Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Taj Mahal was a major highlight of the trip, but cycling through the more rural areas, seeing the real India was probably just as unforgettable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bhopesh and Anand could not have been more helpful, they were good company, adaptable, knowledgable and fun to cycle with. All arrangements were efficiently organised, time management was excellent, and preparing the group for the days challenge was always well done. Safety was always a priority but this didn't detract from the fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

None of our group got any serious tummy problems, we ate Indian all the time. The leaders advised us well on good places to eat, we had street food and regular chai stops but because we were very careful regarding hand gel use and only drinking bottled water we had no problems.

Suggestions

I would recommend this tour, some of the cycling was quite challenging if you are not a regular cyclist but there was always the bus and support vehicles behind you if you felt you need it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling up the hills to get to Khumblagargh Fort! Seeing the children running down the hills smiling and shouting 'tata'. Mr Singh the bus driver taking the bus through the chaotic Agra city centre. These are just a few of the moments that come to mind.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Krishna was brilliant. His love for his home country and in particular Rajasthan was evident. So knowledgable which he shared with simplicity. He was ably supported by Sanjay who matched his love for his country, proud of his home and family values. He was great to cycle with and showed his strength and ability to help everyone along the challenging routes. Great team supported them in bringing up the food and drink et al. It was a privilege to be such a great group and this was down to the group leaders and the support team

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just make sure you read up on the trip notes and bring the gear you need to do the trip comfortably. The checklist on the website was invaluable. Given the time of the year the early morning starts can be very chilly to start off so make sure you do have something warmer than t shirts for the first hour or so. Cycling through chilly air can make it colder than you think India could be!

Suggestions

My wife and l have travelled in India on two previous occasions with 121 guided car tours across Southern India. They were fantastic holidays. But this trip topped those holidays. We will definitely be doing more of these holidays in the future as you really get close up to the real India.

Most Inspirational Moment

My husband - the moment that he saw the Taj Mahal. Me - sunny days riding through the farming countryside. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Krishna was a marvellous leader, knowledgable, efficient and good fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Arrive cycle fit especially if, as we are, you are over 65.Take an easy to fit odometer. Ours made a great difference to everyone including KrishnaWear a light weight luminous yellow gilet (vest) at all times whilst cycling Be sensible about the food ( salads and water melon in particular) and then you will remain healthy and really enjoy it. 

Suggestions

Our team Kishor, Rajinder and Vikki cared for us wonderfully The food was always very interesting, including the street food and chai supervised by Krishna. He chose great restaurants.With one exception (Sariska Palace) the hotels were very good or excellent. We enjoyed visiting the artisan workshops We had a fabulous time. With memories that will remain with us. We are currently looking for our next adventure with Exodus. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Making it up the hill to our hotel in Kumbhalgarh, riding into Sariska National Park, the Taj Mahal at sunset.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Harish was great! A lot of fun but still ran a smooth, organised tour. The team really complemented each other - Manish was the best motivator when I was cycling at the back and the driver/assistant/mechanic trio were so helpful and friendly! They all had pretty great dance moves too, which didn't hurt!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do this tour! I was really nervous about the cycling being only a very casual fair-weather cyclist at home but with moderate fitness and a positive, fighting attitude the cycle days were nothing to fear, and by the end I was sad to say goodbye to my bike! The comments about aggression from some rural villages are fair but we were always warned when approaching and went through together. But the vast majority of people are so excited to see such wacky tourists and genuinely curious about you, we even had our picture in the local paper!

Suggestions

Worth stepping outside my comfort zone for something so different to my usual travels. Wouldn't hesitate to do another cycling tour. A gorgeous route, fascinating history and culture plus great food and daily exercise is just the ideal holiday. Never felt better!

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through rural India, visiting local village, cycling through chaotic city traffic and coping with it, with the help of Sanjay and Promod.  The friendliness of all the children and families waving us on even in the remotest of places, there would always be a 'ta ta' springing up from the unlikliest of spots.  Last but not least, being able to see India close up on a bicyle, you really get a feel for the country, rather than viewing it from the TV or other media.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sanjay and Promod and the rest of the team were outstanding.  Very helpful, always on hand to help and take any questions you may have.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was anxious about what I had read regarding cattle in road, barking dogs, the naughty sticks and stones, upset stomachs, but it paled into significance with regard to the whole holiday.  The cattle just roam, they cause no problems, whilst the other incidents were manageabe and very rarely occurred.     

Suggestions

I did not expect so many of the roads to be so bumpy and stony in parts for such prolonged periods.  It did not phase most in the group, so it may be due to my not ever cycling off road, as I always cycle on good tarmac roads at home.  

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved cycling through the market traffic in Udaipur - everything moving constantly, fairly slowly, but never stopping. The Meherangarh fort in Jodhpur, and the deserted citadel of Fatehpur Sikri were highlights for me. The Taj Mahal is spectacular.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leaders were great, Harish led the cycling and Pramod backed up the group. They were with us all day, everyday for the two weeks, and nothing was too much trouble. Harish made it clear from the start if we had any issue, we should raise it with them immediately, and they'd sort it out.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There was a wide variety of cycling experience amongst our group. There are stretches of straight road through the country where people choose their own pace, and have the opportunity to take lots of fantastic photos - always safe in the knowledge the leader would stop and regroup at every junction, and the backstop leader, and bus were following up if you had a puncture. Long finger gloves for the early morning cycle.

Suggestions

Book now!

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling past smiling laughing children playing together and watching them run across fields just to wave and say hello to you.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant ! Sanjay and Harish were the best you could wish for and both had an excellent sense of humour. Nothing was too much trouble for them and Harish's passion for his countrys history was very knowlegable and infectious. Sanjays laugh could be heard all round Rajastan and his dancing is a real treat.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you travel over Xmas/ January its very cold and very foggy. Take plenty of warm clothes, i cycled in 8 layers on 2 days, to layer up in the mornings and evenings and warm trousers for your early morning game drive in Sariska ( we had frost). The sun doesn't appear some days till 1030ish and the temperature drops quickly around 4ish. Full cycling gloves as well as fingerless for the cold days and the best padded saddle you can find as theirs are not at all comfortable.  A multi way scarf to cover your head, ears and mouth, to keep you warm and prevent some of the dust and pollution getting in your mouth. Wrap around glasses are a must. Also bring a torch as power cuts happen often. Finally bring plenty of anti bacterial hand gel - this is a must and use it a lot !Be prepared to be a tourist attraction yourself, i lost count of the amount of times our group were asked to be in photos. 

Suggestions

A brilliant busy holiday with minimal spare time. The cycling is as fast as the team that cycles and the bus is always behind the slowest cyclist so apart from one particular day ( after the Jain Temple) there is no major pressure.The support team are also great and good fun too. You will see some amazing sights, eat lovely food and meet some great people, enjoy the journey :-) 

Most Inspirational Moment

For me it was the cycling through the countryside and seeing the daily life of folk. Also listening to Sanjay and Harish talk about their country with immense pride and enthusiam. Very informative.

Thoughts on Group Leader

simply superb. Enthusiatic, calm, curtious, effecient, responsive, organised, interested...every thing you would want in a leader for this trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do some cycling at home, bring some warm clothes if travelling in December/January. If you like spicey food, ask for Indian spicey when ordering. Do not expect a lot of time to your self. The itinerary is a full and there is little time for shopping or strolling around the towns. Do not expect Internet even if advertised in the hotels.

Suggestions

This trip is clearly packaged as a two week trip and provides a taste of Rajasthan. A few more days to allow some personal time to explore, e.g. in Pushkar. would be great. It maybe an idea to add a day trip returning to the same hotel and spending two nights somewhere.

Most Inspirational Moment

The jewellers at Agra where I was allowed to wear the emerald ring made from Mumtaz Mahals crown and other fabulous emerald jewellry made fo royalty. - slumdog millionairress!  No where else in the world would one get this opportunity  certainly not Bond Strret!  This was on our last day where we cycled I the morning, stopping to drink chai from clay cups, bused up to Agra to see the Taj Mahal and then went to the jewellers - what a day! This jeweller also fixed my friends diamond ring bought in Jaipur by replacing the lost diamond - free of charge!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sanjay was just great! always motivating us and supporting us when cycling especially on the uppy uppies.  Most impressed that he would never accept his dinner until all his guests had received theirs.  An ideal host providingus with rum and coke and great dancer, really getting the diwali party-on-a-bus going. Harish was just as kind and thoughtful and a real companion on the trip.Our coach driver Rauol, his assistant and Michael the mechanic were also very polite, helpful and attentive.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I developed Guyons syndrome aka handle-bar palsy early on the trip and still have not recovered full feeling in my little and ring fingers on each hand, my grip is also weakened.  I would definitely advise cyclists to bring proper padded cycling gloves (I didn't) as the vibration from the rough road surfaces probably induced this condition see http://www.qwinerveprotector.com/BicycleGlove.html. I woud also advise a face mask for cycling through the cities and dusty roads, as I developd a cough/cold and a number of our party developed terrible coughs.  I had booster vaccinations for diptheria and polo and tetanous plus Hep A. I didn't need the anti-biotics the travel clinic at Boots provided (£5) for severe diarohhea but a lady on our trip did (she was on the verge of returning to the UK early) so I would recommend bringing some.  Also, always, always put on the sun tan lotion, anti mosquito lotion and bring plenty of anti-bacterial hand gel.  I had no stomach problems which was always a fear of mine for going to India.

Suggestions

This trip was great value for money.  One of our party stayed an extra week and had problems with buses and stayed in a terrible hotel - it really highlighted to me how careful the planning for our trip must have been and to have stayed in (for the most part) clean and comfortable hotels and have no problems with the bus or hotel arrangments really took a lot of hard work.

Most Inspirational Moment

Most inspirational part of the trip was the group itself. Being the youngest member of the group I was always inspired to keep peddling even if I felt a little tired at some times seeing how the rest of the group were cracking on kept me going. Visiting the villages was also inspirational and gave us the chance to see the real India. Seeing the women working in the fields whilst the men were smoking, drinking chai, and chatting made me appreciate how strong the womens work ethic is. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was very approachable and would sort any issues out that we had. He kept the group motivated and made sure we all were ok and decide on a plan for the day that the whole group was happy with. He picked up on the groups abilities very quickly. Quite a character!!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a gel seat cover with you :) (i took my old one and left it there). May need a couple of sachets of dioralyte as however careful you are Delhi belly is inevitable. I also took some pens with me and gave out to the children in the villages. Take plenty of layers.