Date and riding regions:
- 1 - 2 May 2019: Imphal - Arrival, briefing, preparations, and flag off
- 2 - 7 May 2019: Myanmar - Bagan, Inle Lake, and Kengtung
- 7 - 9 May 2019: Thailand and Laos - Transit to Boten Border
- 9 - 26 May 2019: China - Kunming, Cheng-du, Plateau, Jiauguyan, and Kashgar
- 27 May - 3 June 2019: Central Asia - Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan
- 4 - 10 June 2019: Russia - Samara, Penza, and Moscow
- 11 - 19 June 2019: Europe - Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium
- 20 June 2019: London - Cross English Channel by ferry
Itinerary
Day 1: The takeoff - Arrival in Imphal, India
Today is the big day when you all would arrive in Imphal, the graceful capital of Manipur - with a dream in your heart that would unfold in most diverse geographies of the world over next 50 days. It would be a day of meeting your ride mates on this world trip, some detailed paperwork, final checks, and a ride briefing - followed by a welcome cocktail and dinner. From this day, you have to open your mind and heart and become a true traveler, a learner, and embrace the journey as it comes.
Please note that the nearest international airports are either in Delhi - Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) or in Mumbai - Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM). An internal flight is required to reach Imphal Airport (IMF). If you arrive in Delhi or in Mumbai, Viktorianz Bespoke Adventure Travels can book your flight to Imphal and transfer to your hotel in Imphal for 300 USD per person.
Day 2 - 7: Myanmar
Crossing your first border at Moreh - Tamu, you enter enigmatic Myanmar.
Now is the time to visit and see this extraordinary land, scattered with gilded pagodas and virgin lakes, where the traditional old ways of Asian culture endure the dawn of modernization. It is a land in transition that was thus far off-limits to the world and has recently opened its doors to the discerning traveler. You would first hand see how this time-warped country is a world apart from the rest of Asia and the world.
The top thing that you would notice as you drive to the right of the road in Northern Myanmar is the simplicity and the daily lives of locals. The people of Myanmar are distinctly gentle, humorous, engaging, considerate, and inquisitive. Two top spots to visit Viktorianz Bespoke Adventure Travels has chosen for you are the first Burmese Kingdom of Bagan and the awe-inspiring Inle Lake. Top two things to do for anyone coming to Myanmar.
Bagan Plains is the site of first Burmese kingdom of the 11th century, and a sea of over 3000 Pagodas, most famed to be seen from the sunset viewpoint. A view that would stay with you forever.
Inle Lake is the ink blue water body, and a home to an intrinsic culture, foot-pedaling fishermen, floating homes, canal highways, shore markets, Lotus products, and lake gardens.
Day 7 - 9: Thailand - Laos
You cross over from Eastern Myanmar to the Mekong served Golden Triangle of North Thailand and onto Laos People’s Democratic Republic.
In a day that you spend in Chiangrai, you would notice the distinct modernization of Thailand and the prime place it occupies in the ASEAN region. A nation that avoided being a victim of colonization - has retained its distinct Thai culture like no one else. A visit to the White Temple - Wat Rong Khun would make you wonder at the intricate fusion to modern art with traditional culture.
Once in Laos across the mighty Mekong River, you enter the world’s most relaxed population on earth, living unbelievably simple lives in their kaleidoscopic villages dotted among pristine jungles. You continue to drive on the right of the road, along with fine roads - and you do meet trucks from China bringing in goods and supplies to be sold in ASEAN markets. Luang Namtha is a fine place to spend a night and witness the warmth, simplicity, and love of nature.
Day 9 - 26: China
On this gigantic trip, China gets a lion’s share of your attention - you spend 18 days out of 50 traversing the 6000 kilometers / 3728 miles of most diverse off-the-scale massive landscapes. After-all, it is the oldest continuous civilization of the world.
With three decades of full throttle development, China of today is in a different league and it's all there for you to discover as you ride through.
Its antique yet up-to-minute, outwardly urban but quintessentially rural, conservative yet path-breaking, space-age but old-fashioned - you will find China a land of mesmerizing contradictions. The head-spinning infrastructure is easily contradicted by the number of police posts that would test your patience and slow you down as you ride various provinces of China.
You would have some of the finest experiences in China - Giant Leshan Buddha - whose ears itself measure seven meters long, the Giant Panda in Chengdu - which is already an extinct species in wild, the multicolored mountains Gansu - like nowhere else, a chunk of the Great Wall of China and some amazing grottoes at Jiauguyan - before you reach the colorful melting pot of cultures at Kashghar. Driving in from the Tibetan Plateau - a rooftop of the world to the areas below the sea level, from cold snowcapped Himalayas to the hot windy Gobi Desert, the landscapes never stop to spice up your ride.
One thing that would need a whale’s patience on the part of riders is the unending police checks and a constant struggle to find fuel as you go north in China. Well, you are on the famed silk route, that once famous explorers Huen Tsang or Marco Polo would have traveled.
Day 27- 34: Stans of Central Asia
As you move west on Silk Route and exit the police controlled China, the change is more than evident. The ride enters the warm, welcoming and eminently hospitable Stans of Central Asia - Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan.
From Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, to Timurlane, you are now in Asia’s page-turning historical landscapes. With its medieval blue domes cities, busy bazaars, and ever helping people, Central Asia encapsulates the romance where once the silk route trade flourished.
For decades or even centuries, since the silk route trading stopped, much of the world knew little about this heartland of Asia - it drew a blank on the map, an off-limits no-go area in a middle of nowhere place. This precisely fits into the exploration that this road trip is meant to bring to you - the roads less traveled.
You enter Stans at Kyrgyzstan, the gateway to Central Asia and make your way up the Irkeshtam Pass. It is a country less in cities and more in the joyously unspoiled mountain-scapes and rolling summer pastures filled with nomads, sheep, horses, and ponies.
Uzbekistan, next on the road to London, is the region’s cradle of culture for over 2000 years. Its spellbinding architecture and the fascinating history of the silk route makes it Central Asia’s biggest draw and the most impressive show-stoppers are the cities of Tashkent and Samarkand.
Kazakhstan is the world’s ninth biggest country and its abundant oil and mineral reserves make it the economically most advanced of all the stans. The ride takes you through to the endless Western steppes’ grasslands, camels, and horses in the wild, and not to forget the eclectic Turkistan, the Timurid architecture of country’s holiest site.
As you go drive north and west, the time zones keep changing and it is interesting to keep a tag of it.
Day 35 - 41: Russia
For centuries, the world has wondered about Russia. A land of unbelievable riches and indescribable poverty, cruel tyrants and great intellectual minds, beautiful ballads and, industrial monstrosities, Russia remains the mystic land of contrasts.
As you drive along the very interesting southern cities of Orenberg, Samara, and Penza - you cannot miss the renewed energies that have been infused since the fall of the Soviet Union. Once at Moscow, well you are definitely over-awed by this iconic megacity, with understated elegance. After the ASEAN, China, Stans this would be a welcome revert back to modern life - a beginning of the first world landscape.
Moscow also allows you an opportunity to service your bike and car if required. You exit Russia at Latvia border, yet another new chapter awaits to unfold.
Day 42- 49: Europe
The pace of the drive will now pick as the world-class modern roads beckon you. You cross Russia into the Schenegen regime at Latvia. You would hereafter need no more border formalities and countries would just pass your by indicated on but just a board. In Europe, well, the most enticing is the Baltic countries of Eastern Europe.
Tucked between Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south, Latvia and it's capital city Riga is the meat of the Baltic sandwich. Baltic countries as you know were under USSR influence and hence, less Europeanised. You have to see to believe the amazing energies and vibes of this amazing city of Riga. It sure is everyone's favorite city on the road to London.
Today, you do a hat-trick of countries. On a single day, you drive through Lativa - Lithuania - Poland, landing in Warsaw by evening - with next day reserved to see capital up-close. Poland has the most eventful history of all, caught between wars, invasion, and occupation - it has retained its distinct culture and you can see it all trapped in the castles, city squares, churches, layered windows, street cafes, and pastel-colored homes.
The Next stop is Germany - and two things that define the edgy and vibrant capital city of Berlin are the questions - beer or wine? And have you seen the Berlin Wall? Among the few events that have altered the course of history, Viktorianz Bespoke Adventure Travels would consider the fall of the Berlin Wall as one of them. A visit to Check Point Charlie and the Graffiti on Berlin Wall is a must.
The ride now rolls into Netherland, the beautiful country of masterpieces, windmills, and pristine canals. And of course, the warm, friendly, and funny dutchmen of Amsterdam. You would stay out of hustle-bustle and camp on a countryside fishing village on the rim of the city.
The next stop is Brussels in Belgium - the unmatched city that is also the European Union Capital. This grand capital city has a unique architecture of Grand Palace square, affable Tintin, and a remarkable range of culinary delights - waffles, wine-soaked mussels, and beers like no-where else.
Day 50: London, United Kingdom
Well here is your big day when you cross over from the French port of Calais, across the English Channel to the famed white cliffs of Dover. There is a sense of immense achievement when you ride out of the ferry to touch the United Kingdom.
You then take a few more hours to ride to the world city of London. As for London, you could spend a lifetime exploring this city - its history, magnificent art, Victorian culture, and the way it evolves to keep pace with changing times.
As for the riders and families, it is a mission accomplished, a dream lived, and a journey of a lifetime that you would always be proud of. There are not many things in your life, that would compare to this feat in terms of geography, proportion, and diversity. It sure is a proud day - and Viktorianz Bespoke Adventure Travels is sure you would have summoned you family and friends to meet you in London.
Note: It is just a brief itinerary and a detailed one will be available upon inquiring.
Qualitative or behavioral requirements
Expeditions are different from how you live your daily life and to do such big expeditions successfully, it is not everyone’s cup of tea. While it tests your capabilities, it is also an amazing learning experience. So here is what is desired:
- The participant is required to respect others and be sociable.
- He / she needs to be a team-person, seeking and providing support to expedition members.
- He / she should be self-disciplined, punctual, and should adhere to the norms and conduct rules of the expedition.
- He / she has to be Adventurous in mindset - have the patience for unforeseen circumstances, face odds of weather and terrain, and understand that there would be ambiguity and uncertainty and that needs to be taken in a stride.
- Have a love for road trips - long hours of driving / riding while enjoying the journey.
- If you choose to use your own bike, you should have a 650 cc (minimum) motorbike and your bike very well. You would be doing your own maintenance of vehicle in the remote areas. Of course, Viktorianz Bespoke Adventure Travels is there to help.
- He / she has to be medically certified as fit to undertake this road expedition that passes tropical jungles, cold grasslands, windy Gobi Desert, and high altitudes of East Tibetan Plateaus.
- In the near past, the participant should have had a riding endurance of riding / driving 400 kilometers daily.
Required documents
- Participant: Passport valid till January 31, 2020, DL valid for car or bike, IDL valid till October 31, 2019
- Mandatory papers for visas, bank statements, financial status documents, etc.
- SUV or bike: Registration, insurance valid till August 31, 2019, PUC, authorization to drive if SUV is not in your name
- Consent and indemnity form before commencement of expedition
Skill level(s) required for this tour:
Advanced
- Can ride for 5-6 hours
- Extensive riding experience
- Assistance on demand (if required)
- Experienced with riding a variety of motorcycles
- Comfortable with any terrain and weather conditions
