For our next expedition, 14 women riders of the BIKERNI will motorcycle down from India to London to create history. Our goal is to carry the message of Women empowerment not just in India but across countries. We hope to impact the way society perceives women and inspire women to be change agents in their own communities. Most importantly, as women riders from India, our ride aims to be a positive story emphasising that India is graceful, strong and determined to welcome women travellers from across the globe. We are planning this ride to promote Tourism to showcase the strength and determination of Indian women, to show the changing face of India, to promote brands associated with our trip, to create a new chapter in the record books.
From the far east of Turkey, through Iran and into Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan – heart of the Silk Road – and Kyrgyzstan. The Pamir Highway in Tajikistan, the Tibetan Plateau and the route to Everest are just some of the extraordinary roads to ride on what is an extremely challenging and unpredictable journey, testing your abilities both on and off the bike, before you reach Lhasa, Tibet & descend into Mumbai.
Duration (days) 10 Weeks
Miles Covered: 18,500Kms
Riding difficulty: (Expedition Style Endurance)
Unpaved Roads: 20%
Culture Shock: Large
Itinerary is for 10 Weeks, covering (18,500 kms) across Europe, Turkey, Central Asia and China. It starts in London, UK Travers Silk route of Central Asia to Lhasa, Tibet (China) & later descends into valley of Nepal, serpentine elevations of Last Himalayan Kingdom
Key Highlights
- The old imperial capital, Istanbul where Europe meets Asia. Visit the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia & Topkapi Palace or maybe just bargain in the Grand Bazaar!
- Wander the tiny streets of the perfectly preserved Ottoman village, Safranbolu and overnight in a caravanserai
- Explore the unique moon-like landscape, underground cities, cave churches and houses carved in the rocks in Cappadocia and overnight in a cave hotel
- North through the Karakuom Desert. Stopover in a teahouse and head for a night viewing of the Darvaza Gas Crater, known locally as “The Door to Hell”!
- Experience a yurt home-stay in the south to try the culinary delights of plov, manti or lahgman! Great back roads through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan
- Kashgar and its Sunday livestock market, reputedly the largest in Central Asia is not to be missed
- Follow in the tracks of Genghis Khan, as we head into Uzbekistan and continue to follow the Silk Road to the ancient walled city of Khiva, where you can wander through the narrow alleys to see the mosques, minarets and madrasahs.
- Samarkand, with the UNESCO listed Registan and its three madrasahs. Break bread with the locals and enjoy fresh kebabs cooked over coals.
- Desert roads in Turkmenistan to the marble white capital city of Ashgabat.
- Ride the Pamir Highway through the sparsely populated mountain regions of Tajikistan. With its peak at 4,655m, this is the second highest altitude international highway in the world.
- The Wakhan Valley, bordering Afghanistan & the 2nd century Yamchun Fortress, with magnificent views of the Hindu Kush. Stay with local families in home-stays and try yak with onions.
- The Himalayas and take the spectacular road to Mount Everest Base Camp & Rongbuk Monastery and spin the golden prayer wheels.
- Lhasa! Visit the Potala Palace and the Buddhist temples of Jokhang and Barkhor
- Last Himalayan Kingdom, Nepal to Hindu Civilization “Varanasi to Tajamahal to conclude in Mumbai.
The 8 stages of the Ride Beyond Borders
Stage 1
Depart Ace Café London. France, the Alps, Bavaria – Germany. Bled, Slovenia. Croatia & the Adriatic Coast and a night in Dubrovnik. Montenegro, Albania and Lake Ohrid. Greece – Mount Olympus and Meteora.
Stage 2
East meets West in Istanbul. Explore the Blue Mosque, Tokapi Palance and Hagi Sophia. Ottoman preserved village Safranbolu. Caves, rock formations and underground dwellings in Cappadocia. See the stone heads of Mount Nemrut. Erzurum and Mount Ararat.
Stage 3
UNESCO listed city of Tabriz and the historic bazaar. Volcanic fort of Takht-e-Soleyman. Beautiful Esfahan, the Meidan Emam and Royal Mosque. Iran’s capital city, Tehran, with Golestan Palance & Azadi Tower. The Caspian Sea and Gorgan Marble white capital city of Ashgabat. North through the Karakum Desert. A night viewing of the Darvaza Gas Crater – “The Door to Hell”!
Stage 4
Desert terrain to the Ancient Silk Road Cities. The ancient walled city of Khiva & UNESCO listed Itchen Kala. Bhukara and then Samarkand, with the UNESCO listed Registan. Minarets, mosques and madrasahs abound. Termez.
State 5
The capital city, Dushanbe. Dirt roads of The Pamir Highway and Wakhan Valley, on the Afghanistan border. Khorog, the regional capital. 3rd century Yamchun Fortress. Experience home stays with the local villagers.
Stage 6
Overnight yurt camp at Sary Tash. Osh. The Tien Shan Mountains. Naryn. Torugart Pass to Xinjiang Province. The ancient city of Kashgar and a visit to the largest livestock market in Asia on Sunday. Don’t get swapped for a camel!
Stage 7
Enter Tibet, the ‘Roof of the World, Mount Everest Base Camp & Rongbuk Monastery. Shigatze. Lhasa. Potala Palace and the Buddhist temples of Jokhang and Barkhor.
Stage 8
Descend into valley of “Last Himalayan Kingdom – Nepal “& later through Terrai & dip in holy Ganges the oldest city Kashi to Amchi Mumbai.