On your own motorcycle to Nepal

PARTICULARS

Motorcycle
You make this trip on your own motorcycle. It goes without saying that it must be well prepared. We mainly drive on asphalt roads. However, the quality of these roads can be (partly) quite poor due to weather conditions. This makes this trip suitable for many types of motorcycles. But given the varying quality of roads and quality of the asphalt and the unavoidable unpaved sections, we do not recommend choosing a motorcycle with a small ground clearance. Furthermore, the bike must of course be equipped with a set of new tires. It is necessary to equip the motorcycle with all-road tires. In addition to a major service beforehand, it is important that you leave with -almost- new tires. Because everyone rides a different type of motorcycle, you will have to bring your own spare parts. These are transported by the support car.

Support car
During the entire trip, a support car from the Netherlands will travel with you. This support car is driven by a Dutch driver. The support car transports your luggage and spare parts. There is also room in the support car to temporarily take a broken-down motorcycle with you. The support car is a transport bus in which a motorcycle can also be placed in an emergency. The bus always runs the same route and after arrival in Nepal returns to the Netherlands via the short route.

Mechanic
There is no real mechanic present on the trip. The support car driver does have technical knowledge and can solve minor engine problems.

Tour guide
This trip will be guided by a tour guide from Motor Trails. He rides along on his own motorcycle.

Local guide
In countries where this is mandatory, we will use a local guide. This travels with the support car. This will be the case in Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Clothing
Mandatories are a helmet, motorcycle jacket with protection, gloves, good sturdy (motorcycle) pants with protection or with loose knee protection, and sturdy high (mountain) shoes. It can get very hot in the lower parts of the trip, especially in spring and autumn. A summer motorcycle jacket with protection is therefore recommended. In colder parts of the mountains, you can then wear extra clothing under your jacket if necessary. Furthermore, a good pair of sunglasses is useful, and a helmet with a visor that protects against dust.

Visa
A visa requirement applies to several countries. Visa fees and visa application fees are not included in the travel price. For the visas that need to be applied for in advance, we can take care of the processing. We charge 45,- per visa, per passport. Below is a list of countries and required visas.

• Europe - N/A
• Turkey - at border - free
• Georgia - at the border - free
• Armenia - at the border – free
• Iran - in advance via Embassy. For Iran, an invitation letter is needed to apply for a visa. This invitation letter includes the travel sum.
• Turkmenistan - at the border based on an invitation letter, we will arrange this letter, and it includes the travel sum
• Uzbekistan - at the border - free
• Tajikistan - online in advance, but this is often not possible. That's why we sent them to the Embassy in Brussels
• Afghanistan - in advance via the Embassy in The Hague based on the invitation letter. We arrange the letter, and it includes the travel sum.
• Pakistan - in advance via the Embassy in The Hague based on the invitation letter. We arrange the letter, and it includes the travel sum.
• India - Advanced online application
• Nepal - at the border - paid

International Driver's Permit and Carnet
For most countries, you need an International Driver's Permit. You can buy this at an ANWB store.

Carnet de passage:
A Carnet de passage is necessary for a few countries on the route. These are Iran, Pakistan, India, and Nepal. This means that you must request it in advance. You can do this via the German Adac. You then pay two amounts. Once the application fee and once a deposit. The deposit will be refunded to you when your motorcycle is back in the Netherlands.

More information about the Carnet can be found here:

https://www.adac.de/reise-freizeit/reiseplanung/fahrzeug-weltreise/carnet-de-passages-english/

Overnight stays
During this trip, we usually spend the night in smaller hotels, with rooms with private bathrooms. We use double rooms unless you have booked a single room.

Motorcycle transport
The trip ends in Kathmandu, Nepal. Nepal does not have a sea so shipping the engine from this country is difficult. The best option to transport the bike back is by air freight. We can arrange this for you. We did not include this in the tour price.

The cost of air freight depends on the weight of your motorcycle. But on average you must take into account 1,500 for a regular motorcycle. These costs include crating, customs clearance, and all paperwork in Nepal. Any handling costs at Schiphol are not included.
 

More details about the trip and what to bring with you can be found in the travel handbook that you will receive about a month before departure.