A My association with the sub continent goes back to many years spent backpacking around Asia ( plus many other places - Africa, South America, North America, Middle East, Europe plus many more!!! ) in the 70's and 80's. Upon returning to Australia, I was dismayed at the lack of motor bike tours available ( none ) and with my travelling experience and passion for motorcycling, I decided to do something about it.......hence Asian Experience was born. I started Asian Experience in 1989 and took my first group in 1990. This first tour was so successful that the group wanted me to organise another tour for them…….this gave me encouragement to realise that I could successfully organise tours!!! I'm quite proud to be the first Australian to organise overseas motor bike tours and also the first to be given permission from the Bhutan Govt to take motor bike tours there. So successful have mymotor bike tours been, that other operators have copied my itineraries……..but of course do not do them better!!!

Helen came on one of my tours to Nepal in 1993 and thought that by cracking onto the tour leader, she might get special treatment!!!! Little did we know that we would become the best of buddies and now Helen is an integral part of Asian Experience. She has always been an avid traveller and fortunately been to most of the destinations that we do tours to - maybe this is what drew us together???? Helen has brought another dimension to Asian Experience and thoroughly enjoys being the tour leader....though we quite often haggle over who will be the fortunate one to take the group!!!

Q Why are your tour prices lower than other operators?

A Perhaps the question should be: Why are our competitor's prices so high? We cannot speak for the other operators, but for Asian Experience, we have always aimed to provide value for money tours. We do this by being only a 2 person show with minimal overheads ( spare bedroom is the office!! ) and because of having spent so many years in these countries, we have a reliable network of friends, colleagues and contacts who can organise the "on ground" arrangements. We don't have a huge advertising budget and are very grateful for the many repeat customers and word of mouth recommendations…...ultimately advertising has to impact on the tour prices and you will end up paying.

Q What is the standard of accommodation?

A This will vary with each tour but will always be in clean, centrally located hotels with each room having attached bathrooms ( hot & cold water, Western toilets ), satellite TV, international phones, room service etc.

As a rough guide:

Vietnam and Bali: quite upmarket tours: 4 & 5 star resort style with air con, swimming pools, bars….holiday time!!!

India, Nepal and Tibet: 3 star standard and usually the best hotel available in each town. On the Rajasthan Classic tour, all hotels have swimming pools.

Bhutan: 3 or 4 star standard and all built in the distinctive Bhutanese style - very comfortable and nice.

We continually monitor the standard of all the hotels used, as sometimes the quality can slip - this recently happened to the hotel we use in Kathmandu as it was taken over by new owners and they quickly let the standard decline - we have since used another hotel and could not be more pleased.

The Himalayan High Road to Leh tour does involve 2 nights of camping - however these are permanent tents which have attached toilets & bathrooms, so not really roughing it.

Q Do you include meals?

A We don't include meals, except for some breakfasts, as the groups food preferences vary considerably and providing a "set menu" means that you do not get a choice. We feel that part of the overseas experience is eating out in the local restaurants…….after all isn't that why you're there??? These restaurants cater for the tourist trade and therefore provide inexpensive meals which cater for all tastes - local, Western, Chinese, Indian, Nepalese, Tibetan, Italian, Greek…it amazes us as to the extent of their menus……

Some operators provide all meals and then add a hefty price onto their tour cost for this….…reality is that eating out in these good quality restaurants will only cost around $350 for 18 days, so why would you want to be forced into eating set meals, miss out on the pleasure of eating at local restaurants and then pay extra as well????

The exception to this is Bhutan - the Govt tourist tariff includes all buffet style meals…these are of a very good standard and caters for a wide variety of tastes.

Q What motor bikes do you use?

A We have our own fleet of Royal Enfield Bullets...350 and 500cc, which we use on our Indian, Nepal and Bhutan tours. These have been modified with front disc brakes, crash bars and top boxes to carry your cameras, water bottles etc. As these are our own bikes, they are lovingly maintained and garaged between each tour. Other tour operators use hire bikes which have seen better days!!!

In Vietnam & Bali, Government regulations do not allow us to own motor bikes. However, through my network of Vietnamese friends I have access to privately owned Japanese make bikes of between 400 - 750cc.

Q What are the support vehicles and how are they used???

A Depending on which tour, the support vehicles will either be an air con minibus/bus or cars. They will be driven by experienced local drivers and will carry your luggage, tour leader, local guide, motor bike mechanic plus any non riders or pillions who want a "rest" There will be enough seats for all members, including the riders, as they will be used for sightseeing tours and to go out to dinner etc. The vehicles will have flags attached for easy identification amongst the traffic.

Q What are the road conditions?

A On all our tours, the roads are sealed and generally in quite good condition. The only exception is on the Himalayan High Road to Leh tour where the roads will vary from great to riding through landslides, creeks...but what an adventure!!!

Q Can "Non Motor Bike" people come on a Motor Bike tour?

A Yes. We find that our motor bike groups usually consist of around 50% riders, 20% pillions and the rest are non bike people who join these groups because they like the itinerary/destinations and also to experience a different way of doing a tour. Like any group, the members come from all different walks of life, but on the motor bike tours, they all have one thing in common - their passion for motorcycling.

Q Can I ride ahead of the support vehicles?

A Usually we use 2 vehicles - one to lead and the other to follow. The lead vehicle will get you out of the town/city until you are on the open road and then you will have an opportunity to go ahead at your own pace. However, there are certain riding days that involve many towns/villages, intersections, turn offs etc and you will be asked to remain behind the lead vehicle. The tour leader will let you know when you can safely go off ahead.

Q What distances are covered and how long are the riding days?

A The itineraries will show the distances for each of the riding days. We've found that 250 km is pretty much the limit for a comfortable days ride, particularly if you're riding in the mountains. Although there is not much vehicle traffic, "life" lives on these roads and there will be people, school kids, animals of all descriptions, bicycles, carts, many villages to pass through………..plus stops for photos, rests and drinks……..plus you're on holiday and there to take it all in and enjoy, so why rush it.

Q Do I need to bring all my own riding gear?

A Yes plus helmet. You are in a developing country with health facilities nowhere near as good as we are fortunate to have. Therefore, I advise you to wear what you feel comfortable in with regards to safety and climate.

Q Are the motor bikes available all the time?

A Yes. The bikes are there for your use 24/7. On the sightseeing or free days, if you prefer to go off for a ride rather than go sightseeing, then the bikes, vehicles and mechanic are at your disposal.

Q Is there an accompanying motor bike mechanic?

A Yes. We have our Indian mechanic Arshad, who has been with us since the beginning. He's an integral part of our tours and you will quickly learn why we call him "One Kick Arshad" His family own an Enfield service centre in Delhi and I'm sure Arshad was born with a spanner in his hand!!! We've watch him grow to a now confident married man who enjoys mixing in with the group. His 2 yo son, Arsh, seems to be taking after dad and is already vroom, vrooming on his Enfield.

Q Do I need a motor bike licence?

A Yes. You will require an International Drivers Licence which has been endorsed for motorcycling. This is easily obtained from your motoring organisation over the counter - show your current motor bike licence, one passport photo and pay the fee. Failure to have a licence will invalidate your travel insurance.

Q How do you design the itineraries?

A I've always designed the itineraries as to how I would want to do it again myself. After having spent over 30 years travelling, I feel I know exactly what there is to see and how long to spend in each place. It was then simply a matter of tying all these must see places into a cohesive itinerary.

Q What will the weather be like?

A Regardless of what Helen says, I do not have any direct links with upstairs to control the weather!!! However, I can control the departure dates and these are chosen to visit during the best possible weather. The monsoon season dictates everything and this goes from early May to early September. Prior to the monsoon, the skies can be a bit hazy due to the build up of dust rising up from the plains of India, whilst late Sept/Oct & Nov, the skies will be crystal clear.

Q Will I be affected by altitude?

A No. The only tours where you might experience the affects of altitude are on our Tibet/Nepal and Himalayan High Road to Leh tours. To lessen the possible effect, I design the itineraries, so that the rise in altitude is gradual, rather than rapid eg The Tibet tour commences by flying from Kathmandu to Lhasa and then overland back to Kathmandu, rather than the reverse way, as this would involve a rapid increase on the first day.

The rest of our tours do not ascend high enough for altitude to have any effect.

Q Do I need travel insurance?

A Yes. This is compulsory and we cannot stress enough the importance of having it.

Q Will there be any language problems?

A No. English is widely spoken and all printed matter is in English.

Q What do I take my luggage in?

A Suitcase, backpack, duffle bag - whatever is easiest for you, as your luggage will be carried in the vehicles.

Q Do I need a visa?

A Yes. We will obtain these for you or provide information on how you can get yourselves.

Q How much spending money should I take?

A We recommend no more than A$30/day ( US$20 ) to cover your day to day expenses…but if you're a shopaholic……

Q Are there any mandatory vaccinations required to enter any countries?

A No. We will send you a list of possible vaccinations which you should discuss with your GP, Govt Health Department or commercial travel vaccination clinic.

Q Can I use my mobile phone?

A Yes. Check with your phone maker/carrier, to see if it is possible to use overseas - mobile call charges can be very expensive!!! It is very easy to stay in contact with the outside world, as the hotels and many businesses offer direct phone/fax and email services.

Q Are there Internet Cafes?

A Yes....in almost every town/village/city we stay in there will be internet cafes.