10 Top Motorcycling Routes in the World

The joy of feeling the wind on your face, smelling the air, watching mother nature’s scenery go by while feeling your motorcycle engine roar below you is something that can be related by every single motorcycling afficionado around the world. It doesn’t matter whether you are a teenager riding his first motorcycle, someone going through their mid-life crisis or if you are an elderly pro who loves being on two wheels, each one will connect with this motorcycling love.

Such love can be felt while exploring these 10 top motorcycling routes across the world. Not only are some of these the most adventurous routes in the world, some of them happen to be the most scenic too. All you need to do is get your motorcycle in top condition, obtain an international driving permit, pack all your motorcycling travel gear and be ready to hit the road.

1) Ladakh, India



Home to some of the world’s highest motorable roads, the mountain roads of Ladakh in India’s Western Himalayas is for the die hard adventure enthusiast. Rarefied mountain air, stunning mountain panoramas, tough weather, gorgeous culture and lush valleys, the Himalayan roads of Ladakh has everything that a cold high altitude desert can offer and more. These roads are the mecca for all motorcyclists from across the world as they are home to some of the highest motorable passes in the world. Serene looking high altitude mountain lakes, 2nd highest astronomical observatory in the world, rich Buddhist culture are the icing on the cake. Below are some of the high mountain passes that you can visit in this region:

a) Khardung La – 18,380 feet – one of the most popular motorcycling routes in India

b) Marsimik La – 18,314 feet

c) Photi La – 18,124 feet

d) Kaksang La – 17,842 feet

e) Chang La – 17,586 feet

f) Tanglang La - 17,481 feet

g) Wari La – 17,216 feet

h) Umling La – 19,302 feet – getting a permit to ride on this road is tough due to its strategic location and proximity to the line of actual control between India and China.

2) Pacific Coast Highway, USA



The legendary Pacific coast highway covering over 900 kilometres of California’s rugged and beautiful coastlines takes you all the way from San Francisco to San Diego near the Mexico border. It is one of the world’s most astoundingly scenic roads and is meant to be explored slowly, while gasping at the mountains, towering trees, surfing villages, expansive beaches, local wine, Hollywood glitz and endless sky. Starting in San Francisco, the Pacific Coast highway takes you through:

a) Felton – a drowsy mountain town nestled among Redwood trees

b) Santa Cruz – a friendly beach town with a university, gorgeous redwood trees and waves that surfers from all over flock to ride

c) Big Sur – rugged mountains blanketed with dreamy redwood forests that drop into dramatic coastline

d) Cambria – a charming seaside village home to rocky shorelines, bluffs and tide pools teeming with sea life

e) Morro Bay – a small city by a large bay and estuary that is home to a diverse range of fauna including blue herons, monarch butterflies, hummingbirds and sea otters

f) San Luis Obispo – a mellow college town that is famous for its nearby wineries and lighthouse

g) Solvang – mini Denmark that is home to many Danish bakeries

h) Los Olivos – rustic charming town that is surrounded by expansive wineries

i) Santa Barbara – a city where beachy casual meets glitz

j) Los Angeles – home to Hollywood glamour, hipster cool, Disneyland and old fashioned food markets

k) San Diego – a border city famous for its Mexican food, surfing spots, a military outpost and a world famous zoo

3) Amalfi Coast, Italy



Originally built by the Romans, the intense 70 kilometre Amalfi coast road is cut into sheer rock face. On one side is the beautiful blue sea crashing beneath and on the other side is the massive rock face that you find yourself clinging to. Connecting the towns of Sorrento and Salerno, the Amalfi coast highway snakes and winds through endless hairpins and up and over steep hills. The famed Amalfi coast is exactly as you have always pictured: rugged coastline dotted with seaside towns whose classic, balconied buildings overlook the turquoise Tyrrhenian sea. The highlights of this route include:

a) Riding past vineyards that dot the countryside

b) Riserva Statale Valle delle Ferriere – a protected area with several waterfalls and lush plant life

c) Church of Santa Maria Assunta – offers views of opulent villas along the coast that hug the steep mountainside above a petite, sandy beach

d) Duomo Ravello – historic cathedral in Ravello with shops, lodging and dining nearby

e) Impossibly photogenic coast between Minori and Vietri Sul Mare

f) Lattari Mountain National Park – a great ecotourism site that offers some of the most stunning views in all of Italy

g) Fjord of Furore – special place fo artisans

h) Amalfi Cathedral – gorgeous 9th century building bearing the crypt of St Andrew

i) Sirenuse – a cluster of small islands off the coast, fulfilling all your idyllic beach dreams

j) Cetara – small fishing village located between the sea and lush green hills and that is home to affordable stay options and great dining avenues

4) Ceuta to Marrakesh Loop, Morocco



This 2,570 kilometre long exotic route offers an adventure of a lifetime. It takes you through a series of ancient citadels, souks, tall mountains and oodles of vibrant desert culture. The route starts in Ceuta (a Spanish island city on the north coast of Africa), passes through the Rif Mountains through Fez and then through the Atlas mountains to Erfoud and the mighty Sahara desert. From here, you pass through the Todra gorge to the palm groves of Ouarzazate and finally the city of Marrakesh where you get to experience the real flavour of old Morocco. From here, it is a short ride through the Tizi n’Test pass down to the Atlantic coast at Agadir, from where you can visit Casablanca and then Tangiers before returning to Ceuta.

Overall, it is a stunning desert ride where you can enjoy oodles of off roading, twisties and wide open roads, while experiencing the rich desert cultures of Morocco.

5) The Great Ocean Road, Australia



This is an Australian National Heritage listed 240 kilometre stretch of road along the South Eastern coast of Australia. The Great Ocean Road traverses rainforests, beaches, cliffs, natural limestone and sandstone rock formations to give you an experience of one of nature’s best spectacles. This motorcycle route starts at Torquay and travels westward to finish at Allansford near Warrnambool. Following are the highlights of the Great Ocean Road:

a) Surf coast – gorgeous coastline between Torquay and Cape Otway

b) Shipwreck coast – stunning coastline between Cape Otway and Port Fairy that is home to the famous limestone formations called the Twelve Apostles and that provides views of the Bass strait and the Southern ocean.

c) Anglesea – surfing town renowned for its eastern grey kangaroos, Coogoorah Park and the Angair wildflower festival

d) Lorne – seaside town on the Great Ocean Road popular for family bathing, surfing and fishing. It is known for its Falls Festival, 1.2 km Pier to Pub swim, the Great Otway National park, Otway Ranges National park and the Lorne Pier.

e) Apollo Bay – coastal town on the Great Ocean Road that plays host to the annual Apollo Bay seafood festival, Winter Wild and the Great Ocean Road Running festival. Southern right whales and humpback whales are spotted off the coast from winter through spring.

f) Port Campbell – coastal town on the Great Ocean Road that is famous for the following natural limestone and sandstone rock formations located in the Port Campbell National Park and around: Loch Ard Gorge, The Grotto, London Arch and the Twelve Apostles.

6) Kathmandu, Nepal to Lhasa, Tibet



This 1,250 kilometre ride will take you to the rooftop of the world while offering some surreal views of the Eastern Himalayas. The ride begins in Nepal’s capital city of Kathmandu and goes to Lhasa in Tibet while crossing scenic Tibetan landscapes, nomadic villages, snow capped mountains, pristine blue lakes, ancient Buddhist monasteries, historical cities and some of the highest mountain passes in the world. The motorcycling route would be:

a) Kathmandu to Shyabrubesi (125 kms and Elevation of 1,140 m) – Long journey through the remote areas of Langtang National Park

b) Shyabrubesi to Kerung (42 kms and elevation of 2,750 m) – Border crossing into Tibet and acclimatization day

c) Kerung to Tingri (244 kms and elevation of 4,300 m) – Ride to the highest plateau in the world and enjoy breath taking panoramas of Himalayan ranges: Mt Cho Oyu (8201 m), My Xishapagma (8012 m) and Mt Everest (8848 m)

d) Tingri to Xegar (185 kms and elevation of 3900 m) – Ride through the beautiful Tibetan countryside, explore Ronbuk monastery – the highest Buddhist monastery in the world and enjoy the day at Everest Base Camp

e) Xegar to Shigatse (244 kms and elevation of 3900 m) – Cross high altitude snow covered mountain passes and beautiful panoramas to arrive at Shigatse, the second largest Tibetan city

f) Shigatse to Gyantse (95 kms and elevation of 3950 m) – Head to Gyantse while visiting Tashilumpu monastery, Kumbum stupa and Phalkor monastery

g) Gyantse to Lhasa (261 km and elevation of 3650 m) – Full day picturesque drive crossing over Karola (5010 m), Kambala (4749 m) , colourful Yamdrok Tso lake and the Tibetan lifeline Brahmaputra or Yarlung Tsangpo river

7) Namibia, Southern Africa



Namibia is a jewel of Southern Africa. The vast expanses of Namib and Kalahari deserts offer remote solitude that is perfect for off-road adventure travel that includes national parks, impossibly tall dunes, rugged canyons, lush rivers, spectacular coastline, savannah, desert and much more. With the highest dunes in the world located in the legendary Namib desert, the infamous Skeleton coast and the wildlife-rich Etosha National Park, there’s something for everyone in Namibia. Following are the best motorcycle routes in Namibia:

a) Kaokoveld to Skeleton coast: Opuwo –> Palmwag –> Bergsig –> Cape Cross –> Swakopmund: 674 kms, good gravel roads

b) Around the Brandberg: About 220 km, all unpaved, very sandy in the Ugab river

c) Bosua Pass: Windhoek –> C28 –> Swakopmund: 322 km, all unpaved, but good gravel roads

d) The D707: Betta – Junction C 27/D707 – D707 to end/junction with C13: ~150 km, all unpaved, initially gravel, then sand

e) C13 along the Orange river: Rosh Pinah –> Sendering Drif –> C13 to Aubenkehr: 105 km, all unpaved, but good gravel road

8) Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan



The legendary Pamir mountains sit amidst the Hindu Kush, Karakoram, Himalayas and the Tian Shan mountain ranges, all whispering to and luring adventurers for thousands of years. The ancient Pamir highway runs between Termez in Uzbekistan and Kara Balta in Kyrgyzstan. The majority of the road however runs through the highlands of Tajikistan, cutting through the Pamir mountains. This gorgeous ride clocks in over 2000 km and climbs to a height of above 15000 feet at Ak-Baital pass. The entire route is one of the higher motorable routes in the world and hence altitude sickness is quite common. It is part of the ancient silk road and is rich in history, adventure and danger. 80% of the roads are paved and about 20% are gravel. The people of Tajikistan are very hospitable and will always help the tourist (musafir) even in the remotest or corners in Tajikistan.

The Pamir highway route is as follows: Dushanbe –> Qal’ai Khumb –> Khorog –> Bibi Fatima Hot Springs (Yamchun) –> Murgab –> Ak Baital Pass (4655 m) –> Khorog –> Qal’ai Khumb –> Dushanbe

9) North East India to Vietnam



A few years back, the Indian government opened the India-Myanmar border for overland travel. This opened the possibility of a lush forest motorcycling route spanning 5,200 kms and 5 countries. Starting in Siliguri in the Northern part of West Bengal, this route meanders through the dense jungles and tropical forests of North East India before entering Myanmar at Moreh. In Myanmar, the roads are mostly dirt tracks or gravel roads with wooden and metal bridges till you reach Mandalay. From Mandalay, you cut across Inle lake and into the mountainous province of Myanmar and Mae Hong Son in Thailand before you reach Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand. From here, you follow the Mekong river and head towards Luang Prabang in Laos. Then, you head further north into the mountainous region of Laos before you enter the Sapa region of Vietnam. From Sapa, you travel east to Hanoi and then kiss the coast to travel south all the way to the capital city of Ho Chi Minh city. This entire route is a lush tropical paradise. Except for parts of the India-Myanmar border, most roads are paved or in the worst case are good quality gravel roads. You criss cross mountains, rivers, forests and cities to explore this gorgeous part of the world.

Route map: Siliguri, India –> Moreh, India –> Mandalay, Myanmar –> Chiang Rai, Thailand –> Luang Prabang, Laos –> Hanoi, Vietnam –> Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

10) El Camino de la Muerte, Bolivia



Last, but not the least in this list is the world’s most dangerous road. Known as the ‘Death Road’, this 69 km winding road stretch connects the world’s highest administrative capital of La Paz in Bolivia to the small Amazonian rainforest town of Coroico. The journey begins at 12,000 feet high Laz Paz with its mix of indigenous and modern cultures. The winding route with a single lane ascends to La Cumbre pass (about 15,000 feet high) in the Andean mountain only to dip back down into the Amazon rainforest over the course of 65 kilometres. The road weaves back and forth as it descends, and the thick forest below tends to obscure the steep drop below. The road is a mix of paved, dusty to loosened rock. Extreme weather is the think to stay aware of. At the top, you might face blinding fog and bone chilling weather, while in the rainforest, you can face high humidity and/or pouring rain. The sheer diversity and extreme route makes it a special motorcycling route of the world.

Photo Courtesy: Some of the photographs in this article have been borrowed from wikipedia.org under the creative commons license. Each photograph has been linked to its host page on wikipedia.org.

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Burma’s Bago: Fabulous Temple Day Trip from Yangon

One of the things that I absolutely love about Burma is its friendly people and their laidback lifestyle. It is as much an integral part of this country as are its temples. And the experience gets even richer when you get to combine both the two.



The world knows about the charms of Bagan and that of Yangon, Burma’s erstwhile capital and largest city. But, there is one other place where you get to experience the beauty of temples along with local fervour. One such place is Bago, a lovely temple town located just a couple of hours away from Yangon in the Iyyerawaddy region of Myanmar.



The Bago experience begins right when you board the rickety-rackety train headed towards Bago from the center of Yangon. You travel with the locals, see how they go about their day-to-day life, you meet monks, you see kids going to school and most of all, you see bright faces with big smiles and an eagerness to interact with you. This two hour long journey with its vibrant local experiences sets the tone for your Bago city day trip from Yangon.



Once you arrive at Bago railway station, you will be following a temple route interspersed with some local shopping and food breaks. The key temples on this route are:

1) The Sleeping Buddha – a massive statue of the Buddha in sleeping position.

2) The Mahazeti Pagoda – one that offers the best views of the Bago temple landscape.

3) Shwe Tha Lyuang Temple – At a length of 55 metres and a height of 16 metres, this temple is home to the second largest Buddha in the world. It is also home to the smiling Buddha.

4) Reclining Buddha – the temple that is known for its beautiful inscriptions.

5) Shwe Maw Daw Pagoda – this is the tallest pagoda in the whole of Burma.

6) Kyaik Pun Pagoda – the 4 Faced Buddha Temple.



Out of these temples, my favorite temple for sunrise or sunset is the Mahazeti Pagoda as this allows you to get an aerial view of the Bago temple landscape (they close the climb to the top during the rainy months) and my favorite temple for action is the Shwe Tha Lyuang temple. It is here that you can see religious and spiritual fervour, local shopping action and opportunities to taste some delicious local food.



Irrespective of the temple you visit, you will find that people are always hospitable, friendly and eager to interact with you and you will find religious zeal and peace almost at each place. You could take the experience up a notch by wearing a longyi and applying some thanaka on your face.



The temples of Bago offer a fabulous day trip from Yangon and is much recommended. Do remember to take the local train at least one way for the richness of local interactions. The temples here have lots and lots of charisma. Do give yourself some time to experience it.



Things to carry with you:

1) A bottle of water as there involves a lot of walking in the open sun.

2) A pair of sunglasses to protect you from the glare.

3) Slip on footwear that you can wear and remove easily at all temples.

4) A camera to capture all the temples and the local atmosphere.



How to get there:

You can either drive, take a bus or take a train to Yangon. The journey (one way) should take between 2 to 3 hours.



My favorite is the train journey as it allows you to travel from the heart of Yangon to the heart of Bago while experiencing colonial era meter gauge trains, the life of a local Burmese person and for lots of interesting local conversations. The train ticket is very cheap, can be bought directly at the train station and there are usually lots of seats to be found if you reach the station about 20 minutes prior to departure.



Where to stay:

If you wish to stay in Bago, I would recommend heading to the main road in S/Zainganaing Qr for a lot of options.

Due to Bago’s close proximity to Yangon, one can stay at Yangon and visit Bago as part of a day trip. And Yangon has a wide range of options when it comes to accommodation.

Where to eat:

There are small places to eat right in front of Shwe Maw Daw Pagoda and the Shwe Tha Lyuang temple, but if you feel like eating at a proper restaurant, then head to the main road in S/Zainganaing Qr for a lot of options.



Other must see attractions:

1) Yangon, the erstwhile capital of Burma, Burma’s largest city and that offers a beautiful mix of colonial history, local culture and gorgeous temples

2) The pottery town of Twante on the Ayyerawaddy delta



3) Bagan: The ancient land of temples in Central Myanmar

4) Inle Lake: The floating life of Burma that is home to many unique cultures, handicrafts and hydroponic farming

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10 Top Experiences to be had in Burma (Myanmar)

Once an integral part of the mighty Indian sub-continent and the lush green tropical land that is full of temples, lovely people, traditional cultures, colonial history, religious fervor and jade mountains, Burma (Myanmar) is one of the hottest destinations in the world right now. And with the international overland border between India and Myanmar being re-opened, an overland trip to Burma is also generating a lot of interest, especially with motorcycling and car enthusiasts.



As someone who spent 30 days slowly exploring this amazing country that is just re-appearing from its long lost past, I can clearly say that there is more to this it than what meets the eye. But, before you head out to Myanmar to experience the joys of travel, do not forget to protect your journey by purchasing a travel insurance plan. From medical reimbursement to providing a protection cover for all your valuables, a travel insurance will ensure that you enjoy a worry free holiday.



Whether, you are on a short holiday or a long backpacking vacation, you will find innumerable avenues to mesmerize yourself with the charms of this country. Below are 10 of the best experiences that one should ideally make a part of their Myanmar holiday itinerary.

1) Watch the Sun rising over the Bagan Landscape


Bagan is the land of pagodas and temples. Located by the iconic Iyyerawaddy River, these 11th and 12th century marvels have stood the test of time and give us an insight into Bagan’s spectacular past. With more than 2,200 temples spread across the plains of the Iyyerawaddy, one can safely draw parallels with the Pyramids of Egypt as some of the temple structures are humongous. While early morning hot air balloon rides are a great way to see the Bagan landscape at Sunrise, I prefer climbing to the top of Thatbyinnyu temple to catch a special sunrise view. For sunsets, I would recommend going to the top of Shwesandaw temple and Shwegugyi temple. 

2) Catch the Traditional Fishermen in action at Inle Lake



Imagine floating villages. Think a unique fishing technique. Think tribal cultures of many kinds. Think traditional craft work and small scale industry. Hydroponic farming and floating vegetable gardens are just the icing on the cake. The shallow Inle Lake located in the heart of the country is all this and much more. A boat trip on this lake takes you across floating villages and their tribal denizens. You will get to see the making of cheroots (local cigarette). You will get to see how the longyi is made from either bamboo or threads from the lotus stem. And you will keep coming across fishermen who seem busy with their conical shaped fishing nets. If you get lucky, you can even taste a tomato from a floating vegetable garden. Inle Lake is a special experience and hence it is not surprising that it is one of the most popular destinations in Burma.

3) Listen to the early morning chants of the Buddhist Monks at Shwedagon Pagoda



From British colonial architecture and history to bustling markets and a stunning riverside, there is so much to see and do in Yangon. But, if you wish to experience the true pulse of the city, you need to reach Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar’s most religious site before sunrise, find yourself a nice spot and simply keep your eyes and ears open. What will unfold next is a long line of monks begging for alms (a traditional practice) and then offering prayers at the temple. The sound of the prayers are so strong that it stirs a feeling of peace deep inside of you.

4) Celebrate Thingyan, the Water Festival and New Year



Every year around the mid of April (in 2017, it is between April 13 and 17), Myanmar celebrates its traditional new year ‘Thingyan’ with a lot of fanfare. Similar to Thailand’s Songran, during the festival, people throw water on each other and then there are specific water gassing stations where vehicles with all their passengers are doused with copious amounts of water. The entire country celebrates during this time and foreign visitors are welcomed to the home of locals for desserts, beer and whiskey. Having taken part in this festival, I can personally vouch for its heightened fun factor.

5) Wear a Longyi and apply some Thanaka



When in Burma, behave like the Burmese do. Which means wear a longyi, the local sarong like clothing worn on the bottom and apply some thanaka, a paste made from a local root that keeps you cool. Not only are these two fun, but they are perfect companions to beat the heat and humidity of Myanmar and to generate warm smiles and oodles of hospitality from the super friendly locals.

6) Travel by train from Yangon to Bago


Burma is known for its ancient Japanese train coaches and rickety-rackety tracks that are legacy of the British. These trains are the backbone of the masses as prices are extremely low. Which means that this is the perfect opportunity to see the true Burma from vegetable sellers to school kids, from tribals to fishermen and from monks to the traditional Burmese who love their smiles, thanaka, longyi and the betel nut. While trains cover many more parts of the country, I am recommending a train journey from Yangon to Bago as it takes only two hours and it allows you to explore another beautiful temple town of Burma in Bago.

7) See Traditional Pottery Magic Unfurl at Twante


Located deep in the Iyyerawaddy delta is a small village called Twante. It takes a boat ride, a tuk tuk ride and a walk to reach this place that is known for its pottery art and crafts. Made from the clay rich mud of the Iyyerwaddy delta, the potters of Twante eke out some of the best pottery creations of this region. Such is their quality that kings of far away kingdoms used to be gifted with magical creations from here. Even today, this ancient tradition is alive and kicking in this village and any visitor can come, see and learn this pottery art. And if you like something, you could even potentially buy something as a souvenir for your friends and family back home.

8) Shop at Bogyoke Aung San Market, Yangon



What holiday is complete without some local shopping? Yangon’s bustling Bogyoke Aung San market is the perfect place to buy everything from jade and precious stones to crafts made from Burma teak. And then there are colorful umbrellas, handicrafts, tribal creations, clothes (especially the longyi), bamboo work and many other souvenir items. The market is so big that can get lost in the maze of shops here for hours. A perfect place for shopping, right?

9) Discover Unique Tribal Cultures



Burma is a country that is full of unique tribal cultures. From the long necked karens to the artisans of voodoo, the mountains of Burma, especially near Inle Lake are famous for their tribes. These people follow their ancient traditions even till date. This could be traditional clothing, traditional work, their own unique scripts and languages to their own sets of whims and fancies. All in all, they make for a very attractive package.

10) Search for Jade Mountains beyond Myitkyina



The world over has heard stories of jade mountains, mountains of gold and precious stones in Burma. These are not just stories, but such places do exist in Myanmar. If you have a bit of Indiana Jones in you, head up north to the city of Myitkyina and then make your way north east from there till you find scores of people searching rivers for precious stones and even professional digging companies looking for the precious stuff. Who knows, you can get lucky and strike gold or jade or any precious gem!!



By now, I am sure you have realized the sheer diversity of this tropical country and I do hope that you get to experience some of its best on your next holiday to Burma.



Do remember that an international travel insurance policy is essential to take care of all overseas contingencies and a medical insurance comes in very handy while you recover from any bacterial, viral or any other illnesses (like malaria or dengue) that you might have contracted during your holiday to this tropical paradise. I hope you plan well and have a holiday of a lifetime in Myanmar.

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Travel Photo of the Day: Pots of Twante, Myanmar (Burma)

Located in the Iyerawaddy delta, it is the clay of the river that makes Twante a special pottery town of Myanmar (Burma).  For centuries, the people of Twante have lived off their pottery skills. Even today, their pots are of huge demand throughout Burma, but unfortunately, a lot of their new generation travels to neighbouring Yangon to do jobs in the city. This town, with its rustic riverside atmosphere and great pottery industry makes for a fantastic day trip from Yangon, the capital city of Myanmar (Burma).

Note: Click on the photo to share it or to download a higher resolution as your desktop wallpaper.

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My Burma Article in Complete Well Being Magazine

Off late, I have been making a conscious effort to evangelize my love of travel through the mainstream media channels. This will allow more of us to find solace in the joy of travel and indulge in the life that I have been living since I made travel my career. This is one of my full length articles in main stream media and it is about one of my favorite destinations – Burma. This article titled ‘The Land of Temples’ can be found in the August issue of Complete Well Being Magazine, a national health/well being magazine. You can read it here or even better, if you buy a copy of this magazine (August 2014 issue) and look up pages 92 to 96. I hope you enjoy reading this article.

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