With
the exception of customised itineraries, all tours are
between 18 and 25 days duration.
To
maintain safety and keep a balance between really seeing a
country and being on the bike, ride days, while sometimes
challenging, are kept to easily manageable lengths with time
to stop, take photos and drink in the ambiance. It is always
envisaged that we arrive at our day’s destination in
daylight and with time to explore.
Rest
days are taken regularly and, as far as possible, in the
most interesting places. Organised sightseeing is kept to a
minimum, but a knowledgeable local guide is always on hand
to explain the history and culture of the location. Time
permitting, your tour leader will be happy to show you the
best shops, bargains or interesting things discovered during
previous visits.
Although
pillions and riders may use the air-conditioned bus at any
time, Saffron Road no longer offers a fulltime
bus passenger option.
Please
note: Tour dates are based on actual number of days in the
country of destination and do not include travel times.
Tour Prices:
For
the cost of the tours, please contact us direct for our
standard rider and pillion costs and also so we may talk to
you personally about your individual requirements.
Saffron
Road Motorcycle Tours
believes in WYSIWYG – “What you see is what you get”
– there are no hidden costs and we offer more standard
inclusions than any other motorcycle tour company going to
the same destination.
Tour Costs Include:
Group
transfers to/from airport and hotel
Accommodation
throughout the tour on a Twin-Share basis (Single supplement
TBA**)
Three
meals a day with tea/coffee – every day (breakfast, lunch
and dinner)
Air-conditioned
support vehicle with driver and staff (for luggage transport
and assistance)
Full
motorcycle rental for the duration of the tour (best bikes
available – no extra charges)
Experienced
mechanics
All
fuel and oil costs
Repairs,
maintenance and spare parts
Motorcycle
Damage Insurance
Local
Driving Licence (if required)
Basic
emergency first-aid equipment and some medicines
Experienced
tour leader with current First Aid qualifications
English-speaking
local guide
Entrance
fees to selected monuments and attractions
All
train fares, boat trips and internal domestic fares (where
indicated in itinerary)
Visa
for Bhutan
All
restaurant and hotel porter tips and staff gratuities
(guides, drivers and mechanics)
Lonely
Planet
Travel Guide (for Australian and New Zealand clients only)
Cost
Excludes:
Travel
insurance policy covering use of motorcycle (approx.
Aus$150-$190)
Visas
(except Bhutan)
International
Driving Permit (currently $AUD20.00)
Vaccinations
and personal medication including known allergy antidotes
Items
of a personal nature such as postage, laundry or souvenirs
Personal
consumptions such as bottled water, soft drinks and
alcoholic beverages
Accommodation
Depending
on the tour, accommodation ranges from excellent four-star
hotels and resorts, through to “best in town” in more
remote regions. In some destinations there are a couple of
good quality home-stays with local/tribal families. In
Vietnam accommodation may include a “Me Tarzan, you
Jane” jungle tree-top lodge and in Mongolia we stay in
delightful, cosy, comfortable gers (the traditional round, canvas and felt ‘yurts’ identical
to those used by the nomads).
Accommodation
is generally chosen to reflect the high quality of the tour
(be it style of property or the experience it offers).
Five-star hotels with fancy marble and brass lobbies have
proved unpopular with group members who arrive at the end of
a long day on the bike.
In
some places there is little choice, but rest assured we
always endeavour to at least provide clean rooms, hot
showers, good food and cold beers!
Driving
Licences and Travel Insurance
Riders
must have a valid and unrestricted international motorcycle licence.
Travel insurance is mandatory for all and, if on a bike at
all, must cover riding or being a pillion on a motorcycle.
For non-Australian participants and those choosing not to
purchase insurance through this office, please check any
clauses relating to riding or being a pillion on a
motorcycle and also asses medical evacuation cover before
you purchase or use any existing insurance (such as that
provided by some credit card companies).
General Information
More
detailed information and a Lonely Planet guidebook
will be mailed to you after we receive your completed
booking form and deposit (standard $500 per person).
Australian and New Zealand residents will also receive visa
and travel insurance applications forms. Prior to departure
you will also be sent maps, packing hints, a list of hotels
and other important contact numbers.
Please
remember that all itineraries are on a “best-fit” basis
and may need to be changed from time to time due to amended
train/flight timetables, weather and road conditions,
political expediency, Department of Foreign Affairs &
Trade advisories and/or advice from and our local ground
agent.