Rajasthan charity bike ride, India
| country: | India |
| location: | Rajasthan, Ranthambore |
| departures: | 2008: 29 Nov 2009: 6 Feb |
| price: | From £325 deposit + £2675 fundraised (55% to charity) (10 days) including flights from the UK. Self funders pay £325 deposit + £1304 including flights from the UK & £100 donation to chosen charity. This trip can also be booked without flights |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Your expedition begins in the hustle and bustle of Delhi. Take some time to get behind the chaotic facade and discover the inner peace of a city rich with culture, architecture and human diversity.
Then move on to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal where you can explore the monument before your biking challenge begins. Your bike will take you to more remote locations than most other modes of transport, bringing you in direct contact with the country and its people.
Once in Rajasthan the region offers dramatic desert landscape, fantastic wildlife, exquisite forts, bustling cities and rural life that seems frozen in time.
You will be one of the first few mountain bikers to explore this idyllic region, punctuated with villages reminiscent of a time gone by. Traditional rural lifestyles remain preserved and a friendly smile leaves a lasting memory.
Your ride ends in Rajasthan’s capital city, Jaipur, whose welcoming air ends your challenge idyllically.
Then move on to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal where you can explore the monument before your biking challenge begins. Your bike will take you to more remote locations than most other modes of transport, bringing you in direct contact with the country and its people.
Once in Rajasthan the region offers dramatic desert landscape, fantastic wildlife, exquisite forts, bustling cities and rural life that seems frozen in time.
You will be one of the first few mountain bikers to explore this idyllic region, punctuated with villages reminiscent of a time gone by. Traditional rural lifestyles remain preserved and a friendly smile leaves a lasting memory.
Your ride ends in Rajasthan’s capital city, Jaipur, whose welcoming air ends your challenge idyllically.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | London to Delhi |
| Day 2: | Delhi |
| Day 3: | Taj Mahal |
| Day 4: | Taj Mahal to Fatephur Sikri - 50km approx / 4-5hrs |
| Day 5: | Fatephur Sikri to Keoladeo Ghana National Park – 40km approx / 4-5hrs |
| Day 6: | Keoladeo Ghana National Park to Karauli – 120km approx / 7-8hrs |
| Day 7: | Karauli to Ranthambore National Park – 105km approx / 7-8 hrs |
| Day 8: | Ranthambore National Park to Bhanderej – 70km approx / 5-6hrs |
| Day 9: | Bhanderej to Jaipur – 80km / 5-6hrs |
| Day 10: | Delhi to London |
Award winner
This tourism business won an Award in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society
how this holiday makes a difference
 Our responsible commitment extends to helping the local communities we visit. We employ local guides and other essential support staff through a reputable local agent and use locally owned accommodation. Before the expedition departs clients are provided with a fact file on India giving them information on local language, culture, religion and custom to ensure that they are prepared for their trip and pack appropriately. During the trip the local staff share their in depth knowledge of their country with our clients giving them a valuable insight into the history and culture of India. Clients cycle through rural villages and are encouraged to dress and act appropriately. The group is led and backed up by a member of the local team, ensuring not only the safety of our clients but also to keep them all together, therefore minimising the impact on local communities. Clients are also advised to bring and use biodegradable toiletries to minimise environmental impact and rubbish is always disposed of responsibly; any waste during the day is carried with the clients until a suitable place to dispose or recycle it is reached. We donate approx USD$500 per trek to various projects including Karm Marg Street Children’s Project in Faridabad, India that works with street children. Karm Marg Street Children’s Project helps children to run a care home themselves, with guidance and supervision. Here street children are provided with shelter, education, nutrition, medical, counselling and vocational training. As a company we have drastically reduced the carbon footprint of our UK operations, and are making a huge effort to do so in their destination countries too. We are also investing to offset the emissions from the international flights required to take part in our challenges. We also provide travellers with a responsible tourism policy detailing ways in which you can be an ethical traveller. From packing conscientiously to advice on local customs & environmental awareness overseas to maintaining contact with your new international friends upon your return – our policy is a comprehensive document providing all the info you need to trek, climb of cycle responsibly. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |