Ride Across India- A Bicycle Trip through 3 Different Regions

Sport & Abenteuer Reisen

Fahrrad & MTB

Overview

Do you love travelling by bike, don’t bother and would like to discover as much of India as possible?

Then this three-week bike tour through India is probably just right for you!

On this trip we combine bike tours in the Himalayan region, in Rajasthan and Kerala.

Not only do you travel sportily in the three mountains of the Himalayas, Aravali and the West ghats, but you also immerse yourself in three very different Indian cultures, get to know the traditional local life, visit the main tourist destinations and can admire the scenic diversity of these three very different regions.

During the bike ride through the foothills of the Himalayas from Daramshala to Manali, we visit a sacred lake next to the exiled residence of the Dalai Lama, small mountain villages, and can try to climb the 3980 m high Rothang Pass.

In Rajasthan there is besides some culture in the form of fort, temple and palace visit also to experience a traditional cooking course.

Then we continue with the bike. We first drive through the Thar desert, which has an astonishing amount of flora and fauna to offer. On a wild jeep safari we will spot leopards and the friendly locals will introduce us to the traditional life of an Indian farmer.

In Udaipur we experience a colorful Indian market and can plunge ourselves into the bazaar for shopping. Then we continue south to Kerala.

Here a completely different landscape awaits us: palm trees, beach, tea and spice plantations, as well as the branched canal system of the backwaters.

Here, too, it goes up and down the Western Ghats on small side roads with many scenic experiences and interactions with the locals.

At the very end of our active bike tour we treat ourselves to two days of beach resort, as well as a luxurious houseboat tour on the backwaters.

This trip is accompanied either in English by David or Jogi, or in German by Sarah.

Program

Day 1 Arrival in Delhi, flight to Daramshala

Upon arrival in Delhi till the early morning (or the day before), a hotel room is available near the airport. Then we continue with the domestic flight to Daramshala in the Himalayas.

After some rest, we use the day to get to know the home of the Dalai Lama and his Tibetan refugee community. Overnight stay in the hotel. B/-/-

Day 2 Daramshala to Bir

After an hour transfer to Palampur, we start our ride which leads us up and down small village roads all the way to Bir- a Tibetan settlement and paragliding hotspot. B/L/D (approx. 40 km)

Day 3 Transfer Bir -Barot

After a two-hour transfer to the paragliding village of Bir, we board our bikes. An 18 km climb up to Billing is a good start for our bike trip, isn’t it?

Afterward, we continue on unpaved jeep treks and paths over stick and stone through remote mountain villages before we set off for the long descent. Today there will be the only technical jeep track that can be pushed. Overnight stay in the inn. B/L/D (approx. 80 km)

Day 4 Barot-Prashar Lake

A long cycling day that leads us through the beautiful Himalayan landscape with magnificent views. If the last ascent up to the holy Prashar lake is too much, you can also hop on the accompanying vehicle. Overnight stay in the inn. B/L/D (approx. 110 km)

Day 5 Prashar Lake – Kais

Today’s cycling day gets a little more comfortable and we reach the wide Kullu valley on the river Beas.

Today we stay near the Buddhist kais monastery. Overnight in the inn. B/L/D (approx. 80 km)

Day 6 Kais- Manali

Our last official stage in the Himalayas takes us via the village of Jana, where we have a traditional lunch, to our destination Manali, a popular tourist resort. Overnight stay in the inn. B/L/- (approx. 65 km)

Day 7 Manali-Rothang Pass- Manali /Leisure/Bus in the evening to Delhi

Today there is a choice: either you can enjoy a relaxing day in Manali, visit the neighbouring village of Vashisht with its hot springs and the famous Hadimba Temple, or go to the Rothang Pass Challenge: at 51 km, you can go from 2000 meters to the 3980 m high Rothang Pass and down again.

In the evening we take the over night bus to Delhi. B/L/- (approx. 100 km)

Day 8 Flight Jodhpur Sightseeing and Cooking Course

Directly from the bus station it goes to the airport and we take the flight to Jodhpur.

Today we use the day to visit the mighty Mehranghar Fort and take a walk through the so-called blue city of Jodhpur. In the evening we take part in a family Indian cooking class. Overnight stay in the hotel. B/-/D

Day 9 Jodhpur- Bera

Our bike tour continues. Now through the Thar desert with its small villages and magnificent wildlife. Later we have a transfer to the luxurious jungle camp and in the afternoon take an exciting jeep safari in the fabulous rocky area of Sawai to watch the mighty leopards. Overnight in the camp. B/L/D (approx. 50 km)

Day 10 Bera-Ghanerao

Once again we experience the traditional Rajasthanian farm life, visit schools, families and end near the famous Ranakpur Jain temples that we will visit. Overnight stay in the hotel. B/L/D (approx. 50 km)

Day 11 Ghanerao- Kumbhalgarh

After the last two days were rather flat, today we go through the hilly Aravali mountains up and down. At the end of the day we visit the Kumbhalgarh Fort. Overnight stay in the hotel. B/L/D (approx. 65 km)

Day 12 Kumbhalgarh- Udaipur

Our last bike stage will once again be very interesting in terms of sport and culture. we conclude the bike tour with a lunch with the family of the local guide.

Then we go to the most romantic city in India: Udaipur. Overnight stay in the hotel. B/L/- (approx. 60 km)

Day 13 Udaipur Sightseeing

Today is a day of rest. We visit Udaipur with its colourful markets, the magnificent city palace and take a boat trip on Lake Pichhola. Overnight stay in the hotel. B/-/-

Day 14 Flight to Cochin

For our last stop “Kerala” we take the domestic flight to Cochin. Overnight stay in the hotel. B/-/-

Day 15 Cochin -Thattekad

Our first stage in Kerala takes us on small roads through the wonderful tropical vegetation of Kerala. Passing palm forests, pineapple and rubber tree plantations, up to the bird reserve Thattekad. In the afternoon we can take a kayak or bird survey tour. Overnight in the camp. B/L/D (approx. 50 km)

Day 16 Thatekkad-Munnar

We are back in the mountains. This time in the West ghats. After a flat section along the Periyar River, we continue uphill until we reach the first green tea plantations. Until Munnar it is quite a long climb, it is welcome to hop into the accompanying vehicle.

In the afternoon we visit the Munnar market and the tea museum. Overnight stay in the hotel. B/L/D (approx. 70 km)

Day 17 Munnar-Kumily

Today is a long stage. Everyone only drives as far as he wants, then you can switch to the accompanying vehicle.

It continues first through the wonderful tea plantations, later through cardade plantations and jungleuntils until we reach Perijar. Here we visit a spice plantation. Overnight stay in the inn. B/L/D (approx. 94 km)

Day 18 Transfer to Allepey Houseboat

After the four-hour transfer to Allepey (the first kilometers we cover by bike) to the backwaters, we board our houseboat and let ourselves be sailed through the branched canal system. What a welcome change.Overnight on the houseboat. B/L/D (approx. 60 km)

Day 19 Marari Beach

Today we have our last stage by bike ahead: a tranquil tour through the backwaters and along the coast . We stop at a rope factory. Overnight at the resort. B/-/- (approx. 20 km)

Day 20 Marari Beach

On the last day of our trip we treat ourselves to a full day in the beach resort with pool, massages, yoga and of course sea. Overnight at the resort. B/-/-

Day 21 Departure Cochin

Transfer to the airport. B/-/-

Services

all accommodations in a double room with breakfast (inns, resorts, hotels, camps)
all transfers and transports (3x domestic flight, 1 x long-distance bus, vehicles)
Support by English-speaking or German-speaking companions (please ask before booking)
During the cycling days guide/mechanic, accompanying vehicle, full board, water, snacks, rental bike
all entrance fees for monuments and museums as described
Cooking class in Jodhpur
Boat tour in Udaipur
Kayak tour in Thattekad
Houseboat tour in the backwaters

~~International flight~~
~~Visa~~
~~unmentioned meals and drinks~~

Highlights

Prices and Dates

Fixed Dates:

12.10.-03.11.2024 ( 1 day longer, 3500 €, for Program please inquire)

Also possible as individual trips on freely selectable dates, extension is possible

Prices:

from 8 participants: 2900 € per person

from 6 participants 3150 € per person

from 4 participants 3450 € per Peron

For a private trip of 2 or more, please make a request

Tour Info

Requirementd

It is a cycling trip in which the pleasure and fun of movement, culture, impressions and experiences is in the foreground.
To give an overall impression of India with three selected regions, one or the other stage by bike is a little longer. Here you can always switch to the accompanying vehicle.
Otherwise, a good fitness level is sufficient.

In General

Mostly we will be on quiet and small village roads. Sometimes the journey on the highway cannot be avoided, but this is very rarely the case and then there is always the option to change to the accompanying vehicle for a few kilometers.

Indian traffic is very different from that of Germany. Always remember that there is left-hand traffic. A popular instrument is the horn, which is used a lot in all variations and volumes, so don’t be afraid!