This page is general information only, not financial or insurance advice. D’Himalayan Riders doesn’t sell insurance. Always read the policy wording (PDS) and check with your insurer that your cover suits your trip.
Travel insurance is mandatory for all riders on all of our tours, and every rider must hold comprehensive cover for a ride through the Himalayas. Many standard Australian travel policies limit or exclude motorcycle riding and high-altitude travel, so check the details before you buy.
What to check in your policy
- Motorcycle riding: cover for riding a motorcycle (as rider or pillion) overseas, and whether it needs a matching licence and a helmet.
- High altitude: our routes go above about 5,500 m and reach 5,798 m at Umling La. Check the policy’s altitude limit covers this.
- Emergency helicopter evacuation: remote roads make this important.
- Medical and repatriation costs, plus personal injury and accident.
- Cancellation and trip interruption, including flight delays that make you miss the start.
- Loss of baggage and money, and personal liability.
- Pre-existing medical conditions, which you should declare.
Why it matters
Our support vehicle carries first aid and oxygen cylinders, and in a medical emergency our team will help arrange treatment or evacuation. Those costs are yours, though, which is why good cover matters. Unused days after leaving a tour early can’t be refunded.
Next, read about flights from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and what’s included in your tour.
Questions to ask your insurer before you buy
Policy wording (the PDS) varies a lot between insurers, so the most reliable approach is to ask specific questions and get the answers in writing. Here are the ones worth asking for a Himalayan motorcycle tour.
About the riding
- Does the policy cover me as a rider (or pillion) on a motorcycle overseas?
- Are there engine-size (cc) limits or licence requirements, and does it need a valid motorcycle licence plus an International Driving Permit? Our tours require a valid motorcycle licence from your home country plus an International Driving Permit.
- Is riding on unsealed, rough mountain roads and through water crossings covered, or excluded as “off-road” or adventure activity?
- Is a helmet required for cover to apply? (Helmets are provided on our tours.)
About the altitude
- What is the maximum altitude covered? Our routes go above about 5,500 m and reach 5,798 m at Umling La (about 19,022 ft). Khardung La is 5,359 m, and several other passes on our tours are above 5,000 m. Check whether the limit is quoted in metres or feet, and whether it applies to every day of the trip.
- Does altitude sickness count as a covered illness at those heights?
About getting help
- Is emergency helicopter evacuation covered, and is there a dollar limit? Ladakh’s roads are remote, so this is one of the most important lines.
- Are medical expenses and repatriation covered, and what is the limit?
- Is there a 24-hour emergency assistance line, and do you need to call it before getting treatment?
About cancelling or changing the trip
- Will the policy cover trip cancellation and interruption, including flight delays that make you miss the start?
- What reasons are accepted, and what does it exclude?
How our booking terms connect to your insurance
Our terms and conditions are clear that insurance is your responsibility, and several of them are exactly the situations travel insurance is meant for:
| What our terms say | Why cover matters |
|---|---|
| Cancellation: 60 or more days before departure is a full refund minus a 10% admin fee, 45–59 days is a 50% refund, 30–44 days is a 25% refund, and less than 30 days is no refund. | If illness or injury forces you to cancel late, your cancellation cover may be what recovers the money. |
| The AUD $100 booking deposit is non-refundable (subject to Australian Consumer Law). | Check whether your insurer covers it. |
| No-shows because of flight cancellations or delays are treated as a cancellation by the rider. | Look for cover for missed departures and delays. |
| If you end your tour early for health or personal reasons, no refund is given for unused days. | Trip interruption cover is the relevant protection. |
| In a medical emergency we help arrange treatment or evacuation, but all associated costs are the rider’s responsibility. | Medical, evacuation and repatriation cover. |
| We aren’t liable for loss, theft or damage to personal belongings, including luggage, passports and electronics. | Baggage and personal property cover. |
You can read the full Booking & Cancellation Policy before you buy a policy.
When to buy
Cancellation cover usually only starts once you’ve bought the policy, so many riders buy insurance around the time they pay their deposit rather than leaving it until just before they fly. Ask your insurer exactly when cover begins and what it excludes if you’ve already booked. Our payment schedule is a AUD $100 non-refundable deposit, 50% due 60 days before departure and the balance 30 days before, so most of the money is committed well ahead of the ride.
Keep your paperwork together
- A copy of your policy and the emergency assistance number, saved on your phone and in print.
- Your written proposal from us and your payment receipts.
- Your passport, Indian visa, motorcycle licence and International Driving Permit. (Australians can get an IDP from their state motoring club.)
- Your declared medical conditions. Pre-existing conditions should be declared to your insurer, and we ask that you tell us about any relevant medical conditions too.
We aren’t a medical provider. Speak to your GP about altitude and any medication before you travel. For destination advice, we encourage Australian travellers to check the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller website before booking.
Next steps
Once your cover is sorted, you can compare tours on our tours page, see exactly what’s included (a Royal Enfield Himalayan series motorcycle, riding gear (helmet, gloves, jacket), accommodation, meals, bike fuel, airport transfers, a ride captain, one backup car with mechanic, oxygen support and Inner Line Permits), and plan your flights with our guide to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane departures. Book any 2027 tour by 31 January 2027 with code FIRSTRIDERS10 for 10% off.
Choose your tour
- Ladakh Circuit Ride: 13 days from Leh, from AUD $3,627
- Ladakh Classic Ride: 13 days from Leh, from AUD $3,627
- Umling La Extreme Ride: 14 days from Leh, from AUD $3,935
- Himalayan Crossing Ride: 17 days from Delhi, from AUD $5,094
- Ultimate Himalayan Ride: 20 days from Delhi, from AUD $6,017
Check 2027 dates – from AUD $3,627. Save 10% on any 2027 tour with code FIRSTRIDERS10 when you book by 31 Jan 2027. Email booking@dhimalayanriders.com.au or call +61 452 337 260.
Frequently asked questions
Is travel insurance mandatory?
Yes. Travel insurance is mandatory for all riders on all of our tours, and every rider must hold comprehensive cover before the tour.
Do you sell travel insurance?
No. We don't sell or recommend specific policies. Compare insurers and read the policy wording yourself.
What altitude should my policy cover?
Our routes go above about 5,500 m and reach 5,798 m at Umling La, so check that your policy covers travel at that height.
Does my policy need to cover motorcycle riding?
Yes. Check that it covers riding a motorcycle overseas, as rider or pillion, because many policies limit this.
Is helicopter evacuation important?
Yes. Ladakh's roads are remote, so check that your cover includes emergency helicopter evacuation and repatriation.
