Tijara to Kathmandu

The leg at a glance

• Start at the 19th century hill fort in Tijara
• A clean shirt every day: you get 4 personalised Ride25 shirts and we launder them a couple of times during the leg
• Beautiful cycling through rural India, a world away from the tourist sites
• Embrace the culture with up close encounters
• Mostly quality hotels, many with pools
• Beautifully varied road surfaces
• The first ever Ride25 temporary camp on night 2
• A night in Lucknow, the wealthy capital of Uttar Pradesh
• Visit the temples in Ayodhya, the most sacred of all Hindu cities
• Cross the Ganges and witness the celebrations
• Morning jeep safari in Chitwan National Park looking for rhinos, sloth bears, elephants, leopards and the Royal Bengal tiger
• A tough climb up to Kathmandu after a flat few days
• Finish at the World Heritage site of Durbar Square in Kathmandu
• Celebration dinner at the Yak & Yeti Hotel in a 200 year old palace
• Ride25 food truck preparing fresh vegetarian lunches every day from pop-up restaurants

The film

This film is from Leg 14, Jaisalmer to Tijara — a taste of what a Ride25 leg feels like on the road.

9:11Pioneers · Leg 14Jaisalmer to TijaraWatch the film

Day by day

1. 01

   Tijara to Aligarh

   176 km · 595 m up

   We start with a gradual descent as we leave Tijara Fort at 07.30, through a short stretch of forest and then out onto quiet lanes across the border country of Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. This is rural India far from the tourist trail: brick factory chimneys rising out of the rice paddies, a short section alongside a canal, and the hustle of village markets. The first water and toilet stop comes at about 43 km, with lunch at 94 km.

   The day is almost flat, with just 595 m of climbing spread over 176 km and a high point of 331 m, so it is all about steady rhythm and a good group. Expect variable road conditions, with short sections of broken road throughout. After an afternoon water stop at 114 km, the long final stretch takes us into Aligarh and the ITC Fortune Park Hotel at 170.2 km, where ITC riders stop. Dinner 19.00 on the ITC roof for everyone. Transport from the Lemon Tree at 18.30. The newly built Lemon Tree Hotel, 5.4 km further on at 175.6 km, is our overflow hotel, so only some riders will continue there.

   Overnight: ITC Fortune Park Hotel, Aligarh

   Day 1 Strava Route →Day 1 digital “cloth” map →Download Draft Day 1 GPX
2. 02

   Aligarh to Farrukhabad

   181 km · 300 m up · 339 m down

   The updated route is 180.8 km (rounded to 181 km). We leave from 07.00 onwards from the ITC Fortune Park Hotel and turn left out of the hotel, making a U-turn at 1.0 km. Lemon Tree riders join at 5.3 km before heading east out of Aligarh, turning left just before the flyover at 15.8 km onto the rural lanes and B roads of the Doab, the fertile plain between the Ganges and the Yamuna. Watch for the sharp turn at 66.8 km — easy to overshoot. This is one of the flattest days of the leg: just 300 m of climbing, and nowhere higher than 201 m. The morning water and toilet stop comes at 52 km, with lunch at 104 km, and village life, sugar cane and mustard fields for company.

   After an afternoon water stop at 144 km, approximately 37 km remain to the finish at our Ride25 camp in Farrukhabad. A Ride25 first: our own camp. Not a luxury camp, a real one. Individual tents are up before we arrive at a wedding venue close to the Ganges, and showers are available. Dinner at 19.00 and a bar are at the camp tonight. Bring a power bank. Bring warm layers in case it is cold and earplugs in case of snoring.

   Overnight: Ride25 camp, Farrukhabad

   Day 2 Strava Route →Day 2 digital “cloth” map →Download Draft Day 2 GPX
3. 03

   Farrukhabad to Lucknow

   178 km · 264 m up

   Breakfast from 06.00; we leave camp from 06.30 onwards for another day deep in real Indian life, and the flattest of the leg: 178 km with just 264 m of climbing and a high point of 155 m. This is mostly subsistence farming country, where crops are spread across the road for passing traffic to crush and release the seeds. The morning water and toilet stop is at 48 km, with lunch at 88 km as we pass close to Bilgram, once a famous seat of Mughal learning.

   Busy roads for the first 10 km and again from about 95 to 135 km. At the roundabout just before 165 km, traffic joining has right of way; walk the finish roundabout if unsure. Anyone at risk of finishing after 17.00 gets picked up at the 130 km stop. Dinner 19.00 at Taj Mahal Lucknow, with a free bar from 18.30 to 20.30 as a reward for camping (soft drinks, local beer, wines and some spirits); Renaissance next door is the overflow hotel. The afternoon water stop comes at 130 km, out among the mango orchards that run towards Malihabad. The last 48 km take us into the wealthy city of Lucknow, the old capital of the nawabs. Look out for the three 26 m bronze statues on the outskirts honouring politicians who shaped modern India, before a proper hotel after a night under canvas.

   Overnight: Taj Mahal Lucknow, with Renaissance Hotel next door as overflow

   Day 3 Strava Route →Day 3 digital “cloth” map →Download Draft Day 3 GPX
4. 04

   Lucknow to Faizabad / Ayodhya

   139 km · 362 m up

   Cold breakfast from 06.15, full breakfast from 07.00; leaving from 07.30 onwards, we ride past the vast Ambedkar Park, along the grand avenues and back streets of Lucknow, keeping in groups through the busy exit, and out into beautiful countryside with mango and banana smallholdings among the rice fields. Much of the morning is on tarmac tracks alongside a canal. The morning water and toilet stop is at 42 km, with lunch at 88 km.

   At 139 km and just 362 m of climbing this is a short, flat day, so with an early start there is time to explore Ayodhya. It is regarded as the most sacred of all cities for Hindus, with over 100 temples and ghats on the Sarayu river. After the afternoon water stop at 118 km it is 21 km to the hotel. Dinner 19.00 is on the hotel rooftop, with alcohol available. Make the most of the shorter day and explore Ayodhya’s temples and the ghats before dinner. Complete the [Nepal arrival form](https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/on-arrival/IO05) tonight.

   Overnight: Park Inn, Ayodhya

   Day 4 Strava Route →Day 4 digital “cloth” map →Download Draft Day 4 GPX
5. 05

   Faizabad / Ayodhya to Siddharthanagar, Nepal

   200 km · 391 m up

   Please be ready for a prompt start: leave from 06.30 onwards, as this is the longest day of the leg at 200 km and includes a border crossing. It is almost entirely flat, with just 391 m of climbing and a high point of 114 m. It has an amazing start along the sacred Sarayu river, past bathing buffalo, temples and ghats. The next 100 km are lovely quiet rural roads, with the morning water and toilet stop at 52 km and lunch at 106 km. Extra vehicles are available if you need a lift after lunch.

   The roads get busier towards the Nepal border, with a new road with a hard shoulder near the end, and an afternoon water stop at 171 km. The crossing at 193 km is less organised than most of ours: stay with the crew and be patient. If we are delayed at the border and it is past sunset, we will leave the border in small groups. It is important to carry 30 USD in cash to pay for your Nepali visa, complete the [Nepal visa arrival form](https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/on-arrival/IO05) in advance, and keep your passport and visa paperwork with you, not in the luggage van. Activate your Nepal eSIM while you have Wi-Fi, ideally at home. We stay at a 5* hotel just over the border and only 15 km from Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. An optional bus is available from the lunch stop at approximately 106 km. Dinner 19.00 at Siddhartha Vilasa (Nepal time).

   Overnight: Siddhartha Vilasa, Siddharthanagar

   Day 5 Strava Route →Day 5 digital “cloth” map →Download Draft Day 5 GPX
6. 06

   Siddharthanagar to Chitwan National Park

   143 km · 981 m up

   Breakfast from 06.00; we leave the border city from 07.00 onwards, at sunrise and before the traffic builds, with a fast, wide road for the first 10 km, and the day gets quieter and more scenic with the Himalaya in view for much of it. The morning water and toilet stop is at 46 km and lunch at 87 km, as the plains give way to forested foothills.

   We follow the river and tackle the first real climb of the trip, reaching a high point of 561 m with 981 m of climbing over 143 km. The gradient is gradual, but the stretch from 32 to 60 km suffered major landslides in the record 2025 monsoon and repairs were under way at the recce. Road surfaces on the climb may have been washed away. After an afternoon water stop at 121 km, most riders finish at the Royal Tulip on the edge of Chitwan National Park at 142 km. Watch for the broken bridge entering Bharatpur (exact km to be confirmed). Banbas Resort, 1.3 km further on at 142.9 km, is the overflow hotel: watch for its turn-off. Dinner together at Royal Tulip at 19.00 (Nepal time).

   Overnight: Royal Tulip, Chitwan (overflow: Banbas Resort)

   Day 6 Strava Route →Day 6 digital “cloth” map →Download Draft Day 6 GPX
7. 07

   Chitwan National Park to Hetauda

   69 km · 622 m up · 342 m down

   Practically a day off. Breakfast 06.30, followed by a jeep safari 07.30–10.30 in Chitwan National Park, renowned for one-horned rhinos, crocodiles, leopards and the Royal Bengal tiger, then shower and checkout 10.30–11.30. Lunch at the hotel from 11.00.

   From 12.30 onwards we depart for a ride of just 69 km on good fast roads to Hetauda, with 622 m of climbing and a high point of 471 m as we edge into the hills. There is a water stop at Manahari at 39 km. Tonight we split between two local Nepali hotels: at the junction at 67 km, turn right for the Samana Hotel or left for the Avocado & Orchid Resort, Finish before dark. Dinner 19.00 at Avocado & Orchid Hotel for everyone staying at either hotel; check your hotel allocation, then get an early night before the big one.

   Overnight: Samana Hotel or Avocado & Orchid Resort, Hetauda

   Day 7 Strava Route →Day 7 digital “cloth” map →Download Draft Day 7 GPX
8. 08

   Hetauda to Kathmandu

   99 km · 3,138 m up · 2,295 m down

   Breakfast 06.00; we depart from 06.30 onwards from both Samana and Avocado & Orchid hotels for the queen stage of the leg: 99 km with 3,138 m of climbing, topping out at 2,043 m. There are two quieter routes to Kathmandu from Hetauda and both involve a lot of climbing. This is the longer but quieter one, subject to the state of the roads after the summer monsoon. Start steady: the morning water stop is at 35 km and lunch is in the hills at 51 km — standing lunch only, with a bus alternative from lunch.

   The route is gorgeous, with incredible Himalayan views throughout. The three climbs are 9.5–22 km, 30.5–41 km and 51–71 km. The fast descent at 22–30.5 km has its steepest kilometre around 11%; ramps reach about 15% around 55–57 km. Bring warm layers for the summit water stop at 71 km and 2,043 m, then we drop into the Kathmandu Valley. The official finish photo is at the World Heritage site of Durbar Square at 97 km. You need a ticket to enter the square. Ride25 will endeavour to buy the tickets, but if that fails you will need 1,000 NPR in cash (or less than 10 USD) to buy your own. We then weave through the cobbled streets to our hotel to celebrate the end of Leg 15. Moxy is the overflow hotel. Dinner together at Yak & Yeti in the palace at 19.00 (Nepal time).

   Overnight: Yak & Yeti, Kathmandu

   Day 8 Strava Route →Day 8 digital “cloth” map →Download Draft Day 8 GPX

The maps

Where we stay

• 

  Tijara Fort Palace, Alwar — a stunning 19th century fort converted into a residence, with sprawling gardens and a pool

  Pre-start

  Hotel website
• 

  ITC Fortune Hotel, Aligarh — 4* modern hotel with rooftop bar, restaurant and small pool, where most riders stay and we have dinner on the rooftop, plus the 4* Lemon Tree as the overflow hotel

  Night 1

  Hotel website
• 

  Wild camping — individual tents (doubles for couples) with inflatable mats and sleeping bags

  Night 2

• 

  Taj Mahal Lucknow — 5* next to Ambedkar Park and the river, with outdoor pool and spa; Renaissance Hotel next door is our overflow hotel

  Night 3

  Hotel website
• 

  Park Inn / Radisson Hotel, Ayodhya — 5* newly built hotel with a rooftop bar that will now serve alcohol

  Night 4

  Hotel website
• 

  Siddhartha Vilasa, Siddharthanagar — 5* modern oasis 6 km from the border with pools, rooftop bar and spa

  Night 5

  Hotel website
• 

  Royal Tulip, Chitwan — 5* resort hotel, with Banbas Resort, 1.3 km further on, as the overflow hotel

  Night 6

  Hotel website
• 

  Avocado & Orchid Resort, Hetauda — local Nepali hotel, with local overflow hotels

  Night 7

  Hotel website
• 

  Yak & Yeti, Kathmandu — 5* heritage hotel in the centre, dinner in a 200 year old palace, with Moxy as the overflow hotel

  Night 8

  Hotel website

The cost

• £1,950 per person, with a single supplement of £700.
• As with all Pioneer trips this is not-for-profit: the price covers the direct costs of running the trip only.
• £500 deposit due on booking to confirm your place — if you pull out it is donated to 1moreChild. You can also pay in full now to save the admin: £1,950 twin or £2,650 single. The balance is due in June 2026.
• Please pay by bank transfer only — you will receive an invoice with bank details when you register.
• Your place is only confirmed once the deposit is paid on registration and the full payment is made by the end of June 2026.
• If you are in a twin room, please say during registration whether you have a preference for a room mate. Room mates are allocated in advance.

Bikes: Mostly tarmac. Failed surfaces through many villages and rural areas, and for multiple kilometres on the climbs on days 6 and 8.

Practicalities

More questions? Read our FAQs for more answers.

Timings

We cycle for 8 days from Sunday 15th to Sunday 22nd November 2026. Arrive in Delhi by Saturday 14th November and leave Kathmandu on or after Monday 23rd November. It is unusually long, but with easier flight times you can fly overnight on Friday 13th and be home by the evening of Monday 23rd.

How to get to Tijara Fort

About a 2 hour taxi drive from Delhi International Airport. An Uber XL with a bike box is around £40, or you can arrange a transfer in a large car for around £100.

Our trusted partner in India and Nepal

For transfers, accommodation and pre- or post-tour arrangements in India and Nepal, contact Ramesh Wattal at Welcome Travels, 209 Skipper Corner, 88 Nehru Place, New Delhi 110019, India — rkw@welcometravels.com · www.welcometravels.com.

Pre-start

We stay again at Tijara Hill Fort, where you can register and build your bikes in the afternoon. Drinks from 18.00, with dinner at 19.00. The routes are subject to change until the week before, when we recce them again to check road surfaces — so don't download them until the last minute.

Road surfaces

Similar to Leg 14, and possibly worse on the hills depending on the 2026 monsoon. Lots of time on quiet rural lanes with narrow single track tarmac that varies in places. Village surfaces are often very poor, but only for short sections. Road bikes or ideally gravel bikes, with sturdy wheels and thick tyres, are mandatory. Wheels built for speed will slow you down with punctures. Carry multiple spare inner tubes.

Climbing and traffic

There are no hills across the first five days. Day 6 has one climb and day 8 has three long climbs. Days 1, 3 and 4 are quiet rural roads, day 2 is mostly B roads, day 5 is rural until the busier last 50 km, and days 6 and 7 are bigger but mostly quiet roads ridden early. Expect constant infringements of the UK Highway Code: ride assuming no-one will stop at a junction.

Pollution, temperature and rain

Pollution in Delhi at this time of year is severe, with an air quality index approaching 400 against a recommended safe level of 100. Temperatures should be pleasant, with highs in the low to mid twenties, and it is likely to be dry with some potential for rain closer to Kathmandu.

Food and personal hygiene

We have chosen high-quality hotels with good food hygiene for breakfast and dinner, and control lunch ourselves with our team of chefs cooking fresh food daily from a Ride25 food truck with a marquee for shade and seating. Eat hot, freshly prepared food, use hand sanitiser widely, and consider a gut preparation product before you travel.

Visas — India

Hopefully everyone from Leg 14 already holds a 5 year India visa, which avoids the process, the increased charges and a possible visit to a visa office. If you don't have one, apply online in advance nearer the time and avoid agencies that simply charge a premium. The process is laborious and crashes frequently — it seems less glitchy in Google Chrome. The cost of a 5 year visa has risen sixfold since December 2025.

• We will be in India for parts of Legs 16 and 17 as well. The simplest route is an e-visa, but your first entry on an e-visa cannot be at a land border because you need to do biometrics. On Legs 16 and 17 we enter India by land, so without an existing visa you would need a paper visa and a trip to a visa processing office (Hounslow in the UK). Far better to get an e-visa now: we arrive for Leg 15 through Delhi airport, so the e-visa will work.
• Passport copy in PDF format under 300 kb. If the file is too big, an app like Docscan will compress it easily.
• Passport sized photo of yourself under 1 MB.
• A list of all countries visited in the last 10 years (just not more than 20).
• India reference — use the hotel in Tijara: Tijara Fort Palace, Hasanpur Mafi Tijara, Rajasthan 301411, India, phone +91 1469 296 966. The hotel is in the district of Alwar in the state of Rajasthan.
• Tour operator — leave blank, or put Ride25 Ltd, The Hyde, Hambleden, Henley-on-Thames RG9 6SY.
• If you are asked for an Indian verifier or sponsor, use our fixer: Ramesh Wattal, Welcome Travels (a unit of Welcome Destinations Pvt. Ltd), 209 Skipper Corner, 88 Nehru Place, New Delhi 110019, India — rkw@welcometravels.com, www.welcometravels.com.
• For new riders, Ride25 will request a copy of your Indian visa in advance as we have to provide it to the hotels.

Visas — Nepal

You also need a visa for Nepal, bought at the border for 30 USD. It is important to bring 30 USD in cash. Complete the Nepal visa arrival form in advance and take a screenshot of it. Keep your passport and visa paperwork with you, not in the luggage van. Activate your Nepal eSIM while you have Wi-Fi, ideally at home.

What do I wear?

Normal cycling attire is fine for everyone across the whole route — anything that helps you keep cool.

What else can I do before or after the leg?

There is a great deal to see and do in both India and Nepal, particularly some fantastic climbing and trekking at the finish if you have any energy left. Our partner Welcome Travels can arrange transfers, accommodation and pre- or post-tour plans.

Vaccinations

Get advice on what you need. Given the remote route and rabies vaccine shortages in India, we recommend the standard three course rabies vaccination, which takes up to 4 weeks, at least a month before travel.

Health, safety and support

We start early every day in the coolest part of the day and expect everyone to finish by 5pm, picking up riders at the afternoon water stop if they risk cycling in the dark. Target finish 17.00. If you’re behind at the afternoon stop, the crew will ask you to take a lift. We cycle in groups and try to prevent anyone riding alone; quality front and rear lights are needed. Bring your insurance information to registration when you complete your disclaimer at the start of the ride, so we can contact your insurer in an emergency. No need to send it in advance. Mel, Margot, Dan, Adam, Eleni, Clare, Sarah (medic) and a professional sports therapist support the tour, along with a large contingent from our Indian partner Welcome Travels providing vehicles, drivers and the food truck.

Do I need to train?

Yes. 1,185 km over 8 days is a big challenge — longer than previous years with some long days, though statistically no harder on average per day than many previous legs.

What else do I need to do beforehand?

• Bike service — book one before you travel. You may need to book a few weeks in advance, but it will seriously reduce the chance of issues on the ride.
• Bike fit — if you haven't already, it is worth getting your bike fitted properly by a professional. It will help prevent injury.
• Wheels — make sure you have sturdy wheels and thick tyres.
• Pack inner tubes and even a spare tyre that fits your bike — the roads are uncompromising.
• eSIM — if your roaming doesn't cover India. The whole route has phone signal and 4G 90% of the time.
• Visas — for India you need to apply for a visa in advance, as above.
• Buy and pack an Apple AirTag or Android tracker for your bike box — very useful if there are issues with bike boxes.
• Buy a bell or horn for your bike, or even a whistle. Most Indian drivers use their horn extensively, and a horn or whistle will help you compete.

What else do I need to bring?

• Insurance information — bring it to registration when you complete your disclaimer at the start of the ride. No need to send it in advance.
• A high-quality rear bike light for safety, and a front light for early mornings.
• Hydration tablets such as Precision Fuel & Hydration — critical for multi-day long distances, particularly if it is hot.
• Imodium and Dioralyte — better safe than sorry.
• Two large water bottles for hydration drinks and water — very important on this leg, as there are frequently large distances where it is impossible to refill.
• Helmet.
• A large saddle bag with two spare inner tubes, a puncture repair kit and tyre levers.
• An e-cycle pump — better for travel than canisters.
• Sun cream — not possible to buy where we are cycling, apart from in Kathmandu.
• A phone mount, in case you lose your GPS at the airport.
• A portable battery charger for the camping night.

3 days before you fly

Please don't do these any earlier: the forms have time limits and will expire.

• Nepal arrival form — valid for 15 days only. Fill it in, then save a screenshot and print a copy to show the border officials.
• Air Suvidha (India) — complete before you fly to India.
• India e-Arrival card — this can only be submitted in the 72 hours before you land in India, so the day before you fly is ideal. It's free; ignore any site that charges.
• Nepal eSIM — buy, download AND activate it before you leave home. If there are any problems at the border, you may need to get online to fix them.
• Your address in India for the forms: Tijara Fort Palace, Hasanpur Mafi, Tijara, District Alwar, Rajasthan 301411, India.
• Your address in Nepal for the forms: Siddhartha Vilasa, Siddharthanagar 32900, Bhairahawa, Lumbini Zone, Western Region, Nepal.

Transfers in Kathmandu

A standard taxi in Kathmandu can't take a bike box. The Yak & Yeti Hotel can organise a transfer: please email gre@yakandyeti.com.np in advance, copying sales14@yakandyeti.com.np, afom@yakandyeti.com.np and reservation@yakandyeti.com.np.

When you pack

• USD 30 in cash for your 15-day Nepal visa on arrival.
• USD 10 or 1,000 Nepali rupees for Durbar Square in Kathmandu, in case we can't sort tickets in advance.
• A printout of your Nepal arrival form, as well as the screenshot on your phone.
• A big power bank: on the camp night (Night 2) you'll need to be self-sufficient for charging.
• Earplugs and warm layers for the camp night.
• Lights — front and rear for the long day and border crossing on Day 5.

What happens after Leg 15?

We return to Kathmandu and continue across Nepal, back into India and on to Thimphu in Bhutan. 6 days of cycling from 1st to 6th November 2027.

Riding, raising and inviting

First-time riders

You can invite friends if there are places left once the Pioneers and Founders have had a chance to sign up. New riders can register, with places confirmed in January 2026, and are expected to fundraise, sponsor or donate.

The 2026 auction

After the auction at the end of Leg 14 raised £84,000 we will hold another in Kathmandu. Please think of money-can't-buy opportunities you can facilitate — work experience ideas are particularly sought after — and add suggestions when you register.

Special speakers

We have a great history of educational speakers such as Dr Martin Lawson and Jamie White, the geologist. Please volunteer if you have relevant knowledge to share.

Sponsorship

We have a number of packages and are open to offers. Sponsors stay in the best hotel where there is more than one and can bring guests who fit the profile. Riders pay for shirts and banners so all sponsorship money goes directly to charity. Contact Rob Hamilton at rh@ride25.com for more information.

Individual fundraising

Create your own sponsorship page using Givestar, or use the 2026 group page to raise money from your contacts. You can also donate directly to 1moreChild, including from overseas through the 1moreChild website.

What are we raising money for?

If you are new to Ride25, you are expected to donate, find a sponsor or fundraise. As in previous years all participants pay their own costs and all money raised goes straight to 1moreChild in the first instance. Once 1moreChild has hit its annual requirement the balance goes to Lyra in Africa. Alongside our two long-standing partners, we also raise money for a local charity, chosen each year depending on where in the world we are riding. It is one of the best parts of the ride: the money stays in the places we pass through, and wherever we can we visit the project and meet the people behind it. Sponsor a rider. See our fundraising and charities page.