India/Pakistan 2025
 

I am thinking of doing a fly & ride trip to either India or Pakistan in 2025 but have no idea which part of India or Pakistan to go.

Recommendations of places to go would be great and would also need a reliable place to rent a bike.
Duration would be about 4 weeks.

Thanks

:scooter::mchappy:

First look at time of year and associated weather. Then think about what sort of riding you want to do, and what you're there for in the first place. It's a huge country with a lot of variation, and you'll see only a few bits and pieces in a month.

Me, I'd head directly north from Manali explore Lahaul and Spiti on the way north, and hope to circle around thru Kashmir on the way back. I like mountains and open spaces, and I dislike cities, crowds, pollution, and suicidal transport drivers. But what I like might have no appeal for you, depending on your preferences.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

Mark,

Thanks for chiming in.

I would most likely be doing this trip in the second half of 2025. I have already booked flight ticket to Saigon, Vietnam in February 2025 for the big Vietnam tour (South to North). End the tour in Hanoi in April.

Like you I dislike major cities where there are tons of tourists. I would rather skip the POI and move on. I love mountains so we are not dissimilar in preferences.

Brendon

https://images2.imgbox.com/ad/63/TMliWzBx_o.png

October seems to be the best month with the least rain with temperature ranging from 5C to -10C. That will be too cold for me though!

Other recommendations where there is less rain and slightly warmer temperature would be better.

And that's why I suggested starting with stating a time of year and your specific interests.

My India experience has been limited to early fall in the north--when it does start getting cold and roads begin to close due to snow--and early winter in the heavily populated tourist trail connecting Varanasi and Agra to Jaisalmer and Jaipur. Hope someone else chimes in with ideas better suited to what you want.

Thanks Mark for sharing your experience.

I appreciate it.

:scooter::mchappy:

Been doing some reading and from what I have read North India is a "must" and ticks all the boxes for me in in terms of preferences except for the temperature which is too cold for me.
When I was in Seoul for Christmas last year (non bike trip) it was too bloody cold for me at 0 C and I was all layered up. doh:freezing:

I guess the best time to go would be from July to August with 15C to 5C. Unfortunately rain is also high in July & August.

I suppose the tour would start from New Delhi.
Can anyone share contacts for reliable bike rentals & recommended routes for about 4 weeks of riding?

Thanks
:scooter::palm:

I find that chart misleading. What's the average HIGH and LOW per day is what I care about.


https://www.climatestotravel.com/ima...nali-india.png
That tells me that the high and low in September and October is fine - I don't ride at night when it's cold :) And with less rain, I'd bet on late September and early October being a sweet spot, before the snow closes everything down. OR April - May - June a bit warmer and hopefully the passes are open. No matter when you go, you'll get cold nights, possible snow, for sure rain.

Grant,
Thanks for chiming in too.

Aha....... i now have another source for climates besides the one that I use, Yes, looking at the charts, there are differences in both sources.
Maybe split the difference to get the average? :rofl:

But seriously, I concur September to October looks like the best time.

I am doing research by reading travel guide books such as Lonely Planet & Rough Guide India.
Need to find a bike to rent and recommended routes which you won't find the info in the travel guides. Hope fellow bikers can share their experience and info.

:scooter::D

I think the website www.climatestotravel.com you used is much better than the one I used for weather data. It provides much more detailed info.

We're planning a South Asia trip for next year (not just India, where we cannot go for more than 180 days anyway). The climate is a major factor, and it's tough to figure out the best option, although we do now have a base case plan.

Based on previous posts, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim may be ideal, but in March or April not mid-winter.

Alanymarce,

Thanks for your input.

Much appreciated.

:scooter::mchappy:

Hello :) Just thought I'd share my thoughts here as I noticed there wasn't mention of Pakistan mountains. Definitely you should include northern Pakistan, Gilgit through to Karimabad, Passu and Khunjerab along the Karakoram Highway is stunning, easy riding AND also over to Skardu / Khaplu areas (a bit more rugged, cold desert off road options). I personally love the areas around Khaplu, Machlu village, Haldi cones, less people, amazing rocky river beds, spiky mountains and views towards Masherbrum (K2 region) Similar scenery to Ladakh / Nubrah Valley as it's a hand wave away but less touristy. I've ridden on both sides of the border and Skardu / Khaplu defintely up there with the best. Very friendly locals as well :) Karakoram Bikers is the best option for motorbike hire in Gilgit / Skardu in Pakistan.

Thanks Lizzy.

:scooter: