Rajasthan – January/February. This fun ride through India’s desert state offers magnificent Moghul architecture, wildlife, music, colour and splendour. Ride some of the best (and worst!) roads in India, stay in ancient and historic forts and palaces, visit the exquisite Taj Mahal and shop until you drop. With its relatively easy riding conditions, this is a perfect trip for pillion riders.   Temperatures in Rajasthan start soaring in March and can get as high as 50 degrees centigrade during summer. However, late winter temperatures make riding very pleasant with clear blue skies and T-shirts under a jacket being the norm.   Vietnam – Mar/April. From South to North, from East to West. Experience Saigon, the mighty Mekong Delta, the Vietcong Cu Chi Tunnels and the ancient capital of Hue. Ride sweeping mountain roads up to the Chinese border; visit colonial Hanoi and sail/swim in famous WHS Halong Bay with its 1,969 pinnacle islands.   As an extremely long, mainly tropical destination, there is no ideal time to visit Vietnam if you intend travelling the length and breadth of the country – when it is cool in one place, it can be hot in another, when it is dry in one part of the country, it can be wet in another. As we can do little about the temperature variations, we have simply endeavoured to pick a time of the year that avoids both the north and south monsoon seasons and the worst of the heat.   Mongolia – June. The awesome homeland of Ghengis Khan is one of the world’s last wilderness areas. From Mongolia’s capital, Ulaan Baatar, this challenging ride takes in over 3000kms of mountains, forests, the northernmost part of the Gobi Desert and parts of the famous Siberian steppes. Stay in traditional, comfortable and cosy gers (yurts) next to rivers and lakes and meet Mongolia’s famous horsemen and their nomad families..    The only time to visit this region is during the early northern summer – during the rest of the year the country is either extremely hot, being battered by howling gales, suffering from deluges of rain or just about frozen solid.   Bhutan – October/November. See a land virtually untouched by tourism. Bhutan is a country offering stunning mountain riding (lots of ‘twisties’), spectacular views, ancient Buddhist Monasteries and a tranquillity hard to find in today’s fast-paced world. In addition, you will visit the eastern state of Assam, the tiny Indian mountain state of Sikkim and also spend time in Darjeeling, home of the world’s finest teas.   The best time to visit northern India and Bhutan is between October and May. We have chosen late October to early November to coincide with the northern autumn. At this time the weather is still usually warm and sunny with near perfect visibility affording stunning views of the snow-capped Himalaya. The valleys are a riot of colour and the harvest is in full swing. December, January and February are cold and subject to heavy snow falls and visibility is poor in April and May.   Tibet – May/June. There will be two tours into Tibet in 2008, with both departing from Kathmandu, crossing into Tibet on the Friendship Bridge and encompassing selected destinations within Nepal. One is a challenging off-road tour to the remote and sacred Mount Kailash in the far west of Tibet. The other easier and less expensive tour will be on Enfield motorcycles to the capital of Tibet, Lhasa and Base Camp at the north face of Mount Everest. Please contact our office for more information and a selection of photos.

General Information

 

 

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.