Name: 9 Days "Tropical Twister" Guided Loop Motorcycle Tour in Goa and Karnataka
Brand: Karma Yatri
Price: 160000 INR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 10.0 (1 reviews)

Accommodation

Check-in Time:

11:00

Check-out Time:

12:00

You will stay for eight nights in various accommodations including hotels and boutique homestays. The start of the trip sets the tone for the rest of the journey and the end of the trip is an intimate moment to reflect, relish, and basically have one big party. The properties Karma Yatri uses at various locations, that serve as start and endpoints of the itinerary, are unique and carefully selected.

During this tour, you will be accommodated in premium hotels and homestays at all stops. The properties combine the best in hospitality that the region has to offer, great food, and the ability for you all to behave like a group. Please note that although Karma Yatri provides blankets and duvets, it is recommended that you carry a sleeping bag for added comfort.

Night 1: Ashwem - La Cabana Beach & Spa Resort or similar
Night 2: Agonda/Patnem - Om Shanti Beach Cottages or similar
Night 3: Jog Falls - Matthuga Retreat or similar.
Night 4: Chikmagalur - The Coffee Bean Homestay or similar
Night 5: Chickmangaluru - The Coffee Bean Homestay or similar
Night 6: Malpe - Paradise Isle Beach Resort or similar
Night 7: Gokarna - Kudle Ocean Cottages or similar
Night 8: Vagator - Amour resort or similar

Program

Day 1: Arrive at Goa - Transfer to hotel (50 kilometers)

Arrive at the airport and Karma Yatri will transfer you to your beachside hotel in the Northern half of this sun-soaked state. Sun, surf, pristine beaches, nightlife, food, everything that makes the start of a perfect holiday! Meet the Karma Yatri team and the other riders. Take a short spin to check out your motorcycles and get a feel for the traffic. Soak in the first of many gorgeous sunsets and enjoy the gentle surf of the Arabian Sea.

Day 2: North Goa - South Goa (60 to 100 kilometers)

Churches, bridges, islands, and ferries, the first half of today takes you inland to parts of Goa that are less touristy than the beaches, yet offer a diversity of culture and landscape. Perfect for a motorcycle adventure, the roads are in great condition and trace across the countryside in a dark pattern of electric cable-like interconnections.

Get on barge-like ferries and cross onto the larger river islands and further cross over to Old Goa’s historic quarter. Riding along stunning architecture, proceed towards the southern extremity of the state, settling down to yet another gorgeous sunset.

Day 3: South Goa - Jog Falls (260 to 300 kilometers)

From the ocean to the deep jungle, the twists in this ride are just about to begin. A secret road that takes you through the heart of the forest, onto a dirt track leading to a small stream. You are suddenly at a border checkpoint and as you check, you are informed that on crossing the stream, you have entered the state of Karnataka.

You are now in a proper hill country and the associated twisties. Long sweeping bends and sharp flicking switch-backs as you course through low mountains, blanketed in forest cover. Finish the ride in a plantation bungalow in the midst of Beetle-nut palms, surrounded by the cacophony of cicadas, monkeys, and birds.

Day 4: Jog Falls - Chickmangaluru (210 kilometers)

Great roads through the lush countryside. An invisible dividing line between manmade cultivation and natural forest, the road bears testament to the slow and steady press of humanity into these once impenetrable forests. You are approaching the historic heartland of coffee, Chikmangluru. This is where the first (smuggled) seeds of coffee were planted in India by the sage, Baba Budan.

A special detour onto a road passing through one of the oldest privately held plantations showcases cultivated biodiversity that has been nurtured and managed for over a few centuries.

Day 5: Chickmangaluru local (50 kilometers)

A forest within a forest would be an apt description of this region. The specificity of coffee plantations needing the shade of tall trees ensures that the ecosystem is not a sterile monoculture of coffee bushes. Several high peaks have viewpoints that allow for great riding stretches that are a mix of on and off-road. Enjoy the hospitality of a plantation bungalow and hear tales of generations that have nurtured the lands they live on.

Day 6: Chickmanaluru - Malpe (212 kilometers)

A short road trip to a 5th-century living architecture site, the temples of Belur will transport you to a time of impeccable craftsmanship of art that was patronized by the rulers of this region. One of the iconic sites of South Indian temple architecture, this diversion in the road trip is a reminder of the historic footprint of the land you are traveling through.

Another gorgeous stretch of tarmac that traverses the western ghats before you descend towards the coast. A short break by the lighthouse of Kaup before a final stretch along a gorgeous lesser road that’s sandwiched between the ocean and a freshwater lagoon.

Day 7: Malpe - Gokarna (177 kilometers)

A beautiful highway along a landscape of water, speckled with islands of lush green teeming with birdlife and picture-perfect small boat fishermen practicing an ancient art form that allowed a sustainable existence with the bounty of nature.

You are in back-water country which in part is fertile cultivated fields and in part an island of mangrove forest, all interconnected through a series of bridges that provide a fitting viewpoint of this dramatic landscape. Hippie vibes await at Kudle, a reminder that Goa is just a couple of hours away.

Day 8: Gokarna - Goa (134 kilometers)

Ride along Highway 66; it's not a verified fact but this is possibly a take on America's Route 66 or it’s an interesting name coincidence? A brand new, multi-lane expressway that stretches along the West coast from Mumbai to Kanyakumari. The re-entry to Goa is rather nostalgic, like coming back to meet a dear friend.

Slowly make your way towards the capital, your journey, a truncated series of stops for chai, coconut water, or a smoke. Somehow an attempt at prolonging this final day, savoring every last bit on the road, reliving this adventure on two wheels.

Day 9

Departure day.

Motorcycling In South India

Road tripping

The road can be your best friend or your worst enemy, so Karma Yatri advises you to always ride keeping in mind your safety and of other people traveling with you. It’s best to stick to your side of the road, avoid overtaking, keep in pace with the group, and follow hand signals from the road captain.

The terrain gamut goes from excellent tarmac to instance of some dirt/off roads, two-lane highways, one-lane paths, Ghat roads, and loads of dust, but all this is not without its own fun.

Facilities

You will be spending nights in comfortable hotels and homestays for the duration of the trip. Phone and internet may not be available in some areas but this is not constant. Whilst Karma Yatri provides all meals, the snacks, beverages, and alcohol during the course of the trip are on your tab. Make sure all your electronic devices are charged and maybe a spare battery and data cards for your camera is a good idea. *Temperature

The winter season in India is the ideal time to visit the south, as the humidity is relatively low, day temperatures do not climb too high and the nights are pleasant and cool to cold in some areas. Some occasional light rain showers are not uncommon in certain areas; though rare. The temperature in the day can climb up to 30 degrees centigrade and in the nights it drops to a pleasant 17 to 25 degrees; in some cases, it can drop a little lower.

Motorcycle gear recommendations

Motorcycling in India on your travel day

Make a list of the things that you need to bring along: luggage, passport, and tickets. Also, mark all your bags inside and out with your name and address, both home address and your holiday address. To be on the safe side, weigh your bags to ensure you don’t exceed the baggage requirements of the airline.

Travel insurance is becoming a must so do consider getting one because you do not have to worry if your bags are lost or if your flight has been canceled or even if your passport and wallet are stolen. It is always best to get yourself and your family covered as mishaps do happen when traveling.

You do know that it is possible to travel with hand-luggage only, rite? Just that you will need to know the airline rules for carrying liquids, otherwise, you may have to remove them at the security checkpoint! In order to handle jet lags, stay hydrated by drinking lots of plain water during the flight, avoid tea and coffee.

Skill level required for this tour: intermediate

Intermediate:

can ride for 3-4 hours
average riding experience
little assistance required
comfortable with extreme curves and leans
average experience with unsurfaced roads
steep ascents and descents

Included excursions

We have several excursions to choose from, some which are part of our journey and some that are optional activities.

Instructors

Hashim Qayoom

Two decades of motorcycling and the opportunity to live in many parts of India and Europe. A passion that keeps growing with every riding season. New roads to discover, more friends to ride with is his mantra. He speaks Hindi, Kashmiri, Tamil, English, German, French and a smattering of other Indian dialects. A native of Kashmir means that a vast network that can be called upon in case of any emergency or contingencies.

Location

Goa is a state, but also a state of mind. Located between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, this beach paradise has a rich culture of seafood, beach culture, coastline roads, small laid back villages, and varied overall visual possibilities on two wheels.

Jewels in the form of little known beaches dot the coastline. Their unassuming entrances open up through casuarina, areca trees, and coconut plantations that contrast distant views of the Western Ghats which slip in and out (of view). All the while estuaries cutting through the landscape on their journey to the Arabian sea.

The villages and old towns of this region still retain a mix of Indian and Portuguese coastal culture unique only to this part of the country. There are two sides to Goa and your journey takes you in the sides that are seldom seen. A relaxed journey back in time, away from the tourist spots and deeper into how Goa used to be.

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Food

Food is a mix of local and continental, allowing you to experience the local cuisine but ensuring that your taste buds are not overpowered by the spicy Indian fare.

Chai or the omnipresent Indian tea is a very important part of your trip. From early morning starts to your numerous stops by the road, this (often) milky and sweet beverage is like a road trip elixir, providing a much-needed break for the bum sore you will inevitably experience on these roads.

The following meals are included:

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Drinks

The following drinks are included:

Water
Coffee
Tea
Soda

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:

Vegetarian
Organic
Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
Pescatarian
Hallal
Seafood

If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation

Things to do (optional)

Visits to local markets
Attractions in the vicinity of accommodation for that day of the itinerary
Short ride or walk to nearby locations of interest.

What's included

All entries and permits
Motorcycle rental with fuel
8 nights accommodation
Full board meals daily with beverages
Airport transfers
Back-up vehicle
First aid

What's not included

Airfare
Alcohol and cigarettes
Tips
Personal shopping
Personal equipment
Camera equipment
Medical insurance
Entries to festivals or attractions (where applicable)

How to get there

Recommended Airports

GOI

Goa International Airport (Dabolim Airport)

31 km

Transfer available for additional US$ 30 per person

GOX

Manohar International Airport

18 km

Transfer available for additional US$ 30 per person

Arrival by airplane

Please book your flight to arrive at Manohar International Airport (GOX) or Goa International Airport (GOI). Airport transfers are available at cost. The Karma Yatri team can arrange this for you. Please send an inquiry for more information.

Airport: Goa International Airport (Dabolim Airport) Airport transfer available: Goa International Airport (Dabolim Airport) (US$ 30 per person) Additional charges may apply. You can request this in the next step.

Airport: Manohar International Airport Airport transfer available: Manohar International Airport (US$ 30 per person) Additional charges may apply. You can request this in the next step.

Cancellation Policy

A reservation requires a deposit of 10% of the total price.
The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.

Explore

Hello there.
Glad to have you!

Day 1: Arrive at Goa - Transfer to hotel (50 kilometers)

Day 2: North Goa - South Goa (60 to 100 kilometers)

Day 3: South Goa - Jog Falls (260 to 300 kilometers)

Day 4: Jog Falls - Chickmangaluru (210 kilometers)

Day 5: Chickmangaluru local (50 kilometers)