotel, we have time to check our bikes and prepare our kit before dinner and a full briefing. Night hotel.

  • After an energising breakfast, we set out on our Rajasthan adventure! After an hour’s transfer out of the busy city, we unload the bikes and start pedalling. Heading out into the countryside, we are able to appreciate the scenery around us: beautiful green-brown hills surround us, dotted with small trees and scrub, hill-top forts silhouetted against the sky. The roads are fairly quiet now, but we’ll see bicycles, motorcycles and camels pulling carts laden with all manner of produce. We head east to the 11th-century village of Bhanderej, passing small villages and plots of farmland. Our route is predominantly flat, but it’s a long, hot day of cycling! A short transfer will take us the last 15km to our hotel, unless our group pace allows us time to ride the whole distance. We stay in a wonderful Maharaja’s palace. Night hotel.

    Cycle approx 75km (or 90km) / 5 – 6 hours; drive approx 1 hour

  • Our route today follows trails made by the many pilgrims, traders and armies whose journeys reflect the rich cultural history of this region. We follow small roads and tracks through villages and agricultural land, passing Hindu settlements, temples and shrines, and start to gain a real insight into the way of local life. Photogenic blue-painted Brahmin houses stand out from the natural colours of the land: Brahmins are the high priestly rank of the caste system. Vibrantly-clad children wave to us as we pass their houses and brightly-coloured truck-buses pass us, passengers riding on the roofs. We reach a larger road and follow it to the town of Lalsot, where we load up in the vehicles for the last 50km to Ranthambore National Park – famous for its magnificent tigers and the Project Tiger conservation project. There are many other species living here, including samba, cheetah, wild boar, leopard, sloth bear, jackal and hyena. We stay in a hotel just outside the Park. Night hotel.

    Cycle approx 70km / 5 – 6 hours; drive approx 1.5 hours

  • Our day starts with an exciting safari into Ranthambore National Park, where we can spot wildlife from canters (open minibuses). Formerly a hunting ground for Maharajas, the National Park is one of Rajasthan’s few areas of lush jungle and grassland and forms a great contrast to the landscapes we have seen so far. The terrain is diverse with open bush, dense forest, grassland and jungle, and we can enjoy the views of the surrounding steep craggy hills while keeping alert for signs of wildlife. If we are very lucky we may see a tiger basking in the sun or ambling down a track. After our safari is over, we leave the green forest behind and head off on our bikes on small tarmac roads through scenic villages and fields growing crops and fruit. We arrive in lovely Karauli, an ancient holy city dotted with bright blue buildings and home to an impressive palace – we should have plenty of time to explore. Night hotel.

    Cycle approx 30km / 2 - 3 hours; drive approx 2 hours

  • We continue our Indian adventure, heading north over hillier terrain through more villages and towns. We’ll be more used to the sights around us now, and we gain a greater insight into the lives of the local people with every mile that we pedal! The landscapes we ride through become more agricultural, and we pass more small villages and people tending crops on the cultivated land. The diverse scenes of local life become one of the highlights of the trip for most people. We drive the last section to our hotel. If we have enough time (and energy!) we can then ride to the nearby Keoladeo National Park, home to hundreds of bird species. In order to preserve the park and wildlife, bicycles are the only vehicle permitted – and the best way to explore the water marshes which attract thousands of water birds. Night hotel.

    Cycle approx 75km / 5 – 6 hours; drive approx 1 hour

  • We set off, enjoying our last morning’s cycle through picturesque rural India, with its fascinating villages, waving children, and colourful traffic. We are heading to the impressive ‘ghost’ city of Fatehpur Sikri. Capital of the Mughal Empire, it was built in the 16th century and abandoned little more than 10 years afterwards. Now its almost-perfectly-preserved sandstone buildings, which include mosques, palaces and living areas, allow a unique glimpse into the civilisation – and an impressive backdrop for our grand finale group photos! We then load up onto the vehicles and leave the city’s rocky ridge as we drive towards Agra on busier roads through more built-up areas. Agra itself is a huge, modern city with some beautiful historic landmarks – the most famous of which is the iconic Taj Mahal, which we’ll visit tomorrow. At our hotel we can wash off the dust and relax! Night hotel.

    Cycle approx 45km / 3 – 4 hours; drive approx 1 – 2 hours

  • The Taj Mahal at sunrise is an unmissable experience and a wonderful finale to our Indian challenge. This incredible monument – built by the Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife in the 17th century – changes hue as the sun grows stronger and the shadows recede. We have plenty of time to explore and soak up the peaceful atmosphere. We then drive back to Delhi and celebrate our amazing achievement with an evening of celebrations. Night hotel.

    Drive approx 4 hours

  • We transfer to the airport for our flight home.

    (Lunch not included if not in-flight)

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Dates & Prices

Prices may vary depending on date.

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WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • All return transport from London to Jaipur / Delhi to London
  • All meals except where specified and accommodation
  • A mountain bike
  • Discover Adventure leaders/mechanics; doctor with group of 15 or more participants
  • Local guide, support crew and drivers and back-up equipment
  • Entry to Taj Mahal and any other sites included in the itinerary

WHAT'S EXCLUDED

  • Any meals specified 'not included' in the itinerary
  • Cycle helmet (compulsory) and water bottles
  • Travel insurance
  • India entry visa
  • Personal spending money, souvenirs and drinks
  • Tips for local guides and support crew
  • Inbound airport departure tax (no tax applied at the time of writing)
  • Fees for any optional sites, attractions or activities
  • Airline taxes: we cap these so that £250.00 is the maximum you will pay
  • Any applicable surcharges as per Terms and Conditions

 


On the Trip

  • Your trip will be led by experienced Discover Adventure leaders. Our leaders are selected for their experience in harsh wilderness environments, knowledge of travel in remote areas, friendliness and approachability, sense of humour and ability to safely and effectively deal with any situation that arises. They are also trained in expedition first aid. You are in very safe hands with a Discover Adventure leader. Usually leaders are based in the UK or other English-speaking countries and lead for us regularly throughout the year in many different countries. In some instances, trips are led by in-country guides with a wealth of knowledge about the region; they have been trained by us to provide the level of support expected on a Discover Adventure trip.

  • An expedition doctor or medic accompanies the group (dependent on group size.) Their role is to look after the well-being of the whole group and deal with any medical incidents. They help the crew to ensure the trip runs smoothly, and encourage you when things get tough. The total number of crew looking after you will depend on the final size of your group.

  • Our local support crew is made up of local guides, assisted by drivers, porters, cooks and other support staff, depending on the type of trip. Local guides know the area well, and are a great source of knowledge about local customs and lifestyles. Not all support crew will speak English well, but are very friendly and approachable. The Discover Adventure crew work closely with the local crew to ensure your trip runs smoothly and safely. 

    Your leader will arrange a collection of tips for the local support crew at the end of your trek, and you will be provided with a guideline amount in advance. Tipping is not obligatory, but once you see how hard they work on your behalf you will be happy to donate something! All our local crew are paid wages, but bear in mind that the average wage in many countries may be less than you would spend on an average night out.

  • Your safety, and that of the rest of the group, is our highest priority. Our trips are designed and planned with safety in mind. Your crew will be equipped with communication devices (eg phones, radios and/or emergency satellite phones), medical kit and other safety apparatus appropriate to the destination. Our leaders always have access to our 24-hour emergency UK back-up. They are responsible for safety on the trip, and will make any changes to the itinerary they deem necessary, should local conditions dictate. Pre-trip administration - such as medical questionnaires and travel insurance as appropriate - is all done with your safety in mind.

  • Group flights usually leave from London Heathrow or Gatwick on scheduled airlines and are booked through Discover Adventure Ltd under ATOL licence 5636. By travelling with Discover Adventure you are protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). 

    Your journey may involve a transit en route; details of route and flight times will be confirmed several months before departure.  We do not always use the same airline for each destination; if you wish to know the probable carrier and flight times, please call for details. You will usually receive confirmed flight details several months before departure. Our itineraries are always based on current flight schedules and are therefore subject to change by the airline. If you prefer to book your own flights please ask us for a land-only cost.

  • Hotels are comfortable and clean with private facilities, and vary from simple city hotels to former maharaja’s palaces which are wonderful insights to the region’s history as well as fantastic places to stay. Although standards are generally very good, please do not expect palaces every night!

  • Our trips are sold on a shared accommodation basis, usually twin-share. Occasionally we may use hostel-style accommodation.
    You can tell us if you are travelling with someone else on the trip when you book or within your passenger portal, and we will do all we can to accommodate this request. It is important that both people complete the room share request on their bookings. For customers booking and travelling together, including same-sex couples, a double bed can be requested if available.
    If you're not familiar with anyone in the group, rest assured, we always pair you with someone of the same gender (as per the information you provided when booking, or passport markers), and a similar age where possible. We're actively working to improve our system's gender restrictions to be more inclusive, and we've recently made significant strides in this area. If you identify differently from the gender marker on your passport and would like to discuss this before booking, please feel free to reach out to us.

  • In most standard hotels, we can usually offer a limited number of single rooms. This is upon request, on a first-come, first-served basis, and additional charges apply. In more communal accommodation, single rooms are rarely an option.
    We do not charge a single supplement if you are a solo traveller in a shared room.

  • The food provided is plentiful, often local in style and freshly-cooked, and will give you plenty of energy. Sometimes we enjoy a buffet-style lunch-stop, other times we might have packed lunches. On some trips we stop at small local restaurants. Dinners are generally eaten at our accommodation each evening. In some regions there may be less variety than you are used to, and in others fresh meat or produce can be harder to come by. Any meals not included are listed in the itinerary and are generally on travel / free days, giving you the opportunity to explore and try other culinary experiences! There is always something to suit different budgets.

    Being vegetarian or having other dietary requirements is not usually a problem provided you let us know well in advance. Please do not expect as much variety as you would have access to at home – we may be in very rural or remote areas, or among people of a different culture who may not understand your requirements, however willing they are to help. If you know there are plenty of foods you cannot eat we strongly recommend you bring extra snacks from home so you can top up your energy supply. Please feel free to ask us for advice.

  • Your luggage, food, water and equipment is transported for you from one night-stop to the next. If there is easy road access this is done by vehicle; if not porters, mules or even camels might carry your bags, depending on the terrain.

    Space is limited and hard-sided luggage is not suitable, so it is essential that your kit is packed in a soft bag, rucksack or expedition kitbag. Ask us about our specially-designed low-cost kitbags if you don’t have one already. You should also bring a small daypack to carry for items needed during the day as you will not have access to your main luggage until the evening.

Preparing for the Challenge

  • This is designed to be a challenge, and it is vital that you train sufficiently for it. We will supply you with a thorough training guide once you have registered. We expect all participants to train hard in advance, but we respect everyone’s limits and do not expect everyone to maintain the same pace. Inadequate training is likely to have an impact not just on your chances of completing the challenge, but enjoying it too - and we want you to have the time of your life!

    Our challenges attract people of all levels of experience, fitness and ability as well as all ages and backgrounds. We design our challenges so that everyone can go at their own pace: this is not a race. If you have concerns about your fitness or if you have reduced mobility please do contact us for a confidential chat about whether this challenge is appropriate for you.

    For logistical and safety reasons we sometimes need to re-group, so the front-runners may find themselves waiting for the slower ones. Please relax, and remember that this is a team effort that enables people to achieve their personal goals and earn sponsorship.

  • We plan our trips around the optimal weather conditions, but could still be exposed to bad weather at any time. It is vital you are prepared for all conditions. We provide you with a detailed packing kit-list on registration, with plenty of information, and we are always available if you need advice.

  • Entry requirements vary depending on your destination and nationality. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid, and any visas are obtained in good time. Check the FCO’s advice on entry requirements for your destination to be sure. Please ensure you allow plenty of time to apply for your visa; we will provide you will all necessary information 6 weeks prior to depature to assist with your application.

    Your routine UK schedule of vaccinations should be up-to-date (especially tetanus). We recommend you check Fit For Travel for further details. You should always check with a GP or travel clinic for up-to-date travel health advice as it does change.

  • For the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

  • Travel Insurance is compulsory on all of our challenges outside of the UK; we strongly suggest that you arrange insurance cover as soon as your booking with us is confirmed, or as soon as you're able to purchase some, and at least 8 months prior to travel. Should you need to cancel prior to departure, you will need insurance to cover the costs involved (registration fee and any trip costs depending on cancellation date). 

    We all hope never to need it, and thankfully most of the time we don't, but on those rare occasions when you do, you want it to cover you as best it can. Whilst it's a fairly boring admin task relating to your trip of a lifetime, it is really important you ensure that you have adequate cover for the type of challenge you are taking part in as well as medical emergencies, evacuation and repatriation, so make sure you're happy with the level of cover. There are lots of suppliers out there, with a wide range in levels of cover; generally speaking, you get what you pay for! Get and pay for the right level of cover and then you can go on your adventure not having to worry about the what-if's. For more details click here.

    Once your travel insurance is arranged, just remember to let us know the policy number and 24-hr medical emergency phone number provided by your insurers.

     

  • In the unfortunate circumstance that you need to cancel your booking, we would ask that you notify us in writing either by email or post.  Your cancellation will be considered effective from the date the notice is received. Registration, administration and amendment fees are non refundable and, depending on your payment option and how close it is to your challenge departure date, you may be liable for a cancellation charge.

    Full details of all cancellation charges may be found in the Terms and Conditions of booking.

  • Your booking is part of a group challenge, and the tour costs and fundraising targets listed on our website are based on a minimum number of participants which is shown on the challenge  Our typical groups run with approximately 15-25 participants; however you may find your group is smaller or larger than this.

    We will confirm at least 12 weeks prior to departure that your challenge is guaranteed to run. Occasionally it may be possible to still run the challenge with less than the minimum numbers, subject to a small group supplement.  If we think a small group supplement may be necessary, we will discuss this with you as soon as possible, usually 5 months before your departure date. 

    Minimum numbers and groups sizes may vary on Bespoke Charity challenges.  If you are booked onto a bespoke challenge please contact your charity for full details.

  • We have a Passenger Portal which will give you more details of the challenge itself. It also enables you to see any outstanding information we need, the countdown to your challenge departure, see your outstanding balance, make payments and update your contact details. You can access this via the following link - Passenger Portal Log in.

The DA Ethos

  • We believe that travel is a force for good, and it should be safe and accessible for everyone to take on any of our adventures, regardless of sexuality, gender, race or religion. We are committed to ensuring our travellers face no discrimination on any part of the trip we control. However, we operate in some parts of the world that are less accepting. We encourage customers to be aware of local laws and customs in their destinations for their safety and comfort.
    We don’t tolerate any form of discrimination, violence or harassment, either between travellers or involving our leaders, partners or local people. Any behaviour that disrespects our customers, leaders or local communities, makes others feel unsafe or breaks local laws may result in removal from a trip or denying their booking.

  • For most people, the main attraction of travelling to a different country is to see new sights and enjoy new experiences. Sometimes those new experiences can make life harder or more inconvenient than you may like, such as toilet hygiene or different food, or simply a different attitude to solving problems. This is all part of the challenge you are signing up for! We are very privileged to live in a country with a high standard of living, and travelling exposes us to different challenges – all of which help broaden our horizons. We can guarantee that coming face-to-face with experiences outside your normal ‘comfort zone’ will help you bond with your fellow participants and provide you with plenty of things to laugh about! A sense of humour and sense of adventure are two of the most important things to bring with you!

  • We are committed to an ethos of responsible travel here at Discover Adventure; this means sustainable tourism, ethical travel, community engagement, cultural respect, wildlife protection, fair trade practices, carbon footprint reduction and more. We have been on a 30-year journey with this as one of our core principles, and it continues to evolve; you can keep up to date with what we are up to and what all of this translates into on a DA trip here.
    From 2024, we will offset our entire carbon footprint, including the flights, via a carbon credit scheme (see more here). We must do all we can to be on the right side of history. Our offsetting brings peace of mind to many of our customers, but we think it is essential that our customers are aware of their impact; with this in mind, we encourage our participants to donate to World Land Trust’s Buy an Acre project when they book an adventure.

  • Our brilliant group dynamic is fundamental to us. We have become synonymous with it over our 30 years of adventure: the supportive nature and group camaraderie are always listed as one of the trip highlights in our feedback. You’ll meet people of widely varying backgrounds, motivations and experiences. Under these unique circumstances, you are more likely to open up about your story and form lifelong friendships. You’ll likely find something that resonates with everyone in the group. This is a unique way of travelling, after all, and that’s what brings you all together.
    We have travellers from 18 – 80 across all of our challenges, with the average age of our participants being in the mid-40s.
  • Many people opt to take on our adventures on their own – maybe they are keen to do something for themselves, love to travel this way or feel that this is an important part of the challenge. The great news is, you’re never really a ‘solo traveller’ when you travel with us as you’re travelling with a group of like-minded people, all ready to take on the adventure of a lifetime by your side.
    Unlike many travel companies, we do not apply a single supplement to your booking unless you request a single room. You will be placed into a room-share arrangement with someone of the same gender (as per the information you provided when booking, or passport markers), and a similar age where possible.

  • Over the years, people with wide-ranging abilities have achieved personal goals on our adventures that they may have previously assumed were out of their reach.
    We must be aware of any circumstances that may affect your ability to take on the trip, whether you have concerns about fitness, health conditions or disability. This way, we can ensure we are providing the best advice and support. You will be asked to sign a medical declaration upon booking.

    Whilst we will always try our best for you, by the nature of adventure, not all of our challenges are accessible, and we are not an operator specifically offering adapted adventures. If you would like to have a confidential chat with the team about anything before booking, please give us a call or an email; we will be more than happy to help.

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