15 Day The Eastern Arch Guided Motorcycle Tour in India

Overview

This North East India bike trip is all about thrill and discovery as you ride through the diverse landscapes and ecosystems of this incredible region. The trip highlights include the wet, emerald landscapes of Meghalaya—one of the wettest places on earth, where you can see the famous Living Root Bridges. In Arunachal Pradesh, you ride through lush river valleys and serene, forested roads in an area rich in biodiversity. In Nagaland, you ride through the heart of India’s easternmost state and see rugged mountain landscapes and dense forests. In Assam, it offers the tranquil yet adventurous Assam bike trip through tea gardens and rustic villages, which is perfect to soak in the region’s charm. This bike trip adventure covers 4 famous places in Northeast India, riding across dynamic routes and unforgettable experiences.

Highlights

• Starts and ends in Delhi
• Ride through rivers, villages, towns, and highways
• Experience a ride through dense forests with stunning backdrop in Meghalaya
• Ride on smooth roads through tea gardens in Assam
• Get a glimpse at the lives of different indigenous communities
• 14 nights accommodation

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrive Delhi

   You will arrive in Delhi, the capital of India. Meet your guide at the airport and get transferred to your hotel to freshen up after your journey.

2. Day 2: Delhi - Dibrugarh (flight)

   Take an early morning flight from Delhi to Dibrugarh, the tea capital of Assam. Dibrugarh is known for its tea gardens and the beautiful Brahmaputra River. After check-in, meet the team for an orientation session on your motorbike, safety, and the route. Take a warm-up ride around Dibrugarh’s tea estates to get accustomed before the journey ahead.

3. Day 3: Dibrugarh - Pasighat (160 kilometers / 100 miles, 5-6 hours)

   Start your journey with a one-hour ferry ride across the Brahmaputra. The views are breathtaking, and crossing this mighty river is an experience to remember. Once on the other side, take a smooth ride on the wide highway to Pasighat. One of the oldest towns of Arunachal Pradesh, Pasighat is situated by the Siang River and is a peaceful and welcoming introduction to the Adi tribe’s culture. The day is a good time to get used to the local riding conditions on Northeast India’s beautiful roads.

4. Day 4: Pasighat - Roing (110 kilometers / 69 miles, 5 hours)

   Today you enter the Dibang Valley, an ecologically and culturally sensitive area. Ride through the Adi and Idu Mishmi villages, see the traditional houses, bamboo work, and terraced farms. The road is a mix of paved and rough. As you approach Roing, enjoy the valley views and ride over riverbeds and shallow water crossings that will test and reward you equally. The Dibang River’s meanders will be the backdrop as you end your day in Roing.

5. Day 5: Roing - Tengapani (190 kilometers / 118 miles, 5-6 hours)

   Ride through the Lohit River Valley and enter the land of the Tai Khampti tribe, a community with roots from Myanmar. The Khampti villages here are famous for their beautiful Buddhist monasteries, colorful textiles, and bamboo houses on stilts. The road is mostly paved so you can enjoy the views without the stress of rough terrain. You will see a variety of landscapes today, from plains to forests. As you enter Assam, you will notice the change in vegetation and scenery, as Assam is a land shaped by its tea history.

6. Day 6: Tengapani - Sivsagar (217 kilometers / 135 miles, 4-5 hours)

   You will be riding through Tengapani, located in the Tinsukia district of Assam near the border with Arunachal Pradesh, known for its serene village atmosphere, lush greenery, and proximity to the Tengapani Tea Estate and the Golden Pagoda in Namsa. Sivasagar is home to wonderful architectural and archaeological engineering skills, which are reflected in numerous temples, palaces, stone bridges, tanks, and pyramid-type maidams. There are more than 350 ancient monuments in Sivasagar District.

7. Day 7: Sivsagar - Mokokchung (116 kilometers / 72 miles, 5 hours)

   Heading deeper into Nagaland, you make for Mokokchung. The bustling township of Mokokchung is one of the major towns in Nagaland and is the nerve center of the Ao people. The day’s ride takes you on a combination of deep, forested Jeep tracks and double-lane state roads. A fair amount of today's riding will be in wild country with deep muddy roads. You will most likely see no other traffic on this road.

8. Day 8: Mokokchung - Kohima (160 kilometers / 100 miles, 6 hours)

   Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, is a mix of tribal culture and war history. Famous for the WWII Battle of Kohima, it is a significant place in world history. Visit the Kohima War Cemetery to pay homage to the soldiers who lost their lives fighting the Japanese forces. En route, pass by Doyang Lake, where thousands of Amur Falcons rest before flying to Africa. Kohima has a lively atmosphere and historical landmarks, a unique destination in Northeast India. The ‘Battle of Kohima’ and specifically the ‘Battle of the tennis court’ are examples of famous battles fought in this theater. A good day

9. Day 9: Kohima

   This is a free day in Kohima. The team will organize a small tour of places of interest in Kohima for the interested. Options include a day hike at the picturesque Dzuku Valley, visits to the Naga Heritage village, the WW2 cemetery, and Khonoma Village.

10. Day 10: Kohima - Haflong (290 kilometers / 180 miles, 8-9 hours)

    Today you ride back into Assam through the Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts to Haflong, Assam’s only hill station. Pass through Karbi, Dimasa, and Rengma villages and experience the diversity that makes Northeast India so unique. This is the longest day of riding during the entire tour. The second half of the day will be on newly built four-lane highways, which will someday connect India with Southeast Asia. Winding roads, green valleys, and insights of tribe groups such as Karbi, Dimasa, and Rengma will be highlighted.

11. Day 11: Haflong - Jowai (240 kilometers / 150 miles, 8-9 hours)

    Enter Meghalaya's Jaintia Hills, ride through pine forests, and cross the Umrangso Reservoir. The peaceful landscapes will take you to Jowai, famous for its Jaintia community and local culture. The ride will show you the unique beauty of Meghalaya—hillsides, reservoirs, and more—and leave you fresh for the next day's ride.

12. Day 12: Jowai - Cherappunjee (180 kilometers / 112 miles, 7-8 hours)

    Drive to Cherrapunji, one of the wettest places on Earth. This route near the Bangladesh border has winding roads and traditional Khasi villages. See the natural beauty of Meghalaya, and in Cherrapunji, see living root bridges and massive limestone caves formed by centuries of rain and erosion.

13. Day 13: Cherappunjee

    Another rest day, with an optional hike to the living root bridges. This region, other than being the wettest place on earth during the monsoons, is also home to the living root bridges. Over centuries, the Khasi folk of this region have been entwining the roots of the Ficus Elastica trees to build bridges across the fast-flowing streams that are found all over. Other options are visits to the Mawsmai cave and the border town of Shella in the Indo–Bangla border.

14. Day 14: Cherappunjee - Guwahati (200 kilometers / 125 miles, 7-8 hours)

    The last leg of the ride takes you down from Meghalaya’s hills to Guwahati, the largest city in Northeast India, along the Brahmaputra River. En route, stop at Mawphlang Sacred Forest, an ancient forest preserved by the Khasi tribes. Rich in biodiversity and folklore, this is a final tribute to the spiritual connection between the land and its people. Arrive Guwahati and celebrate the end of the ride and experience the city’s vibrant culture.

15. Day 15: Guwahati - Delhi - Departure

    Goodbye Northeast India, as you fly back to Delhi for your onward journey. The villages, valleys, and tribes will remain etched in your memory, a souvenir of a lifetime trip to India’s wilderness.

Ride Details

Terrain

mix of asphalt and off-road

Bike

rental bike (Royal Enfield Himalayan (411cc/ 450 cc))

Mileage

1863 kilometers / 1158 miles

Daily rides

110 - 290 kilometers / 69 - 180 miles

Riding gear

Not included, please bring your own gear

Meals

all breakfasts, 12 lunches, and 12 dinners

Accommodation

Standard check-in is at 1 p.m. or 2 p.m., and check-out is at 11 a.m. or 12 p.m. Early check-in or late check-out may be available depending on availability and may incur a surcharge. Please inform Brahmand Tour of your preferred check-in and check-out times in advance.

Food

The package includes full board meals, except when you are in Delhi; only breakfast is provided. Northeast India is a foodie’s paradise; each state has its own specialty. Riders can taste Assamese tea and bamboo-smoked food, Meghalaya’s rice-based meals, and Nagaland’s spicy meat dishes. Brahmand Tour will make sure to stop at safe and hygienic places so you can taste the diverse and authentic flavors of the region.

Getting There

The tour will take place in India. Places covered: [+](https://www.tripaneer.com/brahmand-tour/15-day-the-eastern-arch-guided-motorcycle-tour-in-india# "Zoom in") [−](https://www.tripaneer.com/brahmand-tour/15-day-the-eastern-arch-guided-motorcycle-tour-in-india# "Zoom out") [+](https://www.tripaneer.com/brahmand-tour/15-day-the-eastern-arch-guided-motorcycle-tour-in-india# "Zoom in") [−](https://