What happens prior to the event?
There will be a gathering prior to departure. This will be held during a weekend, probably in the London area. Dates will be emailed to you in due course.

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Do I have to book my flights through you?
No, you may book your own flights and we will discount your total cost by the price of our UK to UK flights. These costs vary depending upon the airline we are using – please contact us for details if you wish to make your own flight arrangements. It is not possible to change your agreed dates once you are in India. Any ongoing arrangements will be the responsibility of the participant, not Enduro India.

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How is the money used?
The final donation will be divided equally between The Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity, UNICEF UK and The Wildlife Conservation Society India. We actively encourage participants to contact the charities direct to discuss in more detail the projects supported by the money raised.

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How much luggage can I bring?
The airlines we use usually restrict hold luggage to around 20kg, so pack light! Final weight restrictions will be known when the flights are booked.

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Is there anything I should not bring?
Enduro India recommends that you do not bring any valuables; this includes laptops and other electrical equipment. We recommend that you do not bring clothing or footwear that you are worried about damaging. Expensive camera equipment should be insured and well protected.

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Do you tip?
Tipping is discretionary, it is usual to tip porters at a hotel but they should not expect it. Please ask if you are unsure how much to tip. At the end of the challenge we will hold a collection for the drivers and mechanics that help us throughout the trip. You will find them invaluable and incredibly helpful.

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Should I bring pens / sweets / gifts for the children?
No – please don’t. We travel through rural areas of India which see very few tourists. From past experience this can lead to problems where the kids very quickly come to expect gifts of this sort. Let’s just keep it to smiles and handshakes!

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Will electricity be available?
Most of the time, yes – but this cannot be guaranteed at all times. Power cuts are likely in all destinations on the trip, but these are usually very short-lived. Remember to pack a world adaptor if you need to charge your camera, phone, etc.

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Will laundry facilities be available on the trip?
Yes, but probably only once during the ride, so consider this when packing!

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What should I expect with regards to the accommodation and will I have to share a room?
The accommodation we stay in during the challenge will vary. It will not always be up to UK standards but will always be safe, clean and the best we can secure in the local area as part of a charity event. Wherever possible, rooms are allocated on a twin-share basis. If you are a solo traveller, you will be required to share with another solo participant. Due to the remoteness of parts of the route, at times it may be necessary to sleep more than two to a room and in some of the accommodation our requirement for twinbedded rooms may exceed supply and only double beds may be available. This will mean that, at times, your space will be limited. We recommend a sleeping bag for those concerned about personal space! Think basic and then nothing will shock you, expect everything from beach huts to luxury hotels – it’s all part of your Enduro adventure!

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What will the food be like?
Forget almost every Indian restaurant that you have ever been in, the food in India is incredible! Kerala is famous for its wonderful vegetarian dishes and there is enough choice to keep everyone happy. Contrary to popular belief, not every dish is heavily spiced or ridiculously hot. Whilst we encourage you to try as many different dishes as possible we also understand that Indian food on a daily basis is not to everyone’s liking. Taking this into consideration breakfast will usually
consist of toast, butter, jam, scrambled eggs, porridge, fruit, tea and coffee. Dinner will usually be Indian but there will always be a variety of mild dishes for those who require them. The food will be a mixture of vegetarian and non-vegetarian.

When you are on the road we recommend that you try to steer clear of meat. Whilst most roadside food vendors offer nothing but the best and well cooked food there is always the possibility that you may get one who is not so scrupulous. Should you decide to have meat, make sure that it is thoroughly cooked. All fruit should be of the peelable variety. The most important thing is to think before you eat. The variety of foods is endless and it will not take long to find a favourite, just remember before you take any risks that it is your stomach which will have to bear the consequences!

Biscuits, chocolate and soft drinks are readily available at chai stops throughout the day for an added energy boost. Bottled water is also readily available – always make sure that the seal is secure. One of the best drinks is chai – hot tea as sweet as a tin of condensed milk which can be bought at the roadside. Despite the sweetness it is strangely refreshing and can be bought for pennies a cup offering you the chance to buy a round at every stop! If you have time, watch the tea being made and poured, it beats throwing a tea bag in a cup and adding a splash of milk any day!

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What clothing should I wear?
Whilst we do not wish to spoil anyone’s trip we must make it clear that the appropriate protective clothing should be worn at all times. For further information see KIT LIST

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What will the weather be like?
The temperature will vary according to where we are during the trip. As we reach the Western Ghats and climb in to the mountains the temperature will gradually drop and will be cooler in the evenings. There is also a small possibility of light drizzly rain. The Tamil Nadu plains will be hotter, reaching about 90 degrees F. The heat here is a dry heat. The coast will be about the same temperature as the plains but there will be more of a breeze.

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What visa do I need?
UK citizens need a tourist visa to visit India. Details of how to apply may be found at http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk

The visa you need is a six month multiple entry tourist visa and costs, at the time of writing, around £40.
This is a non-extendable visa and becomes valid from the day of issue, so please be sure not to mis-time your application. Please remember to state that you require a ‘Tourist’ visa.

Other nationalities – please check with your local Indian Embassy / High Commission.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of all necessary travel documents before departure.

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What inoculations would you recommend?
See your GP for advice.

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Do I need Travel Insurance?
Participants MUST be covered by suitable travel insurance. This must include adequate provision for motorcycle touring on machines up to 350cc, medical and repatriation insurance. A copy of this insurance must be sent to the Enduro India office before departure. You are NOT required to cover the motorcycle itself - third party cover is provided by Enduro India but if motorcycle damage occurs through rider error you are liable for the cost of repair.

You must carry the original insurance documents with you at all times during the event.

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Can I get commercial sponsorship from UK based companies?
Yes, but all branding of any description has to have approval from Enduro India. For further information contact the Enduro India team via email india@globalenduro.com

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Can I use ‘Just Giving’ or similar sites for fundraising?
No – the Just Giving website is designed to donate funds directly to one particular cause. Enduro India is supporting four charities and our charity donation must be divided equally between the four beneficiaries. In addition, funds raised through Just Giving cannot be put towards any of the costs of the event.

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What happens when we arrive?
On arrival at the hotel rooms will be allocated. The remainder of the day will be spent resting. At the end of the first day you will be split into groups and allocated a team leader. The following day you will be split into groups for a practice ‘warm-up’ ride with the team leaders.

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How is the ride structured?
Each day, one of the team will take lead position; they will remain at the front throughout the day. The remainder of the team will ride / drive amongst the group; these will include paramedics carrying emergency medical equipment, support vehicles, mechanics and fully equipped ambulances. One of the support vehicles will also carry a full medical kit as well as the break-down truck which will always run at the rear. The rear marker will always remain behind the last participant.

Using the maps provided, you will navigate each day’s route at your own pace. Enduro India is not a race and there are no points for arriving first. India is a stunning and diverse country and having travelled so far it would be pointless not to enjoy all it has to offer. You must always ride in a group of two or more, this is purely for practical reasons and allows for the fact that should you get lost or break down you will not be left alone. We recommend that you work on a ‘buddy’ system. If you do get lost please call the destination hotel for that evening and inform them that you are lost. Once we have established where you are we can help you. Each day’s map has the telephone number for that day’s destination.

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Can I use the bike in the evenings?
No, we cannot allow you to ride independently of the group for both safety and insurance reasons.

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