Himalaya, India. The Routes of Hinduism

Transcription

1 Himalaya, India The Routes of Hinduism

2 TRAVEL DESIGNER Stephane Gautronneau JOHN Our fashion-icon tour leader has two long-standing passions: photography and the Bullet. But above all, he s in love with India. An immersion into the heart of sacred India riding a motorcycle on the magnificent routes of Uttarakhand, with the peaks and eternal snow of the great Himalayas as the backdrop. 2

3 MAP A TRIP WITH UNIQUE SENSATIONS Let yourself be carried away on the most beautiful routes in the Himalayan foothills, through pine forests and sacred rivers. A little known region with few western tourists, the road trip in the Kumaon and Garhwal regions is sprinkled with visits to famous Hindu pilgrimage sites. Here s the plan: we propose to take you on a ride across the mountains with a hypnotising backdrop in the northern horizon, the Great Himalayan peaks. Are you tempted? We will finish with the holy city of Haridwar, on the banks of the Ganges, an incredible spectacle with a unique intensity. 3

4 AT A GLANCE 1300 km Full board meals* Routes blending culture and discovery Period April & May / October & November Duration 12 days including 8 days riding Level Intermediate English-speaking tour leader Accommodation Standard or Comfort *transfer days are excluded From

5 YOUR TRIP IN 12 STAGES Elisabeth Fieujan STAGE 1 Arrival in Delhi: Pick up at the airport and transfer to a hotel in the heart of New Delhi. Your room is available from 12 pm. Night at the hotel. Delhi - Corbett National Park [260 km* - 6h riding]: Early morning departure in a private vehicle to Jim Corbett National Park. Arrival at the Park which overlooks the first hills of lower Himalayas and rest at the hotel. A short ride is proposed to allow you to get familiarized with the motorcycles. Stephane Gautronneau STAGE 2 Jim Corbett, an Englishman born in India and an unparalleled tracker-hunter, exchanged his gun in the 1920s for a camera and ended up devoting himself to the preservation of the big cats. The Park was created in

6 YOUR TRIP IN 12 STAGES STAGE 3 Corbett National Park - Bhimtal [190 km* 6/7h riding]: In the crisp morning air, we take a small road in the forest area of the National Park. After visiting a temple which is as sacred as it is small, the vegetation changes completely as the road takes us to higher altitudes among the first foothills of the Himalayas. We ride along the Kosi River and once we reach an altitude of 1500m, you can expect to get your first view of the Great Himalayas in the distance. We have lunch in an old colonial cottage villa in Ranikhet, a military base created by the British in the 19th century. On the way, we visit a small and famous Hindu temple as well as a unique Ashram where Steve Jobs spent some time getting inspiration before becoming a guru himself... Bhimtal - Jageshwar [115 km* 5h riding]: Elisabeth Fieujan STAGE 4 We continue to ascend through the bucolic Kumaon before arriving at Kesar Devi, where Bob Dylan and other beatnik counter culture figures spent time. A small haven of peace which is as serene as it was years ago! We visit Panchachuli weaving factory before venturing deeper into the splendid forest of Binsar, at an altitude of more than 2000m, where one could almost see elves behind twisted tree trunks. Finally, our machines take us to the thousand-year old Jageshwar temples, situated at a religious site which is 2500 years old. 6

7 YOUR TRIP IN 12 STAGES Jageshwar - Kausani [190 km* 6h riding]: STAGE 5 We go on a side journey on the Eastern side in order to see the second highest peak in India, Nanda Devi (7816m), cutting across old tea plantations introduced by the British. Berinag s tea was famous and highly sought after in London during the great era of tea leaf trade. After lunch, we begin a small trek in a typical Kumaoni village, which managed to preserve its old architecture and organisation. We spend the night in Kausani, a popular place for its breathtaking views of the Great Himalayan mountain range. STAGE 6 Kausani - Chopta [205 km* 6h riding]: Today we have not only more challenging routes ahead but also a series of bends that can be classified as among the most beautiful routes of the region! We visit very old temples in Bejinath and Gopeshwar, religious landmarks on pilgrimage routes. We then climb through the splendid forest of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and Chopta Pass (2600m), which will make you feel as though you have reached the Alps. Overnight stay in a camp. 7

8 YOUR TRIP IN 12 STAGES Chopta - Narayankoti [70 km* 3h riding]: STAGE 7 A shorter day in terms of kilometers, as this part of Gharwal deserves to be explored! You can choose: departure at dawn for the most courageous and the athletic ones, for a trek to the Tungnath temple. Or later in the day, a shorter and relatively easier trek to a small lake. Or maybe both! Uttarakhand unveils itself entirely when you do this effort of walking. Coming down the Mandakini valley, we visit the ancient temple of Ukimath, one more landmark on the pilgrimage routes. As for the landscape, as it s impossible get tired of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, this will be our setting the whole day. Narayankoti - Kanatal [225 km* 7h riding]: It s going to be a big day today! Departure at sunrise. From Mandakini Valley, we climb up a tiny road through Kedarnath forest, which we do quite easily on our Royal Enfields. Reaching the departure point at 2200m for an easy trek which is worth the effort: we walk to Kartik Swami Temple, which offers one of the most spectacular views of Uttarakhand. We climb down and then climb up again to reach Chirbhattiya Pass through a charming secondary road! Picnic, river bathing, and then after riding along the immense reservoir of Tehri Dam, we climb up to Kanatar to spend the night in a 100% ecological guesthouse. STAGE 8 8

9 YOUR TRIP IN 12 STAGES STAGE 9 Kanatal - Nag Tibba [140 km* 4/5h riding]: The day starts with a beautiful and long road on a mountain ridge. Well-drawn bends and views, a pure delight for the riders. Then we go to the valley of the other major holy river for the Hindus, the Yamuna. We then climb up to the meadows of Nag Tibba, where a short relaxing trek is possible, and finally, spend the evening around a bonfire in another ecological retreat. Nag Tibba - Haridwar [150 km* 5h de route]: Elisabeth Fieujan Stephane Gautronneau STAGE 10 We get back to the Yamuna and cross Mussorie, a famous destination popularized by the British in the colonial era. We stop at Rishikesh, the world Yoga capital, where Beatles had come to meet Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the guru who taught them transcendental meditation. We leave our motorcycles here, and go down in a vehicle to Haridwar, the holiest of the holy cities, where we will watch the daily rituals of pious Hindus on the banks of the Ganga late in the afternoon. 9

10 YOUR TRIP IN 12 STAGES Haridwar - Delhi [250 km* 6h riding]: Departure in a private vehicle and return to the capital. According to the schedule of your return flight, free day in Delhi, or transfer to the International Airport in the evening. End of our services. STAGE 11 STAGE 12 Delhi - International airport: Depending on your flight schedule, you still have the chance to enjoy Delhi and have a last local meal, go shopping or visit one of the Royal Enfield stores. Transfer to the International airport. End of our services. *Riding distances are indicative. 10

11 YOUR FORMULA Join a fixed departure 2490 / pilot* 2190 / pillion* Book at 4 and more: 2340 / pilot* To know the dates of our upcoming fixed departures. go to - tab "Our Trips", or contact one of our travel advisors at: contact@vintagerides.com. *These rates are indicative, please refer to our General Terms & Conditions. Want to leave in a closed group? Ask us for a quote for a private tour. And enjoy 5% off your second trip 10% off your third trip and more Always in the limit of

12 MORE INFO PRICE INCLUDES A Royal Enfield 500cc motorcycle is provided with full mechanical assistance and all spare parts Domestic transfers as appearing in the program, by private vehicle An English speaking Tour Leader (on riding days) Fuel expenses An expert mechanic of Royal Enfield motorcycles A support vehicle with driver for groups with 4 or more participants; side luggage carrier for groups of less than 4 participants Lodging in standard/comfort hotels, in double bed rooms on a twin-sharing basis. If you wish to stay in a single room (extra), please inform your travel advisor at the time of registration. Meals: full-board meals during riding days (breakfast, lunch and diner) Third party motorcycle insurance PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE Compulsory insurances, such as repatriation assistance which covers you in case of a motorbike accident in India legal assistance A refundable security deposit of 400 for the motorcycles International flights and airport taxes Visa fees Dinners and meals during days of transfers Admission fees to various monuments, temples etc. Drinks and personal expenses Tips Christmas Eve and New Years Eve event fees 12

13 MY CHECKLIST Appropriate equipment is a component of a successful journey! Travel lightly, TRY TO STAY UNDER 45LBS (20 KGS) BAGS: A sailor bag would be perfect, a walker's bag too (without steel bar). You can close it with a padlock if you want to (Don t forget to tag it before leaving with your address. Also with the address of Vintage Rides in India) A small backpack of 20 litres is advised for daily necessities such as camera, sunscreen lotion. SPECIAL MOTORCYCLE EQUIPMENT: Motorcycle boots are strongly advised or trekking shoes (waterproof) Light motorbike jacket (leather or synthetic) A rain suit (just in case!) Gloves Helmet PERSONAL MEDICINE: Sunscreen lotion Lip balm Broad-spectrum antibiotic Paracetamol Anti-diarrhea Elastoplast Skin disinfectant Bandages and special blisters bandage CLOTHES AND PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: Light pants Shirts (including some with long sleeves, to protect yourself from the sun) A swimsuit Hot sweater or jacket for cold nights Sun glasses Hat Light sport shoes Flip flops 1 liter canteen (flask) and a flashlight (don t forget the batteries) Some sweats and cereal bars 13

14 CONTACT US Copyright photos: Johann Rousselot, Geraldine Shandilya, Dany Kretz, Adomas Baltagalvis, DR. VINTAGE RIDES INDIA C-65 Okhla phase 1 New Delhi Tel: VINTAGE RIDES FRANCE 98 Rue Baudin Levallois-Perret By appointment only Tel: CONTACT@VINTAGERIDES.COM 14