Rakatanga Tour - India - Rajasthan - Forts palaces and colours

Rajasthan is the most typical and visited state in India. Land of the Rajputs, the most feared warrior caste in the country, who once ruled the entire state by building impregnable forts and establishing independent kingdoms led by Maharajas. It is a state where desert landscapes, elephants, turbans, saris of a thousand colors, and ancient palaces straight out of the tales of the Arabian Nights blend together.

Motorcycle route of approximately 1400 km.

Day 1. Arrival of the different flights to Delhi. Afternoon meeting with the group at the hotel and an introductory talk about driving in India, an introduction to the country, and the travel program. Overnight in Delhi.

Day 2. Delhi - Alwar 4 hours. Departure by private vehicle from our hotel in Delhi to the magnificent Alwar Fort Palace, 120 km from Delhi (2h30 journey). In the afternoon, we will meet the team that will assist us during the trip and have our first contact with the motorcycles. Overnight in Alwar.

Day 3. Alwar - Jaipur. 5 hours. Departure to Jaipur, crossing the Sariska Tiger Reserve by motorcycle. Upon arrival in Jaipur, we will ascend to the imposing Amber Palace. We will then visit the most significant places in the city by motorcycle. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 4. Jaipur - Pushkar. 5 hours. One of the most interesting stages as we venture into a large salt flat, arriving in the afternoon at Pushkar, a sacred town in Hindu culture. Overnight in Pushkar.

Day 5. Free day in Pushkar, famous for its camel market held in November, and its sacred lake. A spectacular city for photography enthusiasts, where pilgrims mingle with typical turbans and saris of various colors. Pushkar is also renowned for its local handicrafts. Overnight in Pushkar.

Day 6. Pushkar - Ghanerao. 5 hours. From the sacred Hindu town of Pushkar, we head to Ghanerao. The day unfolds along a picturesque road, deviating from the main highway, passing through typical Rajasthani villages. Our hotel is one of the most unique in the region — a former Rajput noble house, full of both character and decrepitude. Overnight at Ghanerao Castle.

Day 7. Ghanerao - Udaipur. 5 hours. We leave Ghanerao behind to visit Khumbalgarh Fort, the only one never conquered by the Mongols. From its heights, you can admire the Aravalli Mountains. We cross fields and villages full of traditional Rajasthani life. Arrival in the afternoon at Udaipur. Overnight in Udaipur.

Day 8. Free day in Udaipur to discover its lakes, palaces, or simply wander through its streets, where we might encounter an elephant and an incredible number of shops with Rajasthani miniatures. Overnight in Udaipur.

Day 9. Udaipur - Jodhpur. Departure to the Ranakpur temples, one of the most important gems of Jain architecture. The road to Ranakpur, situated at the foot of the Aravalli Mountains, is possibly the most pleasant road we will travel during the trip. After lunch, we head to Jodhpur, the Blue City. The houses in the old quarter are painted blue, which once indicated the homes of Brahmins, the priestly caste and the highest in Hindu society. Upon our afternoon arrival, we will visit the impressive Mehrangarh Fort, perched on a hill with a magnificent view of the entire city. Overnight in Jodhpur.

Day 10. Jodhpur - Thar Desert. 5 hours. We cross desert landscapes along a flat road where we will encounter the typical camels of the Thar Desert. We arrive at our camp in the middle of the desert, where we will take a camel ride, ending atop the dunes watching the sunset with a cold beer. Overnight on the dunes, enjoying the magical stars of the desert sky.

Day 11. Thar Desert - Jaisalmer. 3 hours. Jaisalmer is the jewel of Rajasthan’s desert, the golden city of Jaisalmer. Free afternoon to explore Jaisalmer and its incredible palaces and "havelis" — old houses built during the city's commercial heyday. The facade decorations give the impression that the stone has been worked like filigree. Overnight in Jaisalmer.

Day 12. Return to Delhi by domestic flight. Jaisalmer - Delhi. Arrival in Delhi around 2 pm. Option/extension to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra. International flight departures in the afternoon/evening. End of our services.

Trip duration: 12 days 11 hotel nights (from day 1 to day 11 inclusive).

Companions who wish to join the trip can do so as passengers on the back of a motorcycle or in the support vehicle (from 4 participants onwards).

Motorcycle model: Himalayan

We offer the off-road model of Royal Enfield, the Himalayan model:

The price includes:

Motorcycle rental for the entire trip (400cc, the off-road model of Royal Enfield, Himalayan model)
Heritage Hotels or historic hotels for nights 1 to 11 in double rooms; Camping on the Thar Desert dunes (single room available at extra cost)
Breakfast, and one dinner on the night in the dunes. Water and tea during road stops.
English-speaking guide (during the motorcycle travel days) with experience on the route and a mechanic specializing in Enfield bikes.
Van and driver to transport luggage and provide roadside assistance (from 4 participants onwards).
Gasoline, spare parts, tools, first aid kit, medicines.
Maintenance and repairs, third-party insurance for the motorcycles.

The price does not include:

Indian visa.
International flight to Delhi (Between €450 and €600)
Personal expenses such as laundry, souvenirs, alcoholic beverages, or entrance fees to monuments.
Tips for the tour staff, hotels, and restaurants. • Meals or dinners not specified in the "price includes" section.
Transportation during free days.
Travel insurance covering motorcycle use. Mandatory.
€500 deposit for the motorcycle. Fully refundable if the bike is undamaged.

Weather and clothing during the trip:

During October/November and February/March, average temperatures in Rajasthan range from 26°-28°C. Nights in the desert areas of Jaisalmer and Bikaner can be cool. Expect sunny days with little or no chance of rain. High-level sun protection, sunglasses, and gloves are recommended.

Motorcycle gear: Helmet (preferably modular), jacket, gloves, boots, and rain gear (two-piece suits are ideal). A windproof jacket is enough for cool morning rides. During the day, summer motorcycle gear that ventilates and breathes will be best. Bring a pair of warmer gloves if you tend to get cold in the mornings. A magnetic tank bag is practical for carrying a camera, gloves, etc.

Road conditions and driving in India:

Driving in India can be chaotic with rules very different from those in Europe, but you adapt quickly. The advantage is that there is generally little traffic on the roads and they do not drive fast. In Rajasthan, most roads are paved and in good condition. We will mostly ride through flat, desert areas without major issues. This route can be done by a driver with little experience due to the ease of the route and the generally good road conditions.

India is an incredible and magical country, but it is not easy for those without patience or unaccustomed to unforeseen events and delays. If you decide to join the group, be aware that you must be flexible with unexpected situations and possible delays due to the country’s unique conditions. As you might expect, this type of motorcycle adventure involves some risk, and by joining the trip, you acknowledge and accept this. A good attitude and a dose of humor are essential to fully enjoy this journey.

I've translated the section about the Royal Enfield Himalaya and the registration/insurance details into English! Let me know if you want any adjustments:

The ‘Royal’ Enfield Himalaya

The Royal Enfield continues to be manufactured in India after the English company stopped producing them in England in the mid-1950s. The bikes have retained the same design for 60 years, with few aesthetic or technical changes. It is a robust motorcycle with an unbeatable look and sound. With its reverse gear shift and a 500cc engine, riding the Enfield on Indian roads will give you a pleasure from another era. While the Bullet is not a fast bike, it is the one best suited to the tough road conditions of this part of the world.

Our fleet of Royal Enfield motorcycles consists of 400cc bikes, the off-road model of Royal Enfield — the Himalaya — with a 5-speed gearbox, European-style gear shift, disc brakes, and electric start.

Important Information

Registration: Registrations will be processed strictly in the order they are received. This means that if you book at the last minute, you may have to opt for a single room if there is no one available to share a double room with. The sooner you book, the better your chances of securing a double room.
Travel Insurance: It is mandatory to have travel assistance insurance that covers motorcycle use. If you don’t have one through your credit card, car, or motorcycle insurance, you must arrange one. This type of insurance typically covers medical expenses abroad and repatriation by plane in case of illness or accident.

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