A Passage Through India: Cycling The Hippie Trail

Follow in the footsteps of the flower children and cycle into the physical and spiritual kaleidoscope that is India.

We have been running long distance cycling adventures in India for over 15 years and our riders are always amazed at their experiences. Cycling is the best way to see any country and this is especially true for the sub-continent, allowing riders to meet the locals and experience their warmth and hospitality.

India is such an intense experience that sometimes it is difficult, if not impossible to describe it simply with words. To that end, we have gathered together a few videos in order to give a visual taste of what cycling through this amazing country from Agra to Goa is like.

Spaces are still available for the 2027 Hippie Trail Cycling Adventure.

Hippie Trail Accommodations: From Basic Hotels To Royal Palaces

The Hippie Trail is full of surprises and one, perhaps unexpected example, are the accommodations. Hotels in the more isolated areas of Madhya Pradesh, where few Western tourists venture, may be basic and simple but they allow riders to get an authentic feel for live in these regions, a way to feel part of the rural community around them. At famous historic sites like Ajanta and Ellora, we stay in comfortable government hotels along with domestic tourists while on the Konkan Coast, the riders will bunk down in sunny beachfront hotels. In Rajasthan, many nights are spent in historic forts and palaces. As one rider put it,  “You are staying in a place that until recently had soldiers guarding the parapets and there’s a real Maharaja somewhere in the vicinity.”

A Gastronomic Journey Through India

Indian food is certainly one of the world’s great cuisines and the Hippie Trail will give the riders the opportunity to sample dishes that are not only familiar to them from their local restaurants but spices they have never tasted and flavours and pairings that they have never experienced at home. On tour, the day usually begins with a buffet breakfast, followed by a nutritious roadside lunch, a mix of protein and carbs, combining comfort food with local flavours. Dinner is enjoyed each night as a group at the hotel and often includes some of India’s famous curries. Adventurous riders can take part in street food tours and discover the wide variety of options available each night at local markets.

Cycling India On The Hippie Trail Cycling Adventure – From Nervousness to Nirvana

For many cyclists perhaps, pedalling through India on a bike might not be the first thing that comes to mind. The prospect of navigating such a bustling landscape can initially spark anxiety and the prospect of constant human interaction, endless attention, and persistent curiosity might seem overwhelming – but the reality is beautifully different. What begins as nervousness quickly transforms into genuine connection and joy. The Hippie Trail reveals a profound truth about India: beneath the dense population lies an incredibly warm and welcoming culture. Every day brings unexpected encounters – from spontaneous wedding invitations to impromptu cricket matches, from being asked to speak at local schools to experiencing moments of genuine hospitality. What cyclists discover is that India’s crowds are not intimidating, but instead represent opportunities for remarkable human experiences, making the journey not just a cycling expedition, but a deeply transformative cultural immersion.

A New Perspective: Experiencing India From The Saddle Of A Bicycle

Over 6 weeks, the route of the Hippie Trail leads cyclists 2750 km across India, all the while exposing them to the country’s remarkable culture. What dynamic elements makes it so unique? Past riders have gained first hand insight into why the Hippie Trail is different from all other cycling tours and discovered the specific qualities that make India a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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