Cycling Through Rajasthan

Customer Reviews

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  Julia

  · March 8th, 2019
  Trip description was lacking in details. The following information would be helpful to prospective participants: Daily ride distances with elevation profiles; Approximate length of each coach transfer; the lack of toilet facilities while riding, necessitating finding a suitable bush. Time Management should be better. On several days we did not do the entire scheduled bike ride because some of the riders were slow and/or we spent too much time on breaks. On another day the whole ride was cancelled. And on yet another day the afternoon ride was cancelled. Getting away from winter weather, I was looking forward to the cycling, but was disappointed. With a more thoughtful itinerary and time management, we would have been able to see several other noteworthy (and UNESCO) sights. Itinerary should be reworked to save time--less time on coach and more time cycling or free time in town. In my opinion, Pushkar could be eliminated--the only sight there was a temple that was full of tourists. Three of our guided tours ended with a "visit" to a craftsperson's shop where we sat through a lengthy sales-pitch. Accommodations were not walking distance from town. This meant there was no choice for dinner except at the hotels which served ordinary but over-priced food and the clientele were all tourists. I travel to see and be with the local people. If hotels were within walking distance of town, there would be a variety of choices for meals and entertainment. While the accommodations had impressive curb-appeal, looking grand at a distance, the rooms were tired with fixtures that didn't work properly, stained furniture, electricity intermittent, windows puttied shut... One did not have a deadbolt on the door--a real safety concern. Most rooms did not have WiFi despite stating they did.
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  Trip date: February 2019
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  Ronald

  · March 10th, 2017
  The trip of a lifetime.....fabulous crew and route. All planned and executed so well.
  Trip date: February 2017
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  M.A. HARPER

  · April 11th, 2012
  Phenomenal. A challenge for mind and body. Focussed my thoughts on the day, the surroundings and the bike. Leadership superb, back up outstanding, hotels wonderful and colours and smells of India, will linger!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?There are no special moments...all of it.   Getting the bikes in Delhi and trying them out...the overnight train and a tray of curries to try not to drop on one's clothes...the hotel in Jodphur and the pool.  Meeting the group...going on the road and encountering my first roundabout...help.   Temples and forts, and birds in the Keolodar Park were outstanding and we saw the tiger at Sarista!  Rough tracks thru villages, avoiding camels, and water buffalo, and the hardest, daredevel school kids with naughty sticks to smash ones behind!  Meals out, in Udaipur...dancng in the bus on way back to hotel.   Everything about the trip was astonishingly good, even when my mobile was stolen from hotel room in Jaipur I got so much help from our bike guide Pramod, phoning UK etc.  As a past trek leader, I know what to look for in trips, and this was simply outstandingly well led.  Sanjay was our group leader, and Pramod our bike guide...they thought of everything...always looking ahead.   The steady chai stops on the 94 km day made it seem easy...the non stop bananas and water and oranges helped us all along, but mainly it was everything.  Even the day at the Taj, end of day...when light was good.  I simply cannot enthuse enough, and looking for next one....I heard that P Burrell was responsible for the route...I wondered how it had been recce'd.  It was amazing, leading us into rural rough tracks and potholes and onto highways...with the bus always on hand when it got to over 38 deg.   Where am I going next?What did you think of your group leader?Sanjay and Pramod were quite simply outstandingly good.  Always punctual, always ready to help, or advise re food or biking, Pramod was a bird expert which I enjoyed as am into birds...he knew each bird by its call!   Sanjoy kept up untiring willlingness to offer extras, at the end of a long day, by arranging a meal out, and we tried all sorts of things at roadside chai stalls...He took us to a marble factory, yet biked into smart hotels and nice hotels..  These two worked so well together, having known one another for a while....not assertive, but quietly managing it all so it worked like clockwork.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?It may be moderate...I am not young...but bike fairly frequently, but no more than 16, 20 miles...on mountain bike, but found it fine, but it would not be good if one did not have some bike experience..at no time did I feel I could just dawdle along....BUT JUST GO and ENJOY the ride!!!!!  Marvellous..opens doors.Is there anything else you would like to add?Just thanks .....I loved it ALL....enjoyed meeting new people...enriching my life.  Can't wait till next one... I felt renewed when I returned.  and free.
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  Trip date: April 2012
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  David Tompkins

  · April 2nd, 2012
  A brilliant combination of cycling and sight-seeing through a fascinating corner of IndiaWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?For an apparently unmoveable atheist, I found the deity 'dressing' ceremony at the Jagdish temple in Udaipur astonishingly moving.  The sheer number of waves and smiles from local kids (and their parents / grandparents - some of whom might have looked glum, but a smile, wave and 'namaste' almost always broke through the facade of indifference) was fantastic.  As was the sighting of Sarus Cranes just before dusk in the Keoladeo National Park, and the tiger in Sariska National Park, and the carving in the main Jain temple at Ranakpur, and arriving in Pushkar to a brilliant orange sunset... etc etc etcWhat did you think of your group leader?Pramod and Sanjay did a fantastic job, and the trip wouldn't have been the same if one or the other had been missing.  Pramod's quiet approach perfectly balanced Sanjay's frequent aspirations for everyone to have a go at 'Indian' dancing... On the bus... After rum and coke.  Brilliant!  To see them at their most competitive, put them on opposing sides during a 'friendly' cricket match...Do you have any advice for potential travellers?The first afternoon in Delhi can feel like wasted down time, but bear in mind that you'll be up at 6am on many of the subsequent days and have probably just endured a tedious night flight - relaxing by the pool is acceptable!  Not having visited India before, I was rather unsure of myself and wish (in hindsight) that I had taken myself off to the Qutab Minar complex, which wasn't too far from the hotel.  If in doubt, negotiate a price with the tuk-tuk driver and crack on.  Whilst it's possible to eat incredibly cheaply in India, we tended to adjourn en masse to local restaurants in the evenings, where you could expect to pay in the region of 600INR (including beer) for a decent veggie meal.  Don't worry if you can't get hold of small money from the FOREX places in the airport - I found that I soon had a stack of 10, 20 & 100INR notes after meals (10INR notes proved invaluable for 'toilet tipping'!), and there are ATM stops en route if you need to top up supplies of cash.This was my first ever group holiday, and I was nervous about booking it beforehand (it was a birthday treat and I didn't want to have a miserable time!).  I can honestly say that I had a blast and would do the whole thing again tomorrow. Is there anything else you would like to add?There's so much to see and do on this trip that you'll find it almost impossible to have an early night - particularly if you find yourself in a group of cyclists who won't be rushed.  Some of the sight-seeing can feel time-limited, but the only times I felt really pressured not to linger were at the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.  If you get a chance at the latter, ask to see the mosque, which is outside the 'museum' complex and still in use - fascinating Sufi shrines inside and an interesting comparison with the Jama Masjid in Delhi.Luckily you'll get plenty of time in the Taj complex.  The mausoleum chamber itself can be unpleasantly crowded, but linger until the guards move you on (to let the next group in) and go round to re-join the line if you think you missed something. Finally - if you like good quality hand-crafted decorative items, then bring a card with plenty of credit.  The carpet I bought in Jaipur arrived back in the UK just after me (8 days)!  PS.  My only negative: The pre-trip bike preparation was rubbish - the bikes didn't appear to have been cleaned after the previous Exodus trip, and some were only just road-worthy.  Pintu did a fantastic job of puncture and general field repair en route, but I thought he'd been poorly served by the quality of his starting materials.  Luckily this didn't detract from what I can only describe as a fantastic holiday.
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  Trip date: April 2012
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  Michael Innes

  · April 2nd, 2012
  I took my 23 year old daughter and we both had a wonderful holiday. You need to have an open mind, willingness to accept what India has to offer rather than a critical eye, ability to get on in a group and reasonable fitness plus tolerance of the heat if going in March. If you have all these you won't regret this trip. Organistaion was excellent and group leaders could not have been better. Quite a lot of time in the bus but this is necessary to get around the area. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?No one inspirational moment but generally loved the madness of place. There may be a lot of poverty, little sanitation, no rubbish collection and insane driving but it all seems to work and most people are genuinely happy and pleased to see you. It was great to be free of some of the ever increasing restrictions that western governments put on their citizens. Loved the immense size and remoteness of Kumbhalgarh fort; the beauty of the Taj Mahal; the birds at Bharatpur; the bazaar at Jodhpur; the countryside in general.  What did you think of your group leader?2 leaders. Both excellent. Could not have been more friendly or helpful. Well informed and willing to give of their knowledge. Also should mention the rest of the team - bus driver; bike mechanic; general helper. All were good at what they did and genuinely friendly.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Carry Immodium! Take strong sun cream in March. Go for it.Is there anything else you would like to add?We spent an extra day in Delhi and it was worth it to see a few more of the city's sights, especially the bazaar area around Chandri Chowk. 
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  Trip date: April 2012
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  Fiona Knight

  · January 29th, 2012
  Cycling through the countryside gives you a wonderful insight into rural life in India whilst visits to the cultural highlights of the region make this a very interesting and active itinerary.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Visiting the Taj Mahal which is amazing.  The Forts at Agra and Jaipur were also really impressive and I enjoyed cycling through the countryside too.What did you think of your group leader?The two leaders, Sajay and Pramod were excellent leaders who not only guided the cycling but also kept us entertained. They worked hard in the background to ensure that the trip ran smoothly. The bike mechanic, bus driver and his assistant were also a good team.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Be prepared for quite a few consecutive days cycling 40miles+ and consider taking your own saddle rather than a gel cover. If you take your own bike remember that supplies of spare parts such as chains and rear mechanism hangars are aimed at the local bike market and so you would be advised to take a few extra bike bits just in case.   The road surfaces can be rough in places and don't be surprised if the locals want to chat to you from their motorbikes whilst you negotiate pot holes, camels, cows etc in front of you.  This means that you should be confident of cycling in traffic and some experience of cycling on rough terrain would be advantageous.  It is best to cycle with at least one other person as, although almost everyone is friendly, sometimes the children like to jump out in front of you or throw stones. A supply of hand gel is also a good idea.  Is there anything else you would like to add?An active, well organised trip which is almost two holidays in one combining the cycling and sight-seeing.  The bikes were great for the terrain and the mechanic was skilled at keeping them running.  Some of them would probably have benefited from some new cassettes and chains.
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  Trip date: January 2012
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  Anne Leete

  · January 21st, 2012
  Fascinating country, impressed by the resourcefulness and friendliness of the people. Cycling always interesting, so much to see.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Walking through that arch and seeing the Taj Mahal.What did you think of your group leader?OK, friendly and polite, perhaps could have been a bit more proactive in explaining things.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?If you go in December don't forget your fleeces.  It gets cold at nights and many of the hotels don't have heating.Is there anything else you would like to add?Realising you can cycle in the chaos of the Indian streets gives a great sense of exhileration - due of course to the allowances that everyone makes for you.
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  Trip date: January 2012
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  Trevor Andrews

  · January 19th, 2012
  An enjoyable trip that provides a varied flavour of all the sights and sounds that India has to offer. It is a mix of fairly easy cycling combined with some longish coach transfers to be able to cover the distances required. One note of caution is to check the weather as traveling over Christmas means you are subjected to very cold nights and often foggy mornings.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?India. Its a country of such contrasts, history, friendly people, sights, poverty, the contriductions of modern New Delhi versus Old Delhi. The Amber Fort, Jaipur and the Taj Mahal are obvious highlights.What did you think of your group leader?The organisation was very effectifient and able to cope with the minor mishaps you expect on these trips.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Check the temperature averages for time of year you are travelling, December and January is close to freezing overnight in Rajasthan and therefore the unheated hotels are very cold at night. Also some mornings when the majority of the cycling is done were foggy.Is there anything else you would like to add?The day in Jaipur should be one of the highlights of the trip but you will be forced to spend more time at a shopping complex and an awful dull over-priced tourist lunch stop than you will at the Amber Fort. In our case the Amber Fort was a rushed march around the main complex with no time to explore any of the surrounding points of interest. Thankfully as a group we subsequently refused the other commission laden "shopping opportunities" we offered.
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  Trip date: January 2012
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  Caroline Smith

  · December 28th, 2011
  Very enjoyable - covered a lot of ground, saw some amazing (and humbling) sights and had superb support from guides and crew who worked really hard to make this a trip to remember.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?For me the whole trip was about seeing the Taj Mahal and it did not disappoint. We went in the morning (though missed sunrise as it was rather misty) and it really did take my breath away. We had plenty time to wander at our own pace and take it all in.Also thoroughly enjoyed cycling out in the countryside. We took a walk to a local village from the Tiger Reserve and loads of children led us across the fields to explore where they lived, posing for photos, playing with our hair and chatting away though we did not understand a word. It was a lovely experience.What did you think of your group leader?Harish and Pramod worked really hard to make sure everyone was happy though we all had different requirements (and demands). They are enthusiastic and knowledgable as well as striking a respectful balance with the locals who were interested in us every time we stopped.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?It got chilly in the evenings in December (especially in the Tiger Reserve, though also in some hotels) - I wished I had more warm clothes. Try to stick with at least one other person when cycling through the villages - we sometimes had youngsters throwing rocks and sticks at us (though I have to say that most of the locals were very friendly!)You won't get much chance for shopping - there are some organised trips to carpet/ marble/ jewellery places but limited opportunities to go round local markets - ask early if this is something you really want to do.We got a better exchange rate for our £ at money-changers in town than at the airport. You won't find ATMs every day and some people struggled to use their cards.Is there anything else you would like to add?I've travelled in India before but the sights and sounds and traffic and poverty still catch me every time. Take time to take it all in - the rides through the countryside are amazing - seeing people at work and going about their business in brightly coloured clothing and being surrounded by locals within minutes at every chai stop. This trip was the first for me where the locals were armed with camera phones and they were as interested in taking pictures of us as we were in them. All in all it was a great trip and we used just about every minute of every day. Be prepared for lots of early starts and some lengthy bus transfers - the trip covers a wide area but it's ok if you are expecting them.
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  Trip date: December 2011
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  John Stocks

  · November 22nd, 2011
  Really enjoyable trip. Exceeded my expectations both from the trip and the country perspective.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?I have lots of great memories ranging from cycling in rush hour traffic in Delhi which was akin to cycling round the north circular but somehow safer (The Indians seem to be less agressive than us Brits), to following a scooter round Udaipur with 16 of us in a conga type of Peleton to hoping to find one of five Tigers in 400+ sq miles of National park at 6am!!What did you think of your group leader?Both the leader and his deputy were great. They have a lot to cope with. 16 clients all wanting varying degrees of looking after and following the Trip Notes. The other 3 team members were excellent also - bus driver. bike mechanic and the guy who did everyting else.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?It is a cycling holiday - the more used to cycling the more you'll enjoy it but if you are a cycling nut and want to get your head down, think twice. For safety reasons you'll only get about 90mins at a time without an enforced stop. Given the heat and things to see/photograph it shouldn't be a problem (or go and cycle the Alpine passess)! We were a mixed group and fairly typical I would think and we all seemed to cope.There is also lots of sightseeing - more than I expected (and in my case more than I needed). But it is well organised and virtually always with an expert, English speaking guide.There are some longish bus transfers and forewarned is forearmed. Check the actual distances (and allow for heavy city traffic) between the overnight stops to calculate. Is there anything else you would like to add?Go for it. You'll enjoy. Always make time for a Kingfisher (beer) at the end of each day with the rest of the group.
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  Trip date: November 2011