Rafting the Ganges

I can hardly believe just a month ago we were packing up our things and moving onto Rishikesh. Its a big change from the over crowded New Delhi, but it sure haven't taken long to fall in love with our newly found camping home in Shivpuri, Rishikesh.

The place itself is some kind of a mixture of nature and peaceful soul or unequivocally it wont be a misnomer to say that it was a soulful place for all of us.
We spent one night and two days and still a night before rafting is living in our eyes as a scintillating Bon Fire night where everybody was shouting, dancing and singing in joy to the victory of our Indian Cricket Team as they won the World Cup. Alongside, a great special emphasis was given even to the even the minute details in order to add upto our expectations. The Staff who cooked food was courteous and hospitable and the cooked food was delicious. Camping was a time for us to share stories, to make up a conversation and to share great laughters with our glass of wines. In this way I and my team have made lots of new friends and they thouroughly enjoyed their trip amongst the gorgeous Shivalik mountains.

After embracing the morning glory we headed towards our starting point of Rafting. It did not take long to reach Marine Drive (a place where we started our rafting in Rishikesh). After getting some instructions before rafting we jumped over to our rafts and first slowly started paddling on the clean and clear stream of water. So with our life jackets and helmets on, we spent the quality time in rafting and the best part when we were whizzing down the stream to come across eight rapids pretty faster than our expectations on the river Ganges which kept flowing and flowing. We had a chance to Body surf and swam in the river wherever we wanted. We all were thrilled to showcase our individual skills in the water and excited about the fact it was new to us. We did it with our highest unbelivable adernalin rush.
With great vigour, strength and loud noices we hit some of the most enjoyable rapids on the river Ganga which is Black Money, hilton and Double and Trouble. Apart from that, with the exhuberance of youth we faced the most exciting rapids on the river Ganga which is Roller Coaster, Return to Sender, Three Blind Mice, Crossfire and Golf Course.

As Rafting is a team sport so we truly felt ourselves as one great team going together facing challenges together and cooperating in following the instructions given by the guide, it was divine. We also tried Cliff Jumping under strict supervision of highly trained staff. It was great fun. Nevertheless , the support and knowledge received from 'Harda' our raft guide and 'Surbhit' Director of Hindustan Motorcycling Company will never be forgotton by our whole team.
Finally we finished just before Lakshman Jhula and with our bags packed, we came back to Delhi but also taken with us the golden memories that i am sure all of us will cherish in future. Nevertheless, a great deal of happiness was made possible only after thorough planning and organising it nicely for which the credit should go to Hnidustan Motorcycling company. All in all it was a trip of our life time and all of us loved it.

Sandeep Khatri
Operations Analyst
IBM

(Participant - Rafting the Ganges!)

The Highland Himalayas Motorcycle Ride

What would someone who has just been back from a Himalayan motorcycle ride talk about? - Mountains, cold weather, rains, zigzag roads, tiring drives, mountain sickness, tourist spot etc.
Well, when we were back from The Highland Himalayas Motorcycle Ride, we were talking about the black pea grains, white pea grains, enthusiasm, belief in oneself, teamwork and how to make impossible possible.

Lights a bulb in your brain? Well, here you go!

Most people go on with their lives, never taking a pause to think of what all they had planned to do when they were kids or teenagers. Most people go on doing what their daily chores require them to do. Any pauses that come are probably cigarette breaks where colleagues whine about not being able to take a pause.

The above situation changes when your motorcycle leaves the asphalt road and dives into a slippery mud path and does not stop at any of those sharp turns you thought it will not be able to negotiate and it climbs and climbs and climbs and slowly, the feeling of danger gives way to a numbness that makes you think – What if it ends at this moment! The result is a pause and the process of thought. Entire life runs like a film in your mind and you wonder how much more there is to life than you currently are doing.
I will never be able to look at Hindustan Motorcycling as a company that takes me to these tours. If anything, I look at it as if it is my alma mater. Most important thing that these companions in the journey of self-exploration have done is made me think about my life, my personality and why do I behave in a particular way.

In the beginning, continental food at 6000 ft sounds like a bliss and a discussion that analyses your behaviour thread by thread seems a little too much. Post two camping-experiences with Hindustan Motorcycling; I look forward to it every day.

It is just not possible to explain what Hindustan Motorcycling does to your thinking and your way of looking at things. The most important part is not that they do it – the way they do it with all the freedom and leisure is amazing.

However, on coming back to Delhi, one has to be ready to listen to a complaining girlfriend or a boyfriend say, “Next time, you are not going anywhere where your mobile does not work.”

Cheers to HMC Team!

Guy Jones

Participant – The Highland Himalayas Motorcycle Ride
Malaysia

Laddakh 2011 - A Motorcycle Ride To Find Yourself Again!

Undeniably one of the toughest journeys anywhere – we take you across some of the highest roads on earth – on top of the world and at altitudes that will leave you speechless with anticipation and exhilaration.

This adventure takes on hazards such as landslides, snow-melt waters, desert sands and glacial movements. The mighty Himalayan range with its wilderness and barren landscapes will eclipse anything you might have ridden through before or ever imag­ined of in your wildest dreams.

Laddakh is an experience and an extraordinary place where stupendous scenery and its people are truly charming. Immerse yourself in ancient cultures will thriving in these remote areas of the upper Himalayas and the experience you take away with you. We guarantee these journeys will definitely leave a remarkable impression on you.

CALL # +91 93 119 119 06

EMAIL: INFO@HINDUSTANMOTORCYCLING.COM

WEBSITE: WWW.HINDUSTANMOTORCYCLING.COM

Your Responsibility

You participate with HMC knowingly as a competent rider and do so entirely at your own risk. Understanding that motorcycle touring on and off-road involves certain amount of risk and you need to have the openness and the ability to adapt to your environment. Riding through developing countries – besides the terrain – challenges are prevalent.

A full motorcycle license comes in handy with at least a year to two’s riding experience. One thing we do ask of everyone is please respect your fellow riders and the people whose lands your cross.

Our Responsibility

Is to make sure you have the time of your life. But at our discretion any rider seen taking unnecessary risks en-route will have their journey terminated, thereafter travelling in one of the support-vehicles for remainder of the tour or their tour ended forthwith. No reimbursement will be given. It is also our duty to make sure in the event of any unforeseeable circumstances – we keep your adventure on track without too many interruptions.

Booking

To book a place on your chosen tour you must complete booking form attached and submit with the required deposit. A contract between you and Hindustan Motorcycling Company will exist from the date on the confirmation invoice. From your booking form, it will be deemed you have read and accept the Terms & Conditions set out in this document.

START DATE: 1ST JUNE 2011

END DATE: 16TH JUNE 2011

Deposit and Balance payment

· 60% of the total payable amount needs to deposit per person as a confirmation amount.

· Balance made payable 8 weeks before the departure date.

· If you are booking within 8 weeks of departure, full payment is due.

How to pay?

Cheque:
Please make cheques payable to

HINDUSTAN MOTORCYCLING COMPANY, LLP and send to:

Hindustan Motorcycling Company, LLP

B34, LGF, Freedom Fighter Enclave

IGNOU Road, Neb Sarai

New Delhi – 110 068

INDIA

Online banking: Deposit payments can also be made via bank transfer and online banking - or you can pay your deposit into HMC’s bank account at any AXIS BANK. HMC’s banking details can be provided on request.

Included:

· all fuel – basic spare parts

· all accommodation (twin sharing hotels – guesthouse – camping)

· all meals (breakfast – dinner) Lunch is not included.

· guides – team leaders

· Royal Enfield Mechanic

· medic/first aider

· bottled mineral water (No alcohol)

Not included: The above mentioned cost does not include:

· International / National flights

· Visa

· Travel Insurance, including medical and repatriation

· Entrance fees to world heritage sites

· Any type of internal transfers

· Support Vehicle

· 500cc / 350cc Royal Enfield Bullet (On Request Only on an additional cost)

· Permits Fees for restricted areas (India-Tibet border)

· Entry Fees/ Tickets to any museum, zoo, or where ever it is applicable.

· And anything which is not mentioned here.

Accommodation (2 people per room)
Accommodation ranges from hotel, guesthouses to camping and Leh-homestay. All accommodation is on same sex twin-sharing (couples double-room). Sometimes there might a single occupancy in a double room.

Single Room Supplements
No single-room supplement.

Cancellation
If you need to cancel your booking, please do so in writing. If your cancellation is received more than eight weeks before your departure date, 50% of your deposit will be refunded. If cancellation is received less than eight weeks before the departure date, there will be no refund.

If you are delayed or think you might be late. Contact details will be available and everything possible will be done to make alternative arrangements in order to meet further down the road. Extra costs may be incurred.

No refunds given if a person/s leave a tour en-route.

Our tours are planned several months in advance to avoid adverse climate conditions. However, changes will be made (en-route) if unfavorable weather hampers our progress. However, while on tour should any unforeseeable situations arise beyond our control, e.g. landslides, snowpack, earthquake or glacier movement. As safety of all our riders is paramount, we will make changes en-route and detour to continue with the adventure.

Tour Amendment
If we find there are insufficient numbers of riders in a particular tour group. We reserve the right to amend or cancel the tour. We will also ensure to the best of our ability that you get exactly what you pay for. However, if there are circumstances beyond our control, i.e. political unrest, or any other unpredictable events, we will take every precaution to take an alternative route to continue with your adventures.

Insurance

You are responsible for your travel insurance and it is a condition of joining any of our expeditions that you are covered against following: Trip cancellations and delays, full medical – accidental cover including repatriation, general liability – loss of luggage.

Please be aware, that HMC or any of our agents will not be held responsible for any damage to or loss of your personal property.
Health

On our Trans – Himalaya and Ladakh expeditions, Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) on the high-roads and passes can cause some riders problems. We take great care of those susceptible to such difficulties and make sure immediate action is taken. For general health advice and inoculations, please consult your doctor.

Please let us know if you have a medical condition which we should know about, or if high altitude is a problem. We can take appropriate actions when journeying.

Please feel free to contact us anytime for clarification or click here to got to FAQ’s.

WISHING YOU A SAFE & HAPPY RIDING

HMC TEAM

CALL # +91 93 119 119 06

EMAIL: INFO@HINDUSTANMOTORCYCLING.COM

WEBSITE: WWW.HINDUSTANMOTORCYCLING.COM

Hindustan Motorcycling Company, LLP - Motorcycle Tours In India

Hindustan Motorcycling Company, LLP - The Himalayan Exploration Motorcyc...

Thinking While Thumping!

Hey Everyone,

I've been performing this rare phenomenon of 'THINKING HARD', and I want you too, to think.

...Here are 3 questions that i, want you to answer in less then 250 words. Answer can
vary from a word to a sentence to an essay. Here we go:


Q1. What does motorcycling mean to you?

Q2. What does photography mean to you?

Q3. How are these above related, if at all?

Cheers, have fun wearing your best thinking hats!



Please send your answers to info@hindustanmotorcycling.com or simply put them as comments here itself.

N.B.: The Best ten answers will be chosen & writers awarded a
special Hindustan Motorcycling Company award!

The Unexplored Kumaon Motorcycle Ride

"We started on schedule, late in the evening for Old Delhi Railway Station on Day 0 but could manage to reach Kathgodam Railway Station only by noon the next day, against the planned arrival at 5 O'clock in the morning. We were quite okay with train getting delayed due to one of the thousands of reasons we have learnt of, over a lifetime of using Train Transport in India.

However, on that day, it was something new. I enquired with a stranger at an unknown stopage and he told me that it was because of the rains that the engine was unable to pull the train up to Kathgodam. Then, someone else told me that it was due to some problem in the hose pipe. All this while the train kept stopping and restarting.

Finally, when we were short of our destination by about 3 to 4 Kilometers, the engine got into an extremely bad mood and refused to buzz at all. The replacement would take at least 2 hours to arrive, and then God knows how much time to drag us to Kathgodam. So, following the age-old tradition of explorers who believe in DIY, Surbhit told me to abandon the train, and sounded like adventure....!"

So this how our client Mr. Pant would probably describe his experience of getting introduced to the THE UNEXPLORED KUMAON .

So that ride remains swift and comfortable, I had reached Kathgodam one night before, riding my ROYAL ENFIELD ELECTRA 350 all the way from Delhi overnight.

I have to confess that after having ridden solo on Delhi-Goa-Delhi, and Delhi-Laddakh-Delhi routes a few times, this ride was not all that exciting till...........till that famous left turn towards Dariyal after crossing Moradabad.

I also have to confess that even after having ridden solo on Delhi-Goa-Delhi, and Delhi-Laddakh-Delhi routes a few times, riding beyond this left turn still gives me shivers, especially at night. This ride is along a district highway(Zero Traffic) that follows the periphery of the famous Jim Corbett National Park, which is full of elephants, spotted dear, wild boars, fox, rabbits and Neel Gai. Yours truly, by the way, has had honour of being chased by a wild Tusker (Elephant) on mast for several Kilometers - yes! I was on a motorcycle showing a South African Wildlife expert - but let us cover that story some other time.

So, I managed to reach Kathgodam at around 3am. Stayed at a Dharamshala (sort of motel)and went straight to bed as the train was scheduled to arrive in another two to three hours.

Anyways, after all the hustle-bustle of train incident and picking up Mr. Pant from that unknown train stoppage, we came to the railway station, loaded our machines up, and went to refuel ourselves at the local Udupi Restaurant - a short ride and big refuelling with lassi, uttampam, dosa, sambhar and a cup of coffee to wash it all down.

And then, we started thumping.....!

(Rest in Next ......have fun watching the album of this ride! And don't forget to comment!)

For more information, please visit www.hindustanmotorcyling.com