Best motorcycle destinations in Asia
Winding highland ridge roads and remote asphalt loops across Asia
Asia has some of the highest and most dramatic roads in the world, and for a lot of riders a motorcycle trip here is something they talk about for years.
In India, the road from Manali to Leh crosses high Himalayan passes, and many riders do it on a rented Royal Enfield. Northern Vietnam has the Ha Giang Loop, with steep switchbacks, rice terraces and small villages, and it is easy to book with a local driver if you prefer to sit on the back. Northern Thailand is a gentler option, where the Mae Hong Son Loop has hundreds of curves, good roads and cheap guesthouses along the way. For a real adventure, the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan follows remote valleys at high altitude on rough roads.
An international driving permit with a motorcycle license is usually needed, and travel insurance often does not cover riding without one.