THE UPDATED ITINERARY WILL BE EMAILED TOITINE YOU INTERIMWHEN AVAILABLE RA MULTISPORT RY INDIA PREMIERE INNS This will be one epic journey. The colors, sounds, smells, history, culture... A bit overwhelming? Perhaps. But who wants to travel across an ocean to be underwhelmed? Amid the raw energy, peace can be found. In Brahmin temples and quiet desert. And in our luxury hotels—some of the world's finest. Join us. It's time to experience India. 17‐18MINIR1a 3/3/2017 THE UPDATED ITINERARY WILL BE EMAILED TOITINE YOU INTERIMWHEN AVAILABLE RA RY NEVER SUBCONTRACTED We operate our own trips around the globe. That way we control the quality—and we're fully responsible for your great experience. TWO SUPPORT VANS We provide two support vans on all of our trips* so you can count on I have been on several Backroads trips. us to be there when you need us, regardless of the route you take. The trip to India takes First Prize. The flow of trip was amazing...the right mix of THREE LEADERS biking, culture, downtime...it really Our trips have three leaders*, for an average 6:1 guest-to-leader ratio. seems like a dream. I look at my pictures Guests consistently score our leaders 9.7 out of 10, telling us they make and realize how much I am still digesting all the difference. from the trip. Every day was so full. I have already recommended this trip to several of my friends. Thanks for making THOUGHTFUL TRIP DESIGN this trip a highlight of my life. We know how to create exceptional travel experiences, ensuring that you get the most from your trip as it unfolds. Nancy Alexander ‐ Golden Valley, MN MULTIPLE DAILY ROUTES Click HERE to read more guest reviews Being able to choose among several expertly designed routes each day gives you the freedom to enjoy the best of a region at your own pace. WE CELEBRATE MIXED ABILITIES To accommodate varied activity levels, you need three leaders, two vans, multiple route options, detailed directions, a rating system showing if shuttles are required, and plenty of well-matched riding/hiking companions. *Over 95% of Backroads guests on scheduled trips travel with three Backroads trip leaders or support staff, and two or more vehicles. We even add a fourth leader for meet and move days on some of our most logistically complex trips with the most guests to ensure everyone enjoys the best possible support. On less than 5% of scheduled trips, the number of guests is small enough that we can maintain our trademark high service standards with just two leaders and one van. 9 DAYS, 8 NIGHTS Click HERE to learn more about the Backroads Quality Guide Click HERE for departure dates and pricing details ROUTE RATING LEVELS 1–3 See below for details TO RESERVE YOUR TRIP Sign up online HERE or call 800‐GO‐ACTIVE (462‐2848) or 510‐527‐1555 Open daily 6 a.m.–6 p.m. Pacific time THE UPDATED ITINERARY WILL BE Day 1 EMAILED TOITINE YOU INTERIMWHEN AVAILABLE We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that RA A valid passport and tourist visa are required for entry you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads RY trip is unique and this one is no exception. to India. ACCOMMODATIONS On the first day of the trip, meet your Backroads Trip Rajasthan’s history of prosperous kingdoms has Leaders (the folks in Backroads T‐shirts) at 2:45 p.m. in produced a wealth of luxurious palaces‐turned‐five‐star‐ the lobby of the Taj Hari Mahal (+91‐(0)291‐2439700), located at 5 Residency Road in Jodhpur, India. Please hotels scattered throughout the desert and Aravalli Hills. arrive dressed in comfortable clothes and walking On this trip we stay in several wonderful properties, shoes and bring your luggage, a daypack with your rain chosen either for their grandeur or location, many of gear and anything else you may want for today's which rank among the world’s finest accommodations. activities. On one night we stay at Manvar Desert Camp, a remote rustic retreat that provides a taste of old Rajasthan. And Mehrangarh Fort & Market Walking Tour 2 Hours while the historic Rawla Narlai brims with character and romantic charm, the accommodations are a bit Welcome to India! We kick off this epic adventure at more casual than our other hotels. the Taj Hari Mahal, our home for the next two nights. From here we strike out for the famed Mehrangarh BIKING & HIKING IN AN EMERGING WORLD Fort, a magnificent 15th‐century fortress perched on a Your journey through India will be unlike any other steep hill towering 400 feet over the city. Inside, travel experience. The people and places you visit will several lavish palaces pay testament to India's likely stay with you for a very long time. But as remarkable traditions in architecture and design, wonderfully fulfilling as travel is in India, it's not while spectacular rooms and halls give you a unique always easy. look into Rajasthan's royal past. From the fortress Within congested cities and near busy social centers, walls, gaze out over the "Blue City," as Jodhpur is even something as simple as crossing the road can be called. The name comes from its indigo‐washed daunting—you may be sharing it at any one time with houses—the beautiful splashes of sapphire provide a cars, pedestrians, rickshaws, bikes, scooters and even stunning contrast to the warm desert surroundings. cows! To better traverse the less than ideal and ever‐changing From Mehrangarh we descend to Jodhpur's lively cycling conditions, we use mountain bikes with touring Sardar market—just one example of the vibrant, colorful and chaotic marketplaces found here. Filled tires on this trip. with every imaginable thing to buy and all manner of India is a developing country and different attitudes can humanity, this setting is sure to stimulate your senses sometimes be jarring. Yet the beauty of the people, the —and perhaps overwhelm them. Thick bustling culture and the landscape shines through, making for an crowds, often erratic rickshaw drivers, street food amazingly exotic adventure that's unforgettable and carts and the occasional cow meandering along the completely worthwhile. road are the norm. Browse the stalls that sell exotic spices and goods, and be prepared to meet a slew of characters, from the purposeful holy man to the persistent boy eager to sell you a rug from his uncle's shop to the curious girl who wants to chat. Settle into your room at the grand Taj Hari Mahal. Later we gather for a welcome reception, followed by a dinner of fine Indian cuisine. Lodging: Taj Hari Mahal Gere. THE UPDATED ITINERARY WILL BE EMAILED TO YOU INTERIMWHEN AVAILABLE Back at the hotel, the refreshing pool awaits. Later,ITINE venture out to do some shopping, or stay in and pay a visit to the spa. (Spa treatments are not included in the trip price. Advance reservations areRA recommended.) Tonight a local family welcomes usRY into their home for a special homemade meal. Lodging: Taj Hari Mahal Day 3 Shuttle to Manvar Resort 2 Hours Biking Options: Thar Desert Route: 15 Miles* (500’ elevation gain) Day 2 Manvar Loop: 38 Miles (600’) Sunset Camel Ride & Desert Walk 1 Hour Biking Options: Carpet Fringe Route: 22 Miles* (300' elevation gain) *with shuttle Dhurrie Carpet Route: 32 Miles* (400') This morning we shuttle to Manvar Resort, nestled *with shuttle between the cities of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer in the heart of Rajasthan's sand dunes. Gear up for a lovely Begin the day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel, bike ride along traffic‐free roads passing the rolling then get ready to ride. After your Trip Leaders fit your dunes and green farmland that surrounds Manvar. bike and give a brief talk on biking techniques and Return to the resort to linger over lunch, take a dip in safety, set off on a culturally packed route through the the pool and kick back in the shade. busy outskirts of Jodhpur and into the quiet out‐of‐ the‐way villages of the Thar Desert. On your way out In the afternoon we load up in 4‐wheel‐drive vehicles of town, you're likely to find yourself among local for a short open‐air ride to the remote Manvar Desert riders, scooters and rickshaws on their morning Camp. At this permanent collection of tents (rustic commutes. If it's been a good monsoon season, you'll and sparsely furnished but each with its own full soon arrive at a small lake frequented by birds and bathroom), you'll learn about India's camel‐trading other wildlife, such as red deer and blue bulls. You past. Come evening, follow in the centuries‐old may want to cool off in the shade with some water footsteps of desert merchants as you climb atop a and enjoy the scenery. camel and head west across the shifting sand. After taking in a brilliant sunset, our lumbering "ships of the Afterward, ride through several small villages where desert" carry us back to camp for a night under the children excitedly keep an eye out for the occasional stars. (It can get cold, so be sure to bring a warm passing of odd foreigners on bicycles. Keep in mind sweater with you!) that rural children tend to be either incredibly shy or a bit overly exuberant; don't be surprised if they reach Though miles from urban life, you'll be surprised how out to touch you or want to inspect your bike.