Useful Documents
1 - PASSPORTS
If you chance your luck and try travelling without the requisite documents, you will certainly be turned away. You can’t – yet – board a plane without a passport. NB: for all our destinations, your passport must be valid for at least another six months after your holiday end date and, of course, have a few blank pages left.
2 - VISAS
The process for getting visas differs for each tour country, and it’s up to you to deal with it. It‘s worth the hassle, and we can answer any questions you might have. Here’s some guidance:
India
India has a unique way of doing things – starting with ID photos, for which there’s a special format !
UK
A tourist visa* costs about GBP 110. More details here
* Fee stated is for: up to 1 year, single/multiple entry, max. stay of 150 days per visit (and includes VFS service charge).
You can obtain an e-visa by contacting our partner RapideVisa and mentioning your travel dates: contact@rapidevisa.fr. Use code HARDEV2019 to get a -15% discount or their service.
UK: A tourist visa (30-day stay, single entry/exit, valid for 3 months) costs GBP 40. More details here
Sril Lanka
An Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is obligatory. Apply online a few days before your arrival for a 30 day ETA (US$ 35), or directly at the airport for latecomers for US$ 40.
Bhutan
We take care of all the formalities for Bhutan before you arrive (visa + daily taxes). NB: Our Bhutan trips leave from New Delhi, so be sure to get an Indian visa.
Australia
A 6-month tourist visa* costs about A$ 83. More details here
* Fee calculation varies. Fee quoted is for: a lifelong Australian citizen with single nationality, for a single-entry visa, applied for/collected at an application centre, paid by debit card.
Australia: A tourist/visitor visa (single, entry, 30 day validity) costs A$ 230. More details here
US
US: Details here
Nepal
See country-specific visa application details below. Visas are also very easy to obtain on arrival at Kathmandu airport (bring a passport-sized photo): expect to pay US $40 for the 15 day visa or US $60 for the 30 day type. For the Mustang region, we sort your permits on the ground: please bring 3 photos.
Mangolia
You must apply for a visa in your own country before departure.
3 - MOTORBIKE LICENCE
Just one rule: you must hold an unrestricted (all categories) motorcycle licence. If you usually travel by Porsche, scooter, bicycle or moped, you can’t come with us unless you’re riding pillion. Some intrepid travellers take their motorbike driving test just to come away with us !
4 - INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT
See country-specific details below. For our Sri Lanka trips, we’ll need a scan of your IDP in advance so we can then apply for a temporary local permit from the Automobile Club of Sri Lanka !
Australia: To obtain an IDP, contact the relevant IDP authority in your state: the list is here
UK: You can apply for an IDP at selected post offices (cost: £5.50) or by post from the AA (£5.50 + £3 processing fee).
US: If you have a valid tourist visa, your US driver licence is sufficient, but always keep your passport with you while riding. For more details, contact the American Bikers Association
5 - OTHER DOCUMENTS
We’ll be asking for (yet) more information, such as your T-shirt size and your international flight times. But also for your insurance documents and, for Himalayan destinations, a medical certificate showing you’re fit to ride at altitude for more than 6 hours a day. You’ll then just need to sign a liability waiver during the booking process !
