 Introduction: Regarded by many as one of India's most exotic and romantic corners, the colours, sounds and smells of Rajasthan, “Land of the Maharajahs”, will delight your senses. Exploring by bike affords the chance to discover more, for as well the fabulous forts, palaces and temples, it is in the many villages along rural trails that we discover the very essence of India's cultural heart.
Udaipur and Beyond: Catching the overnight Mewar Express train, we arrive in Udaipur, an enchanting city of white marble palaces, placid blue lakes and lush gardens ablaze with bougainvillea. There's time to explore the magnificent palaces and temples before taking to our bikes; riding through winding honeycomb lanes of the old city, we soon reach the tranquillity of the countryside, with the stark beauty of the arid Aravalli hills all around us.
 Kumbhalgarh Fort & Ranakpur: Strategically sited on the border of two ancient Rajput kingdoms, the impressive fort at Kumbhalgarh commands stunning views over the villages and scrub forest of the wildlife sanctuary nearby and beyond to the deserts of Marwar. We'll walk along part of its black walls; 36 kilometres long, they were built to defy scaling and up to six horses could walk the ramparts side by side. Peddling through rural Rajasthan we reach the exquisitely carved, white marble temples of Ranakpur, an important pilgrimage centre for Jains.
Rural trails to Jaipur: Cycling country roads well off the beaten track, we'll witness the timelessness of rural India. Turbaned men discuss the day's business at the village chai stall, whilst women gather at the well, clad in colourful saris, carrying copper water pots on their head with impossible grace, barefoot with anklets jangling. Like pilgrims and traders for centuries before us, we make for the desert village of Pushkar, famous for its annual camel fair. We stay near the lake, one of India's most sacred - magically beautiful in the evening light. Finally we reach Jaipur, the “pink city”, with time to explore its bazaars, palaces and havelis.
|
