Thursday, 26 February 2015

Ride the Himalayas with Sideburn

Ride the challenging roads of the Pangi Valley and the Himalayas in the far north of India with Sideburn's editor Gary Inman and respected tour leaders, Helmet Stories.
Seven days of riding, camping and feasting with India’s most fun motorcycle tour company and your favourite motorcycle magazine.

PRICE: 100,000 rupees (approx. £1000, US$1600, €1400, AU$ 2000 at current exchange rates).

INCLUDES: Royal Enfield bike rental, transfers to and from New Delhi International airport; meals and drinks on the road; all accommodation (twin sharing in hotels, individual tents when camping); sleeping bag; guides; back-up truck; mechanic and kitchen staff.

WHEN: 10-18 September 2015.

WHERE: Chandigarh and Pangi Valley in Himachal.

WHICH FLIGHTS TO BOOK
You must be in New Delhi before midday on 10 September 2015.  Fly home after 8pm on 18 September 2015. Helmet Stories can suggest hotels if you want to arrive before or leave later to have more time to acclimatise and relax.

13 places only.
HOW TO BOOK
Contact vir@helmetstories.com

The trip is run by the highly experienced Helmet Stories company.
All payments to Helmet Stories.

50% deposit on booking.
25% two weeks before trip.
25% on arrival in Delhi

NOT INCLUDED: Flights to and from Delhi; any accommodation before the 10th or after the 18th; personal insurance; riding kit (bring your own).
ITINERARY*

10 Sept, day 1: Arrive New Delhi, transfer to Chandigarh by van/bus, 250km. Overnight in hotel.

Day 2: Chandigarh – Manali by van/bus - 185 miles
Hotel overnight.
6am start to reach Manali by afternoon. Last hot running water for four days. Collect bikes.

Day 3: Manali ­– Urgos - 110 miles.
Camp overnight.
Very easy if the sun is out, very tough if the rain gods come out to play. There's perfect tarmac, mud to play in, wooded tracks running along feisty rivers and a campsite shaded by willows at the end of the day. A perfect start to come to terms with your motorcycle, a 500cc Royal Enfield.
Day 4: Urgos – Phindri - 55 miles.
Camp overnight.
Challenging riding on this ball-breaking road.
Day 5: Phindri – Sural Bhatori via Killar - 70 miles.
Camp overnight.
Of the same terrain as Day 4. Rewarding riding.

Day 6: Sural-Sach Pass– Satrundi - 75 miles.
Camp overnight.
Even more ball-breaking roads and crossing a 14,500ft (4500m) mountain pass. This is not a gentle blast down the Pacific Coast Highway.

Day 7: Satrundi – Khajjiar - 75 miles.
Tarmac begins. Sort of… Riding through the mini-Switzerland of India. Overnight in hotel. Hot running water.

Day 8: Khajjiar – McLeodganj - 80 miles.
The last day of riding marked with scenic back roads and ending in the official home town of the Dalai Lama. Overnight in hotel.

18 September
Day 9: McLeodganj – New Delhi airport by van/bus - 370 miles.


* Organisers reserve the right to change the itinerary without prior warning.
Can you spot the bike?
at

6 comments:

  1. Chris27 February 2015 at 15:53

    Dude you'll have a ball!

    if you have a spare day in Chandigarh check out the Rock Garden it's crazy and cool.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Baz13 March 2015 at 23:41

    Great idea,pity its a small fortune for a visa now...no thanks

    ReplyDelete
  3. Baz13 March 2015 at 23:45

    http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/how-to-apply-for-a-visa-to-india-prospective-visitors-are-being-deterred-by-the-evertougher-visa-regime-10105734.html

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sideburn Magazine14 March 2015 at 09:12

    A small fortune? The visa is £100.
    Tell me where else you can get
    7 days bike rental
    Transfers
    Tour leaders
    All meals
    A mix of hotels and camping for eight nights
    And your visa for
    £1100?

    Some countries require visas. Some places are off the beaten track. That's the whole point of this adventure (with a little 'a'). It requires a little more effort, but the pay off is greater.
    G

    ReplyDelete
  5. Baz14 March 2015 at 14:38

    Where else do you pay for a visa as a tourist to nearly a tonne when you want to visit a country and go on a jolly?Not even going to Libya in 09 did i have to pay that amount and UK PLC were paying?

    As instance,if you live in Penzance you have to travel to Birmingham in person for a one on one interview before you kick any balls and get your little book processed

    I take your point about the soiree and mighty fine it sounds indded.Just a little candid grievance as now it will put off more than intrepid Enfield riders who wish to visit India.Its just shagging greed and a backward move

    Enjoy :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sideburn Magazine14 March 2015 at 16:29

    Baz
    According to Indian friends of mine, £100 is almost exactly what Indians pay for a Visa to visit England. The Indian authorities have brought themselves inline with the 'shagging greed' of the UK.
    Anyway, it's a pointless discussion. The trip is sold out. Yes, it might be a bit of a ball ache but I like Birmingham. Yes, the local Indian tourist economy might be hit hard, but it's the way it is. I paid £50 for a Russian visa 16 years ago. The equivalent of £80 now, so it's hardly unheard of.
    G

    ReplyDelete