October 2005 - Cycling holiday in Rajasthan

Last October, Pam Mann (chair of Spokes) and her sister went on a cycling trip to Rajasthan in India, organised by Exodus, who specialise in small-group adventure holidays.  

Located in the north west of India, Rajasthan is a most colourful and exotic state. The name means ‘The Land of the Kings’ due to the Rajput warrior clans, who controlled parts of the land or kingships for over a thousand years. 

The total distance cycled was 560 kms.  Road surfaces were generally good, mostly on quiet country roads through small villages and towns.

The trip started in Delhi, including a visit to a Sikh temple (above left). Then the group went by train to Jodphur.  The sunset (above right) is over Jodhpur, showing the blue houses of the Brahmins.

They cycled on  quiet roads (above left) to Udaipur, including a refreshment stop with local people (above right).  Then they rode north to Kumbhalgarh.    

 The route continued to Jaipur, the pink city. Their last stop on the trip was the Taj Mahal, which exceeded expectations!