

1. My co-
Our support vehicles follow the group during the tours. If your partner prefers, he or she is free to join our tour as a passenger. This option is as enjoyable as touring by car and allows both the rider and his or her partner to enjoy the tour and absorb the scenery in comfort. In addition to the great riding on these tours, there are many things to do and places to enjoy.
2. Can I ride my own motorcycle on the tour?
ABoriginal Tours does not allow “own motorcycles” on the tours.
3. Do I need to rent a bike to tour with ABoriginal Tours?
No. ABoriginal Tours provides motorcycles on the tour, the rent for which is included in the price of the tour. Infact, if you compare our tour prices with others you’ll find that the motorcycles are coming virtually free !
4. Are there any restrictions to participate in your tour?
For the Himalayan Tours, please read the “Important Advisory” on the Himalayan Tours web page.
To participate as a rider an individual has to be between the age of 18 and 72 years at the time of the tour, holding valid motorcycle driving license, in reasonable health and with at least 3 years of any kind of motorcycle riding experience.
To participate as a co-
To participate as a passenger in the support vehicle an individual has to be between the age of 05 and 75 years at the time of the tour and in reasonable health.
Reasonably fit. In our opinion if you can go about your daily life (like climbing two flights of stairs) without getting out of breath then you’re “reasonably fit”. Consult your doctor in case you have any existing medical condition which can hamper a persons ability to participate in an adventure activity before joining the tour. Touring in the Himalayas involves being at very high altitudes and Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) can occur in few cases. For the Himalayan Tours, please read the “Important Advisory” on the Himalayan Tours web page.
Touring through Rajasthan presents no such difficulties.
6. Do I need a motorcycle rider’s license to participate in your tour?
Yes, a valid motorcycle driver license and international riding permit are mandatory
for riders to take part in our tours; however, they are not required for the co-
Also, make sure you obtain the International Driving Permit (IDP) from your country of citizenship since it is not issued to foreigners in India.
7. What other documents will I need?
A passport containing valid tourist visa to India and a certificate of travel insurance (covering the riding of 500cc motorcycles).
8. Can I join as a pillion rider?
We only accept Pillion riders along with a rider. It means if you are an individual
looking to join our tour as a co-
9. Are the seats on the Royal Enfields comfortable enough for riders/pillions?
Based
on customer feedback, we’ve had both opinions. Most have found the seats completely
fine. But there have been some cases where the riders/pillions felt varying degrees
of discomfort on long days. However, there is no doubt in the fact that you will
be better off with some kind of “motorcycle seat pads/cushions” like the “AIRHAWK”.
10. If required, can a pillion travel in a support vehicle during the tour?
Yes, pillions are most welcome to use the support vehicle. However, it is not possible to accommodate all pillions in the support vehicles at the same time so it is done on a rotational basis.
11. Can a rider travel in the support vehicle during the tour?
No. The main purpose of support vehicles is to carry the luggage, gear, support staff and a few accompanying passengers and pillions. Priority shall be given to a participant with an emergency; e.g. sudden and severe illness, road accident, bike breakdown etc.
12. Can my friends or family members (non-
If you want your friends/family to accompany you on the tour, they can reserve a place on the tour as passengers in the support vehicle. However, we urge you to book them on the tour at the time of your booking otherwise we might not be able to offer this facility at a later stage when the available seats are already taken.
13. Can a person new to motorcycle riding participate in your tours?
For the Himalayan Tours, please read the “Important Advisory” on the Himalayan Tours web page.
We would prefer if you had at least 3 years of motorcycle riding experience. However, if you are confident enough of your ability to handle a 180 kg bike on Indian roads we will not turn you down even if you had less. Having said that, you need to remember that if you decide at a later stage to opt out of the tour there will be no refund and we might not even be able to accommodate you as a pillion or passenger at that stage.
14. Do I get time to get accustomed to the motorcycle & riding conditions?
At ABoriginal Tours we have kept aside half a day at the start of the tour for just
that. Our experienced ride leader & support staff will take you on a familiarisation
ride on this day before we depart on the actual tour the next day. A 2-
15. Is riding a motorcycle in India any different?
Yes, there are certain factors which make it quite different from other places specially the “west”. Firstly, remember that one rides on the left side in India and if you come from a country where the opposite is true then you’ll need to get acquainted to it. Secondly, road conditions can be classified anywhere from “ordinary” to “nasty” specially in the higher Himalayas where it’s a constant tussle between the road builders and the forces of nature. But that doesn’t deter an adventurer looking for the thrills of riding. Thirdly, other riders on the road are a nuisance since traffic laws are lax and most people learn their driving “on the road” with hardly any or no professional training. You’ll be learning the “Indian” way of handling that too.
16. How much risk is involved?
Needless to say, Motorcycle riding comes with its risks no matter which part of the world you are riding. In fact, any adventure activity has its elements of “danger” but that’s what makes it an adventure activity in the first place. Calculating the “risk” involved is quite difficult as it is very subjective. The higher Himalayas is one of the most difficult terrains a motorcyclist will ever come across but “an experience of a lifetime” doesn’t come without its “highs”. Riding in Rajasthan is relatively easy when compared to the Himalayas. However, tackling big city traffic in India has its own “kicks“!
17. Are there any possibilities of these tours getting disrupted?
Yes, although we prepare for almost every contingency with utmost care, certain factors can cause “delays”, disruptions and possibly cancellations as well.
On the Himalayan (Spiti-
On the Rajasthan tours, since we cross bigger towns & cities, events like “strikes”, public protests and political unrest can cause unexpected disruptions to our intended itineraries.
Wherever possible, we make every effort to “foresee” & “by-
18. What if there is a medical emergency?
An adventure activity of any kind carries its risk with it and motorcycle journeys
are no exception. A comprehensive medical & first aid kit (including bottled oxygen
on the Himalayan yours), a ride leader who is certified in FIRST AID and loads of
know-
19. What kind of medical or travel Insurance will I need?
Adequate travel insurance is mandatory at least for the duration of your tour with
us and is not included in the price of the tour. If you are a Rider (motorcycle
operator) or Co-
Make sure your travel/holiday insurance also covers you against cancellation charges, unexpected curtailment of the holiday, emergency evacuation expenses, medical expenses arising overseas, loss or damage to luggage & property and personal liability claims against the participant.
20. What about Motorcycle insurance?
Please note that, our motorcycles are fully insured for third party damage only. For damage to the motorcycle itself we a deposit of €500 is required before the tour departs and will be refunded in full at the completion of the tour provided no damage has occurred to the motorcycle. In case you don’t want to make this deposit in cash there is an option of filling & signing a credit card authorization form authorizing ABoriginal Tours to charge your card for any damage to the motorcycle.
21. What if there’s only normal wear & tear of the motorcycle?
It will be our greatest pleasure to return the entire deposit to you at the completion
of your tour if there is only normal wear and tear of the motorcycle. But if there
is damage to any part of the motorcycle or its appendages (including saddle-
22. Which motorcycle will I be riding during the tour?
You will be riding a Royal Enfield Motorcycle, (apparently the best touring motorcycle available in India). We have recently introduced the New Classic 500 EFI model for our tours. Check out our Bikes & Crew page for more details.
23. How many Zen Buddhists does it take to change a light bulb?
None, they are the
light bulb.
24. How is the weather along the touring route I have chosen?
Please visit the Essentials section on our web site.
25. What kind of clothes should I bring?
Please visit the Essentials section on our web site.
26. What kind of riding & safety gears I need?
Proper Protective Riding gear is a must; namely, riding shoes, riding gloves, Knee
& Elbow guards (if your Riding jacket/pants do not already include them) & protective
clothing. Please visit the Essentials section on our web site. Since the Himalayan
tours are certainly going to involve some “creek crossings”, water-
27. Do I have to wear a helmet?
Yes, we have a regulation that makes it mandatory for both the rider and pillion to wear helmets during the ride. We prefer & urge participants to bring their own helmets for the tour.
28. Do I need to bring bike saddlebags or panniers?
No. We have a support vehicles for hauling your luggage. These vehicles follow the
riders and aren’t very far behind. However, if there are certain things you want
to carry with you which you might need regularly during the ride, you are advised
to bring a small back-
29. Who will be my tour guide?
An experienced Ride Leader from ABoriginal Tours will be part of each tour, leading
from the front on his own motorcycle. In most cases Atul himself leads the tours.
Our ride guides are well versed in English, besides being familiar with the local
language, culture, routes and conditions. Besides, ABoriginal Tours ride guides
are certified in Emergency First-
30. How many participants will/can there be in a group?
Our ability to organize affordable tours is dependent on numbers. However, we have to keep the numbers manageable (also considering the available resources & logistics of a region like the Himalayas). Therefore, normally, on our Fixed Departure Tours, we prefer min. 6 and max. 18 riders.
31. Do we ride on every day of the tour?
Our tours have been carefully designed keeping at least 30% “non-
32. Are all Itineraries “fixed”?
There is no such thing as a “fixed” itinerary when you’re touring a country like
India that too on a motorcycle. Bad weather, landslides, damaged bridges and similar
events beyond the control of the “mortals” can spoil any pre-
33. How much distance do we have to ride every day?
On the Himalayan tours the average distance covered per “riding” day is between 120 to 130 kilometers with 14 riding days in a 21 day tour. On Rajasthan tours the average per day is 155 kms with 14 riding days in a 21 day tour. On certain days we might cover only 60 kms and on other days (usually one or two) we may exceed 280 kms per day. Please check the tour Itineraries page on our web site for information on the distances. However, please note that these averages are calculated on the assumption that there are no disruptions to the original plan and the tour progresses as per schedule.
34. How fast will we be riding?
In our opinion, taking into account the road conditions in India, anything above 80 km/h is “suicidal” irrespective of the kind of road. On the narrow single lane mountain routes even 50 km/h is swift. We run the tours at an optimum pace with respect to the terrain, traffic & road conditions.
We completely discourage anybody wanting to achieve personal “milestones” pertaining to speed & time from joining our tours. We travel strictly in a convoy formation with ride leader in front and support vehicles in the rear. Our tours are done in a steady yet relaxed manner in the “spirit of camaraderie” which not only ensures safety but also gives ample time for rest, exploration and observation. Any rider who is found to be riding in a manner which seems “dangerous” to either himself or others in the tour will be excluded from the remainder of the tour with no refund.
35. Do you provide Transportation for Local sight-
Transportation for local sight-
36. What is the type of accommodation you provide?
We call ourselves a “Affordable Motorcycle Tour Operator” for a reason. We have
carefully selected some value for money Mid-
37. Will I have to share a room?
Yes. Unless you buy a single supplement Add-
38. What is High Altitude Illness?
Altitude illness afflicts healthy men and women who accent rapidly to a higher altitude. It covers a spectrum of illness from the unpleasant, but relatively benign acute mountain sickness (AMS), to the potentially life threatening high altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE) and high altitude cerebral oedema (HACE).
There are no specific factors such as age, sex, or physical condition that correlate with susceptibility to altitude sickness. Some people get it and some people don't, and some people are more susceptible than others. Most people can go up to 8,000 feet (2,438 meters) with minimal effect. If you haven't been to high altitude before, it's important to be cautious. If you have been at that altitude before with no problem, you can probably return to that altitude without problems as long as you are properly acclimatized.
Symptoms of AMS include headache and one or more of dizziness or light headedness, insomnia, loss of appetite or nausea or vomiting and fatigue or weakness in the presence of a recent ascent to altitude. The correct action to take in case of developing AMS is to stay where you are and wait, then to descend if symptoms worsen or fail to improve.
39. Does “ABoriginal Tours” arrange airport transfers at the time of my arrival and departure?
Yes, but only if you buy “Meet” & Greet and/or “Farewell” Add-
40. Why does it take 1 million sperm to fertilize one egg?
They don't stop for directions.
41. Is international airfare included in the tour price on the web site?
No, International airfare is NOT included in the price of the tours. We have found
that most clients often prefer to arrange their own flights using frequent-
42. Do you assist in bookings for extended stay, before or after the tour?
Yes, but you need to inform us about your plans at the time of tour booking. ABoriginal
Tours is essentially only a “Motorcycle Tour Operator” but we provide certain services
which are ancillary to and facilitate the smooth progress of our tours. Such services
are included in our Add-
43. Where do the tours “start” and “end”?
Principally, the tours start & end in New Delhi, the capital of India.
START -
END – On the last day of your tour you will be transferred to a conveniently assigned location in New Delhi by a Train/Air/Car/MUV/bus journey as per the itinerary of the tour which shall be considered the “end” of your tour.
Incase you have purchased a “Meet & Greet” or “Farewell” Add-
44. When/How should I book my tour?
We start taking Booking applications for the tours 12 months prior to the departure date of each tour till about 10 weeks from date of departure (if places are still available).
Send us an Email carefully specifying the tour opted & date of its commencement and we will dispatch an email to you with a Tour Registration Form. See Contact Us page for more details.
45. Why are the first two letters in “ABoriginal Tours” spelt in capitals?
Atul Bhardwaj, along with his wife Shelja, is the owner/conductor of the outfit. The “AB” in ABoriginal Tours is the acronym for Atul Bhardwaj. Incidentally, so it is for “Absolutely Brilliant”, “Alleviation of Boredom” and “Audaciously Bizarre“! Read more About Us.
46. Will services like Internet & laundry available throughout the tours?
On the Rajasthan tours, such facilities are available at most hotels we stay. However, in the remote areas (specially on the Himalayan Tours) where we stay in camps, even basic telephone lines are not available.
47. Is electricity available even in the remotest of areas?
It can't be guaranteed. In some places on the Himalayan tours there's no power or
the supply is unreliable and power outages are likely. Thus, if it's vital you need
electrical power every night, please speak to us before booking. Don't forget a travel
adaptor if you need to recharge your electricals. Electric supply in India is 220-
48. How long is the duration of your tours?
In terms of duration, our "fixed departure" tours (pre-
49. Can you arrange customized or private group tours?
Yes, we can create and lead custom private group tours of any duration by request for a group of 8 or more. Please book the tours well in advance. See Customized Tours page for more details.
Yes. We advise you to immunize yourself against harmful diseases such as Hepatitis, Typhoid, Malaria and Tetanus. You should consult your doctor as well and there’s a list of recommended vaccinations for travel to countries like India available on the Essential Info section on this web site.
51. What's the best way to keep milk fresh?
Leave it in the cow.
52. Is food included in the price?
At all hotels/night stops your dinners & breakfasts will be inclusive. All lunches will have to be paid by you, including packed lunches on riding days (if required).
53. Why are all meals not included in the trip?
We understand that local cuisine is an important component of a trip and everybody
has different tastes. We have also found that our clients enjoy the spontaneity
of discovering restaurants on their own. As a result, we decided to remove the lunches
and provide transportation for local sight-
54. What about drinking water?
In a country like India availability & reliability of drinking water through normal tap supply is uncertain. Therefore, for all foreign tourists we insist “packaged drinking water” of renowned brands such as Bisleri, Aquafina, Kinley etc which is widely available at most places.
55. Should I bring a hydration pack/water carrier?
It is not essential but a suggested article in our packing list. Since a hydration
pack serves both as a water carrier & a small day pack it will be handy during long
drives. Filling up a 2/3 litre pack at the start of the day will ensure that you
have enough water for the entire day since availability of “packaged drinking water”
can be un-
56. What services/items/expenses are included/not included in the tour price?
We have mentioned “What’s Included” and “What’s NOT included” sections at the end of the Itinerary section of each tour.
57. Can I bring Indian currency to India?
Bringing Indian currency by any foreign national is prohibited. Therefore, we would advice you to bring currency of your respective country/domicile and get it exchanged into Indian Rupees (INR) here. You are authorised to bring foreign currency notes equivalent to USD 5000 (without declaration). If you are carrying debit/credit cards, please note that ATM’s & other such facilities will only be available at major cities. Specially on the Himalayan tours, you are best advised to change enough money to last the tour at major cities like New Delhi, Shimla/Leh. You may check the current exchange rate at http://www.xe.com
58. What about “facilities” along the roads?
In India, conveniences along the road like rest stops with “decent toilets facilities”
are either non-
59. Can I use the bike independently of the group?
No, you can't ride independently of the tour group. At some destinations we do
the local sight-
60. How much luggage can I bring?
As the space on the support vehicle is tight, we limit the baggage allowance on our
tours to 20 kg. We suggest you pack as lightly and in as compact a form as possible
and prefer that you bring soft luggage. On the Himalayan tours you’ll be taking
a domestic flight (Economy Class) between New Delhi and Leh, the checked-
Yes. On our tours we can’t allow rain to spoil our travel plans (unless the rain gods are really angry!). If your riding kit isn't waterproof, then bring some good waterproofs. See Essentials section for more details.
62. Do I need to bring a sleeping bag ?
No, its not mandatory. On the Himalayan Tours, we provide sleeping bags in case you choose not to bring your own. We set up our own camp at one location near Chandra Taal where you’ll be sleeping in camping tents (tents, mats, sleeping bags are all arranged by us inclusive in the price of the tour). At a couple of other locations we stay at, the accommodation will be in bigger camps (tents with double beds & all) but if you’re finicky about sleeping in a “used” sleeping bag, bring your own.
Proper protective riding gloves are essential for riders/co-
64. During the ride, can I stop to take pictures whenever I want ?
India offers plenty of sights worth capturing in the camera. Many past customers
have mentioned that they wanted to stop every 200 M to take a picture. However,
for navigation & other logistic reasons we travel in a “convoy” formation. The back-
65. How much spending money will I need?
You will need money for “Packaged drinking water”, all lunches, expenses of personal nature like laundry, Internet, phone calls, entrance to monuments & other such places, photography, tips etc. Roughly €500 per person should be a sufficient amount for a 3 week tour.
66. Should I bring anything else out from my country?
There are several things you might miss when you are travelling in India, from your
favourite cheese or butter to the soft mattress in your bed. However, practically
speaking, we suggest bringing at least your favourite bottle of liquor & coffee.
You might find Indian Made Foreign Liquor (oxy-
67. Do you have an office anywhere apart from your “registered” place of business?
Unfortunately, no. In this day and age of Internet & mobile communication, we don't
see the benefit to having a brick and mortar office or fancy brochures (which aren't
eco-
68. I cannot find answers to some of my questions. What shall I do?
We will be glad to answer any and all questions for you. The fastest way to reach us is by email at: aboriginaltours@gmail.com. To beat an overzealous spam filter add a CC to info@aboriginaltours.in. To catch hold of us in a hurry, you could also reach us over the phone. See the Contact us page for more info.

