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Cities of Rajasthan


One of the many highlights of this trip will be seeing the incredible cities of Rajasthan; Jaipur, Pushkar, Jodphur and Udiapur.

Jaipur



Amber Fort, Jaipur - Flick'r photo by McKaySavage

"A flamboyant showcase of Rajasthani architecture" - Rough Guide

India's 'Pink City' (buildings were painted pink to welcome the Prince of Wales in 1876) will dazzle you with its colourful, vibrant streets and incredible sights. Enjoy your rest day here by checking out the City Palace, the Amber Fort, the Jantar Mantar, and the Palace of the Winds. Or just wander the streets, exploring the bazaars (the city is famous for precious and semi-precious stones), temples and restaurants.

Pushkar




Pushkar - Flick'r photo by Dan Searle

While we do not have a rest day scheduled for this holy city, the ride into town is only 60kms  so you will have lots of time to enjoy the spectacular setting. Home of the world famous Camel Fair, this is a very important city for India's Hindu population. Situated around a lake (which is supposed to have been created when Brahma dropped a lotus flower), this small town of about 15,00 is home to over 500 temples and over 50 bathing ghats. Watch for hippies amongst the locals and perhaps enjoy a special Bhang lassi!

Jodhpur




View from Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur - Flick'r photo by Dan Searle

"Jodhpur's famed cubic roofscape, best viewed at sunset, is a photographer's dream" - Rough Guide

Enjoy a rest day in Jodhpur, the "Blue City"! Climb up to Rajasthan's most incredible fort, Mehrangarh, and enjoy the spectacular view. Then climb back down and wander the bazaars of the old city. Maybe buy a pair of baggy  Jodhpurs, the trouser named after the city? Then sit back and enjoy a cold Kingfisher beer.


Udaipur


Lake Palace Hotel, Udaipur - Flick'r photo by Deepak Gupta

"The most romantic spot on the continent of India" - Col. James Tod, Annals & Antiquities of Rajasthan

That quote was from 1829 and in over 180 years not much has changed. The city is stunning - palaces, museums, hills. the lake. Your rest day here will just not be long enough. Splurge and sail out to the Lake Palace Hotel for a wonderful meal; wander through the City Palace; hope back on your bike and pedal the 5kms uphill to the Moonsoon Palace for incredible views back over the city; purchase one of the Mughal miniature paintings that the city's artisans are famous for.


And those are just the major cities. We will also pass through other gems like Ranakpur.



**Incredible India Indeed!!**

Posted September 10, 2010 by Tour d'Afrique Ltd.
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Konkan Coast




One exciting part of this adventure will be cycling the Konkan Coast. We will depart Bombay, not on its crowded roads, but by pushing our bikes onto a ferry near the Gate of India and sailing across the harbour, landing at a small village on the Konkan Coast. For the following week we will be pedaling along the Arabian Sea towards Goa; taking local ferries to cross the numerous rivers that bisect the area, staying in small villages, biking up and down the rolling hills. And, at the end of each day's ride you can go for a dip in the warm waters of the sea.

 "Empty beaches, backed by casuarina and areca trees and coconut plantations, regularly slip in and out of view, framed by the distant Ghats, while little fortified towns preserve a distinct coastal culture, with its own dialect of Marathi and fiery cuisine." (p755, The Rough Guide to India)

Posted August 12, 2010 by Tour d'Afrique Ltd.
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The Excitement is Building




As the 2010 Tour d'Afrique draws to a close, we are busy here in the Toronto office working on our next incredible trip - An Indian Adventure - a 7 week odyssey  through that remarkable country. All the research and planning we are doing only serves to get us more and more excited about this trip; the unique places we will be staying, the ancient cities we will wander through, the sacred temples we will explore, the wildlife sanctuaries we will visit, the delicious food we will sample and the absolutely stunning atmosphere that we will be living in!! This trip is sure to appeal to many cyclists so be sure to reserve your spot and register today.

Flickr photo by Panoramas
Flickr photo of Taj Mahal by Panoramas

Posted April 30, 2010 by Tour d'Afrique Ltd.
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