Some of the best and scenic routes from across the country that you want to ride before you die
With COVID-19 guidelines easing out throughout the country, road trips are once again becoming a regular thing for most people. While the majority of people prefer to do this in cars, enthusiasts like me and you will agree there’s just something unbeaten about motorcycle road trips.
Searching for the next destination aboard your humble steed? Then, you should surely check out our list of top five motorcycle road trips in India.
Manali To Ladakh
Thanks to mesmerizing views and simply breathtaking roads
Ladakh is the one-stop dream road trip for motorcyclists and this is why thousands of bikers head to the city from all corners of the country.
The to-fro trip from Manali to Ladakh takes roughly two days, which includes all major tourist points such as Jispa, Sarchu, magnetic hill, Panglong lake, and the mighty Khardung La.
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In doing so, you ride through some truly amazing roads varying from flat, buttery smooth tarmac to extreme water crossings, and this is what makes this road trip simply epic.
Apart from the usual bits, you can also visit places like Hanle and spend the night camping under the majestic milky way.
Manali To Spiti Valley
While Ladakh roads are mainly all smooth now, Manali to Spiti is a more adventurous alternative
Thanks to a heavy in-flow of tourists, most roads till Ladakh have all become silky smooth stretches of tarmac which, though appreciable, have taken a bit of adventure out of the road trip.
This is where the Manali to Spiti Valley road trip comes in. You see, the stretch from Manali to Spiti comprises nearly 200km of unpaved rocky roads and over 20 water crossings. In fact, this stretch was once dubbed the most treacherous road in the world.
This route also includes the epic Chandartal lake and the Kunzum pass
Adventure aside, this stretch also includes a couple of mesmerizing spots such as the magnificent Chandratal Lake, one of the highest lakes in the world, and the Kunzum Pass, the highest peak in Spiti Valley.
One can even reach Spiti Valley from Narkanda and then tackle the Spiti-Manali stretch.
Chamba To Sach Pass
But for the true-blue adventure junkies, Chamba to Sach Pass is the real challenge
Didn’t find the Manali-Spiti stretch challenging enough? Then, a trip to the mighty Sach Pass should be next on your to-do list.
Sach Pass falls between two valleys – Chamba and Pangi – and is situated at an altitude of 4,420km. Just like the Manali-Spiti stretch, there are barely any roads here, meaning an adventure bike should be your go-to for attempting this.
With barely any roads, endless waterfalls, and snow walls for company, Sach pass is easily one of the most treacherous roads, and not just in India
But what makes this road trip truly exceptional are the super narrow, risky roads coupled with massive snow walls, endless waterfalls, and bone-chilling cold.
Speaking of cold, Sach Pass remains accessible only for a few months in the year, thanks to extremely cold temperatures and constant snowfall, so do plan your trip well in advance.
Mumbai To Goa
From no roads, we come to smooth winding roads on the Mumbai to Goa stretch, a very popular road trip for motorcyclists putting up in and around Maharashtra
While the aforementioned trips are more suitable for North Indians, Mumbai-Goa is one of the most popular road trips when you move little to the South.
This road trip is largely popular for its smooth, winging hilly roads and some epic viewpoints around the hills. Moreover, the route even takes you through beaches, bird sanctuaries, forts, and temples, all of which you can include in your road trip.
Not to mention, once you do reach the destination, you get to party hard and explore Goa itself.
Jaipur To Jaisalmer
Finally, we have the Jaipur to Jaisalmer road trip, boasting endless stretches of tarmac passing through the vast Thar desert
Last but surely not least is the road trip from Jaipur to Jaisalmer. Now, this road trip is a little different from all others as this doesn’t exactly comprise any hilly terrain. Instead, this one promises a completely unique experience.
The road trip from Jaipur to Jaisalmer comprises endless roads with hundreds of kilometers of straights passing right through the humongous Thar desert. In between, there are several stop-worthy places, like Pushkar and even Jodhpur (with a small detour).
Not to mention, you end up in the beautiful city of Jaisalmer where you can enjoy camel rides and camp under the stars
Once you reach Jaisalmer, you can then enjoy camping under the stars, take camel rides in the desert, and visit elegant forts in and around the city.
Which Is The Best Motorcycle For Road Trip In India?
First and the most popular road trip is Manali to Ladakh which is taken on by thousands of riders each year,
No matter how versatile, all motorcycles come with their set of pros and cons and this is why there’s no “best” motorcycle for road tripping. However, there are a few points you should surely consider before picking a companion, such as:
- Comfort
- Riding posture
- Performance
- Cruising capabilities
- Pillion comfort (if you’re taking one)
- Efficiency and range
For tips on how to plan a motorcycle road trip and how to pick your partner-in-crime, simply swipe up.
With these basic pointers checked out, then you can focus on other, more specific bits like the terrain you’ll be facing and your riding style.
If we were to recommend a do-it-all motorcycle, it’d probably be the KTM 390 Adventure, considering it makes more than enough power, has a comfortable riding posture, and performs well on smooth tarmac as well as tricky, off-road stretches.
Things To Keep In Mind Before A Motorcycle Road Trip
As easy as road-tripping sounds, there are several things you should keep in mind before heading out. Some of these are:
- Don’t carry too much luggage (re-use things wherever possible)
- Carry your own bottles (for fuel as well as water)
- Keep all documents handy
- Download offline maps (if you’re traveling to somewhere remote)
- Always keep something to eat and drink with you (in case you get stuck somewhere with no resources)
Keyword: Best Motorcycle Road Trips In India