If interacting with your surroundings exhilarates you, then a biking adventure seems just the right thing for you. Zoom through the kaleidoscopic towns and villages of India, stumble upon untrodden paths, indulge in appetizing roadside food, watch a few religious processions pass by and witness scintillating scenes all through the way. Ride over the frozen roads through the Himalayas, through the desert of Rajasthan or through the mesmeric greenery of South India.
Prepare yourself for extreme weather conditions, freezing cold upwards and humid hot on your way down. Indian roads see heavy traffic, so expect a lot of it even on the highways and try not to lose your cool over it. Silky roads are almost non-existent in the country. Mostly, you will find rocky roads with potholes. Also, Indian drivers are not the best in the world and their driving can be best described as erratic with very low regard for traffic norms. Try not to engage in a brawl on the road, because you cannot win that argument.
Motor bikes could be taken on rent for short trips from various dealers and sellers across the country. If you are going for a pan-India biking adventure, then rent a different bike for different regions and terrains. It is in your best interest to avoid renting a bike that is over 10 years old, especially for the mountainous roads.
Start from Delhi if motorcycling through the Himalayas is on your list. If you are in another city, cheap New Delhi flights could be booked through online travel forums. Start from Bangalore or Chennai for a trip through the South of India.
Ladakh
The most popular motorcycling route is the Northern route of India. The mountain passes of Ladakh are the highest motorable routes in the country guaranteeing a one-in-a-lifetime kind of experience. The ideal riding season is between April and August when the weather conditions are not so harsh. Bike through the Khardung La Pass, the sand dunes of the Nubra Valley, Lamayuru monasteries, the Zanskar river and the high altitude lakes including the scenic Pangong Tso lake. Take the route that starts from Manali into Rohtang Pass into Sarchu that goes all the way to Leh.
Spiti Valley
The valley is nestled in the north-eastern part of Himachal Pradesh, somewhere between mainland India and Tibet. Anytime between June and October is the ideal time to go riding in this terrain. An adrenaline-filled adventure is guaranteed, but what’s special about this ride is the splendid lush green surroundings every step of the way. Ride through the Chandratal high-altitude lake, apple orchards, blissful views of the Satluj river and snow capped shrines. Take the route that starts from Shimla into Kinnaur into Kalpa that goes directly to Spiti.
Rann of Kutch
Take a westward trip into the salt desert of India, the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. Losing direction in the desert happens too often and therefore, travelling with a group is recommended. Ride through the ruins of the Indus Valley Civilization, the desert itself and the Mandavi beach. Take the route that starts from Surendranagar into Little Rann of Kutch into the Great Rann of Kutch. The ideal time to go riding through this terrain is between December and February. Beware of the soft ground of the desert as that can send you into a tailspin. This terrain is quite amusing to ride on as there is very little need to press your brakes throughout your journey.
The Great Indian Desert
Riding through the desert is an adventure-driven experience, one that must not be given a miss if you are a motorcycling enthusiast. Traversing through the sparsely populated terrain of the Great Indian Desert begins from Barmer and then to Jaisalmer and all the way through Bikaner. The ideal season to ride through the region is the winter months, between October and February as there’s a rare chance of being trapped in a sand dune calamity. Be prepared for the hardship of pushing the motorcycle through the fine sands.
Eastern Coast of Tamil Nadu
The colourful culture of South India is bursting out from all corners through the East Coast of Tamil Nadu. Begin your journey from Pulicat Lake into Pondicherry into Tranquebar, all the way through Rameshwaram. The best season to traverse through these regions are the winter months of December and January, mostly to avoid the hot and humid conditions of the summer months. Watch the flamingos at Pulicat lake, cruise through the French settlement of Pondicherry, the coasts of Tranquebar and cross the Adam’s bridge of Rameshwaram. Be prepared for unseasonal cyclones that pose a threat to these coastal areas.
Article by Ixigo
