General Information
TOUR DATES
Dates:
18 Dec 2010 - 10 Jan 2011 - Bookings closed
18 Dec 2011 - 10 Jan 2012
TOUR PRICE
Rider: US$8,820 (24 day deluxe tour, maximum of 12-14 people)
Pillion: US$7,620
Excludes international airfare.
A deposit of US$500 per person is required to reserve your tour.
Contact us to secure your spot on this wonderful tour.
Non-Riders and Pillions
We acknowledge that many of our clients have partners who do not ride. All of our tours have a support vehicle which can accommodate passengers. However, for those clients who are not riding at all (i.e. not even pillion/two-up), we can arrange for a separate car with driver upon request. No need to leave your best mate at home!
Saffron Road Motorcycle Tours believes in WYSIWYG – “What you see is what you get”– there are no hidden costs.
Price Includes
- Group transfers to/from airport and hotel
- Accommodation throughout the tour on a Twin-Share basis
- All meals with tea/coffee (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Comfortable support vehicle with driver and staff (for luggage transport, assistance and occasional passengers)
- Full motorbike rental for the duration of the tour (electric start and front disc brakes as standard)
- Experienced mechanics
- Repairs and maintenance and spare parts (excluding accidental damage)
- Motorcycle total loss Insurance
- Basic emergency first-aid equipment
- English-speaking local guide
- Entrance fees to selected monuments and attractions
- All hotel, restaurant and staff gratuities (excluding hotel porters)
- Complimentary Saffron Road shirt
Price Excludes
- Travel insurance policy covering use of motorcycle
- Tourist visa for Nepal and India (multiple entry)
- International Driving Permit
- 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 and Food
Throughout the tour we use lovely heritage hotels and resorts, or best in town in more remote areas. Breakfast is usually a western menu (cereal, eggs and toast etc), lunch is generally local cuisine at local dhabas (eateries) en route. Vegetarians are well catered for in Hindu and Buddhist regions. Bottled water is carried in the support vehicle and freshly brewed local tea (chai) can be found along the route and in every village. Of course around Darjeeling they grow the finest teas in the world, even supplying Bucking Palace direct.
Climate
Being the northern hemisphere winter, December and January are likely to bring cool conditions. However, with low humidity and generally crystal clear, blue skies and sunshine, even cooler days make for glorious riding conditions.
Average Daytime Temperatures (approx)
Calcutta and the plains: 27C (80F)
Darjeeling: 9C (48F)
Kathmandu: 20 (68F)
Delhi: 23C (74F)
Minimum Night Temperatures (approx)
Calcutta and the plains: 13C (75F)
Darjeeling: 2C (35F)
Kathmandu: 2C (36F)
Delhi: 7C (45F)
Driving Licences and Travel Insurance
Riders must have a valid and unrestricted international rider's licence. Travel insurance is mandatory and, if on a bike at all, must cover riding a motorcycle. As we use bikes over 250cc, please check the rider clause carefully and any clause relating to medical evacuation before you purchase insurance or rely on any existing insurance (such as that provided by some credit card companies). Should the necessity arise, medical evacuation is horrendously expensive and could leave a very large hole in your wallet.
The Bikes
On all our Indian tours we use the Royal Enfield Bullet – single-cylinder, 500cc with left-side brake and right-side gearbox (one up, three down). Yes – really, but you do get used to the configuration pretty quickly! You may have also heard horror stories about the virtual lack of front brake – untrue. The bikes used by Saffron Road are all fitted with efficient front disc brakes as standard and also electric start (many other companies charge for the last two features).
In addition to being delightfully authentic, these wonderful bikes are well-balanced and manoeuvrable with lots of low-end torque ~ perfect for Indian traffic and road conditions. The pillion seat is roomy and quite comfortable with the foot pegs set so knee-height is below hip height – a great thing when travelling any distance. However, pillions are advised to bring a sheepskin for extra comfort.
Road and Traffic Conditions
This tour is ostensibly conducted on tar-sealed roads for the entire distance. The riding is not particularly difficult, but it is challenging and physically demanding, with possible areas of gravel, mud, sand and stony surfaces to negotiate. Staff riders are always on hand to take over if required.
It should be understood that the ride is through developing countries and much of the route is mountainous, so the road is sometimes hardly more than one lane wide with very few safety barriers. The likelihood of encountering wash-outs, landslides and road works is quite high.
Road works are not what they might be back home ~ no closing one side of the road and having a person with a Stop/Go sign directing traffic. In India and Nepal, they tend to dig up the entire road surface and then there's a free-for-all as everyone heads for the best terrain. Great fun!
Road rules are much the same as any Western Country – they just don't always follow them! Traffic uses the left side of the road (generally, but not always!). Anything bigger than you has precedence, and anything smaller is best given a wide berth. Cows, being sacred animals in Hindu dominated India and Nepal, are at the very top of the avoidance list!
City traffic has the appearance of being manic and chaotic, but once into the melee, there is a system which actually makes sense. Of course there will be a full briefing on the bikes, and the traffic 'system' will be explained in detail. Pre-ride briefings are also held each morning.
Please Note:
Motorcycle riding, at the best of times, is an inherently dangerous pursuit. In a country where the road rules, riding conditions and bikes are unfamiliar, the potential risks are increased several-fold. Participants must recognise these dangers and accept full responsibility for themselves while on the tour.
Further Information
More detailed information and a travel check-list will be mailed to you after receipt of a completed booking form and deposit. Prior to departure you will receive maps, a list of hotels and other important contact numbers.
This is a “best-fit” itinerary and may need to be changed from time to time
due to amended timetables, weather and road conditions, political expediency
and/or on advice from our local ground agent. On a tour such as this it
is not always possible to comply with plans made months in advance, so…
…a flexible attitude is crucial.
For more information please contact us
