12 independent reviews for Rajasthan cycling holiday with Taj & tigers
Reviews for Rajasthan cycling holiday with Taj & tigers
Shari Goldstein review 26 Jan 2026
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
I absolutely loved my Rajasthan cycling trip in India. The first three days were a bit challenging some steep climbs, but that made every ride even more rewarding. At times, it felt like mountain bike lite, dodging cows, buffalo, puppies, goats, potholes, puddles, and loose gravel. Chaotic, unpredictable, and exhilarating, it was such a fun way to experience the region up close. Cycling through the many small villages was a highlight. The villagers’ stoic faces would brighten instantly into huge, sunshiny smiles when I greeted them with a simple “Namaste.” Just that one word sparked a connection every time, and I loved how warmly it was returned. Those little moments made the rides feel deeply human and unforgettable. The hotels and food far exceeded my expectations, but what truly made the trip special was the people. Sabir and his team were incredible. Think: organized, communicative, caring and attentive every step of the way. I loved Kowan’s quiet, calm presence and flawless driving skills, and Mohit’s constant smiles and back up. Their support made everything feel smooth, safe, and enjoyable.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The key for anyone thinking about cycling in India is to embrace what you’re not used to, love a challenge, enjoy the food, and bring an open heart.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not sure.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
LOVED IT and would also book another vacation with Sabir and his amazing company.Shane Carroll review 17 Jan 2026
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
From the frenetic cities to the fabulous farmlands the flavours, the local people and the fantastic local team made it all very memorable. We were blessed with a close up & personal tiger viewing in Ranthambore National Park which will long live in the memory. Sabir and the team were great and looked after all our needs. Great value for money with all meals included once out of Delhi. The team are very flexible and nothing was too much trouble. The standard of hotels was excellent and there was so much to see on the cycling days. A great balance of tough hill days and easy flat rides with a few 2 day stops along the way.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you are thinking of a Rajasthan cycling trip book with this operator and go, you won't be disappointed. When the flight to Udaipur is booked it comes with a standard 15kg checked baggage allowance, it can easily be upped to 20 or 25kg if you wish.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, India is doing a big push on reducing single use plastic and the team buy into this and refill your bottles when needed and even provide water bottles for your bike if required.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Comms were great from the get go and queries were replied to in a very timely manner. The team who lead us were out of this world in looking after our every need with a smile on their faces. Exciting cities, spectacular temples, mosques, palaces & forts were visited. Wildlife spotting was fantastic and the people & foods of Rajasthan were awesome.Phil Collins review 16 Dec 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The whole adventure was fabulous so very difficult to choose one part. The welcoming people, fabulous views exceptional team made the whole experience unforgettable.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you are a little unsure of your cycle stamina choose an ebike. The tour is not arduous but although I did not require an ebike my partner Julie, who cycled a great deal, welcomed her ebike especially on the hot and humid days. Better than having to sit in the bus!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, we felt the local people welcomed the group and our contribution to local economy.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This was one of the best organised tours we have been on. Sabir and the whole team worked incredibly hard to ensure we had a great time. Hotels and all the staff were excellent. 11/10 Sabir!Marion Hampton review 27 Feb 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The well organised itinerary, with refreshments on the way to keep us going. Total support from the leader & the crew, who were on hand all the time we were cycling.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Gel saddle/good padded cycling wear, as some of the roads are quite bumpy.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, we stayed in good local hotels, ate in local restaurants & used local facilities wherever possible.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
An eye opener for those who have not travelled in India before & a real insight into local rural life, which is completely different from city life.Anthony Burgum review 29 Oct 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Managed to see a leopard and a tiger plus some enjoyable cycling.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you do some off road cycling as some of the roads have pot holes. Also bring binoculars or good camera.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Benefited local people as you spend money.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
First hotel was not very good, smell as from the drains, but overall the accomadation was very good. Cycling guide was good and looked after us. I would use Sabir again.Richard Whiting review 8 Jan 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Interaction with the people in the villages as we cycled through, and when we stopped. You wouldn't experience the same if you were in a car or a bus, and if you didn't travel on some of the smaller roads. I couldn't possibly choose one building or sight as a highlight, so many were amazing. The scenery at the waters at Jawai was something I'll remember for the rest of my life.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Try to pick up and use a local greeting you can use as you pass people. Our Guide told us of a way of addressing locals 'Ram Raaam' and it went down well, always resulting in a response and more often than not, with a smile or a laugh.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Our presence certainly seemed to give local people something to talk about and made them smile. I had the opportunity to make purchases with local retailors and vendors, and gave tips to staff on a regular basis. So individuals and local businesses made some additional sales from our visit. If there were positive environmental impacts I'd say they were slight, and we did fly there after all, and made an internal flight also. Hopefully the National Parks we visited benefit from the fees paid for the tours. None of this detracts from the overall experience, which was wonderful, and there's a wider benefit in terms of my understanding of the issues that India, and the world at large, faces, and my attention to these issues and anything we can do to help in the future.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It delivered everything I hoped for and more. I'm so pleased that I signed up.Manuela Vismara review 9 Nov 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Safari in rathambore park2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Paul Musgrove review 27 Feb 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The fantastic level of service from Sabir and his team.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Get a team of 6 to 8 people together and go as a pre-formed group.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely yes.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Brilliant experience. Need to get fit to try the Himalayas next.Nicki Lynne review 3 Dec 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We were incredibly lucky to see the best of Northern India in 16 days. Too many to list one so here is my list: the must do Golden Triangle (Delhi, Jaipur and Agra) plus the real India uncut with sensational cycling through the culturally rich state of Rajasthan. We got to see and explore some of the most well known temples, forts and palaces and stay in wonderfully authentic accomodation. The food was delicious and we particularly liked the Masala Chai, array of spicy curries and the Kulfi ice cream.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Just do it! The company provides a fantastic support crew who are with you every pedal of the way. So much gratitude for Sharma, Bunty and Suraj!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, we ate and bought locally, tipped locals accordingly and left little to no footprint.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very memorable!Ian Husband review 11 Feb 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
My wife and I have always wanted to see the wonders of Rajasthan and as keen cyclists we thought why not combine the two? We also wanted to book with a locally based firm, preferring that to a large organisation, knowing that the total cost of the holiday stays within the local economy. The operator, based in New Delhi and run by Sabir Mallick, seemed to provide exactly what we wanted. We contacted Sabir with a list of questions we had relating to his Rajasthan option, he also offers cycling holidays in Kerala, and very promptly we received his reply which clearly, precisely and professionally answered all our queries. This made my wife and I feel this was a company we would like to deal with and you will see in other related reviews that the professionalism and promptness with which Sabir deals with potential customers is a constant throughout those reviews. I can 100% agree with those previous customer’s, and those of our fellow cyclists on our tour (there were six of us in total) that Sabir’s professionalism and conscientiousness was a major factor why we all independently decided to book with this operator. As to the holiday itself? From the time we arrived in Delhi to the time we left Delhi some two and a half weeks later everything worked like clockwork. Clearly the operator are a very experienced company and it was great to know that all the planning and logistics involved in a tour like this were meticulously worked out beforehand and implemented perfectly. The choice, location and quality of the hotels was first class. The bikes, hardtail Trek mountain bikes, were of a good quality and adequately handled the roads which were not always super smooth! The crew that accompanied us, one cycling guide/mechanic plus one minibus driver and a truck driver who drove us, our luggage and the bikes from hotel to hotel and also served us fresh fruit and drinks en route during our cycling days, were professional and very attentive. Obviously anyone wanting to visit Rajasthan will have already done their research and will know what it has to offer. All I can say is that the various antiquities visited, culminating in an early sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal (words simply can’t describe its beauty and the joy one experiences seeing it) are all awe inspiring and give you a wonderful insight into the past glories of this amazing state. My highlight, apart from the amazing hill forts visited and of course the Taj Mahal, as a nature lover, was the safari day we spent at the Ranthambore Nature Reserve where we were lucky enough to see two tiger cubs playing together. Finally, I suppose, I should say something about the cycling itself after all it is a cycling holiday! Each cycling day was between approximately 55kms to 75kms so some fitness is required. Saying that there’s no pressure to finish any day in an allotted time and anyway why would you with so much to see and experience? The route takes you through some fascinating scenery from lush farmland to barren, dessert like landscapes and every day seemed to throw up some magical experience which will stay with us forever. I can highly recommend this operator.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Our holiday was Jan 18 to Feb 5 - take warm clothing as its cold early mornings and evenings.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
All hotels, I think, were 'heritage' Indian owned hotels. Local villages benefitted from locally purchased products.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent - the owner Sabir simply planned and supported everything from initial email contact to our date of departure. He was the perfect host/guide throughout our holiday. I cannot recommend this operator highly enough.Ineke Klerks review 6 Feb 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Every day was a highlight! Cycling over the small roads, sometimes through villages was an amazing experience. But also the selected siteseeïng objects and the safari's were amazing.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Do this trip and you will have a very nice holliday.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
There was always the possibillity to shop in local stores. Amd conversation with the local people was easy, everybody was very friendly and tried to help us. They were very curious about our cycling. The environmental impact is harder to see, but we tried to be an exampel by cleaning up all our picknickplaces.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Just go and see for yourself. We have done a few cycletours, but this one was farout the best.Heidi Schubert review 11 Jan 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The Udaipur lakes, Amer Fort, Ranthambore park, and Taj Mahal were highlights of the trip. However, the most memorable part of the holiday was cycling through the countryside and rural villages: dodging cows, waving to local kids, chatting with people on scooters as they drove by, and learning about life in India.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Just do it! We took our kids, age 12 and 14 on the trip. Before the trip we took them on several 30-40 km training rides at home on roads with some traffic. This enabled them to finish most of the rides on the trip. This was not necessary for us adults on the trip. If you go in winter, you may want a smog mask to protect against smog and dust.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. The trip is run by local staff, and we ate local food throughout the trip. The guides took care to reduce plastic usage and garbage creation along the way. The tour of Ranthambore park supports conservation of land for endangered tigers.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This cycling trip was a fantastic holiday for my family. It was a great balance between active cycling, seeing top cultural attractions, and meeting local people. In Ranthambore, we were lucky and saw two male tigers up close, gaining a new appreciation for this endangered species. Cycling through the countryside was a fun adventure, and we enjoyed sharing the road with pedestrian farmers, cows, scooters, and the occasional tractor. The scenery included lakes, farms, forest, desert, and small villages. Throughout the trip, locals greeted us with waves and welcomed us at all stops. The tour group was small, and the guides took care of my family throughout the trip. They provided bananas, oranges, and clean water during cycling, and added biscuits to the snack tray for the kids. The heritage hotels were each unique and comfortable. The food on the trip was delicious, and the masala chai was a hit with my family. Here is a review from my 12 year old daughter: The trip was amazing! I had so much fun cycling along the green fields and seeing the villages and mountains. We saw so many animals, from camels to elephants to tigers. Once, on one of the first days cycling, I was crossing a busy road when someone yelled 'watch out!' I looked up and there was an elephant right next to me. The pure size shocked me, compared to the many scooters usually on the roads. I ran out of its path, and as soon as I reached the other side of the road I burst out laughing. The tour guides were so nice and friendly, and they always gave us food and juice so we wouldn't run out of energy.Holiday Reviews
You can trust Responsible Travel reviews because, unlike many other schemes, reviews can ONLY be written by people who we have verified have been on the holidays. In addition, we don't run these holidays ourselves - our only interest is giving you the best independent advice.
