Himalaya's Which Tour Company to go with?

[SPB60]

Hello All,

My first post on this brilliant site so please go steady with me! Hope this is the right place to ask for some advice about which Tour Company to go with for a tour of the Himalayas.
Background is that I have motorcycled for around ten years and while I don't do massive mileages I have ridden in most of europe and some of America.Mostly I travel alone, with a couple of mates or with SWMBO and have never been part of an organised tour group but India will be so different from previous experience that a supported trip has its appeal.
Have looked at several options ( mostly those that advertise on this site!) and would appreciate any feedback,info or advice about these and any other options that you might know of?
All input very much appreciated,Thanks very much ,

Steve

[rusty max]

Steve,

only came back from a trip through the Indian Himalayans a week ago. New- Dehli, Chandrigar, Simla, Manali, Leh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Agra and than back home. Did the tour together with my son on Royal Enfields and an indian organizer. Biggest adventure a had for a long, long time. Unforgettable memories.The company did an great job, can only praise them. Much cheaper than trough an australian organizer.

e-mail unicrystalholidays@airtelmail.in, write to the boss, very good bloke,
Att. Viney Tyagi. You can mention us, father and son from Australia. Pay your deposit and the balance in cash in India, we got 20% better exchange rate. Could be too late for this year.
Write back, if you need more info.

Cheers Helgo

[Redboots]

Here's another for you Steve:

Venture On Wheels :: Motorcycle Adventures

I know the Indian father and son that run this company out of Pune and can recommend them highly.

Have a great trip with whoever you choose,

John

[mustaphapint]

We went a couple of years ago with Blazing Trails. We've booked to go again with them next year and I can thoroughly recommend them. The organization and backup are excellent.

[SPB60]

Thank you very guy's for sharing your recommendations,really helpful and I have had a look at each of the firms you mention,they all look good and personal recommendations make all the difference when coming at it as novices to India as we are.So far Unicrystal seems to tick most of the boxes for us,not least it's dates fit well with some other things we have to plan around.
I have dropped Vine Tyagi an email as suggested by Helgo and will no doubt be back here soon asking for more advice!
Thanks again fella's and good luck with your next trip too!

Cheers

Steve

[vicky250gt]

Indimotard.com - a new enterprise run by two of my close friends (motorcyclists, racers, rallyists and royal enfield enthusiasts).

They just came back from a 2 week group ride in the himalayas. These guys ride regularly to the himalayas and know not just the place & people, but the nicer locations & routes. You might even get some better machines with them (they are in the process of inducting some decent dualsports into their team of bikes).

I'd highly recommend them, do send an email or something.

cheers

[SPB60]

Cheers Vicky,

Thank you very much for the info..I will drop your friend's an email,their website looks interesting and they are offering something a little different from some of the longer established businesses,I will post to let people know how we get on in the hope that it might be of interest to others thinking of a similar trip,

Thanks again,

Steve

[SPB60]

Hi Helgo,

Thanks very much for your recommendation,would it be possible for me to ask your advice about a couple of things re Unicrystal tour before I book?
If you see this would really appreciate you dropping me an email?

Regards

Steve stephenburney 'AT' hotmail 'DOT' com

[redsnapper]

Originally Posted by rusty max

Steve,

only came back from a trip through the Indian Himalayans a week ago. New- Dehli, Chandrigar, Simla, Manali, Leh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Agra and than back home. Did the tour together with my son on Royal Enfields and an indian organizer. Biggest adventure a had for a long, long time. Unforgettable memories.The company did an great job, can only praise them. Much cheaper than trough an australian organizer.
India Tourism - India Travel - Unicrystal Holidays ,
e-mail unicrystalholidays@airtelmail.in, write to the boss, very good bloke,
Att. Viney Tyagi. You can mention us, father and son from Australia. Pay your deposit and the balance in cash in India, we got 20% better exchange rate. Could be too late for this year.
Write back, if you need more info.

Cheers Helgo

The first (unicrystal) link is tripping a lot of anti virus alerts. I didn't try the others. The page appears to have some malicious code embedded.

[Dan 23]

Kids,

I've just spent nearly two months in Ladakh and Himachel Pradesh with Blazing Trails. Yep, Suzie and Damon are friends of mine, and yep, I ended up outriding for them, with them, but I was genuinely impressed. Astonishing routes full of space and wonder, time-served guides full of off the beaten path knowledge, competent bikes full of chugs and false neutrals, and complete support including a doctor and two mechanics that removed some of the danger but not all of the adventurousness.

Royal Enfield Bike Tours in India. - other tour operators are available etc.

Suerte, Dan

[Dan 23]

PS Couple of pics, kept as links for the bandwidth challenged. Hope this doesn't count as spam - the original poster asked for specific company names, no? With a group, or on your own, get up there and see this astonishing shit before Starbucks or the Chinese People's Liberation Army ruin it forever...

Spiti Valley
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...o79/spiti1.jpg

Spiti Valley
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...79/valley1.jpg

Spiti Valley
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...lley2small.jpg

Kunzum La, Spiti
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...79/kunzum3.jpg

Leh, Ladakh
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...79/ladakh1.jpg

Leh, Ladakh
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...79/ladakh8.jpg

Nubra Valley, Ladakh
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...9/ladakh13.jpg

Nubra Valley, Ladakh
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...9/ladakh22.jpg

Suerte, Dan

[Chris Cowper]

Matey,

Try an Aussie company, Ferris Wheels. They have been doing it for years, I think they where the first company to undertake tours in this area, so are very experienced. The bisiness is owned by Mike and Denis Ferris. Both great people.

[chanderjeet]

Ferris Wheels is very good. But you can do this ride by yourself. All it will take is a little planning and you'll be amazed how much money you'll be able to save.

[Tim Cullis]

Originally Posted by redsnapper

The first (unicrystal) link is tripping a lot of anti virus alerts. I didn't try the others. The page appears to have some malicious code embedded.

I found the same (hadn't read your warning at the time).