The South Indian Escapade
Itinerary for Northroad. Pt

DATE

FEBRUARY 2025

RIDE DURATION

12 DAYS
(10 RIDING DAYS)

RIDE DIFFICULTY

3/5 (EASY TO INTERMEDIATE)

TEMPERATURE

20-30 DEGREES

ACCOMMODATION

3 & 4 STAR HOTELS

TERRAIN

95% SMOOTH
PAVED ROADS

MOTORCYCLE

INCLUDED

BACKUP TRUCK WITH MECHANIC

INCLUDED

Embark on an unforgettable journey meticulously designed to blend the thrill of the open road with the rich cultural tapestry of South India. From bustling cityscapes to serene backwaters, every twist and turn will leave you spellbound. The journey is a celebration of the vibrant heritage and natural wonders of this beautiful part of the country.

ITINERARY

DAY 1DAY 2DAY 3DAY 4DAY 5DAY 6DAY 7DAY 8DAY 9DAY 10DAY 11DAY 12

ARRIVE BENGALURU

Riders are to arrive at the resort in Bengaluru, optimally by 1500hrs so that we can complete pre-ride formalities.We shall hand over your motorcycles and any adjustments can be made as per rider preferences. A ride briefing will take place in the evening as the team and group get acquainted with one another and we set down a few guidelines for the days to come, followed by dinner.

Bengaluru to Ooty (270 km)

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast before checking out of your hotel. The route to Ooty unfolds a visual spectacle of lush landscapes and meandering roads, setting the stage for an idyllic road trip. Embark on a picturesque journey via Bandipur National Park, providing an opportunity for some glimpses of wildlife along the way. Prepare for an ascent to the summit of Doddabetta Peak, standing proudly at a breathtaking 8,650 feet – the highest peak in the Nilgiri Hills with some spectacular panoramic vistas. As night falls, indulge in local delicacies and retreat to your lodging for a tranquil overnight stay, surrounded by the serene beauty of the region.

Ooty to Valparai (190 km)

Departure after a quick breakfast and off we head on some extremely scenic roads! We take the more scenic route via Manjoor riding through lush green tea plantations all around us – truly a magnificent sight! Our ride continues through the hills across some 40 odd hairpins prior to eventually hitting the plains. We then negotiate the traffic of Coimbatore city before carrying on towards Pollachi.

We cross Aliyar Dam before entering Aliyar Forest Reserve beginning our ascent to what is one of the most picturesque stretches on the ride! We were back amongst tea estates and the never ending beautiful curves. Nothing short of stunning! But before we could call it a day, it was time to explore the nearby tea estates where the sun was just setting making the whole experience more so magical and next in line was the jungle exploration bit which will surely be an affair to remember.

Valparai to Allepey (190 km)

Start the day amidst the chirping of local birds as we gear up to begin our journey. About half an hour into our ride we find ourselves at the Kerela border and entering the Vazhachal Forest division. The ride is incredibly scenic and the tarmac near faultless as we ride through the plantations. If fortunate, we will see everything from wild elephants to other smaller wildlife, crossing waterfalls and eventually head to Kochi, from where we head on to Allepey (Alappuzha as it is locally known). We spend the night on a houseboat in the famous backwaters – a bucket list experience for all who travel to this part of the world!

Allepey to Varkhala (110 km)

A leisurely start, giving the group plenty of time to enjoy the tranquil backwaters in the
morning before heading towards Varkhala. We route via Jatayu Earth’s Centre – the world’s largest bird sculpture. The lore in the region demarcates the spot as where the demi-god Jatayu fell after being defeated by Ravana in
mythology. We continue along the narrow winding roads and arrive at our stay overlooking the ocean
by the early afternoon. The group can head out to the beach if they like, or enjoy the view from the comfort of our stay!

Varkala to Rameswaram via Kanyakumari and Dhanuskodi (450 km)

The longest day of the ride, by some distance! We start early, and after making our way through the narrow country roads running parallel to the sea, soon turn onto the main highway to head to our first halt, Kanyakumari.
Upon our arrival, we take our bikes to the southern-most point one can in India! After a quick break we resume our ride. The landscape begins to change, as we ride past multiple windmills installed among the coconut fields – a sight to behold! We carry on to Dhanushkodi – an absolutely spectacular place! A straight road flanked on both sides by the ocean, a truly surreal experience on two wheels! We then head to Rameswaram, our halt for the night.

Rameswaram to Pondicherry (400 km)

We depart in the morning and soon hit the smooth highway towards Pondicherry (or Puducherry, as it is now known). After a quick stop in Trichy we continue riding hoping to make good time to our destination. After checking in at the hotel, the group may choose to visit the Promenade beach for an evening stroll or even one of the many colonial style restaurants opposite the coastline. Some may choose to relax after a long few days of riding.

Rest Day in Pondicherry

A day for rest and sightseeing, exploring Pondicherry. One may start by paying homage at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, before visiting the grand Manakula Vinayagar Temple dedicated to the Hindu God Ganesha. You may go for a leisurely stroll past the colonial buildings, churches, temples and statues which, combined with the town planning and French-style avenues in the old districts, still preserving much of the colonial ambiance.
Some may choose to visit Auroville, located roughly 10 odd kms from the main city, also known as the City of Dawn. It is a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony, above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. The Matrimandir golden sphere) is particularly famous, located at the centre the township. Some may choose to relax at the beach during the day instead – we leave the choice to you!

Pondicherry to Yercaud (230 km)

We depart in the morning from Pondicherry and ride to our next destination, Yercaud which is a hill station in Salem district of Tamil Nadu. The scenery starts out as coastal and as we progress, transforms into lush green hills. Upon arrival, those wishing to do so may indulge in some local sightseeing! The rest can check into our hotel and unwind for the evening.

Around Yercaud (200 km)

We embark on a day trip from Yercaud to Kolli Hills, conquering 174 hairpin bends on pristine tarmac en route. The ride is extremely scenic all the way through and there is much to see for all. Those wishing to spend the day sightseeing in the quaint town may also do so – we shall all reconvene for dinner and share tales about our respective experiences in this beautiful part of the world!

Yercaud to Bengaluru (220 km)

The final day of an epic journey together – our ride is scenic as the past many days have been and we can enjoy the diverse landscaped of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. One final dinner together for the group in the evening, as we all come together to celebrate what will be an amazing experience for all!

Departure

Departure to Bengaluru Airport as per your respective flights. 

want to know more about us?

YOUR RIDE

You shall be riding through South India on one of the following machines, basis availability.
Both are capable of traversing the terrain adeptly and are extremely popular choices when it comes to travellers riding into the Himalayas.

RE Himalayan 411

RE Scram 411

IMPORTANT TRIP DETAILS

COST

Cost for tour (Twin Sharing): EUR 2800
Cost for pillion (Twin Sharing): EUR 2250
Single Rooming Supplement (Optional): EUR 750

INCLUSIONS

The cost includes :
1. Accommodation for 11 nights at places specified in the itinerary, on Twin Sharing basis.
2. Breakfast and dinner at all hotels.
3. Lunch/ tea/ refreshments en route on all riding days mentioned in the itinerary.
4. Backup vehicle equipped with a VHF Radio for communication for the duration of the ride. The vehicle will carry your luggage, have a trained Mechanic onboard, Tool Kit,Puncture Kit, High Volume Air Pump, emergency fuel etc. and will sweep the course to ensure everyone is brought home to roost! The ride leaders shall be equipped with radios as well to as network is spotty in the area, allowing us to keep a track of all the riders!
5. First Response Medical kit.
6. Transportation for arrival to and departure from the Bengaluru airport to the hotel and back.
7. Services of two accompanying  Xplorearth Lead Riders  (Instructors at the True Adventure Honda Camps), one backup truck driver/ mechanic.
8. Toll taxes, green fees and permissions required en route.
9. Royal Enfield Himalayan or Scram 411 rental fee, plus fuel cost for the duration of the ride.

EXCLUSIONS

The cost excludes:
 
1. Accommodation & meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
2. Costs towards accidents/ illness and medical evacuation.
3. Damage to the motorcycle/ spares for the motorcycle.
4. Expenses of a personal nature such as porterage at bell desk of hotels, soft beverages, alcoholic drinks, laundry, telephone/internet charges or room service.
5. Air/Train fares
6. Indian Visa fees
7. Anything not mentioned in the inclusions.

WHY XPLOREARTH?

Born and bred in the Himalayas, we at Xplorearth are a group of passionate motorcyclists and 4×4 enthusiasts curating experiences for travellers from across the globe to experience the magic of India. Our team is highly skilled and we take utmost care to look after every aspect of your journey from the moment you join us so all you need to do is enjoy the ride!
 
Heritage:
Xplorearth started out as the logistics backbone for the Rally Raid de Himalaya and the pan-India National Superleague TSD Rally Championship. We have not only an unmatched understanding of the region, but also the infrastructure, local contacts and other intangibles that are crucial when organising a trip into these areas, particularly where other connectivity and healthcare infrastructure is underdeveloped! Moreover, our experience in the area helps us take riders on routes that most others haven’t even heard of!
 
Ride Leaders:
Xplorearth has a number of skilled and experienced ride leaders who have been heading expeditions for decades now! We have led rides for renowned brands such as Triumph, BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Royal Enfield and Honda, amongst others, and share the common passion of motorcycling with all our clients – something which transcends all barriers! All of our ride leaders have ridden in various countries across the world and are fluent in English as well as local dialects, making them the perfect guides to lead you through these remote and stunning regions.
 
 
Hospitality, accommodation and cultural experiences:
Our team makes it a point to ensure the best possible accommodation even in the most remote regions! We understand the value of comfortable accommodation after a hard day’s ride, and make sure to cut no corners when designing our itineraries in this regard. All the hotels used on the trip shall be 3 or 4 star properties. Homestays and tents offered by other operators sound great in theory, but not so much so after a full day’s driving at high altitude!
Our knowledge of the region also allows us to point out certain cultural nuances and traditions to those who travel with us, making the entire experience a more fulfilling one!
 
Backup (medical and technical) and comms:
Our backup vehicle (or vehicles, depending on group size!) are equipped with a VHF Radio for communication for the ride.
The vehicle will have a mechanic onboard, Tool Kit, Puncture Kit, High Volume Air Pump, emergency fuel etc. and will sweep the course to ensure everyone is brought home to roost! Unlike most other tour operators, we don’t simply throw everyone’s bag into the back of a local pick-up and hope for the best!
We put the utmost priority on rider safety during our rides. Our team understands the limitations that the remote areas of the country have when it comes to medical infrastructure and are well equipped to be the first-responders for any medical issue that may arise. We carry a comprehensive medical kit, stretcher and so on to ensure that everyone makes it home safe! Our team also carries licensed VHF Radios for the duration of the trip – each vehicle will be fitted with such a radio during the trip to ensure smooth communication so that we can keep a track of the convoy and anyone in need can reach out to the team instantly – cellular connectivity in the region is extremely spotty!

SIGN UP

To confirm your slot on the ride, or for more information on anything regarding it,
contact us on any of the following:

Email: [email protected]
Phone/ Whatsapp: Arjun +91 9769144072 / Vijay +91 9816004137


SAY HELLO
Email: [email protected]
Phone/ Whatsapp: Arjun +91 9769144072 / Vijay +91 9816004137

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