FAQ

International flights are NOT included.

All domestic flights once you have landed at your start point are included unless stated otherwise. Each tour page has a specific “what’s included” and “what’s not” section.

Yes of course! We’d be happy to arrange an extra night or 5 for you.

Most riders choose to arrive a day or two early so they have time to do the Taj Mahal day trip in Delhi, the Everest Joy Flight in Kathmandu or see the Giant Pandas in Chengdu.

If you prefer, you can just take it easy and chill by the pool at the hotel. We can arrange the extra activities and extra accommodation.

TIP: Most people have found that doing extra activities before the trip is better than doing it after the trip.

The adventures can be booked online, by email, or even over the phone.  To book your place you’ll need to put down a US$1,000 deposit via credit card, direct bank transfer in a choice of 5 currencies or even PayPal (incurs PayPal fees though).

If you are booking online, you have the option to leave a note when paying the deposit and you’ll receive an automated receipt from the website. All online transactions are secured with 256 bit encryption.

The balance payment is due 90 days before the adventure start date. It can be paid in five currencies (USD, GBP, EURO, AUD and NZD) via a bank / wire transfer.

• The balance can also be paid via credit card in USD. We pass the merchant fee of 3% onto you.
• The balance can also be paid via PayPal in USD or AUD. We pass the merchant fee of 3% onto you.
• The balance can also be paid in cash upon arrival or in Australia.

Absolutely. Himalayan Heroes is extremely confident that we offer not only the best motorcycle adventures, but the best value adventures in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Tibet and Mongolia. We’re so confident that we offer a price guarantee to prove it. 

While we might only be $300 cheaper than some competitors, we are up to $8,000 cheaper than others. <<< That is not a misprint! 

More info can be found here. 

Yes, it is mandatory to have travel insurance to cover you for the period of your adventure. It is important that there are no engine capacity limits on your policy. For all adventures other than in Mongolia, having a policy that covers off-road riding is usually* unnecessary.

There is no travel insurance policy to our knowledge that will provide personal liability cover if you are in control of a motorised vehicle. Please see the Terms & Conditions for more detailed information. We need to see a copy of your Travel Insurance policy before you arrive.

We have found World Nomads to be the most popular motorcycle travel insurance amongst our riders.

*NOTE 1 : We aren’t insurance brokers so cannot possibly keep up to date with all the different policies available or even if the companies listed above still have suitable policies. You really need to do your own research to ensure the policy covers you for what you need.

NOTE 2 : Travel insurance ceases the moment you return to your own country. Private or government health cover automatically resumes if you require treatment once in your own country.

Himalayan Heroes offers you the option to cap your damage bill on your motorcycles.

Visiting India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Tibet/China and Mongolia requires a passport that has at least six months of validity remaining at time of application and must have at least two blank pages.

Please check our VISA INFO page here

The following are required for all our adventures

• A colour copy of your Passport info page
• A colour copy of your entry visa (unless you aren’t required to have a visa to enter. e.g. Canadians into Mongolia)
• Travel insurance
• International Driving Permit (to ensure you are covered by your Travel Insurance).
• At least two identical passport-sized photographs (see our VISA INFO page here for correct dimensions required for each country)

Nepal

• 4 identical photos of dimensions: 35mm x 45mm (Please have ready at the airport for immigration)
• US$25 for Visa Upon Arrival (US$50 if a 30 day visa is required)

India

• 4 identical photos of dimensions: 51mm x 51mm (2 inches by 2 inches)

Bhutan

• We have to arrange your Bhutan visa
• 4 identical photos of dimensions 35mm x 45mm
• You arrange an Indian Visa
• 4 identical photos of dimensions: 51mm x 51mm (2 inches by 2 inches)

Mongolia

• 4 identical photos of dimensions: 30mm x 40mm
• A letter from the hotel confirming your booking. (We’ll provide)

Pakistan

• 4 identical photos of dimensions: 35mm x 45mm
• A letter from the hotel confirming your booking. (We’ll provide)
• A copy of your flight tickets and itinerary

Tibet

• Tourist Visa for China (wait for our instructions before applying)
• 4 identical photos of dimensions: 33mm x 48mm
• Tibetan Entry Permit (we’ll provide)
• A letter from the hotel confirming your booking. (We’ll provide)
• A copy of your flight tickets and itinerary

We’d suggest bringing some form of waterproof gear. Personally, I just pack a two piece plastic type that slips over my riding gear. It works a treat, is very light, doesn’t take up much space and they’re very cheap on eBay. If you’re coming from Australia, then I can recommend Third Gear.

It is also advisable to bring some zip lock bags to put your phones, tablets and sensitive documents in. Nothing worse than when you are trying to leave a country with a passport that has been drenched and the chip no longer works. Don’t ask me how I know!

Most of the time a sleeping bag isn’t necessary as the bedding provided is very warm and comfortable enough. However, we still suggest taking at least a sleeping bag liner for sanitary reasons as remote guest houses aren’t too worried about their TripAdvisor ratings.

NOTE: We will put you in the best accommodation possible but you’re adventuring through remote areas of developing countries and it is unreasonable to expect it to be perfect. Most riders are pleasantly surprised at how good the accommodation  is.

While the chances of being asked by local authorities to produce your current drivers licence (and/or International Drivers Permit) will be very low, we still require our riders to provide a copy of their International Drivers Permit.

The reason is very simple. Most travel insurance policies require you to be licensed in the country you are travelling in for the cover to be applicable. We have heard of cases of riders having their travel insurance claim denied simply because the rider did not have an IDP.

An IDP is very cheap and easily obtainable from your local motoring authority.

Australia  – https://www.aaa.asn.au/international-motoring/driving-overseas/

UK – https://www.postoffice.co.uk/international-driving-permit

USA – https://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html

Canada – https://www.caa.ca/international-driving-permit/#1472050309668-e23e80eb-dff8

Singapore – https://www.aas.com.sg/our-services/international-driving-permit-idp.html

Most riders don’t get affected by it, even when we go to the highest motorable road in the world but some do. Stay hydrated and notify us as soon as you feel a bit average so we can keep an eye on you. There is oxygen in the support vehicle if needed.

Learn more about it, the symptoms and the treatment here.

This info is only applicable to the following adventures.

• Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride in India
• Top of the World in India
• Super Scramble in India
• The Middle Land in India
• Cliffhanger in India
• High Himalayas in India
• Head Hunters in India
• Thunder Dragon in Bhutan
• Stairway to Heaven in Nepal
• Raiders of the lost Caves in Nepal
• Quest for Everest in Tibet
• Karakorum Trail in Pakistan

Please read our comprehensive guide here.

The three day trek optional add-on is not a hard core trek so keep that in mind when checking this link

Steve lost 45kgs and was still 140kg when he rode the highest motorable road in the world and he did that easily.  It was a little tougher for him when we decided once we’d gotten to the top that we’d climb a further 400m to get a better view.  Surprisingly, it is usually the smokers that get least affected by altitude sickness.

Like everything in life, it helps if you’re fit but you don’t need to be a world champion cross-fit athlete to enjoy these adventures. If you want to go trekking in Nepal, disregard what I just said and start training yesterday.

They aren’t necessary to enter the country but most riders play it safe and talk to their local health professional about which shots they may or may not need for visiting specific destinations as they can provide the most up-to-date information to make an informed choice.

Any information found online should be taken with a grain of salt, as health situations and risks can change in every country depending on outbreaks and the current health state.

At the time of writing, there are no required vaccinations to enter India, aside from Yellow Fever if you’re arriving from countries with risk of Yellow Fever Virus (YFV) transmission, but according to the wwwnc.cdc.gov website, travellers to India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Tibet and Mongolia should at least have all routine vaccinations, as well as Hepatitis A and Typhoid.

Travellers to Pakistan should at least have all routine vaccinations, as well as Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Polio.

These aren’t easy tours so its important that you are a confident rider. I had never ridden on dirt before riding in India but I managed alright. We rode in mud, through rivers, in the rain and fog with 5m visibility up the Rohtang pass with no guard rails in 10°C temperatures.

Although we’ve had learners ride with us, we’d recommend that you have a years recent riding experience. If you’ve ridden dirt bikes, do track days or raced motorcycles then you’ll eat this up. If you can lane split in city traffic then you can dodge sacred cows, Tatas and oncoming traffic on the wrong side of the road.

The following adventures are suitable for confident beginners

• Quest for Everest in Tibet (90%+ sealed)
• Karakoram Trail in Pakistan (90%+ sealed)
• Distinguished Gentleman’s Route in India (75%+ sealed)
• Royal Rajasthan in India (90%+ sealed)

INSURANCE IN INDIA, NEPAL, TIBET, BHUTAN, PAKISTAN and MONGOLIA

In the countries we conduct adventures, commercial insurance including third party insurance on motor vehicles is either not available, or is of questionable value. While the bikes are insured, the insurance is generally worthless to a foreigner in the event one needs to make a claim. Any damage occurring from an accident in these countries is usually settled on the spot but can take days, weeks and even months.

Himalayan Heroes offers an optional damage cap that covers damage to the bike you are riding. The premium is US$195 paid as a lump sum before your adventure starts. In the event you damage the motorcycle, the damage cap will limit your damage bill to US$200.

3 Scenarios

1. If, like most of our riders, you do not damage the motorcycle then the total cost to you has been the cost of the “DCO” – US$195.
2. If, like some of our riders, you put the bike down and damage mirrors, levers, foot pegs etc and the damage bill is say US$120 then you pay the $120. The total cost to you has been US$315 (US$195 + US$120)
3. If you have a big off and damage the tank, forks etc and the damage bill is say US$750 then your damage bill is capped at $200. The total cost to you has been US$395 (US$195 “DCO” + US$200 damage cap).

This Damage Cap is optional so if you would like to carry the risk yourself, you are welcome to. At the completion of the tour, you will be presented with an itemised bill of any damage to the motorcycle. Approximately 50% of our riders do not damage the bikes and of the 50% that do receive a damage bill, the majority of the bills are less than $300. Please send us an email if you’ve got any questions about the insurance or are thinking about any of our adventures.

Riding motorcycles anywhere is dangerous.

Most of the time, we won’t be in the high density, big cities where motorists ignore lane marking and just ride to the conditions. It seems completely crazy at first but everyone gets used to it quite quickly.  Personally I find the drivers in the Himalayas are some of the best and most courteous I have come across anywhere in the world.

People tend to walk in front of you without looking and animals are often roaming free so it’s always a good idea to keep your wits about you.

Royal Enfields can reach 130km/h if the road is long enough, the wind is behind you and you are traveling downhill.  However it is unlikely you will hit 100km/h which is fine because the bikes don’t like it at that speed. Due to the road conditions and the stops for photos and snack stops, our average speed rarely rises above 40km/h. When conditions allow, we sit with the traffic at around 80km/h +.

The short answer is no. Our mechanics work on the bikes at the end of each day, bringing them back to their best so you can have a trouble free run the next day.

Absolutely, we’ve had a number of pillions who have enjoyed themselves immensely. It is important that they are aware of what is in store for them and by that I mean there are long days in the saddle, bumpy roads, river crossings and some awesome drop offs with no guard rails. We usually have space in our support vehicles, so pillions may be able to hop off and grab a seat if they feel like it ….but not always so it shouldn’t be relied upon.

If you’re planning on being or bringing a pillion to TIBET, please contact us first.

I spent US$100 the first time and US$200 the second time.  Everything on tour is paid for apart from Alcohol and souvenirs etc so you won’t need much. The countries we visit are generally cheap places to visit for western tourists so we doubt you’ll need more than US$500 for the two week adventure.

Absolutely. The support team wakes up before you and checks tyre pressures, fill petrol tanks and warm your bike up. They follow us throughout the day and fix your bike in a jiffy if there are any problems. At the end of the day, while you’re enjoy a refreshing frosty treat, they are getting your bike back to tip top condition, sometimes well into the night.

We’d suggest each rider tip the support crew US$100. It’ll be collected and handed to the senior crew member at the final celebration dinner to be distributed amongst the mechanics and backup team.  There are usually 4+ people in the support team, so you’re effectively tipping each crew member around $2 a day. Frankly, that’s a bargain!

The price includes twin share accommodation so you’ll be sharing your room / tent with someone. If you want your own room, that can be arranged at an extra cost. Please note that single rooms may not be available on some nights but we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

Some tour operators promote their tours as if everyone is Bear Grylls.  After 8 hours on a motorcycle on some pretty tough roads, the last thing you want is poor accommodation.  Developing countries can be a massive shock to the senses; we think it’s best if you ease yourself into them.  We’ll stay at a great hotel on the first night, a quality local hotel the next night before we hit the road and stay in the best accommodation en route.  Even the tents we stay in have en-suites…seriously.

Our riders usually always comment that the accommodation was better than what they were expecting.

Most of the time you can.  You can charge most things in the back up vehicle and the hotels of course.  Even most of the camps will have a power point that you can charge your electrical goods with.  However power cuts are common so electricity can’t be guaranteed.  You’ll need a travel adaptor to recharge your electrical goods.

This page is a great resource https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/

Most domestic airlines are limited to 15kg (33lbs) checked in baggage so please travel lightly. You can carry 7kg (15lbs) hand luggage as well. We suggest wearing your riding boots and riding jacket on domestic flights which should see you under the weight limits.

A lot of people buy what they need after they arrive as clothing is very cheap.  Sometimes riders leave their well used riding gear, helmets and any unwanted clothing for the support crew to distribute amongst themselves or families. It isn’t required but it is welcomed. Support vehicles have limited space so please bring soft luggage so we can pack it in tight.

Domestic flights checked baggage weight limits. All include 7kgs carry on luggage.

• India & Nepal – 15kgs
• China/Tibet – 20kgs
• Mongolia – 10kgs

All meals are included unless otherwise stated. You’ll pay for your own alcohol only. Beers are usually 600ml and around US$3 – US$7.

We’ve always been able to accommodate our riders. If you’re vegetarian, vegan, lactose or gluten intolerant, coeliac, have particular food allergies then we can cater for you.

We’ll move the beers in the cooler so we can carry your medicine. We won’t tell the other riders why their beer isn’t cold though.

If you have any particular concerns, please contact us before booking.

On the adventures where we have to back track or we have a free day, then there is usually a place where we can get laundry done. If you finish the day early, wash your socks, undies and T-shirts and hang them on the balcony and they’ll be dry by the next morning. Otherwise, be prepared to get down and dirty, this isn’t a cruise ship holiday!

Drink ONLY from sealed water bottles which are available from the back-up vehicle.  If you are using a CamelBak type system, then you can top it up at each stop. You should also wash your toothbrush and rinse with bottled water.

Drink beers from the bottle for the fist few days and skip the drinks that have ice in them.