Why India?!
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Riding a motorcycle in India isn’t something you dabble in - it’s something you commit to. And the payoff is huge.
This is travel at full volume. Long days, thin air, big climbs, rough edges and constant change. The Himalaya asks you to concentrate — focus, switch on and work for it.
On a bike, India makes sense. You’re not separated from the place — you’re in it. One moment you’re winding through villages and traffic that feels chaotic but somehow works, the next you’re climbing into clean air, wide valleys and high roads that feel a long way from anywhere. It’s demanding, unpredictable, and endlessly engaging.
And here’s the part people don’t always expect — it’s proper fun. The kind that comes from shared challenges, bad roads, great food, early starts, long laughs at the end of the day, and the quiet satisfaction of having done something really well.
If you want an easy ride, this isn’t it.
If you want a ride that delivers altitude, commitment, and a hell of a lot of fun — You should come on this trip.
“At times… your senses will wonder how to cope.”
— RICHARD, SENEGAL - 2024 (I’ll tell you the story around a camp-fire)
What’s Included…
I have designed this trip to be comfortable for you without taking anything away from the adventure. This is what is included in the price:
Return airfares; Melbourne to Melbourne (options available… if you live somewhere else or would like to travel further before or after!)
Required transfers in India (airport, hotel, bike hire) - if you come from Melbs in the group
15 day motorcycle tour across the most spectacular parts of Northern India (Including; Zanska, Leh, and the highest motor-able mountain pass in the world; Umling Lah at 5798m (19024’)
Motorcycle hire (various bikes available to suit your style)
Guided riding through Himashal Pradesh and Ladakh
All accommodation including before and after the motorcycle tour
Breakfast most places
Memories of a life-time and a blown mind
What’s Not…
Fuel for your motorcycle. We refuel regularly along the way.
Road tolls
Meals; although breakfast will be provided most days
Alcohol… however, beer, wine and spirits of almost any kind can be purchased in nearly every village at very reasonable prices. This will be one way in which we can support local communities with the purchase of all our alcohol and snacks/ice-creams galore.
Visa - a 30 day eVisa is required and easily available to most Australians
Travel Insurance. Definitely required. We’ll do everything possible to make ourselves safe but motorcycling is inherently risky. The insurance you require will be specific to your circumstances. Please ensure you carefully choose insurance well suited to your needs.
National Park entry fees; permits and police check-points along the way
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Itinerary - 21 days - Melbourne to Melbourne
〰️ Itinerary - 21 days - Melbourne to Melbourne
The itinerary is in its planning stages; however, I’m able to let you know some of what it will include:
Fly into Shimla in Himachal Pradesh via Delhi
One night in Shimla before and after the bike tour
15 days on your bike
Our route will cover a big loop of northern India through the provinces of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh. It will include the ‘outdoor-action’ town of Manali, the Zanskar Valley (unless impassable), famous and mysterious Leh and the two highest motor-able passes in the world
At least a full day in Delhi just to experience Delhi
What to Bring!
What to Bring!
What you bring is up to you, your tastes and your personal preferences; however, we understand you may welcome some advice based on our previous experience in India.
You will be able to bring (on the flight) 1 checked-in bag of up to 23kg plus your carry-on luggage of about 7kg. This should be sufficient for your needs.
Please be aware that whilst on our tour, we should try to travel as light as possible. For this reason, we will arrange to store those things we don’t need on tour at our hotel in Shimla.
A detailed list of things to bring will be published on this page in due course. In the meantime, if you’d like to go to the detailed suggestions for our Mongolian Tour, click here. Just remember the Mongolian Tour is a camping tour so our needs for India will be substantially different.
We’ll definitely need to carry some fuel at times!
Travel Insurance?
It’s important! Shit happens.
Please ensure you consider your personal options for insurance. Everyone is different. Someone who is very experienced, having had a licence and ridden for years, is very different to someone who has held their licence for a few months. Please ensure you obtain insurance relevant to YOU. You need to be able to cover any medical needs as well as evacuation from remote locations.
Travel Insurance is one of the most important aspects of your trip.
Don’t ignore it and think everything will be okay… it may not be.
You need the right insurance cover and the right cover depends on your circumstances.
For example, you may be someone who has been riding for many years in many countries around the world. Alternatively, you may have just got your licence in Australia and been riding for a short period of time.
These circumstances will determine the travel insurance you require. You need to complete your own due diligence in this regard and we are happy to provide advice based on our limited understanding (I’ve had a fairly good look at this and can provide some recommendations). Regardless, please ensure you are appropriately covered for whatever circumstance that may arise.
An extensive first-aid kit will be available and Wilderness First-Aid qualifications will be present. However, I know anyone signing up for this trip will be aware that anything can happen. We need to be prepared for that.
Prices and Payment
Twenty-one day tour including:
Return flights to Shimla from Melbourne
15 days motorcycle hire
Guided touring through Northern India
Accomodation for the full tour
Breakfast most days
Transfers between; airport, bike-hire, hotel, airport
Anticipated tour dates will be in September and October, 2027. Expressions of interest are welcome and detailed pricing will come mid-2026.
(Please contact me for arrangements and amended pricing if you need to fly from elsewhere - not Melbs).
