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Escorted group tour in India anyone?

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V7Chris View Drop Down
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    Posted: 07 Aug 2017 at 19:40
Not quite guzzisti go touring, but the wife and I quite fancy going on one of those escorted expeditions using Royal Enfield's in India up through Nepal in 2018. Has anyone done this, if so is it as good as the web ads make it sound, which company did you use, would you recommend them and what is the beset time of year/which route/trip would! you recommend? Lots of questions in one sentence I know! We can go for an extended trip so three weeks or so wouldn't be a problem. I look forward to hearing any recommendations.
Thanks
Chris
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Zecis View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zecis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Aug 2017 at 19:54
Chris
I am sure I am not alone in having been to India.... but the driving is chaotic in the extreme - the only thing that is safe (mostly) are the cows that wander the streets.  Last time I was in Bangalore I went out one evening with a work colleague his personality changed as soon as he was behind the wheel, normally so placid and polite - behind the wheel of his small city car, he became a different person - impatient, almost violent and at times would have been locked up if he drove like that in the UK

Its a wonderful country..... but I'm not sure I would want to ride a bike there.
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V7Chris View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote V7Chris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Aug 2017 at 20:06
Thanks Zecis.
Yes I certainly wouldn't want to risk any large conurbations. I had an Indian driver in the far east once to take me to the airport and i damn near got out to walk i was so scared! However I think most of these tours are pretty rural in nature but that is why I am seeking more first hand information because I might be completely wrong about that.
Chris
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Jerry atric View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jerry atric Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Aug 2017 at 20:20
DO IT! I never have, never will, my wife hates bikes. Been to India a couple of times and I think its mind boggling in every respect. I would love to do the tour. I have a couple of Indian Friends who say te best time is definitely our spring time. Earlier and it can get "jolly damn cold", later and it get v. hot in most parts. Good luck, I wish it was me.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote motomike1400 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Aug 2017 at 20:49
Back in 2008 I did the EnduroHimalaya tour...500cc RE mainly in remote high altitude areas on a mix of gravel/mud and tarmac roads. Generally only shared the higher roads with large stinking overladen trucks . Town riding could be chaotic but usually low speed...use of the horn is the method of defensive riding...be on it all the time. Once accustomed to town riding it becomes interesting more than frightening.
The foothills around Shimla are around 12000ft I think...highest point was 17000ft which does affect most people but not to the extent that Jezza Clarkson would have us believe. Worth it all for the views and culture. Dheli belly is the biggest threat...it's a country seriously lacking in hygiene and plumbing.
I travelled with Global Enduro...now defunct. Blazing Trails and Skyriders are still on the go. Just back from a Blazing Trails get together in Wiltshire as it happens. They do varied tours that would suit most skill levels. Can be physically challenging but not technical riding.
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V7Chris View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote V7Chris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Aug 2017 at 22:34
Thanks chaps, will do some further research and take a look at Blazing Trails and Skyriders.
Chris
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jonesey Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 10:49
http://www.indianmotorcycletours.com/

Hi V7 Chris, try these guys, they seem to have very good customer feedback......at least from the survivors! Some of the video footage is a bit scary (and I've done trail riding in the Alps at 3000m+).

Very tempting, and its not a crazy amount of money to spend for what I'm sure is a great biking/cultural experience, plus you're not knocking the guts out of your own bike that way. Best of luck :)
If it dropped off, you probably didn't need it anyway!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote V7Chris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 17:40
Thanks Jonsey, will do.
Chris
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cyclobutch Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Aug 2017 at 12:58
I went a couple of years back. I got the gig through my contact with Sideburn magazine; Gary had set up a tour with a team working out there. I just went out on my own and joined the group. We were never near big towns. I was on the Pangi Valley tour and we were two days on train and 4x4s before we got to the bikes. Riding was in the high Himalayas and you did need a head for heights. 

Without a doubt it is the best thing I have ever done (as in -EVER).








 
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theone&onlymin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote theone&onlymin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Aug 2017 at 15:53
He was advertising a couple of spare places for September a few weeks back so he was.

Cheers
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cyclobutch Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Aug 2017 at 13:22
Indeed he was, and I felt very sorely tempted.
Butch
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote V7Chris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Aug 2017 at 07:13
Thanks guys. I have checked out http://indianmotorbiketours.com/ along with the others. They appear to be good value being locally owned and operated. I am renovating my sons house in North Wales this summer (very bad for getting in some summer biking trips ) so we will be looking at 2018. Whilst my wife is quite adventurous, I get the impression that some of the tours would not be very pillion friendly. Did you or any of your fellow travellers have a pillion Cyclobutch and if so what was their experience?
Chris


Edited by V7Chris - 16 Aug 2017 at 07:19
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V7Chris View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote V7Chris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Aug 2017 at 07:18
Originally posted by Jerry atric Jerry atric wrote:

DO IT! I never have, never will, my wife hates bikes.

Get permission from your wife to go solo and join us in 2018- looking for a pillion friendly tour so it won't be one of the hardcore options - wife currently fancies the Darjeeling tour by Blazing Trails as there is a mix of culture and history on that one.
Chris
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jerry atric Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 2017 at 14:20
dreams are dreams, sadly
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