Back in 2018 I started seeing adds on my facebook page about this grand motorcycle ride in the Himalayas. The adds kept popping up so I decided to check out the website. It was originally called "Ride the Himalayas" I think but now it's Adventurewala and I wrote the innovative young entrepreneur who was the mastermind behind this trip - Rahul (who lives in Delhi). He got back to me right away and sent me some information about it. The cost of the 15 day trip is very reasonable and included EVERYTHING! Food, lodging, motorcycles, fuel, guides, mechanic, darn near everything except the kitchen sink! The next think I know I'm signing up for this big adventure.
About me and my motorcycle experience -
I've traveled all over the world - hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, visited the Serengeti & other parks Tanzania,
and saw 3 different types of penguins south of Ushuaia Argentina at the bottom of South America
In addition to living in the Philippines, Hawaii, Alaska and visiting Japan, Thailand and other areas.
I've ridden motorcycles and mini bikes since I was about 5 years old, ~about 50+ years experience and 99.99% of my riding has been on the street with a LOT of Long distance Ironbutt riding (yes I'm a member of the Iron Butt Association). My current motorcycle which I've had for about 15 years is a 1999 BMW R1100RT which is an ex police bike that I picked up with about 54,000 miles. I currently have over 149K miles on it and in October of this year (2019) I hit another deer on my way to Baker City, Oregon and it destroyed some parts on it so I'm working on it. It's a very large bike, weighs a LOT and I can cruise at 80+ mph all day it's so smooth.
Now it's time to go to the TOP of the world, the grand Himalayas and there is no better way to see the area by doing it with the local folks that live there. Let's even do it on motorcycles to be up close and personal. First things first...
What you need to go to India
A few items you'll need to get there and ride is:
- International drivers license. I picked mine up at the AAA store near where I live (cost about $25 I think).
- VISA - you need to apply for a visa, I did an electronic visa (~$120-150 or so).
- Immunizations - check to see that you have all sorts of shots before you go as you don't want to come down with something.
- Passport - must be more than 6 months old and have more than 6 months time left on it before being renewed (why this stipulation I have NO idea).
- If I think of other things I'll add later......
This is what I took but take what you need or want if you feel like you can fit it all in your luggage or feel like paying extra if needed. I should have taken other things which I'll list later.
- Motorcycle gear -
- Helmet - I use HJC modular helmets that flip up, I wear these because I wear glasses and these are great for folks that wear glasses.
- Riding pants & jacket - I wear First Gear motorcycle clothes and have worn them for about 20 years. This gear has liners for cold weather that can be removed when in Hot weather and you'll be in both. This gear is also waterproof unless you go stand in a waterfall or jump in the river to cool off.
- Riding boots - not sure of the brand but gortex lined as I live where it rains a LOT
- 4 pairs of riding gloves (2 winter, 2 summer) I always bring extra in case one pair gets wet or I lose a pair or on this trip. I loaned a pair of winter gloves to a fellow rider.
- Regular clothes - pants, shorts, undergarments, and at least 4 pairs of socks which will (keep you warm, wick moisture from feet and dry quickly as you will get soaked almost daily in stream crossings). I take light weight travel pants that are easy to clean and dry quickly if you wash them in the sink, same with the shirts - wicking fabric, easy to clean Make sure you have clothes for HOT & Cold weather (over 100F in Delhi while I was there and Freezing 32F or less at the top of some of the high passes).
- HAT! I can't stress enough to bring a hat that will cover your ears, face & neck. The altitudes you'll be at the UV will burn you to a crisp in a heartbeat. I have a nylon baseball desert type hat that you can pack flat and does a great job keeping the sun off. When I'd remove my helmet it felt like someone took a blow torch to the top of my head so this is a must!
- Sunscreen - chapstick for lips
- CAMERA! I'm a photographer and had 2 regular cameras (Canon 7D mark 2 with a couple different lenses, a Fuji finepix wet/dry point n shoot that I hang around my neck) in addition to an old GoPro Hero2 and my phone which takes excellent photos as well. Oh yeah, LEARN HOW to use them BEFORE you go!
- Extra SD cards for cameras I took about 10 32GB cards that would work in all three cameras.
- Extra batteries for all the cameras
- Small tripod
- Chargers for all the different batteries
- Cables for phones & Cameras and an extra in case you loose one or need to loan to a fellow rider
- Power bank(s) to charge things when you don't have access to electricity (I brought 2, I bought a solar power bank one like the link but don't bother with them as they take a week or so to charge if you don't use them and you'll be using them. I think I brought a 15,000 and 25,000 mAh banks and they can take up to 8 hrs to charge the really large ones (FYI)
- Electrical converter to charge your stuff or use a hair dryer or anything electrical if you don't use 220V
- Electric converter plug adapter for your plug to plugs that work in India
- Extra GLASSES if you wear them bring an extra pair - I lost mine in a waterfall and was glad I had a 2nd pair.
- Sun glasses
- Medication - if you take medication take enough for at least 2 weeks and bring in original bottles (I put all of my bottles in a ziplock bag that I took in my carry on bag).
- Toiletries kit
- Paperwork in an envelope for when you get to customs in India
- Passport, Visa, drivers license, etc.
- Notepad to take notes about your day if you desire
- I made personal business cards to hand to folks with name, email, fun tidbits, etc.
- I made special stickers (I have a sign business) for everyone that they can put on their helmets to remember this special trip for years to come
- Special dietary needs (I brought a box of protein bars that I normally have every day and didn't want to mess up my normal stomach routine in the morning)
- Headache, stomach ache medication
- Altitude sickness pills - go to your doctor and get some, Probably the average elevation is about 13,000' above sea level and altitude sickness can KILL YOU so be very careful.
- MONEY! Take some extra for tips, TukTuk rides, Camel & Yak rides, Uber (they wouldn't accept my visa card and only took cash), purchasing items mementos, gifts, lunch, dinner, etc. I think I exchanged about $100 US when I got to Delhi and the exchange was about 70 Rupees/1 US dollar (July 2019).
- Visa Card or other Credit Card - you can make purchases using your credit card at many places especially large purchases in major populated areas like Deli, Agra, Leh, Manali
- ................
Things I wish I'd taken..
- A light weight neck sock type thing that could cover your mouth. This would help filter the diesel truck fumes and maybe have kept my lower lip from burning to a crisp!
- I'll think of more later........
If you want to do some sight seeing do it BEFORE you go on the ride as you'll most likely be exhausted and want to just plop down on the plane and sleep your way home (at least I did anyway). I went 3 or 4 days early so I could visit Agra and see the Taj and the Red Fort. I bummed around Deli checking stuff out and got used to the time change (12.5 hours different for me).
Calendar
A few months of my Calendar
Only 1 pair of boots ok to take ?
ReplyDeleteYes, I only took one pair. I took shoes also but only wore boots when riding. I think only 2 mornings my boots did not dry overnight.
DeleteThank you for your thoughts. Much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteAlso, scan all your important documents and have them on a couple of thumb drives, one with you at all times, and one in the least likely to get nicked place.
ReplyDeleteSMALL notes in Indian currency, 5 and 10 rupees, tons of them, the local do not have a lot for changing large notes.
The only place we needed sleeping bags was at Pang in the parachute tents, but they were very much needed there.
Get a bit fit! At altitude the 50m walk to the monastery or the souvenir shop is definitely an effort.
Let your bank know where and when you are going, so that your attempt to access some cash in the boonies does not get denied.
We never had any issues with security, but if you drop your wallet do not expect it to be there when you turn around.
Take a camelback and use it, only fill it from checked seals bottled water, drink plenty at altitude to help fend off headaches, you Will also pee a lot.
Take an anti diarrhoea medication with you, none of us needed it but the food does find a shortcut from one end to the other.
Only eat food in a street market that is fresh cooked in front of you.
Be aware of taxi scammers at the airport, use their ticket system to prepay your fare and dont fall for the air conditioning costs extra line, advise them at the start that if ypthey get hooked it is their problem, not yours and you will not ge paying any fines etc for them, this is a huge scam there.
Do buy a hand knotted silk carpet at Srinagar, they are magnificent.
Be prepared for massive culture shock, yes people do pick ip discarded plastic and sell it for recycling or fuel.
Awesome! Thanks for the additional tips for folks. I knew I couldn't remember everything and that's where you guys fill in. :-)
DeleteOh, and i took a gps so i could download tracks and overlay on google earth, made figuring out where we went and when for the photo sorting much easier!
ReplyDeleteHey Brian. Will a magnetic tank bag stay on or no good?
ReplyDeleteSorry I did not get a notification. I think a magnetic tank bag will work fine on both the Himalayan and Bullet motorcycles. I am pretty sure the tanks are metal.
DeleteYour baggage must be very heavy. I did my Spiti tour with 15 kg only. I traveld with the bike gear on.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QGHyRIOKmU