Discovering a new country on a motorcycle offers extraordinary sensations. Taking winding roads and crossing diverse landscapes is a unique experience for two-wheeled enthusiasts. Motorcycles allow you totake roads that are sometimes inaccessible to cars, and offer a field of vision that lets you make the most of the different elements that surround you. Between stopovers in towns and villages and escapades in the midst of surprising nature, many travelers are seduced by this way of traveling the world. And today, various agencies offer tours to the four corners of the globe. Here are our top 10 countries to discover on a motorcycle road trip.
1. Discover Rajasthan on a motorbike
Amber Fort, Rajasthan© HonestTraveller - iStockPhoto.com
Rajasthan is a fascinating state in north-west India, with a fascinating landscape and heritage that make it one of the must-see places in India. A trip by motorcycle allows you to discover exceptional architecture and stop off in typical villages, where the locals offer a warm and generous welcome. Along the way, you'll cross several rural valleys where people go about their daily chores . Then come the mountain roads and those of the Thar desert, where stretches of sand never seem to end. This is a very colorful state, and you should take the time to admire the details of the buildings during your urban escapades, which often reveal all the finesse of Indo-Muslim architecture. Bikaner reveals finely sculpted facades, and Jaisalmer abounds with narrow streets and eye-catching craft stores. And what can we say about the historic sites that can be reached along the way, from the Chand Baori degree well to the sacred lake of Pushkar where many people come to pray, right here in the heart of the holy city.
Discover our dedicated articles What to do in North India? 19 places to visit and What to do, what to visit in South India? 17 places to see.
2. Conquering Sri Lanka, between mountains and tropical forests
Buddha statues at the Golden Temple of Dambulla© tunart
Located in the south of India, the former Ceylon welcomes visitors to a green and exotic environment. Beyond its great cultural diversity, Sri Lanka has much to offer, from jungles and rice paddies to refreshing seaside resorts. The central part of the island is covered in tropical forests, where it's good to stop and listen to animal activity and, why not, recognize the calls of a few species. Then it's back to the mountainous Ella region , home to tea plantations and where it's not unusual to come across local people on elephant back. Yala National Park is another stop to add to the trip. The country's second largest national park, it too is home to a large number of mammals and reptiles, and is also an important bird conservation area. To round off a day contemplating some incredible monuments and sites, such as the rock temple of Dambulla and the site of Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982, we hop on our motorcycles to reach the wild beaches of Kalpitiya for a dip at dusk.
3. Travelling through Peru for a dip in the South American atmosphere
Wayna Picchu© Seumas Christie-Johnston - Shutterstock.com
Set course for peru and the country's treasureswayna Picchu, symbol of the Inca civilization that left its mark on the landscape. With your motorcycle at the helm, you're off on a high-altitude adventure in the direction of the Andes Cordillera. The landscapes to be crossed are varied and offer breathtaking panoramas. Huge, rugged wilderness gives way to mountain lakes and sacred green valleys. Climb mountain passes to over 4,000 metres in altitude and discover sites of ancestral beauty such as Cuzco, the navel of the world . Gigantic statues, Inca temples and cobbled alleyways. It's also an essential stopover on the way to Machu Picchu. Later, it's on to the Amazon and the song of the insects, before tackling the mountains and their snow-capped peaks that lead straight to Lake Titicaca, South America's largest lake, crossed by the border between Peru and Bolivia.
4. Thailand, a country to explore from end to end
Thailand© rez-art - iStockphoto.com
In Thailand, hundreds of twists and turns make for a dynamic motorcycle trip, with the discovery of the north of the country and its secret roads. Starting in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, you'll be intoxicated by the urban atmosphere. Here, you'll plunge into the heart of bustling cities, where street stalls offer succulent food appreciated the world over. We then head south to the country's most beautiful beaches. They're the ideal place for those who want to punctuate their time on the bike with swimming and relaxing in the glorious sunshine. Don't miss the Khao Sok National Park, which in addition to its dense jungle, is home to the Chiew Larn artificial lake, from which emerge astonishing karst peaks.
If you head north, you'll be flirting with the mountains of the Golden Triangle and the Burmese border. Here, small, steep roads reveal picturesque villages. Then you follow the Mekong to rice paddies and fruit plantations. Lovers of fine monuments make a point of stopping off at prestigious sites such as the White Temple and Wat Huai Pla Kung, as Thailand is home to some of Asia's finest temples.
5. South Africa, a motorcycle holiday at the end of the world
South Africa© pixdeluxe - iStockphoto.com
To begin with, we discover Cape Town, a formidable port city dominated by Table Mountain and totally open to the ocean. It's hard to imagine a better starting point. An adventure can take you into the mountainous regions, up to an altitude of 3,400 meters. From the summits, the landscapes offered are varied and of rare beauty. Crossing South Africa also means venturing into arid landscapes of steppe and savannah, before reaching wetter zones for moments on beaches with crystal-clear waters . The mythical Cape of Good Hope, on the Atlantic coast, is not to be missed. From this world-famous land, a multitude of animal species are immersed in their daily lives. The highlight is certainly whale watching from the immense rocky cliffs. In fact, the entire country is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Its biodiversity is one of the greatest on the planet. Urban breaks, on the other hand, allow you to stroll through neighborhoods that are home to fine restaurants, museums and art galleries. Culture is very much in evidence in a country with such an eventful history. South Africa is definitely captivating and enchanting: discover the 25 must-see places to visit here!
6. The United States, on the mythical Route 66
Route 66© ventdusud - iStockphoto.com
No longer a household name, Route 66 is an ideal itinerary for motorcycle travelers wishing to discover the United States and many of its treasures. From Chicago, for example, we head south to Springfield. We stop off at the RT 66 museum in Pontiac before heading for St. Louis, where we take time to recharge our batteries over a barbecue. Then it's on to Tulsa, with its magnificent Art Deco style, and Oklahoma City, before spending a night, and why not a day, in Santa Fe. It's then that we realize just how unique and unusual this place is, with its multicultural heritage of Native American, Mexican, Spanish, Western, modern American and artistic influences. Harnessed to our motorcycles, we make our way leisurely to Petrified Forest National Park. This national park is superb, with red and orange hills on one side and fossilized trees dating back millions of years on the other. You're in the heart of America's great outdoors. And after heading for the Grand Canyon and its unique landscapes, you can stop off in Las Vegas to enjoy the casinos, before heading for a sunny stopover in mythical Los Angeles.
7. Along Argentina's legendary Route 40
Argentina© sunsinger - Shutterstock.com copy
From Salta to San Carlo de Bariloche in southern Argentina, this territory is a dream for lovers of motorcycles and wide open spaces. Once you've settled behind the wheel of your motorcycle in Salta, you'll pass through a superb primary rainforest before enjoying marvellous views of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, an incredibly large canyon over 2,000 metres above sea level. Higher still, the mountains set in towards San Antonio de los Cobres, including a passage over the Abra del Acay pass, which rises to 4,970 metres! Then it's time to descend a little, crossing the Calchaquie valley and its astonishing traditional villages and the puzzling geological shapes of Las Flechas. We then head for the high peaks of the Cordillera, crossing the Cuesta de Miranda, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and traversing the Jachal canyon which leads to the edge of the Cuesta del Viento lake, where the 6,111 m-high Colanguil glacier is reflected. Before arriving in San Carlo de Bariloche, other splendors await riders: the outskirts of Mendoza, home to some of Argentina's finest wines, the Cordillera del Salado with its lakes, forests and volcanoes, then the Nahuel Huapi Lake National Park, where the landscape boasts turquoise rivers and authentic chalets.
8. On the Transatlas trails in Morocco by motorcycle
Ounila Valley, Morocco© Leonid Andronov - Fotolia
Morocco is also a country with incredible environmental riches for a motorcycle tour. From Marrakech, we head for the Ouzoud waterfalls. We then head for Lake Bin El Ouidane, where the contrast between the turquoise blue of the waters and the red of the earth is almost unreal. We're now inthe Atlas highlands, on our way to Morocco's highest pass, the Tizi Ouano. The landscape is one of wide meadows, emblematic of alpine pastures, where you'll come across sheep and goats on the way to the Haut Dadès Canyon. Then comes the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, where you can spend the night in a hotel near Boumalne. Our next objective is to reach Mount M'goun, at an altitude of 4,071 metres. Here, the vast plateaus are reminiscent of Mongolian landscapes. On more technical roads, we venture to the alpine pastures of Djibel Siroua and its herds of cattle. Once you've left Amassine and its rocky landscapes, you'll enjoy a well-deserved stopover in the saffron capital, Taliouine. On the way back to Marrakech, you'll pass through a variety of landscapes, from holm oak forests to citrus and olive groves. In short, a motorcycle road trip in Morocco is the promise of a country with a thousand facets and colors.
Discover also the 10 hikes to do in Morocco.
9. Island atmosphere in Italy on the roads of Sardinia
Cagliari, Sardinia© SeanPavonePhoto
There's something veryspecial about a motorcycle road trip on an island, and Sardinia welcomes motorbike enthusiasts. Arriving in Alghero, you're drawn into the atmosphere by winding roads leading to the beautiful Lake Flumini region. To the west of Barumini, don't miss the archaeological site of Su Nuraxi and its prehistoric defensive constructions. The next day, we return to the coast, and mountain roads lead us to the Sulcis region. Here, archaeology buffs will be in for a real treat, with numerous geological remains, caves and a Punic Roman temple. Then it's on to Cagliari for a more urban feel, with a recommended sun break in the Old Castle district and dinner at the port among the must-dos. Then it's on to the splendid panoramas of the Tyrrhenian Sea as you drive along the coast. Heading northeast along the famous Route Orientale Sarda, you can enjoy a break in the enclave of Cala Gonone, before continuing to the end of your journey on the Emerald Coast, with its traditional villages , each more beautiful than the last, its menhirs and the Valley of the Moon, which offers an enchanting setting, between its gigantic granite rocks and heavenly coves.
10. Motorcycling Ireland's wild beauty
Connemara National Park, Ireland© LOUIS-MICHEL DESERT - Shutterstock.com
Ireland's rugged beauty attracts thousands of travelers , and the best way to soak it up and discover its most beautiful landscapes is by motorcycle. From Wexford, take the coastal road to Courtown. Then, in County Wicklow, enjoy the magnificent mountain scenery and the monastic site of Glendalough. Then comes the lively atmosphere of Dublin, where we spend a relaxing evening in a pub. Then it's on to Kildare, a county we love for its horse farms. Then comes Connemara, with its charming villages and breathtaking natural vistas. Stroll through the Maam Valley on your motorcycle and stop off near the natural treasures of Killary Fjord and the Twelves Bens mountain range. The wildlife here is the wildest in the country. We then alternate pleasures, and from the desert landscapes of the Burren, we reach one of Ireland's must-see landscapes: the Cliffs of Moher. Then it's time to marvel at the Ring of Kerry, with its lakes, mountains and breathtaking cliffs. Finally, head for Cork, where you can enjoy the beauty of the coastline and take a break in the fresh air on the splendid white-sand beach of Inch.
Where to go for a 5-day motorcycle road trip in France?
France offers many possibilities for a 5-day motorcycle road trip. Depending on your preferences, here are three suggestions:
- La Route des Grandes Alpes: This is one of France's most famous and spectacular itineraries. It takes you through the French Alps, passing legendary passes such as the Galibier, Iseran and Bonette. This route is ideal if you love mountain scenery and winding roads. Discover also our Top 13 of the most beautiful hikes to do in the Alps.
- Brittany and its coastline: If you prefer seascapes, Brittany is an excellent destination. You can set off from Saint-Malo and follow the coast along the Pointe du Raz, the islands of Batz and Ouessant, ending your journey in Nantes. You'll discover wild landscapes, fishing villages and historic sites.
- Périgord and Dordogne: For a more leisurely motorcycle road trip, you can opt for the Périgord region and the Dordogne valley. This route takes you through medieval villages, castles and magnificent countryside. You can also enjoy the renowned local gastronomy.
Motorcycle insurance and travelling abroad: what to do before you leave?
All these destinations are the stuff of dreams, but it's important to plan ahead. If you want to go on motorcycle road-trips, it's essential that your two-wheeler is insured. So, before you leave, check a number of points about your motorcycle insurance. Only then can you set off to discover these fabulous landscapes.
So, even before you buy your plane ticket:
- Check that your insurance covers you in the country you'll be visiting or simply passing through. To do this, take your green card. The list of countries is indicated on it. If it's crossed out, you're simply not covered. In this case, don't panic: in most cases, you can add an endorsement to your insurance contract, so that you're covered in the event of a claim on the spot.
- Check that you have assistance: your contract may include assistance in the event of breakdown or accident. Make sure this assistance also works abroad. Also check whether you have repatriation assistance, in the event of injury or even illness. It's important to consider the conditions of repatriation. They can vary widely. If this is not enough, it is possible to subscribe to enhanced services.
- Now we need to know what to do in the event of an accident abroad, although of course we wouldn't wish it on you. As an accident is already a stressful situation, we don't want to add to it and find ourselves at a loss when it happens. The good news is that the procedure will be the same as if you had an accident on French roads. You will have 5 days to send your report to the French central office. Before you leave, you can obtain European "constats amiables" (accident reports), most of which have already been completed. Please note that if you need to make repairs on the spot to continue your trip, you must contact your insurance company before incurring any costs.
- You can now zip up your rucksack, but don't forget to pack an oil can, a puncture-proof spray and a roll of water- and hydrocarbon-resistant adhesive. You'll need this equipment if you need to make a makeshift repair while you look for a garage. You can also take a universal tool with you, to tighten certain parts.
