Grand Traverse: Motorcycling in Himalaya

All the cancellation must be in written and signed by the person who signed the booking form and will be effective from the date of the reception by the company.

60 days or more before departure: The agency will refund the entire paid amount to his client deducting the registration fee (€40 per persons or equivalent in other currency), bank charges subject to the bank policies, when booking domestic flights, the Cancellation fee subject to airline policies at present or if the tickets are non- refundable in that case the full amount of the ticket will be retained. The hotels are reserved and must be paid in advance; the company will apply the cancellation policies of hotels. Cancelation charge for train tickets and other ground transport and related services if needed to be booked in advance. Hence the remaining amount will be refunded after deducting all above cancelation policies applied for different services.

40 Days before departure: The agency will refund the 50% of paid amount to his client deducting the registration fee (€ 40 per persons or equivalent in other currency), bank charges subject to the bank policies, when booking domestic flights, the Cancellation fee subject to airline policies at present or if the tickets are non- refundable in that case the full amount of the ticket will be retained. The hotels are reserved and must be paid in advance; the company will apply the cancellation policies of hotels. Cancelation charges of train tickets and other ground transport and related services if needed to be booked in advance. Hence the remaining amount will be refunded after deducting all above cancelation policies applied for different services.

(1-3) Less than 30 days before departure: The agency will be obliged to withhold the full amount of the deposit paid by the customer. In this case, the customer must inform their insurance as soon as possible and provide as much documentation to support the cancellation of trip. It is therefore strongly advised to take out cancellation insurance to cover such expenses.

For foreign nation participants additional charges will be add on to buy the foreign currency, (hence buying the currency charges has to be borne by clients) bank transfer (wire transfer) charges and other administrative paperwork to be completed which is quite long exhausted process, we request you to understand and co-operate with. We will do our best possible to deal such cases respecting the present circumstances.

Itinerary / hotels are sub. to change in case of strike, civil war threatens, you may be will lose expected places you have prepared for but will explore unexpected and for sure will not disappointed.

In case of Vehicle break down another mode of transport will be managed at the earliest possible, in that case you are requested to keep patience and co-operate with the situation, while travelling to rural and isolated area replacing vehicle can take time due to lack of communication or distance to pass the message with the other vehicle those who are driving toward the nearest town or the place from where one can have telephone facilities. Or from where one can be connected by Mobile phone. Also, you can be transferred by the other type of vehicle whatever is available at the moment as of local bus/ truck, camper etc. till you will be not having the proper mode of transport.

The Company cannot be made liable for the consequences of weather condition, flight cancellations, war or threat of civil war, strikes, industrial action, political unrest or any other force majeure, unusual or unforeseen circumstance. The company reserves the right to use alternate transport, or vary the itinerary if breakdown, sickness or any other force major. Any additional that result, such as extra hotel accommodation, flight or road transport will be on your charge and must be paid directly at the spot. 

Please understand, there are certain hazards involved in your adventurous and culture holidays which you must accept at your own risk. The company will not be liable for any illness major or minor injury, death sustained during the trip, you will be liable for any uninsured losses of your property and other losses during the trip.

It is strongly advised that clients take out insurance to cover the unexpected and cancellation charges: 

Accommodation is based on 3-star category in cities of Delhi- Leh or charming hotelsat Leh and Srinaggar. Neat and clean local standards of hotels, mobile camp, fixe camps, home stay or guest houses will be provided where choices are limited. 

When staying in home stay, one rooms may be shared by triple or quadruple or more depend on room size. Due to rural existence hygiene may be limited even in hotels, so need to adopt the exception. One may carry their fitted sheet.

Indian and partly Tibetan (Ladakhi) vegetarian and non - vegetarian meals is served, non veg. is subject to availability in rural. Indian recipes are bit on spicy side, Breakfast and dinner will be served at the hotel, Lunch in local restaurant or in hotel,

Back up vehicle will be deputed as per the group size to the number of persons in group. Type of vehicle before and after the riding days will be Toyota Innova / minibus, Scorpio, Zylo. For backup with mechanic and spare part will up Camper or tempo travelers (Minibus). Most vehicle’s used air-condition facility can be used by prior notice except camper / minibus. In hilly area air-condition is rarely required and cannot be regularly used due to uphill drive, so you have to co-operate with. For the autumns and spring season when temperature goes down, if you required heater except Tata sumo and camper, rest of those mentioned vehicle have the heating facilities and can be used only in extreme need and not while uphill drive.

Road: Road from Manali to the foot of Shingola pass is mostly tarred, beyond the pass certain sections are very narrow, narrow, dusty, gravel, and tarred ( in progress) around Padum. A small section after Padum goes through deep gorge following the Zanskar River, remain rough till join the main high way between Lehand Srinaggar. Once reached in Ladakh, most of the road is in very good condition.But the part of Zozila pass remain rough.  

In exceptional case when unusual rain knocks the door or high melting rates of glacier which can overflow the local rivulets and can cause the damage of road.

You can be blocked for hours, you may miss the places expected to visit or will visit the unexpected places, to regulate the situation the team at the spot will do the best possible at the moment. Road in India are being widen at so many states, So please don’t compare the driving time as estimated in developed nation.  

During the trip it’s possible that vehicle can get break down or road block can cause the delay, in that case guide on the spot will do the best possible to monitor the situation. In such circumstances patience and co-operation is required.

You will walk to the certain monasteries such as of Phuktal is one where you will walk the most for about 10kms both sides. Rest all are easily approachable except few of them by short walk which provides the opportunities to explore the villages and to have the interaction with locals and monks.

Preparation of relief of sun burn, Lip salve, Anti septic cream, Antihistamine cream (for relief of insect bites), Anti diarrhoea (flagyl or any other), Anti headache (aspirin, paracitamol, zimalgin), Anti vomiting (avomin), For stomach-ache (baralgan,trigan or other diagnose) Dettol, wash proof Dettol plaster, Bandage and cotton, Balm, Anti cramp spray, Pills to purify the water, Scissor and knife are must in the medical kit. According to your physical condition you are requested to consult your doctor to complete your medical kit.

Due to wide range of temperature and climatic conditions between summer and autumn, it is advisable to bring appropriate clothing. For protection against cold and freshness of morning and evening a layered clothing is better than a few thick ones, so choose your cloths accordingly. Cloths should be preferable be made from natural materials which allow the body to breath better. You will be offending people if you walk around in skimpy or tight-fitting clothes. Although there are normally opportunities to wear shorts, it is strictly forbidden to be with short in any religious places as monasteries and temples. We would advise women to wear shirts or loose trousers, men should not wear singlet.

While travelling during summer and autumns season, at higher altitude morning and evening are fresh (even cold while bad weather and during the autumn).

Apart from the bike accessory list you required casual (warm and light) clothing, example is as below:

1: Pull over, 

2: Water resistant jacket / Rain suit,

3: Fleece / under jacket type of Gore tax), 

4: Paint (pairs of jeans)

5: light clothing for lower altitude including short and long sleeves T-Shirts, 

6: Loose trousers, (wearing short is not allowed at holy spot)

7: 2 pair of good shoes and Flip-flop, 

8: few pairs of socks and casual gloves (light and waterproof) 

9: Sunglasses / Spare glasses or contact lenses, 

10: Toilet kit including a small sewing kit and Safety pins, 

11: Torch or flash light with spare batteries, 

12: Camera with spare cards and batteries, battery Charger and battery backup,

13: Day sac with water bottle, 

14: Personal medical kit as per your medical advisor. Anti-mosquitos spray for cities). 

15: Fanny pack to keep safely your important doc as passport, insurance paper, credit cards, money, 

16: Multifunctional knife and lighters, 

17: Dry fruits and walking stick (for the day 6th to walk till Phugtal monastery) if one wish to carry. 

18: Note book with wooden pencils/ pen, 

19, English –Hindi dictionary to learn the important words to greet and to communicate with locals and a note book can be useful to engrave your memory in it.

Many metropolitan cities is India are not that much conservative, but still in certain part of cities and in rural it is better to dress conservatively, One should not try to attract attention towards themselves due to their dressing style, while entering to religious site one should take off shoes, don’t dress short and half sleeves and are required to cover the head. Mobile is required to be in silent mode, hugging and kissing will shock the people hence restricted in public, to be honoured in any country being visited, respect always others. “Respect local people and their culture”

During this trip you will be visiting highly revered Buddhist monasteries /temples / Mosques where in morning and evening daily ritual is practiced. When you may participating such ritual you are requested to be silent, respect the rule and regulations.

Generally, vary to different season, Manali area and Kashmir face the monsoon rain during the months of July – Aug. it may appear earlier and can last till end of Sep.

When enter in Ladakh - Zanskar which remain almost rain free part of India due to its arid climate, how ever since few years Ladakh has noticed the rain due to climatic change.

Summer from Mai to August minimum can be recorded10 to 15°C and maximum can raise till is 30°C -35°C due to its high-altitude deserted terrain.

In Sep. Temperature descend few degrees compare to summer and occasionally in higher regions of Ladakh you can notice the fresh snow.

You will be guided by a professional English- Hindi speaking guide, Language guide can be provided by paying extra charges. Drivers and guide will be there to assist you at their best. They are chosen for their experience of mountains, knowledge of the outdoors, local culture

 Therefore, Pre-travel conditioning is required, as more you can be prepared the more you enjoy the trips. Minimum altitude where you spend the night is 3500, and maximum is 3900m. We strongly recommend you to consult your personal Doctor before booking this tour.

Road condition is mixture of easy, moderate and tough, certainly this trip is not recommended for the beginners, one has to be well determinate and prepared to accept the challenges such as cloud of dust, extreme cold in case of bad weather, crossing the chilled and dirt rivulets, narrow and cliffy section and certain long day ride.

Ladakh is a high-altitude desert area, there are lack of oxygen as compare to green regions of Indian Himalaya. You are requested to drink 3-4 liters of the liquid every day. Maintaining hydration is important to prevent the altitude sickness, therefore we advise you to drink regularly.

The Himalayas have a very fragile environment and it is our special concern and Endeavour to protect and preserve the existing ecology. We are also sensitive to local cultures and traditions and make special efforts to sensitize all our clients on this matter.

Your devices / network can work in Delhi / Chandigarh / Manali, Once entre in the rural of Zanskar and Ladakh any foreign network will work due to proximity of the border, However Wi-Fi connection can be found at certain places as of main city of Leh and Srinaggar which is very often quite slow. In case of any emergency you can use any of our team members mobile where network available.

you don’t need of an adapter in India, the sockets are the same as in Europe, voltage is 220V, and yes you can face power cut. You every places you can recharge your batteries. Your cigarette lighter can be equipped by charger, any how your back up vehicle can be useful to recharge your devices.

Most of international airlines allow 2o kg. Check in baggage and 7-8 kgs of hand bag.  As per your convenience you can take suite case or duffle bag ( duffle bag is recommended should be good quality) During the bike tour your  luggage will be transported  in back up  vehicle ,  while riding you just carry your day bag with all necessary items you should need for the day. Most important articles are waterbottle, sun cream, Camera and necessary medicine those required.

Change few (100 euro / usd) on arrival in Delhi (any international airport in India.  On the way in Manali- Leh and Srinaggar you can change and also can pay by credit card at certain places (restaurant- Shop. Certain hotel can change small amount aswell. Exchange rate if fluctuate vary from one month to other.

Indian ride left side, European are used of right side, Itcan be bit confusing in beginning but soon you will get use of it. Blowing horn is authorised and should not hesitate to blow. Remember that in India you will find cow, goat, dogs even human crossing or roaming in road, so be prudent. Riding in Indian road, rough terrain where altitude also play major role, is only recommended for the experienced riders.