5 Best Motorcycle Touring Destinations for International Riders in 2026

After guiding over 2,000 riders from 47 countries through some of the world's most epic motorcycle routes, we've learned what makes a destination truly unforgettable. It's not just about jaw-dropping scenery (though that helps). It's about the perfect combination of rideable roads, cultural immersion, safety, accessibility, and value for money.

Whether you're planning your first international motorcycle adventure or you are a seasoned rider looking for your next fix, these five destinations consistently top our list- and our riders' feedback, as the absolute best places to throw a leg over a bike in 2026.

What Makes a Great Motorcycle Touring Destination?

Before we dive into our top 5, let's talk about what separates a good motorcycle destination from a truly great one.

The Perfect Motorcycle Touring Destination Has:

✅ Epic Roads - Twisty mountain passes, coastal highways, dramatic landscapes

✅ Rideable Conditions - Well-maintained roads (or manageable rough patches)

✅ Cultural Richness - More than just riding; immersion in local life

✅ Safety - Reasonable risk levels with support infrastructure

✅ Accessibility - Easy to get to, rent bikes, join tours

✅ Value - Great experience for reasonable cost

✅ Variety - Multiple route options, diverse terrain

✅ Rider-Friendly - Accommodations, food, mechanics available

With that in mind, here are our top 5 picks for 2026...

1. INDIA - The Himalayas & Rajasthan

The World's Most Dramatic Motorcycle Destination

Best Routes:

• Leh Ladakh Circuit - World's highest motorable roads (17,982 ft)
• Rajasthan Heritage Loop - Palaces, forts, desert highways
• Spiti Valley - Moon-like landscapes, ancient monasteries
• South India Spice Trail - Tropical coastal riding

Why India Tops Our List:

India isn't just A great motorcycle destination- it's THE ultimate motorcycle destination for international riders. Here's why we're completely biased (and totally justified):

1. Unmatched Altitude: Ride higher than anywhere else on Earth. Khardung La Pass at 17,982 feet makes every other "high-altitude" road look like a speed bump. Colorado's highest pass? 14,130 feet. The Alps? Cute, but try 8,000 feet lower than Ladakh.

2. Incredible Value: A 19-day all-inclusive Leh Ladakh tour costs $3,050 USD. Similar tours in Patagonia? $5,800+. Mongolia? $6,500+. You're getting MORE for LESS, and that's before we talk about the cultural richness India adds on top.

3. Cultural Depth: Ride past 2,000-year-old Buddhist monasteries, stay in maharaja palaces, witness sunrise at the Taj Mahal, explore ancient forts, share tea with Ladakhi families. India has 5,000 years of living history- everywhere you stop has a story.

4. Terrain Variety: In a single 3-week tour, you can ride through:

• Snow-capped Himalayan passes
• High-altitude deserts
• Tropical rainforests
• Golden sand dunes
• Coastal highways
• Ancient forest roads

No other country offers this diversity in one trip.

5. Legendary Bike: Royal Enfield: The iconic "thump" of a Royal Enfield is the PERFECT soundtrack for India. These bikes were built for these roads, every mechanic in India can fix them, they handle the terrain beautifully, and they're just plain cool.

What You Need to Know:

Best Time to Ride:

• Himalayas (Ladakh, Spiti): June-September (passes open)
• Rajasthan, South India: October-March (avoid summer heat)

Difficulty Level:

• Beginner-Friendly: Rajasthan tours (paved roads, moderate altitude)
• Intermediate: Spiti Valley, Himachal routes
• Advanced: Leh Ladakh (high altitude, off-road sections)

How to Get There:

• Flights: New York/LA/London → Delhi (14-17 hours)
• Visa: Simple e-Visa online ($25-80 USD depending on nationality)
• Bike Rental: Widely available (Royal Enfield, Triumph, KTM)
• Guided Tours: Highly recommended for first-timers (support vehicles, mechanics, local knowledge)

View India Motorcycle Tours

Average Cost (All-Inclusive):

• 10-day tour: $1,320-1,800 USD
• 14-day tour: $2,160-2,800 USD
• 19-day tour: $3,050-3,800 USD

Includes: Bike rental, fuel, accommodation, meals, guide, mechanic, support vehicle, permits, insurance.

What Riders Say:

"I've ridden through South America, Africa, and all over the USA, but the Leh Ladakh tour with Brahmand was the most incredible. The Himalayas make the Rockies look like foothills. If you're on the fence about riding in India, stop hesitating and book this." - Mike Johnson, Denver, Colorado

Pro Tips:

• Arrive 1-2 days early to adjust to jet lag (12.5 hour time difference from US East Coast)
• Get International Driving Permit before you go (required)
• Take altitude medication (Diamox) for high-altitude tours
• Don't skip travel insurance- comprehensive coverage is essential

Why Choose India Over Others: If you only do ONE international motorcycle tour in your lifetime, make it India. The combination of world-class riding, deep culture, incredible value, and professional support infrastructure makes it unbeatable.

Related Article: Complete India Motorbike Trip Guide

2. PATAGONIA - Argentina & Chile

The End of the World on Two Wheels

![Motorcycle touring through Patagonia Argentina Chile]

Best Routes:

• Ruta 40 - Epic 3,000-mile highway through Argentina
• Carretera Austral - Chile's remote southern highway
• Tierra del Fuego - Ride to the end of the world
• Torres del Paine Circuit - Glacier-lined mountain roads

Why Patagonia is Epic:

Patagonia is raw, windswept, and hauntingly beautiful. If you want to feel small against massive glaciers, turquoise lakes, and jagged peaks, this is your destination.

What Makes It Special:

• Remoteness - Hundreds of miles between towns creates true adventure
• Glaciers - Ride alongside massive ice fields (Perito Moreno, Grey Glacier)
• Wildlife - Guanacos, condors, penguins along the route
• Roads - Mix of paved highways and challenging gravel
• Empty - You'll have entire stretches of road to yourself

Best Time to Ride:

• November-March (Southern Hemisphere summer)
• Avoid June-August (winter = road closures)

Difficulty Level:

• Intermediate to Advanced
• Long distances between services
• Variable weather (four seasons in one day)
• Gravel roads require off-road experience

How to Get There:

• Flights: USA → Buenos Aires (11 hours) or Santiago, Chile (10-12 hours)
• Bike Rental: Available in Buenos Aires, Santiago, Bariloche
• Guided Tours: Recommended for first-timers (logistics are complex)

Average Cost (All-Inclusive):

• 14-day tour: $4,500-5,800 USD
• 21-day tour: $6,500-8,200 USD

Challenge:

• MORE expensive than India (accommodation, food costs higher)
• Longer distances - 300-400 km riding days are common
• Weather - Patagonian wind is legendary (and exhausting)

Patagonia vs India:

• Patagonia wins: Remoteness, glacier scenery, "end of the world" vibe
• India wins: Value (cheaper), cultural depth, higher altitudes, better food

Our Take: Patagonia is incredible, but it's TOUGH riding and expensive. If you have the budget and riding experience, it's a must-do. But for first international tours or value-seekers, India offers more bang for your buck.

3. SCOTLAND - United Kingdom

Epic Riding Right on Your Doorstep (for Europeans)

![Motorcycle touring through Scottish Highlands]

Best Routes:

• North Coast 500 - Scotland's answer to Route 66
• Isle of Skye - Dramatic coastal roads, fairy pools
• Cairngorms National Park - Highland mountain passes
• West Coast Loop - Glencoe, Fort William, Oban

Why Scotland is Brilliant:

If you're based in Europe (especially UK), Scotland offers world-class motorcycle touring without the hassle of international flights, visas, or language barriers.

What Makes It Special:

• Accessibility - Easy to reach from UK/Europe
• Variety - Mountains, lochs, coastline, castles, whisky distilleries
• Roads - Twisty A-roads and B-roads are motorcycling perfection
• Culture - Highland hospitality, historic sites, vibrant towns
• Weather - Unpredictable (pack rain gear!)

Best Time to Ride:

• May-September (warmest, longest days)
• Avoid November-February (cold, short days)

Difficulty Level:

• Beginner to Intermediate
• Well-maintained roads
• Moderate traffic (except Edinburgh/Glasgow)
• Rain is common—be prepared

How to Get There:

• From UK: Ride your own bike (6-10 hours from London)
• From Europe: Ferry or Channel Tunnel
• From USA/Australia: Fly to Edinburgh or Glasgow, rent a bike

Average Cost:

• Bike rental: £80-150/day ($100-190 USD)
• Self-guided: £800-1,500 for 7 days (accommodation, food, fuel)
• Guided tour: £1,200-2,200 for 7 days all-inclusive

Scotland vs India:

• Scotland wins: Easier logistics (for Europeans), English-speaking, no visa hassles
• India wins: Altitude, cultural depth, value, year-round riding

Our Take: Scotland is perfect for Europeans or riders wanting a "warm-up" international tour before tackling Asia or South America. It's safe, accessible, and beautiful—but lacks the altitude and cultural intensity of India.

4. NEW ZEALAND - North & South Islands

Middle-Earth Motorcycle Paradise

![Motorcycle touring through New Zealand]

Best Routes:

• South Island Circuit - Alps, glaciers, fjords
• Milford Road - One of world's most scenic highways
• North Island Volcanic Loop - Geothermal wonders, forests
• West Coast Highway - Rugged coastline, rainforests

Why New Zealand is Magical:

New Zealand is compact, stunningly beautiful, incredibly well-organized, and rider-friendly. It's the perfect destination if you want world-class scenery with First World infrastructure.

What Makes It Special:

• Scenery Density - Epic views every 10 km (beaches, mountains, glaciers, forests)
• Roads - Immaculate tarmac, perfectly engineered curves
• Safety - Low crime, excellent medical facilities
• English-Speaking - Easy communication, clear road signs
• Compact - See entire country in 2-3 weeks

Best Time to Ride:

• November-March (Southern Hemisphere summer)
• December-February = peak season (book ahead)

Difficulty Level:

• Beginner to Intermediate
• Excellent roads
• Well-signed routes
• Rental bikes widely available

How to Get There:

• Flights:
  • USA → Auckland (12-14 hours)
  • Australia → Auckland (3 hours)
  • UK → Auckland (24+ hours via Asia)
• Bike Rental: Widely available (BMW, Triumph, Harley, Honda)

Average Cost:

• Bike rental: NZ$150-250/day ($90-150 USD)
• Self-guided: NZ$3,000-5,000 for 14 days
• Guided tour: NZ$5,500-7,500 for 14 days

Challenge:

• EXPENSIVE - Accommodation, food, rental bikes all pricey
• Far away - Long flights from everywhere except Australia
• Crowded - Popular routes can be touristy (especially Milford Road)

New Zealand vs India:

• NZ wins: Safety, infrastructure, road quality, English-speaking
• India wins: Value (WAY cheaper), cultural depth, higher altitudes, better food

Our Take: New Zealand is stunning but expensive. Great for riders who prioritize safety and infrastructure over adventure and value. If budget isn't a concern, it's unforgettable.