The Rajasthani Adventure

The Rajasthani Adventure is an 11-day raid with 8 riding days, rated Sustained: from Delhi to Jaisalmer via Jaipur, Pushkar, the Aravalli hills and the Thar Desert, with about 195 miles of dirt roads and some sand. You fly back to Delhi on a domestic flight. The Land of the Maharajas is a 13-day discovery tour rated Intermediate, focused on forts and palaces, and open to passengers.

The level is Sustained: this raid is for experienced riders who are at ease on dirt roads and in sand. Of roughly 870 miles, 195 are off pavement, up to 40% of the stage between Ghanerao and Jalore, the toughest one. The sand in the Thar Desert can be deep. Medical help is far away and cell coverage is spotty, so the support vehicle stays with the group.

Between 100 and 135 miles a day for 7 days, then 40 miles on the last stage into Jaisalmer. With the dirt sections, each stage fills a full day of riding, including photo stops and lunch.

A Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, at ease on dirt roads and serviced by our mechanic, who travels with the group and carries spare parts. If your height gives you second thoughts, talk it over with your travel advisor before you book.

We strongly advise against it: the dirt roads, the sand and the length of the stages make this raid tough on a passenger. To explore Rajasthan two-up, choose The Land of the Maharajas. If you are unsure, your travel advisor will help you decide.

Your English-speaking tour leader opens the road on a motorcycle. Behind the group, the support vehicle carries a mechanic, the spare parts and your bags, with its own driver. There are never more than 10 motorcycles on the raid.

The tour costs $2,990 per rider. It covers the motorcycle, gas, third-party motorcycle insurance, transfers, the domestic flight from Jaisalmer to Delhi, the tour leader and team, the support vehicle, lodging, breakfast and dinner on riding days, then breakfast on the last two days.

Still to budget for: international flights, the visa, the international driving permit, lunches, two dinners, drinks, entrance fees, tips and a $708 deposit per motorcycle, refunded after the tour.

The tour starts in Delhi, where we meet you at the airport, and your room is ready from noon. On day 10, an included domestic flight takes you from Jaisalmer back to Delhi, with 44 lbs of checked baggage. On the last day, your airport transfer is timed to your flight. To arrive earlier or stay longer, talk to your travel advisor.

India requires a visa. The simplest option is the tourist e-Visa, which you apply for yourself on the Indian government website indianvisaonline.gov.in. Processing times, the conditions for your nationality and the e-Arrival Card, due within 72 hours before you land, are covered in our guide to documents for India.

Bring your motorcycle license and an international driving permit: both are mandatory. On vaccinations and precautions, read our India health advice.

The season runs from October to March, the dry season; open dates are shown on this page, and other dates are possible on request through your travel advisor. The days are sunny, but the nights are cool, especially in the desert: pack a warm layer. We stay in simple hotels and guesthouses, plus one night in a camp in the Thar Desert.