The Asiatic Lions Tour is everything you would expect from the country you are visiting.

Aavo Padharo, words of welcome in the language of Gujarat because it is here that these words ring truly and the guest is 'God' and the people of Gujarat are gregariously friendly, inviting and will entice you to come again and again.

Stretches out into the Arabian Sea, with a hint of the desert and with a coastline of 1600 kms long is Gujarat – the home state of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of Nation. It is renowned for its beaches, temple towns and historic capitals. Wildlife sanctuaries, hill resorts and natural grandeur are gifts of Gujarat. Sculpture, handicrafts, arts, festivals also make the state rich. Gujarat is also among the most technologically advanced, housing the largest petrochemical complex in the country.

Gujarat has always been a major centre for the Jains and some of its most interesting locations are the Jain Temple centres at Palitana and Girnar Hills. Besides the Jain temples, the state’s major attractions include the only habitat of the Asiatic Lions in India (Gir Forests), a desert ride at the Wild Ass Sanctuary and the beautiful Indo-Saracenic Architecture of Ahmedabad. The colourful tribal villages of Kutch make a visit unforgettable.

Best travel-time:

October, November, February and march

Start/Finish:

Delhi / Delhi

Duration:

15 travel days, 10 riding days

Distance covered:

around 1267 miles / 2040 km

Day rides:

65 - 190 miles / 100 - 300 km

Roads:

Mainly tarmac; around 85 % / 15 % some stretches with gravel

Motorcycles:

Royal Enfield Bullet 500cc, or Himalayan 411cc with all latest features.

Rider's requirements:

A comfortable ride on tarmac and gravel. Steady nerves for the traffic needed!

Group size:

Min. 4 and max. 10 riders - space for pillion rider in our follow up car.

Accommodations:

Areas Top Hotels, Resort and Guest House.

Riding Level:

Intermediate

Highlights:

Lions Country, “home of Last Wild Pride Of Asiatic Lions” , Open Jungle Trails, Culture and Amazing People…

Important:

VISA needed! For many nationalities "Visa on arrival" possible now. You need to apply online!

Gujrat ESSENTIALS

DRIVING LICENSE (Rider): Full and valid for min 411 cc motorcycle

INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT (Rider): Obtain from your country of residence.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Must cover riding motorcycle overseas for leisure

PROPER PROTECTIVE RIDING GLOVES – SUMMER

PROPER RIDING BOOTS - Preferably water-proof High Ankle

RIDING JACKET + PANTS

HELMET - We’d prefer if you brought your own

* Please note that if your riding gear doesn’t include proper padding OR if you choose not to wear one (specifically on warm days), please bring separate Knee & Elbow guards.

RIDING GOGGLES

BALACLAVA (to protect from dust & insects)

EYE DROPS

SUN SCREEN / SUN BLOCK AND LIP BALM

TORCH/FLASHLIGHT

THERMAL UNDERWEAR & WARM (WOOLEN) CAP

INSECT REPELLENT

MEDICINES/DRUGS (LEGAL) Carry prescriptions with you.

OTHER PERSONAL CLOTHING

ITEMS OF PERSONAL CARE & HYGIENE

OPTIONAL/SUGGESTED

SUNGLASSES / SUN HAT

WATER CARRIER/HYDRATION PACK

SCARF / BANDANA (to protect face/neck)

EAR PLUG

YOUR FAVOURITE BOTTLE OF LIQUOR & COFFEE you might find Indian spirits & coffee unsavoury.

*PLEASE NOTE: ON ALL OUR TOURS THE SPACE ON THE SUPPORT VEHICLES IS LIMITED. HENCE, WE REQUEST THAT YOU LIMIT YOUR BAGGAGE TO 25 KG.

Wet in the southern districts and Desertic in the north-west region.

Winter:

November to February (12-29 Celcius)

Summer:

March to May (29-41 Celcius)

Monsoon:

June to October (27-35 Celcius)

“Surat Nu Jaman Ane Kashi Nu Maran” a popular saying in Gujarati which means dining at Surat and dying at Varanasi, is the way to heaven. One of the thrills of traveling to Gujarat is its multi cuisine. Perhaps the best way to know a state is to cut to the heart of the extraordinary culture of Gujarat is by exploring its cuisine.

The people of Gujarat have perfected the art of vegetarian cooking and their cuisine is a delectable and mouth watering. To taste the excellent vegetarian Gujarati cuisine, is to have a Thali Meal – the ultimate delightful vegetarian fare. The traditional Gujarati Thali is one of the best ways to know the Gujarati Cuisine. Saurashtra’s typical seasonings – mustard seed, turmeric, pounded red chillies, cumin and coriander – which flavour Gujarat’s distinctive vegetarian cuisine.

There are also seasonal specialties – Aamraas (Mango Pool) is commonly served in summer while Undhiyu which has roast vegetables and Muthias (veg kebabs) is characteristically had in January. Besides vegetarian dishes, the Muslim community, the tribal groups like Bohras and Khojas offers special non-vegetarian cuisine. And also Saurashtra’s garlic spice mixture – a combination of garlic, red chillies and salt pounded together, which adds extra peps to lot of Gujarati foods. Many Gujarati dishes are distinctively sweet, salty and spicy at the same time.

The Royal Enfield 350 & 500cc Bullet, EFI

The R E Bullet 350cc (500cc is now discontinued but we have some parked in the garage for you) is now equipped with front and rear disc brakes and EFI. This is a perfect motorcycle for chugging along the gently winding roads. The long solo seat with a raised pillion is also a great benefit if you have a pillion, which is common on our Every tours.

The RE “Himalayan” 411 cc, EFI

We use these bikes in most of our tours to India. The tall stance, high placed handlebars, high ground clearance, the up-angled silencer and the belly pan prove their worth both on road and off. With a 21? front wheel and a rear “mono-shock” suspension, it can pretty much ride over everything. At 411cc / 24.5 bhp, it has enough grunt in it to keep you going on the rougher sections in the Himalayas as well as On the Indian National highways .

The Royal Enfield Classic 500 cc (discontinued)

This “Classic” with it the vintage charm and the “Retro Bullet feel” was loved by our customers. However, in 2019, when India moved from BS4 to BS6 emission norms, Royal Enfield discontinued production of this model. As we constantly “retire” our older bikes and replace them with newer ones, we are no longer able to do that with the 500cc one. Hence, we had to take the decision of discontinuing this model from our fleet, till RE launches another suitable 500cc model. However, if you wanted to ride only this bike on one of our tours, do write to us with a special request and we’ll do our best to get one for you.

Gujarat is a flourishing state with cultural diversity. It is vibrant with its true colors of rich heritage and cultural traditions. Dating back to history with the Harappan civilization, the state becomes a confluence of many religions – Hinduism, Islam, Jainism and Buddhism. The Gujarati culture blends in arts, beliefs, customs, traditions, institutions, inventions, language, technology and values. Gujarat is influenced with enculturation; a culture shared with members of the society and passed on from one generation to the next.

Enculturation has unified people with common sense experience and influence that lead to knowledge and appreciation of cultural traditions and lifestyles. The aspect of joining hands to greet or bow down comes through age influences as offering reverence. Social systems of learning, religious practices and forms of artistic expressions have led way to more balanced lifestyles in Gujarat. People of Gujarat are found to be sharing cultural traits and patterns with other regions and also extend beyond national boundaries towards International culture.

As Gujarat stands as ‘Heart of India’, Multiculturalism is traced in Gujarat. Shared cultural background making people feel to home ground and more comfortable with other people from their own culture. Culture shock unlike other countries is therefore, a missing point which makes people more confident and energetic as they stand for a challenge in global scenario.

Festivals and fairs, arts and crafts, folk dances, music, cuisine and lifestyles form a major cultural background of the people who belong to Gujarat. The customs and beliefs make the culture more homely and truly blended with values and moral characteristics.

The Asiatic Lions Tour

Asiatic Lions Tour Northwest India