Motorcycle Tours in India: Himalayan Passes, Desert Roads, and Backwater Coastlines

India covers an unusual range of riding terrain in one country: high-altitude Himalayan passes, open desert highways, jungle backroads, and coastal lanes through palm groves, all reachable without ever leaving the same trip if you plan it right. Driver India Private Tours has been running guided motorcycle tours since 2013, with well-maintained Royal Enfields, an experienced road captain leading the ride, and a backup vehicle following with luggage, spares, and basic medical support.

We run four main circuits, and most riders pick one rather than trying to combine them. The terrain and pace differ enough that mixing them in a single trip usually just means rushing through at least one.

Leh-Ladakh with Umling La

This is the circuit most riders specifically come to India for: Manali to Leh through Sarchu, then on to Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, and Hanle, with an option to ride up to Umling La, the world's highest motorable road at over 5,800 metres. The altitude and road conditions make this the most demanding of our four circuits. It's genuinely only suitable for riders who already have real highway or mountain experience, not a first motorcycle trip. The route is only open from roughly June to September, when the high passes clear of snow.

Rajasthan

The Rajasthan circuit rides through Jaipur, Pushkar, Jodhpur, and Udaipur on open desert highways, with forts and palaces as the backdrop rather than mountain switchbacks. It's a noticeably easier ride than Ladakh in both altitude and road difficulty, which makes it a good fit for riders who want Rajasthan's cultural depth without needing prior high-altitude experience. October to March is the right window, once the worst of the heat has passed.

Kerala

The Kerala circuit is the most relaxed of the four: tea estate roads through Munnar, wildlife areas around Thekkady, and coastal stretches near Alleppey's backwaters. Riders who care more about scenery than distance covered tend to prefer this one, and the roads are generally well surfaced, so it works even for less experienced riders. November to February is the most comfortable window.

North East India

The North East circuit, covering Assam and Meghalaya, is the one most riders haven't considered until they look into it specifically, and it's the least travelled of the four because of that. Expect rolling hills, waterfalls, and cloud-covered valleys, with far fewer other tourists on the road than any of our other routes. November to April is the recommended window.

What's included on a guided tour

• A Royal Enfield (Classic, Himalayan, or similar, in 350cc, 450cc, or 500cc depending on availability and your preference)
• An experienced road captain riding with the group, plus a backup vehicle carrying luggage, spare parts, and basic first aid
• Route planning that accounts for road conditions and realistic daily distances, not just the shortest line on a map
• Accommodation in boutique hotels or homestays along the route, if you'd like us to arrange it

What you need to bring

• A valid motorcycle licence. International riders also need an International Driving Permit alongside their home licence
• Your own riding gear: a proper helmet, jacket, gloves, and boots. We don't supply personal protective equipment
• Travel and vehicle insurance that actually covers motorcycle riding, since some standard travel policies exclude it

Solo riders and private groups

Our tours run for solo riders joining a small group, and for private groups who'd rather book the whole tour to themselves. If you want to ride at your own pace without a fixed group schedule, ask us about the self-guided option: full route planning and backup support, but no road captain leading the group.

Getting around off the bike

Some itineraries include a non-riding day or two, for example a rest day in a city before or after the motorcycle leg. For those days, we can arrange a private car rental and driver separately from the riding portion of your trip.

Tell us which circuit you're interested in, your riding experience, and your travel dates, and Driver India Private Tours will put together a detailed itinerary and quote within 24 hours.