Motorcycling in India
Riding long mountain highways and high passes, usually in a group with a support vehicle and a mechanic.
4 adventures to bookEarth · On foot, on wheels and on rock
Where in India
- Ladakh (Manali to Leh, Srinagar to Leh)
- Spiti
- Sikkim
- Arunachal Pradesh
When to go
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June to September for Ladakh's high passes; Spiti through Kinnaur for longer; Arunachal from October to April.
What it asks of your body
Long days in the saddle on rough roads, at heights where altitude sickness is real.
StaminaStrengthFocusAltitude
These are capabilities on the ACE™ scale. The Adventure Matchmaker builds your ACE™ profile in 2 minutes and rates every adventure for you: ready, a stretch, or not yet.
Take the MatchmakerWhat to check before you book
- Bikes serviced before the trip, and a mechanic and spares in the support vehicle
- A route that climbs slowly, with nights at moderate height before the high passes
- Inner Line Permits arranged where they're needed
- Riding gear: a full-face helmet, gloves, jacket and boots
Rules and requirements change. Ask your operator for the current word before you go.
Your first time
Ride a few long days at home first, then join a group trip with a support vehicle.
It knows every adventure on the site.
Motorcycling on Trail to Tides
Guides for motorcycling
- Riding the high passesAcclimatising on two wheels, fuel gaps, water crossings, bike prep and permits for the Manali to Leh highway, Ladakh and Spiti.
- Altitude sicknessWhy the air gets thin, how to acclimatise, the warning signs of AMS, HAPE and HACE, and the one treatment that always works.
- Permits & documentsThe ID to carry, how forest and area permits work in the Indian Himalaya, inner-line rules near the borders, and trekking in Nepal.
- Insurance & emergenciesWhat your insurance has to cover for your adventure, how rescue actually works in the Indian Himalaya, and the rules on satellite devices.
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