Jewel in the Crown Holidays has been sending people to Goa and the rest of the Indian subcontinent for more than 20 years. It was six years ago that, in conjunction with our business partner, Suzie Lumsden, we first introduced Blazing Trails motorcycle adventures into India. These tours to Goa, Kerala and the Himalayas are now regarded as the benchmark in motorbike touring holidays and, such is their popularity, that each year they have almost totally sold out.

Due to popular demand we have now managed to add another exciting new tour into the fold for 2007, Rajasthan – the 'Land of the Kings'. Looking and feeling like nowhere else in the world, this region is packed with colourful and historic sights, from the classic vistas of the Great Thar Desert in the west; to the cool and airy heights of more southerly Mount Abu. Historical sights abound: the ancient forts of the Rajput warriors, havelis – marvellous stone-carved dwellings of wealthy traders – and the magical lake-palaces of the Rajas from whom the state takes its name. We will be travelling on our well-prepared Enfield 350 Bullets – with our usual mechanical and medical support – and staying in the most fitting, evocative accommodation we can find. It must be noted, however, that the itinerary laid out below is provisional at present and all distances approximate. This is a new tour and reconnaissance and planning are ongoing, so the route may be amended after you book – though we promise not to compromise our organisational standards and, as ever, we will be aiming to ride the most interesting possible roads between overnight stays.  

Off to blaze a trail

Day 1: Depart UK.

Day 2: Arrive Delhi, transfer to Mandawa. Having arrived in Delhi in the early hours, you'll transfer for a six-hour air-con bus trip to Mandawa in Rajasthan, a relatively quiet market town graced with much fine architecture. Here you will be met by the Blazing Trails team and given a thorough briefing on your bike and the trip to come. The night will be spent at the grand Mandawa Castle.

Day 3: Mandawa to Bikaner. From Mandawa we spend the morning riding to Bikaner. This is an old walled city and was an important staging post on the great caravan trade routes. The busy town is filled with dark red sandstone havelis and Jain temples. As the drive is not overly long, we'll visit Bikaner Fort in the afternoon. On the way in or out of Bikaner (time permitting) we will try to visit the famous and fascinating Karni Mata Temple, 30km to the south, where thousands of holy rats run free.

Day 4: Bikaner to Jaisalmer. From Bikaner we head up to the stunning fort-town of Jaisalmer, about 300km to the south-west. Jaisalmer Fort will come into view standing proud of the desert's flatness like a giant golden sandcastle. We will be staying at the Narayan Niwas, a thirteenth century caravanserai and an important stopover on the old silk route, which has been converted into an atmospheric hotel.

Day 5: Jaisalmer. Once a booming hub of east-west caravan commerce, this fairytale walled city-fort now reaps the bulk of its rupees from tourism. The medieval streets, just wide enough for a bike to wiggle past a cow, are often described as a 'living museum'. And so they are, complete with hundreds of gift shops. A day is easily frittered away visiting temples, restaurants, the museum and the preserved sandstone havelis of yesterday's wealthy traders. Later, kick back with a beer and watch the sunset paint the city walls pink.

Day 6: Jaisalmer towards Jodhpur. Leaving Jaisalmer we cut through colourful villages in the heart of southern Rajasthan. Rest will be found in the Great Thar Desert, with a night under the stars between Jaisalmer and Jodhpur.

Day 7: To Jodhpur. Breakfast in the dunes is followed by a ride through classic desert sand dune scenery, passing camel carts and bullock trains. An afternoon in the ' Blue City ' of Jodhpur gives the chance to visit the many impressive historical sites of this bustling place. Why blue? Because the vast majority of buildings have been painted pale indigo, a colour traditionally signifying the homes of Brahmins (those of the priest caste), but nowadays giving the whole city an almost luminous glow. The old city is a tangle of winding streets and bazaars and is surrounded by a 10km-long wall. The vast Meherangarh Fort, that dominates the city from a hillside 5km away, is the most impressive in Rajasthan and a 'must see'.

Happy clients

Day 8: Jodhpur to Mount Abu. From Jodhpur we spend the day journeying south to Mount Abu (about 250km). The town, Rajasthan's only hill station, sits atop an huge escarpment accessed by a spiralling road, lined with cheering monkeys. The kilometre-high, free-standing rock that is Mount Abu, dominates the surrounding countryside and a look down from its steep cliffs is like gazing from a light aircraft. In the afternoon you'll be able to take in the sights, including a temple complex that is one of the Jain community's most sacred sites. The two fabulously intricate main temples – the Vimal Vasahi, built in 1031 and the Tejpal Temple, built in 1230 – are among the finest examples of Jain architecture in India. Abu is also a big Indian tourist destination, so there's plenty of people-watching to be done. Should you prefer animals, take a walk in its wildlife reserve – home to many bird species and the haunt of sloth bears.

Day 9: Mount Abu to Udaipur. Down from Mount Abu we will detour through lush arable hills via the beautiful Ranakpur Jain temple and then down to Udaipur.

Day 10: Udaipur. Famous for its Lake Palace, and regarded as the most romantic of all Rajasthani cities, Udaipur is centred around Lake Pichola. The city is a maze of tiny, winding streets packed with palaces, temples and havelis. It is also a major centre for the performing arts, painting, miniature painting and crafts.

Day 11: Udaipur to Pushkar. An early start from Udaipur takes us through the Aravali Hills to Pushkar (one of India 's holy cities, about 150km), on the desert's edge. Spend the afternoon exploring this important pilgrimage centre, where Western travellers mingle with hindu sadhus (holy men) and pilgrims around the sacred lake. The lake is said to have appeared in the desert when the Hindu deity Brahma dropped a lotus flower – represented by the white lakeside temples.

Day 12: Pushkar to Jaipur. After a morning in Pushkar we spend the afternoon riding to Jaipur (about 150km). We will be staying at the Diggi Palace, a lovely quiet place tucked away in the centre of this bustling city.

Day 13: Jaipur. Jaipur is the hub of Rajasthan and a busy tourist centre. There is plenty to see and do, including sightseeing and shopping. By this time you should be fairly inured to the touts and tourist traps and in good shape to take off and explore. We'll also offer a short, guided ride out of town where the group is invited for lunch and a swim at an organic farm.

Day 14: Jaipur to Mandawa. Leaving early we will drive up to visit the huge Amber Palace and the Jaigarh Fort, perched above Jaipur, with stunning views. Then on to Mandawa where the last night will be spent at a resort in the desert outside the town – a quiet, peaceful place where you can relax before starting your journey back home. There is a small collection of classic and vintage cars here, so those who are interested can spend some time pottering in the garages.

Day 15: Mandawa to Delhi. We will have a last dinner together before a transfer to Delhi to catch your homeward flight early in the morning.

As in all of our other tours we have limited the number of riders to 15 to enable you to get the most out of this superb country. So, if you're interested please book early, as we are expecting the demand for this trip to be very high and the popular dates to sell out very quickly especially as we have only put this trip together on the request of our previous clients.