Madhya Pradesh, India

On the Tracks of the Tiger

©Stephane Gautronneau

An intrepid all-rounder, she has cruised India’s roads with many groups, and knows the

country like the back of her leather-gloved hand.

“An original motorbike trip along the little-known roads of Madhya Pradesh, taking in

temples, palaces and wilderness.”

GERALDINE

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TRAVEL DESIGNER

A TRIP

If you’ve already journeyed hundreds of miles through the jewels of

Rajasthan, the tea plantations of Kerala, and the unforgettable trails of

Ladakh… then dare to take a motorbike trip in the heart of India: Madhya

Pradesh. Some of the country’s most beautiful temples and palaces,

national parks with abundant wildlife, authentic and spontaneous

encounters, sublime little roads, and delightful hotels. You’ll only ride in the

morning, to really soak up the places en route. Make haste for the land of

Rudyard Kipling, and you’ll better understand why this immensely

mysterious and beguiling region inspired the famous Jungle Book.

WITH UNIQUE SENSATIONS

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MAP

AT A GLANCE

AccommodationComfort or Superior comfort

3490 €

3-4h riding a day Relaxation and free time

From

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Period

October to March

Duration

13 days including 8 days riding

LevelAccessible

English-speakingtour leader

©Stephane Gautronneau

©Elisabeth Fieujan

©Elisabeth Fieujan

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Pick-up at the airport (usually in the evening) and transfer to the hotel "Amarya Villa" in the center of Delhi. Your room is available from noon onwards. Overnight stay at the hotel.

We leave the hotel at dawn to catch the early morning train

to Orchha. We arrive around noon to check-in at the hotel

and have lunch. Introduction to the bikes. We then drive a

few kilometers to the center of Orchha, for a first contact

with the Royal Enfield. Visit of this peaceful and beautiful

village.

Orchha is a tiny city founded in the sixteenth century, and is

the former capital of the princely state of the same name. In

Orchha, time seems to stand still. There are several palaces

and beautiful monuments of the same period.

Overnight stay at the Bundelkhand Riverside hotel. The

hotel is on the banks of the Betwa River. The oldest part,

dating from 1895, was used as a hunting lodge. The

property and its furniture were built in the British colonial

style. Swimming pool. Wifi at the front desk.

©Elisabeth Fieujan

YOUR TRIP IN 13 STAGES

STAGE 1

STAGE 2

Arrival in Delhi:

Delhi - Orchha [470 km* – 5H30 by train]:

©Elisabeth Fieujan

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It’s our first day with the bikes! Today’s stage will take us to Panna national park. We start by riding through the Orchha’s forest, then join sceneries with a rustic look: fields of mustard as far as the eye can see. If we have time we’ll take you to an exceptional and private place: the "Rani Ki bauri" Palace from the 18th century.

We’ll have lunch at Bijawar Fort, an exceptional place still in ruins, mystical, enchanting, and still permeated by its past of riches and riches. The ceramics and wall paintings have remained intact since the abandonment of its last owners. The mansion dates from the 18th century and was built by Maharaja Sawant Singh, the 2nd son of the Maharaja of Orchha.

Then we will head to the Ken River Lodge, a hotel on the banks of the Ken River, to rest from our long first day.

STAGE 3

Orchha - Panna [240 km* – 6H riding]:

YOUR TRIP IN 13 STAGES

©Elisabeth Fieujan

©Elisabeth Fieujan

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STAGE 5

During the first kilometers, we enter the forest of Panna by a series of zigzags and small hills. A real pleasure on a bike! We then find the typical plains and villages again. Today, we witness plenty of authentic scenes: women carrying bundles of wood, mustard fields, soft slalom through herds of cattle, villagers on their bicycle... Passage through the hills of Surdaha Ghati, giving us a beautiful view of the valley. We arrive at the Palace of Mahiar to spend the night. The palace is a century old and was recently renovated to host you in a property full of charm and history.

Free morning. Optional activity: jeep safari in the park of Panna.

Declared a National Park since 1981, Panna hosts a large number of mammals such as deer, wolves, foxes, langurs, hyenas, antelopes, sambars and tigers.

After lunch, we get the bikes for a 25km ride on country roads to Khajurao, archaeological site, famous for its erotic sculptures (these being in reality only a small portion of the design).

Back to the hotel by the main road.Overnight stay at the Ken River Lodge.STAGE 4

Panna - Khajurao - Panna [50 km* - 1h30 riding]:

Panna - Maihar [125 km* – 4H riding]:

YOUR TRIP IN 13 STAGES

©Elisabeth Fieujan

©Elisabeth Fieujan

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STAGE 7

Today, the motorcycles stay at the parking and are pampered by the mechanics. Early morning safari (at sunrise) in the Bandhavgarh National Park. At dawn, we increase our chances to cross the track of a feline.

The Bandhavgarh National Park was established in 1968 and is spread over an area of 1150 square kilometers. It is mostly covered by forests and vast stretches of grasslands spread over 32 hills. The park has the highest density of tigers in the world. Bandhavgarh was once the hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa. The region was an important hunting area, where, in 1914, Maharaja Raman Singh shot a prodigious number of tigers: 111 in total.Night at the King's Lodge.

Departure towards the south. During the first 20 kilometers, the traffic is dense. We then reach the back roads. Colors of the landscapes vary between dried cultures, bright yellow mustard fields and green rice fields. To reach our hotel in the middle of the forest, we ride about 13 kilometers on a trail. Lunch at the hotel. Free afternoon; you can relax, use the swimming pool, go for a bicycle ride or take a walk to the nearby village.

Overnight stay at the King's Lodge. The Lodge is located between the wooden hills of Sal and the Bandhavgarh National Park, in a breathtaking natural environment. Its spacious and exceptionally comfortable cottages are scattered throughout the woods. Pool, spa, and delicious food. Please note: telephone network is inaccessible.STAGE 6

Maihar - Bandhavgarh [100 km* – 3H riding]:

Bandhavgarh:

YOUR TRIP IN 13 STAGES

©Elisabeth Fieujan

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We get up at dawn for the last safari of the trip. The jeeps are waiting for us at 06:15AM (on the dot) to take us into the reserve.

The rolling landscape of Kanha are interspersed with groves, hills and meadows, and bring together a large number of animals such as deer, wolves, foxes, langurs, antelopes, sambar, gaur, monkeys, peacocks, civets as well as their fiercest predators: reptiles, leopards, bears, and tigers. The park also houses over 1,000 species of flowering plants and 300 species of birds. The lush bamboo forests of Kanha were an inspiration to Rudyard Kipling for his famous story, "The Jungle Book".

Free afternoon: use the swimming pool, relax, go for a bicycle ride or take a walk to the nearest village.

Overnight stay at the Kanha Earth Lodge.

STAGE 9

Big riding day on beautiful roads. The surrounding scenery sometimes resembles the African savannah. Then, when rivers and lakes cross our path, the landscape is transformed into an oasis. It is not uncommon to see school children getting out of their schools, or groups of children playing cricket, the national sport. This is an opportunity for a moment of exchange and sharing. Arrival at the hotel by a series of tracks.

Overnight stay at the Kanha Earth Lodge. The hotel is situated in 16 acres of forest. Its luxury bungalows are created from locally available materials such as mud, plaster, stone, terracotta tiles, wooden beams and furniture made from recycled wood, allowing our accommodation to blend into the surrounding scenery. The Lodge has won several international and Indian prices for its high environmental standards. Activities: Swimming pool and bicycles available to residents. Please note: telephone network is inaccessible.

STAGE 8

Bandhavgarh - Kanha [255 km* - 6H riding]:

Kanha:

YOUR TRIP IN 13 STAGES

STAGE 9

©Stephane Gautronneau

©Elisabeth Fieujan

©Elisabeth Fieujan

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Last day of motorcycle. The roads are new and the surface is impeccable. We enjoy this final day at the helm of our Royal Enfield. We cross forests and countryside before reaching our destination in the heart of the Pench National Park, for a memorable night.

Overnight stay at Pench Tree Lodge. Genuine jewelry of Madhya Pradesh, this hotel located in the heart of the National Park of Pench has room perched in Mahua trees, typical of the region.

It would have been a shame not to enjoy this idyllic setting any longer.

We enjoy today a well deserved day of relaxation by the pool. Possibility to organize a last safari (not included in the program) for the ones wishing to discover the 16 hectares of this magnificent property.

Overnight stay at Pench Tree Lodge.

©Elisabeth Fieujan

STAGE 10

STAGE 11

Kanha - Pench [150 km* - 6H riding]:

Pench:

YOUR TRIP IN 13 STAGES

©Elisabeth Fieujan

©Elisabeth Fieujan

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STAGE 12

Transfer by private vehicle to Nagpur airport according to flight schedules.Arrival in Delhi in the evening. Installation at your hotel.

Free evening in Delhi.

Pench - Nagpur - Delhi [130 km* - 4h driving]:

Delhi - International airport:

End of this beautiful ride through Madhya Pradesh and its natural and architectural wonders. Transfer

to the airport according to your flight schedule.

STAGE 13

YOUR TRIP IN 13 STAGES

*Riding distances are indicative.

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HOW DO YOU WANT TO GO?

Book your trip and join a group

Book now : contact@vintagerides.com*Prices are indicative. Please refer to our general terms & conditions.

Or create a new group

3490 € / pilot*

3190 € / pillion*

From 2 to 3: 4690 €From 4 to 5: 4100 €From 6 to 8: 3830 €

From 9 to 10: 3560 €From 11 to 12: 3490 €

From 05/03/18 to 17/03/18

Personalise your motorbike trip by creating your own dates and group ! ''A la carte'' trips don't depend on the number of bikers in the group

- you can even set off in a duo!

And enjoy

5% off your second trip

10% off your third trip and more

Always in the limit of 300 €

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● A Royal Enfield 500cc motorcycle is provided with full mechanical assistance and all

spare parts

● Domestic transfers as appearing in the program, by private vehicle

● An English speaking Tour Leader (from day 2 to day 12)

● Fuel expenses

● An expert mechanic of Royal Enfield motorcycles

● A support vehicle with driver for groups with 4 or more participants; side luggage

carrier for groups of less than 4 participants

● Lodging in comfort hotels, in double bed rooms on a twin-sharing basis. If you wish

to stay in a single room (extra), please inform your travel advisor at the time of

registration

● Meals: Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner from day 2 to day 11)

● The flight Jabalpur to Delhi at the end of the trip

● 2 jeep safaris: in Bandhavgarh and Kanha

● Boat-ride and fishing in Panna

● Third party motorcycle insurance

● Compulsory insurances, such as repatriation assistance which covers you in case of a

motorbike accident in India – legal assistance.

● A refundable security deposit of 500 € for the motorcycles.

● International Flights and airport taxes

● Visa fees

● Tips and personal expenses

● Meals on non-riding days (day 1, day 11 and day 12)

● Admission fees to various monuments, temples etc.

● Drinks and personal expenses

● Christmas Eve and New Years Eve event fees

PRICE INCLUDES

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

MORE INFO

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MY CHECKLIST

Appropriate equipment is a component of a successful journey!Travel lightly,TRY TO STAY UNDER 45LBS (20 KGS)

BAGS:

❏ A sailor bag would be perfect, a walker's bag too (without steel bar). You can close it with a padlock if you want to (don’t forget to tag it before leaving with your address. Also with the address of Vintage Rides in India)

❏ A small backpack of 20 liters is advised for daily necessities such as camera, sunscreen lotion.

SPECIAL MOTORCYCLE

EQUIPMENT:

❏ Motorcycle boots are strongly advised or trekking shoes (waterproof)

❏ Light motorbike jacket (leather or synthetic)

❏ A rain suit (just in case!)❏ Gloves❏ Helmet

CLOTHES AND PERSONAL

EQUIPMENT:

❏ Light pants❏ Shirts (including some with long

sleeves, to protect yourself from the sun)

❏ A swimsuit❏ Hot sweater or jacket for cold

nights❏ Sunglasses❏ Hat❏ Light sport shoes❏ Flip flops❏ 1 liter canteen (flask) and a

flashlight (don’t forget the batteries)

❏ Some sweets and cereal bars

PERSONAL MEDICINES:

❏ Sun screen lotion❏ Lip balm❏ Broad-spectrum antibiotic❏ Paracetamol❏ Anti-diarrhea❏ Elastoplast❏ Skin disinfectant❏ Bandages and special blisters

bandage

CONTACT US

©Elisabeth Fieujan

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CONTACT@VINTAGERIDES.COM

www.vintagerides.travel

Copyrights photos: Geraldine Shandilya

VINTAGE RIDES INDIA

C-65 Okhla phase 1 New Delhi - 110020

Tel: +339 70 44 01 30

VINTAGE RIDES FRANCE

98 Rue Baudin - 92300 Levallois-Perret

By appointment only

Tel: +337 68 13 89 07