Motorcycle trip

India

Vintage Rides offers motorcycle tours in 3 major regions of India, each with its own unique character:

• The Himalaya (Ladakh, Zanskar)
  A mineral and moon-like world on the edge of Tibet, between high-altitude valleys, legendary passes (including Khardung La, one of the highest motorable passes in the world) and Buddhist monasteries. We offer 3 itineraries, all starting from Delhi and then continuing to Leh: Oases and Peaks at World’s End (Motorcycle Ramble), The Trans-Himalayan and The Himalayan Expedition (Adventure Tour).
• Rajasthan / North India
  The legendary land of the Maharajas: ochre and pink cities, forts and palaces, and the Thar Desert. We offer 2 itineraries starting from Delhi: The Land of Maharajas (Motorcycle Ramble, cultural) and Rajasthan Adventure (Adventure Tour, more sporty and off the beaten track).
• Southern India (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Karnataka)
  A gentler and more lush side of India: the backwaters of Kerala, tea plantations in the Western Ghats, temples in Tamil Nadu, and the beaches and colonial heritage of Goa. We offer 4 itineraries, all classified as Motorcycle Rambles: The Spices Route, The Big Crossing, Goa, Jungle & Ancient Wonders.

Our motorcycle tours in India are available from £2,190 (€2,490) to £4,890 (€5,390) per rider, depending on the region, duration and level of the tour:

Rajasthan

• Rajasthan Adventure (Rajasthan, 11 days): from £2,190 (€2,490)/rider
• The Land of Maharajas (Rajasthan, 13 days): from £2,490 (€2,790)/rider

Southern India

• Goa, Jungle & Ancient Wonders (10 days): from £2,490 (€2,690)/rider
• The Spices Route (12 days): from £2,490 (€2,690)/rider
• The Big Crossing (13 days): from £2,690 (€2,990)/rider

Himalaya

• Oases and Peaks at World’s End (14 days): from £2,690 (€2,990)/rider
• The Trans-Himalayan (13 days): from £2,690 (€2,990)/rider
• The Himalayan Expedition (24 days): from £4,890 (€5,390)/rider

What explains the price difference between the regions?

• Rajasthan and Southern India have fairly similar base prices (£2,190 to £2,690, or €2,490 to €2,990), with tours mainly varying in duration (10 to 13 days).
• The Himalaya starts at the same level (£2,690, €2,990) and goes up to £4,890 (€5,390) for The Himalayan Expedition (24 days). This difference is due to the specific logistics required at altitude: domestic Delhi–Leh flight included, Inner Line Permits (ILP) for protected areas of Ladakh, safety equipment in the support vehicle, and generally longer itineraries.

The content varies slightly from one tour to another, but all our motorcycle tours in India share a common set of services.

What is included in the price (common to all tours):

• A Royal Enfield motorcycle and spare parts
• Fuel, parking and any applicable tolls
• Third-party motorcycle insurance
• Airport–hotel–airport transfers included in the programme
• An English-speaking motorcycle tour leader on riding days
• A local team (experienced mechanic and support vehicle driver), with accommodation and meals included
• A support vehicle for carrying equipment and luggage
• Accommodation in twin or double rooms, from Standard to Comfort category depending on the tour
• Meals included in the programme (half board or full board depending on the tour, with water/tea/coffee included)
• 24/7 telephone assistance from France, with English-speaking staff

What is specific to certain regions?

• Himalaya: return Delhi–Leh flight (20 kg maximum checked baggage) on the Ladakh tours, Inner Line Permit (ILP) for protected areas, and an oxygen cylinder in the support vehicle.
• Rajasthan: domestic Jaisalmer–Delhi flight (20 kg checked baggage) on Rajasthan Adventure.

What is not included in the price (common to all tours):

• International flights
• Visa fees and International Driving Permit
• Medical and repatriation insurance (mandatory)
• Legal expenses insurance and cancellation insurance (strongly recommended)
• A €600 motorcycle deposit
• Some meals outside riding days and all drinks
• Tips, souvenirs and personal expenses
• Entrance fees for visits, temples, monuments and museums, unless otherwise stated
• Registration fee (€35)

The right choice mainly depends on your appetite for altitude and off-road riding, but some tours are specifically designed as a gentle introduction to each of the 3 regions:

• Southern India – Goa, Jungle & Ancient Wonders
  The most accessible tour in our entire India range: 10 days, Level intermediate, with only 5% easy off-road riding, no demanding trails or technical adventure riding. No altitude constraints. Ideal for a first introduction to India by motorcycle.
• Rajasthan – The Land of Maharajas
  13 days, Level intermediate, on small secondary roads with a few occasional off-road sections. The iconic and cultural Rajasthan itinerary, at a measured pace.
• Himalaya – Oases and Peaks at World’s End
  For those who want to discover the Himalaya on their first trip, this is the most accessible Himalayan tour: a Motorcycle Ramble, lasting 14 days, with time for acclimatisation upon arrival in Leh.

For a first trip, however, we recommend avoiding The Trans-Himalayan and The Himalayan Expedition, classified as Adventure Tours and reserved for experienced riders.

In summary: if you are discovering both India and motorcycle travel abroad, we recommend Southern India or Rajasthan, as neither requires acclimatisation to high altitude. If you are particularly drawn to the Himalaya, Oases and Peaks at World’s End remains the gentlest introduction to the region.

The arrival and departure airport varies depending on the tour you choose. A private driver will always meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel, with the reverse transfer from the hotel to the airport at the end of the trip.

Himalaya

• Oases and Peaks at World’s End and The Trans-Himalayan: arrival in Delhi, private airport–hotel transfer, followed by a return Delhi–Leh flight included (20 kg maximum checked baggage) to reach Ladakh, where the motorcycle tour begins.
• The Himalayan Expedition: arrival in Delhi, private transfer to the hotel. The following day, express train to Chandigarh followed by a taxi transfer to Nalagarh, where the motorcycle tour begins in Himachal Pradesh. On the return journey, private transfer from Bir to Dharamsala, followed by a domestic Dharamsala–Delhi flight, before the final transfer to Delhi International Airport.

Rajasthan

• The Land of Maharajas: arrival and departure in Delhi, private airport–hotel–airport transfer.
• Rajasthan Adventure: arrival in Delhi, private transfer to the hotel. The tour ends in Jaisalmer, with a domestic return Jaisalmer–Delhi flight included (20 kg checked baggage) before your international flight.

Southern India

• The Spices Route: arrival and departure in Kochi (Kerala), private airport–hotel–airport transfer.
• The Big Crossing: arrival in Kochi, but departure from Chennai — two different airports, so make sure to take this into account when booking your international flights.
• Goa, Jungle & Ancient Wonders: arrival and departure from Goa Airport, private airport–hotel–airport transfer.