Touring India- A Complete Guide to Ride a Bike

Touring India and choosing to ride a bike has a certain allure. The long, winding roads with lush, green fields and the Himalayas in the distance. The temples, the wildlife, the culture, the people. It’s all there, right on your doorstep. But most see touring India by bike as an extreme challenge. The images of chaotic roads where the rules are more like suggestions. Where massive semis blindly barreling around a curve, swerve to pass you on the right. Where the roads are utterly without markings. All while stray cattle wander aimlessly. And you thought Mumbai had bad traffic? After you ride a bike through India, you will agree that it isn’t that bad. It really isn’t that different from riding back home.

Of course, the right equipment, the right bike or e-bike, the right route and insurance will have you covered. This guide will assist you in your preparations.

What Documentation Is Required to Ride a Bike in India?

To ride a motorcycle in India you will require the following documents:

A valid passport and Indian visa.

Insurance: Travel and medical insurance that covers cycling, and offers coverage for altitude. Most general travel insurance exclude coverage for adventure sports and activities beyond 3,000 - 4,000 meters.

A copy of the permits issued by the Indian authorities for restricted areas. For more information, see the Protected Area Permit section.

It is always recommended to have printed copies of your insurance, emergency contact information and other important documents as there may be no network/ signal in some locations.

What Insurance Is Needed for Riding a Bike in India?

You will not need a third party insurance for a bicycle or e-cycle. However, you will need the following:

Cycling activity will be covered under travel insurance. General travel insurance have exclusions and/or coverage limits for cycling activities and/or touring.

Coverage for altitude: If your itinerary is at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters. Most general travel insurance will not cover air ambulance in such cases.

Some travel insurance policies will cover your bicycle or e-cycle if you transport them to the loss or damage location.

Insurance is available for purchase prior to landing. Insurance sold at the airport will not cover motorcycling mishaps or altitude sickness, and will not cover incidents that happen prior to the policy’s effective date.

What Is It Like for Foreigners to Ride a Bike in India?

It is important to understand Indian traffic culture. Unlike the U.S., larger vehicles will take precedence over smaller vehicles. A beep from a horn will notify a smaller vehicle that a larger vehicle is in front of it. Traffic will seem chaotic at first but it is actually completely organized. It is best to give yourself 3 to 4 days to fully understand how to navigate traffic as a right hand drive vehicle driver. You will also have to become accustomed to driving on the left side of the road. Pedestrians and other road users will not give you right of way, and will attempt to merge in front of you. You must always be on guard and anticipate that all other road users will completely disregard your presence. 

What Is the Condition of Roads in India?

Riders can be caught off guard by the condition of roads in new, and sometimes even developing, countries. Those riding out of Manali, a town in India famous for its access to mountain roads, can find themselves on smooth, new roads and then, in a matter of hours, be riding on a road that contains numerous landslide scars and no recognizable pavement. The roads in India can be particularly challenging as they can take riders a long time to traverse due to numerous changes in elevation and shifts from pavement to unimproved road surfaces.

What Is Altitude Sickness?

Many riders fail to consider the impacts of altitude until they experience it first hand. Of all the various forms of travel, those that require the greatest physical effort, such as cycling, can accelerate the onset of altitude sickness. Riding, or walking, at high altitudes can quickly lead to the development of a severe headache, as well as other symptoms of AMS, such as nausea and/or vomiting and shortness of breath. Many riders believe that they are simply "acclimatizing" to the high altitude, when in actuality they are pushing their bodies beyond the point of AMS and risking the development of High Altitude Cerebral Edema and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema, potentially life threatening conditions.

Do Foreign Tourists Riding a Bike Through India Need a Protected Area Permit?

A Protected Area Permit (PAP) is a separate permit from the one for your bike. PAPs are issued to people based on the zones they wish to visit, and not to individuals. As a result, only travel agents are authorized to apply for PAPs, and foreigners are not allowed to apply for them. Additionally, travel agents are not allowed to apply for PAPs for zones that have a group size of less than six people. Thus, if you wish to visit Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, or the Khardung La corridor, you will not be able to do so if you are travelling solo or as a small group. The costs associated with PAPs are set by the district administration, and therefore are subject to change. You are advised to check the latest information prior to your planned trip.

What Insurance Do You Need?

Two types of cover matter:

1. Motorcycle insurance. Third-party insurance is mandatory for every motorcycle in India. Rental and tour bikes should already have it, so ask to see the document.
2. Travel and medical insurance. Check that your policy covers riding a motorcycle and riding at altitude, often above 3,000–4,000 m. Many standard policies exclude both, and most won't pay if you ride without a valid licence and IDP. Buy it before you leave home.

What Is Traffic Like?

India drives on the left. Traffic follows a size hierarchy: trucks and buses take priority, and a horn means "I'm here" or "I'm passing." Expect cows, dogs and pedestrians on the road, and vehicles merging without warning. Ride defensively, avoid riding after dark, and give yourself 2–3 days in easier conditions before tackling long distances.

Road surfaces change fast. In the Himalayas you can go from smooth tarmac to landslide debris, gravel and water crossings within an hour.

Choosing Your Motorcycle

The Royal Enfield is the classic choice for touring India. Parts and mechanics are available almost everywhere.

Motorcycle	Best for	Approx. rental (per day)
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450	Ladakh, Spiti, rough roads	₹2,000–3,000
Royal Enfield Classic 350	Rajasthan, South India, mixed roads	₹1,200–1,800
Royal Enfield Bullet 350	Classic highway touring	₹1,000–1,500

Rates vary by season and location, so check before booking.

Shipping your own motorcycle to India is expensive and involves customs paperwork, so most foreign riders rent locally or join a guided tour.

Altitude Sickness: Take It Seriously

Symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) can start above 3,000 m. They include headache, nausea, dizziness and shortness of breath. If you ignore them, AMS can progress to HAPE or HACE, which are life-threatening.

• Spend at least 2 full days in Leh (about 3,500 m) before riding higher.
• Gain altitude gradually, drink plenty of water, and avoid alcohol.
• If symptoms get worse, descend immediately.

Riding in the Himalayas

Season: roughly June to mid-October. Passes close with snow outside this window, and opening dates vary each year.

Top routes:

• Manali–Leh Highway (about 430 km): crosses Baralacha La, Nakee La, Lachulung La and Tanglang La. The Atal Tunnel now bypasses Rohtang Pass. There's no fuel for about 365 km between Tandi and Karu, so carry extra fuel.
• Srinagar–Leh Highway: crosses Zoji La and Fotu La via Kargil. It's a gentler climb, which makes it better for acclimatisation.
• Leh–Khardung La–Nubra Valley: Khardung La sits at about 5,359 m, though the signboard claims more. It's one of the highest motorable passes, but no longer the highest. That title belongs to Umling La in eastern Ladakh, where foreign access is restricted.
• Pangong Tso: a high-altitude lake on the Indo-China border, reached via Chang La.
• Spiti Valley: remote and dramatic, via Kunzum La. Foreigners need a permit for the Kinnaur–Spiti border stretch.

Plan for 12–18 days for a full Ladakh circuit. See our Leh Ladakh Motorcycle Trip and Motorcycle Trip in Himalaya.

Protected Area Permits (PAP)

The Manali–Leh and Srinagar–Leh highways need no permit. Foreigners do need a Protected Area Permit for areas including Nubra Valley, Turtuk, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri. It is arranged through a registered travel agent in Leh, and fees are set by the local administration. Permit rules, including group-size requirements, change from time to time, so confirm the current rules before you travel. On guided tours we handle this for you.

Riding in Rajasthan

Rajasthan is the ideal first motorcycle tour in India. It has mostly good roads, flat or rolling terrain, and no permits.

• Season: October to March. Summer temperatures often pass 45°C.
• Classic route: Delhi – Jaipur – Pushkar – Jodhpur – Jaisalmer – Udaipur. This can be combined with the Golden Triangle (Delhi–Agra–Jaipur).
• Duration: 10–14 days.
• Tip: ride early mornings, and go slowly in old-city lanes like those around Jodhpur's Clock Tower.

Explore our Rajasthan Motorcycle Tours

Riding in South India

South India offers green hills, winding roads and tea and coffee estates, with no special permits needed.

• Season: November to February, avoiding the monsoon from June to September.
• Highlights: Coorg's coffee country (Karnataka), Wayanad and Munnar (Kerala), and the 36 hairpin bends on the road up to Ooty (Tamil Nadu).
• Duration: 10–14 days.

See all our Motorcycle Tours in India.

Self-Ride or Guided Tour?

Self-ride suits experienced riders on easier routes like Rajasthan or South India. Guided tours are strongly recommended for Ladakh and Spiti, where a backup vehicle, mechanic, permits and acclimatisation planning make a real difference to safety.

Whichever operator you choose, check their reviews, bike condition and insurance before paying a deposit.

What Is It Like to Ride a Bike in the Himalayas?

Riding in the Himalayas is not easy. This is a physically challenging tour, and the routes are unpaved, at high elevations, and long. The tour is limited to cyclists with some experience. July and August are the best months to ride a bike in the Himalayas. During the off season, roads that lead to high elevation passes are closed, even if it’s within the tour window.

Are There Any Restricted Areas Along the Himalayas?

Permits are required to visit Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso Lake, and Khardung La and Turtuk. Permits for the Manali and Srinagar Leh Highways are not required. Restricted areas that branch off these Highways require permits.

How Should You Prepare for High Altitude?

Symptoms of altitude sickness can start at 3,000 meters, and cycling can accelerate this effect. For our tours to Ladakh, we ensure that all our clients spend a minimum of two days in Leh, which is at about 3,500 meters, to acclimatize prior to cycling at these altitudes. In the itinerary, we have planned for altitude sickness by ensuring that the days are shorter and easier as we ride to even higher altitudes. Taking shortcuts to acclimatize to altitude can lead to very unpleasant situations while attempting to ride over Khardung La.

What Are the Best Himalayan Routes for Riding a Bike?

The Manali-Leh route is by far the most popular high altitude cycling route in India as it involves crossing five high altitude peaks including the mighty Sach Pass. From Srinagar you can take the scenic route to Leh which is less demanding. The Khardung La-Nubra route involves crossing the world’s highest motorable pass and offers views of the cold desert of Nubra as well as challenging cycling conditions. Along the way you can visit the Pangong Tso lake which lies at a high altitude and is part of a protected area. Expect an extremely challenging but scenic ride. The Spiti valley offers similar conditions and scenery to Ladakh but is even more remote. You can see Khardung La from the Spiti side as well. At 5,300m/ 17,388ft it is one of the highest motorable passes in the world. Be sure to check the elevation against the notice board as signage changes. Plan on 18-25 days to complete the full Ladakh cycle tour. For more information and guided support for this ride visit our Ladakh Motorbike Expeditions.

What Is It Like to Ride a Bike in Rajasthan?

Rajasthan is the flatter, hotter opposite of the Himalayas. The roads out there are fully paved and the land is flat or rolling. First time international riders should feel free to take their bikes or electric cycles out here. October to March is the time to ride because it gets way too hot and way too dangerous due to dehydration the other months and electric cycles wouldn't help much in that situation since temperatures can hit 100°F (38°C) and more. Unlike riding in Ladakh, there are no permissions needed to ride out there.

What Do You Need to Know to Ride a Bike in Rajasthan?

Riding in Rajasthan isn't as bad as riding in the Altitude sickness regions of Leh ladakh Motorbike Trip. The main issue is the heat. You should try and plan your rides to avoid the heat as much as possible. The main bike tours in Rajasthan are flat and a city or e-cycle would work best.

What Are the Best Rajasthan Bike Routes?

The main route is the Circuit that goes through Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer. This circuit is also combined with the Golden Triangle which connects Delhi and other near by cities. Many riders fly into Delhi and then start their tours. Many of the roads on the Circuit have facilities like food and water. Old Jodhpur's traffic to reach the clock tower can be a pain and can be best ridden slow. You should plan for at least 10 days to ride the Circuit and other surrounding regions. You can also check out our Rajasthan tour packages for a guided tour.

Where Can You Ride a Bike in South India?

There are many winding roads in South India. The mountains in South India do not compare to the Himalayas. However, there is still a lot of climbing and winding roads which make it great for bike riding. November to February is a good time to go because you avoid riding in the Himalayas (which is more popular among tourists). Also, riding in South India during this time means you avoid the monsoon season which is from June to September.

Are There Different Permits for South India?

There are less permits for South India compared to the Himalayas. The roads in South India are much better than the roads in Rajasthan and the rest of North India. Greenhouse and Farm plantations cover a good portion of South India making some roads rather steep. An e-bike can help with those climbs. A fully geared touring bike can also help with the steep climbs and make your trip more enjoyable.

What Are the Best Route Options for Motorcycle Touring in South India?

There are plenty of awesome routes to take your bike on through South India. One of the most well-known routes is through the coffee plantation and forested areas of Karnataka and Kerala. The roads in Karnataka have lots of elevation changes and windy roads, while the roads in Kerala are generally flatter. The roads in Tamil Nadu and Kerala have many hairpin turns. Many of the road that lead to the plantation estates in South India offer great places to stay, and are good stops along a tour. A good tour of the areas we cover would take about 8-11 days.

Is a Special Permit or License Needed to Tour India on a Bike?

No special permits are needed. Like in many other countries, the main form of ID that is accepted while touring is your passport. However, if your tour takes you through areas that are restricted, you will need permits to enter.

Is It Dangerous for a First Time Tourer to Tour India?

It can be, especially if you want to tour the higher Himalayan areas. Areas like Rajasthan and other southern areas of India are a lot flatter and would be better for a first time tour.

Is Riding a Bike in India Different From Elsewhere?

Yes. In India, you do not have to show a driver’s license to rent a bicycle, and as a result, no documents are required. The only thing a rental store will ask for is an ID and a security deposit.

When Is the Ideal Time to Visit the Himalayas?

The best time to visit the Himalayas is from June to September. During these months, the passes in the Himalayas are open, including Khardung La Pass. Outside of these months, the passes are closed due to snow.

Do I Need Permits to Ride to Ladakh?

Yes, permits are needed to visit Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso Lake, and Khardung La. They are part of the restricted area permits of Ladakh. The permits do not cover the Leh-Manali and Leh-Srinagar routes.

Concluding Thoughts

When deciding on your experience level for your tour, the Himalayas would be a more advanced tour, whereas Rajasthan or the South Tour of India would be more appropriate for your first tour. If you are going to Rajasthan, check out the Two Best Cities in Rajasthan for more information. Many of our tours can be self-guided, however, if you would feel more comfortable having us set up your first tour of India with a support vehicle and mechanic, please contact us.