Cycle rajasthan.pdf

Cycle Rajasthan (13 days)
Discover the back and beyond of Rajasthan. In this trip, we cycle across the Central Rajasthan covering many small and big villages. This tour will take us to some of the interesting remote villages where we get a close personal interaction with the villagers and tribals. Sights of men with twirled moustaches wearing colourful turbans, taking their cattle and sheep for grazing; and women wearing beautiful attire, getting water from the local hand pump are pretty common in these villages. During this tour, we stay at battle forts like Ras Fort and Tordi Garh; Palaces like Phool Mahal Palace; and Farm houses like Rawla Bagh, where the owners personally help us explore their villages. In the latter part of the trip we visit Jaipur and Agra. In Agra, we also undertake a visit to the DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Day 1 / Delhi
Today is an arrival day and no activities are planned. If you are arriving early, please check the notice board in the
foyer of the hotel for suggestions of things to see and do in Delhi. Please check the notice board for details of your
tour briefing tomorrow morning, and for any other messages from your tour leader.
Day 2 / Delhi – Overnight Train
This morning we will have a tour briefing in the hotel lobby with our tour leader. We then venture on an orientation
tour of Old Delhi walking through the narrow streets of Chandani Chowk, Jama Masjid and Connaught Place. Later
you could explore some of the monuments of Delhi on your own. In the evening we head for the New Delhi Railway
Station to catch the overnight sleeper train to Beawar. The train departs from Delhi at 2130.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Day 3 / Beawar – Nimaj (approx 50km cycling)
We arrive at Beawar at 0820 and head to a local restaurant for breakfast. After breakfast, we assemble our bikes
and begin cycling towards Nimaj. Initially we cycle on the highway, and later we turn towards Babra village – we
cycle about 20 kms and then head to Giri, another 12km away. We stop here for lunch and a rest. We then cycle onwards to Mithia and to Nimaj. Our stay here is at Nimaj Bagh – the orchards of the nobles of Nimaj, who have converted their farm house into a comfortable Guest House. We then go for a walking tour of Nimaj town. We can also cycle around to some of the neighbouring hamlets and Chatrasagar Lake.
Day 4 / Nimaj – Ras (approx 50km cycling)
Today we cycle down the country roads initially to Hasarlai. We then continue along the route to Balada, where we
stop for lunch. We cycle onwards to Rabariawas, and through the countryside onto our destination of Ras. The
region is arid, and we cross many hamlets and small villages en route. Meals included: 1 breakfast
Day 5 / Ras – Pushkar (approx 55km cycling)
Today we cycle through a sandy stretch of the Thar Desert. We go past Sewaria, Kurki before reaching
Govindgarh. From Govindgarh to Pushkar we cross a very fertile stretch of the desert where Roses are cultivated.
We can stop and visit a rose farm. We arrive at Pushkar and check in our hotel. The later half of the day can be
spent exploring Pushkar town and the markets.
Day 6 / Pushkar – Kishangarh (approx 55km cycling)
Today we drive through a mixed countryside – on one side the terrain is sandy and arid, on the other hand you
have the Aravali ranges. We first cycle to Buda Pushkar, where they claim Pushkar was originally founded. It is a
small lake which has been recently renovated by the government. We than carry on cycling to Kishangarh through
the countryside. Kishangarh is a major principality in Central Rajasthan. Kishangarh school of Art was very famous
in the medieval period and even today paintings from this region go far and wide.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Day 7 / Kishangarh – Tordi (approx 68km cycling)
Today we cycle through central Rajasthan; we cross through some patches of green farms where the crops are
being harvested. We first cross Rai which is about 20 kms from Kishangarh. We then cycle onwards to Lamba Hari Singh about 20 kms from Rai and stop for some rest and lunch. In the afternoon we cycle onwards about 28 kms via Malpura town to Tordigarh. Tordigarh has an interesting landscape with Dunes, Hillock and a small water body nearby. Our stay here is at the Tordigarh, the nobles of Tordi have converted a wing of their fort into a small guest house. We take a walk in the village with the owner, and also cycle to a ruined step well outside the village and the
Dunes. You can also visit the old reservoir and the hamlets around Tordi.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Day 8 / Tordi – Jaipur (approx 40km cycling)
After Breakfast we cycle through the country roads towards Jaipur for a couple of hours. Later we drive to Jaipur,
the capital of Rajasthan. It is also known as the Pink City due to the hue that was applied to the city to welcome
the Prince of Wales during his visit. You have the afternoon to explore the markets of Jaipur.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Day 9 / Jaipur
On our second day in Jaipur we travel 11 km out to the stunning medieval Amber Fort. This fort was built in 1592
by Maharaja Man Singh and is a superb example of Rajput architecture. Several hours are needed to explore this huge fortification. Our leader will also take us to the Old Bazaar and Haw Mahal, better known as The Palace of the Wind. This five-storey façade with its pink, honeycombed sandstone windows is one of Japer’s best-known landmarks. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 10 / Agra
This morning we take a bus to Agra, home to India’s most famous icon - the majestic Taj Mahal. Here we include a
visit to this amazing 17th century marble mausoleum, which Emperor Shah Jahan built as a monument to the
memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died whilst giving birth. The emperor himself was subsequently
overthrown and imprisoned by his son and oversaw the construction of this magnificent monument whilst incarcerated in Agra Fort. Upon his death, Shah Jehan was also entombed in the Taj Mahal next to his beloved wife. Our tour leader will also give us the option of visiting Agra Fort. Meals included: 1 breakfast
Day 11 / Agra - Delhi
Today we take a trip to Dancing Bear Sanctuary near Agra. The Wild bears had been traditionally captured by local
tribes that depended on dancing bears for their livelihood. The cruel practice was banned in India and the wildlife
Society established a dancing bear rescue facility near Agra where the dancing bears are being rescued and
rehabilitated. We visit the sanctuary and understand the activities that the Wildlife Organisation is involved in. In
the evening we transfer to the train station to board an overnight sleeper train to Delhi. Meals included: 1 breakfast
Day 12 / Delhi
On arrival in Delhi, we will be transferred to our hotel where we have booked day use rooms for our final day. We
have free time for optional sightseeing for the rest of the day. Our final night in Delhi gives us a chance to go out
and enjoy dinner with our travelling companions (cost not included).
Day 12 / Tour ends
Our tour ends today. Your tour leader can assist you in booking a transfer back to the airport.
About Peregrine
Peregrine has been operating adventure holidays since 1977.
Today we can help you discover all four corners of the globe, from
the Polar regions, to Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and beyond. We offer high-quality, excellent-value, small-group adventures to interesting areas of the world, in harmony with the local people and the environment. Trip grade
Cultural adventure
With focus on local cultures and historic sites, these trips have the perfect mix of discovery, exploration, comfort
and relaxation. Some trips may include a little walking or a night or two ‘roughing’ it. Check the itinerary for
details.
Included
Local tour leader, local guides, arrival transfer, transport including train, sightseeing and entrance fees, bicycle,
helmet, support vehicle.
Accommodation: 10 nights hotel, 2 night air-con sleeper train
Meals: 10 breakfasts
Transport: overnight train, bicycle, private vehicle
Not included
International flights, airport departure taxes, airport departure transfer, visas, insurance, other meals including all
lunches and dinners, any optional tours and activities during free time, camera fees, excess baggage charges, tips
and items of a personal nature.
Additional accommodation
Extend your holiday by booking some pre or post tour accommodation - ask us or your travel agent.
Other information
Train and Road Travel in India
Travel in India is not always easy and we find that a good dose of patience certainly comes in handy! Trains can be often late and unexpected delays do occur. Generally overnight train travel is in air-conditioned sleeper class with sheets, a pillow and a blanket provided, but we recommend you bring along a sleeping bag liner for extra comfort and hygiene. Toilet facilities on Indian trains are also quite basic. Travelling on the roads in India is also quite an experience. Road rules are not always followed and some of the traffic in the larger cities has to be experienced to be believed. Particular care should be taken when crossing roads.
Tipping and Tipping Kitty
Although the culture of tipping may not be part of your own culture, it is nonetheless part of the culture in this
area of the world and it is often the way some people supplement their earnings. Tipping has also become an accepted part of the tourism culture in the region. On our trips your tour leader can advise you on this matter; however, as a guideline we would recommend a tip of 5-10% in restaurants and US$1 to US$2 per person, per day for a local guide. The bellboys at hotels will appreciate a small tip for carrying your bags. Taxi and rickshaw drivers do not expect a tip. If you are unhappy with a service, of course, you are under no obligation to leave a tip. However, if the service has been satisfactory, a tip is always appreciated.with a smile! To protect you from the sometimes seemingly endless soliciting of tips, we suggest you discuss with your tour leader about setting up a tipping kitty whereby everybody contributes an equal amount (this amount can vary from trip to trip, but a good approximate is US$3 per person per day). Your tour leader can then distributes tips along the way (except restaurant tips) to local guides and hotel porters, etc. and keeps a record of all moneys spent. Please note that this
kitty is not designed to provide a tip for your tour leader.
Tipping Your Tour Leader
It is also customary to tip your tour leader at the end of the trip, if you are happy with his/her service. A minimum
tip of US$3 per day from each member of the group is the standard amount expected.
Travelling responsibly
We care about the places and people that we meet on our journeys, and we try to ensure that we give something
back, as well as taking away so many incredible memories. For more information on our commitment to
responsible tourism, visit www.peregrineadventures.com/rt

Peregrine Community Trust
The Peregrine Community Trust, a division of Peregrine Adventures, provides funds for local community projects
and initiatives that promote responsible and sustainable tourism development in the destinations in which we
operate. First and foremost, but not exclusively, the Trust supports projects and initiatives that advance education and employment within the tourism and hospitality industry. The Trust operates on a not-for-profit basis, with funds donated by us, our staff and our travellers, with every cent going to the nominated projects. By donating to one on the projects supported by The Peregrine Community Trust you will help promote responsible and sustainable tourism and make a positive difference for communities and travellers right now, and for the
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Passport
Well before travelling, please ensure that you have a current passport, with an accurate photo, that is valid for at
least six months after your scheduled return home. Also check that your airline tickets are in exactly the same
name as your passport. Some countries may require that you have a return air ticket, or have sufficient funds to
purchase such a ticket.
Insurance
On all our holidays you must have comprehensive travel insurance which we recommend you take at the time of
paying your deposit. We can help recommend a suitable policy for your tour or you may choose to take other
cover. Participants without adequate insurance cover will be asked to arrange cover immediately before
commencing their holiday - this can be very difficult and expensive to arrange locally. In particular, your policy must cover you for medical expenses, lost luggage and cancellations fees. For trekking trips you must also be covered for evacuation by helicopter and repatriation. In the event of emergency evacuation, you are liable to the helicopter operating company and to us for both the helicopter operating company’s direct costs - which can amount to thousands of U.S. dollars - and also to us for an additional amount of 10 per cent, to cover our costs for organising the evacuation. Passengers requiring emergency evacuation will be billed for the cost and required to pay prior to departing India or the relevant point of exit. We will supply all necessary supporting documentation to enable you to make an insurance claim but the primary obligation for payment rests with the passenger. IMPORTANT NOTE - Those on some “Challenging or “Mountaineering” expeditions should be aware that standard travel insurance policies do not cover general mountaineering requiring the use of ropes, etc. You will need to take out additional higher risk cover for this. Please consult us or your travel agent for further details. If you are covered by a policy arranged through your credit card company you will be asked to provide evidence of this cover, as well as a 24-hour emergency contact number. Many credit card companies do not provide an insurance policy number. In this instance, the tour leader will need to record your credit card number, as this is required to activate any request for emergency assistance. You should also bring along the travel insurance information booklet provided by your credit card company. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the requirements set out by your credit card company in order to be effectively covered and that the cover offered is of a suitable standard.
Visas
Australians, Americans, British, Canadians currently require a visa for India. For all other nationalities please
reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent.
You must obtain an Indian visa prior to leaving home: it cannot be obtained on arrival. An Indian tourist visa is
available for six months from the date of issue and you should apply for a multiple entry, as the cost is the same as for single/double entry. We or your travel agent will assist you in the preparation of your visa application if required. It is your responsibility to ensure you have all required visas for your trip. Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing, and vary for different nationalities and you should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travel.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations may be required for this trip. Please consult your doctor or a travel health specialist. The choice of
vaccinations can depend on a range of issues including the specific destination, the duration of the trip, your
personal health and of course what vaccines you have had before.
Compulsory vaccines: These days the only compulsory vaccine is for yellow fever, which is required for many countries in Africa and South America. It should be done at least 10 days before travel and must be recorded in an official certificate book. Please note that very often you may not need to show this certificate book when entering these countries, but you will need to produce it to immigration/customs on returning to your home country. Routine Background Vaccines: We strongly endorse current public health recommendations that all travellers should be up-to-date with their routine vaccines such as tetanus, diphtheria, measles/mumps/rubella, polio and influenza, and paediatric vaccinations for children. Travel Vaccinations: While the food and water-borne diseases such as hepatitis A and typhoid will apply to most of our travellers, other travel vaccines such as hepatitis B, rabies, meningitis, Japanese encephalitis and cholera may apply to select travellers, especially long-term travel. Travel health experts can advise on what is required and also what is not required! Malaria: There is no vaccination against malaria, which is transmitted by mosquito bites and is a risk in many less-developed tropical areas, particularly in Central, East and West Africa, Melanesia (especially Papua New Guinea) and the Amazon region. In Asia (particularly India) and Central America it may be a problem in rural areas. Protection against mosquito bites is essential and where the risk is considered high, anti-malarial medications are recommended. Anti-malarial medications should be discussed with experts as there are different medications available and not all medications suit all people or all destinations. We prefer that trekkers to altitude try to avoid the use of mefloquine (Lariam) if possible. For travellers from Australia and New Zealand, we strongly recommend Travel Doctor-TMVC clinics to obtain the most up-to-date advice on health risks and vaccinations (see www.traveldoctor.com.au for locations and detailed vaccine information or phone 1300 658 844 for an appointment in Australia). Some vaccines require more than one dose, so arrange for your visit at least 4-6 weeks before you travel. Travellers living outside Australia and New Zealand will need to consult a similar organisation in their own country (please ask your travel agent for recommendations), but can still access the following link for information: www.traveldoctor.com.au/travelreport.asp?UnqID=0.4630191&PageID=10&nav=personal-traveller
About this information
It is important that you should read these notes in conjunction with the detailed trip specific Pre Departure
Information. This information is supplied to you at the time of booking and contains extensive information about
subjects such as climate, clothing and gear, medical and visa matters, currencies, and other information about the
countries visited.
The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However,
things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and
check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can
check online for the most up to date version. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff

Source: http://www.peregrineadventures.com/uploads/pdfs/groups/Cycle_Rajasthan.pdf