In the Himalayas daytime temperatures at low altitudes can be as high as 30° C whereas they can fall to below freezing levels at high altitudes & over high passes specially in early mornings & during the nights.  Rain is a certainty, snow is a possibility.  A few nights are spent at camps near high-altitude lakes where temps can fall very low.  Outdoor warm jacket, light - medium woolens, thermal underwear & warm caps are essential.  

           But remember, the tours start and end in New Delhi where it can go as high as 46° C June and gets very sultry once the rains arrive in July which means you’ll need summer clothing as well, specially if you are planning to spend a few days before or after the tour in the Indian plains.

            Day time temperatures in Rajasthan will be normally in the high twenties and low thirties but can plunge in the evenings and late nights/early mornings can be very cold (below 10° C) specially in the desert areas.  Rains are possible so water-proofs are recommended.

Winter highs in New Delhi (where the tours start & end) range from 16 °C (61 °F) to 21 °C (70 °F). Nighttime temperatures average 2–8 °C (36–46 °F).

Light cottons to medium woolens are advised.

DRIVING LICENSE (Rider) Check validity.
INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT (Rider) Obtain from your country of residence.
TRAVEL/HEALTH INSURANCE Must cover riding 500 cc motorcycles
PROPER PROTECTIVE RIDING GLOVES – WINTER & SUMMER  
PROPER RIDING BOOTS  - Preferably water-proof High Ankle
RIDING JACKET + PANTS - WINTER
HELMET - We’d prefer if you brought your own
Please note that if your riding gear doesn’t include proper padding OR if you choose not to wear one (specially on warm days), please bring separate Knee & Elbow guards.
AIR HAWK or similar seat cushion/pads
RAIN-SUIT (Full)
RIDING GOGGLES
BALACLAVA   
EYE DROPS  
SUN SCREEN / SUN BLOCK AND LIP BALM  
TORCH/FLASHLIGHT  
THERMAL UNDERWEAR & WARM (WOOLEN) CAP
INSECT REPELLENT
MEDICINES/DRUGS (LEGAL) Carry prescriptions with you.
OTHER PERSONAL CLOTHING
ITEMS OF PERSONAL CARE & HYGIENE  

SLEEPING BAG (if you are finicky about sleeping in a used one)
SUNGLASSES / SUN HAT
WATER CARRIER/HYDRATION PACK
SCARF / BANDANA (to protect face/neck)
EAR PLUGS
YOUR FAVOURITE BOTTLE OF LIQUOR & COFFEE  you might find Indian spirits & coffee unsavoury

DRIVING LICENSE (Rider) Check validity.
INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT (Rider) Obtain from your country of residence.
TRAVEL/HEALTH INSURANCE Must cover riding 500 cc motorcycles
PROPER PROTECTIVE RIDING GLOVES – SUMMER  
PROPER RIDING BOOTS
RIDING JACKET + PANTS - SUMMER
HELMET- We’d prefer if you brought your own
Please note that if your riding gear doesn’t include proper padding OR if you choose not to wear one (specially on warm days), please bring separate Knee & Elbow guards.
AIR HAWK or similar seat cushion/pads
RAIN-SUIT (Full)
RIDING GOGGLES
BALACLAVA  
EYE DROPS  
SUN SCREEN / SUN BLOCK AND LIP BALM  
TORCH/FLASHLIGHT  
FLEECE/WIND JACKET  
INSECT REPELLENT
MEDICINES/DRUGS (LEGAL) Carry prescriptions with you.
OTHER PERSONAL CLOTHING
ITEMS OF PERSONAL CARE & HYGIENE  

SWIMSUIT (Many of our hotels have swimming pools)
SUNGLASSES / SUN HAT  
WATER CARRIER/HYDRATION PACK
SCARF / BANDANA (to protect face/neck)
EAR PLUGS
YOUR FAVOURITE BOTTLE OF LIQUOR & COFFEE  you might find Indian spirits & coffee unsavoury
  

Please keep in mind that you need to be reasonably fit to participate in our tours.  Besides, it is advisable that you have at least a couple of years motorcycle riding experience before undertaking such a tour.  Read our FAQ’s section for more info.

Applicants of Himalayan Tours stand advised against participation if they suffer from severe asthma, high blood pressure, muscular disorders, respiratory or heart disorders, any such medical precondition which might be detrimental to the health of the participant on such a tour which involves spending several consecutive nights at high altitudes (from 3500 to 4500 meters).  Applicants with any precondition must consult their doctor before booking themselves on this tour.

Vaccinations/ Immunizations

The following are the recommended vaccinations for India when your travel is for less than 5 months (Note: This is just a general guide.  Please consult your doctor for country specific medical advise with regards to your travel to India.) :

 Hepatitis A, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Malaria, Tetanus, Japanese encephalitis, Poliomyelitis & Rabies.

Also ensure you are updated with regards to routine vaccinations such as for influenza, chickenpox, polio, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) (& also for rotavirus for children) and their booster doses by your doctor regardless of travel requirement.  

 Yellow fever vaccine is required for all travellers arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in Africa or the Americas, or arriving from or transiting through the following countries:
Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia.
Americas: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago.

Yellow fever vaccine is not recommended or required for travellers arriving directly from North America, Europe, Australia, or other Asian countries.

Some useful Web Resources

Please note:  On all our tours the baggage allowance is 20 KG.  Space on the support vehicle is limited.  We suggest you bring soft luggage.  Also, on our  Himalayan Tours,  if you’re flying between New Delhi & Leh on a Domestic Airline in economy class, the Checked-in baggage allowance on these flights is also 20 KG.  As per Government of India safety regulations only one hand baggage per Passenger will be allowed. The dimensions of the hand baggage should not exceed (L+B+H) - 55+35+25 totalling 115 cm. The weight of the hand baggage should not exceed 7 KG.

Horizons Unlimited - The Motorcycle Travellers Bulletin Board
Lonely Planet’s - Practical Travel Info on India (Money, Health & Visas)
Riding Gear in India - Kaulson (KRP) I  Cramster I OutdoorTravelGear
The Royal Enfield Official Website
JS Insurance UK - Travel Insurance for 500 cc Motorcycle Touring
Right Royal way to tour India - By Chris Gillard (The West Australian)

Recommended Reading - Books on India (By Lonely Planet)
60KPH - Motorcycle Travel Club, India
Team-BHP - Redlining the Indian Automotive scene
Telegraph - The world’s greatest motorcycle journeys
IndiaMike - The India Travel Forum

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