We are pleased to announce the addition of a new trip, and new travel partner, to our roster of Sideburn Adventures: The Trials of Rajasthan with Vintage Rides.
Rajasthan is the biggest state in India and absolutely soaked in history, stunning buildings, memorable scenery and deserted trails. Vintage Rides are the global number one motorcycle travel company offering adventures all over the world. Sideburn's editor was invited on the Rajasthan trip in January 2023 and immediately contacted Vintage Rides' management to set up this partnership. Sideburn promotes the tour and supplies a rep, and attracts the like-minded people for you to share this tip of a lifetime with. Vintage Rides takes the bookings, flawlessly runs the tour and supplies the expert guide and back-up.
QUICK FACTS
10-19 March 2024
Fly into Delhi, India
6-8 hours riding per day. Mixture of road and sandy trail. Described as demanding, but not in the same league of challenging as our Sahara trip.
12 places only
€2130 based on two sharing a room (see inclusions and exclusions below)
Here is Vintage Rides' description of the trip
Day 1 - Arrival - Delhi
You’re met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the centre of Delhi. Catch up with the Sideburn rep and meet up with the other riders.
Your room is available from noon onwards. You have two options: stay at the hotel and
rest after the flight or go out and explore India’s bustling capital. Overnight stay at a quiet city hotel.
Day 2 - Delhi - Alwar (115 miles)
We have found a magical route out of the city, which is also fun. You soon find yourself in timeless rural India via small roads and hidden tracks as we make our way to the fantastic region of Alwar, sprawling out across one end of the Aravalli range. It is one of the greenest areas in Rajasthan. Overnight stay at a restored palace.
Day 3 - Alwar - Jaipur (120 miles)
We set off for Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Some of today’s leg continues through the beautiful region of Alwar, before finding ourselves in the heart of farmland that is typical of the Aravalli range area. On the last part of the leg, we ride at the foot of the imposing Amber fort (above) and enter the city on an extraordinary route. In the evening, we have the chance to visit the Pink City’s stunning old quarter. Overnight stay at a luxurious hotel.
Day 4 - Jaipur - Pushkar (120 miles)
We leave Jaipur city centre and ride two hours or so before reaching the vast expanses of Sambhar Salt Lake. The lake dries up in the summer and winter, making way for a unique landscape and a fun place to ride (not guaranteed. It was wet when Gary went).
We get straight back on the road and take some sandy tracks and small trails to the sacred town,
Pushkar. Built on the shores of a sacred lake, it’s an important Hindu pilgrimage site and was popular among hippies. This small town is also one of the only holy sites in India with a temple dedicated to Brahma, the creator god. Overnight stay at a country resort hotel.
Day 5 - Puskhar - Ghanerao (140 miles)
We wind our way up the Aravalli Range slopes, through several villages and enjoy superb tracks and little roads that run through numerous valleys, before reaching the ancient royal palace in Ghanerao. This part of the Aravalli range is perfect for discovering charming country scenes; you’ll spot women washing at the wells, turban-wearing goat herders and centuries-old farming techniques. Overnight stay at a restored royal palace.
Day 6 - Ghanerao - Jalore (112 miles)
Today offers a feast of tracks and off-road trails, more remote villages, some of which are home to the Rabari people, nomadic cattle farmers. After a series of tracks we reach the beautiful Lake Jawai, known as the Leopard Hills (below). Lastly, we ride towards Marwar’s vast expanses of burnt
yellow where the landscapes become increasingly arid. Overnight stay at another converted royal palace, this one like something out of a Wes Anderson film (above). The accommodation on this trip is so memorable.
Day 7 - Jalore - Barmer (120 miles)
We're now in West Rajasthan, called Marusthali (or Land of sand, in Marwari), one end of the Thar
Desert, which reaches as far as Sindh (now Pakistan). The area is encompassed by the vast arid belt that stretches from the Sahara to the Gobi Desert. We arrive at this leg's final destination on solid tracks and along the twists and turns of well-maintained asphalt roads, although sand tracks do also make a regular appearance. Overnight stay at a modern, luxurious hotel.
Day 8 - Barmer - Thar Desert (125 miles)
We enter the heart of the Thar Desert along a series of small sandy roads, desert tracks of varying degrees of difficulty and deep sand that requires decent stamina and some off-road confidence. We ride through very remote tribal villages. We end the day at the Desert National Park, where we savour the sunset and spend the night under the stars on the dunes around a campfire (beds, mattresses and blankets are provided).
Day 9 - Thar Desert - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur (43 miles)
The last few miles on two wheels is through a beautiful stretch of the Thar Desert, before the fortress city and architectural dream appears on the horizon: Jaisalmer. We park the bikes for the last time, then wander around the fort, visit the palace and temples. A large caravan city, Jaisalmer prospered thanks to trade and tolls. Nowadays, the city no longer receives traders from the Near East and essentially survives on tourism. The city stands small at the foot of its imposing citadel, but it still exudes the splendour of its trading past in the form of delicately carved facades.
In the afternoon, we transfer by luxury bus for Jodhpur, where we board the sleeper train that will take us back to the capital: a unique experience guaranteed.
Day 10 - Arrive in Delhi
We arrive in Delhi in the morning. One or two hotel rooms are booked for you to freshen up before your international flight.
You are transferred to the airport transfer as per your flight time, where our services end.
All riding distances are guides only as detours are sometimes required.
All photos by the editor on the January 2023 trip.
PRICE
€2130 based on two sharing a room (see inclusions and exclusions below)
A 40% non-refundable deposit Required to secure your place on the tour.
PRICE INCLUDES
● Rental of a Royal Enfield 500cc motorcycle is provided with full mechanical backup
● Domestic transfers as appearing in the program, by private vehicle
● Train from Jodhpur to Delhi
● An English speaking tour guide (from day 2 to day 9)
● Fuel expenses
● An expert mechanic of Royal Enfield motorcycles
● A support vehicle with driver
● Lodging in standard hotels and camps, in double bed rooms or on a twin-sharing
basis. If you wish to stay in a single room (extra), please inform us at the time of
booking.
● Meals : Half-board meals (breakfasts and evening meal) during riding days (day 2 to day 9)
● Third party motorcycle insurance
NOT INCLUDED
● Mandatory insurance: an insurance that covers medical expenses and legal
assistance
● Repatriation, which covers you for accidents with two-wheeled vehicles
(large-displacement over 250cc)
● Visa costs
● International flights
● A refundable security deposit of €400 per pilot
● Banking fees
● Tips
● Lunches
● Dinners during non-riding days (day 1, 10)
● Admission fees to various monuments, temples etc.
● Drinks, souvenirs and personal expenses
TO BOOK visit VintageRides.com
Ask questions email sideburnmag @ gmail dot com