The Goa Trail

Although called the 'Goa Tour', much of this trip also spends time in the Indian states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The beachfront areas of Goa are tourist dominated and not representative of India as a whole. You'll be there for the afternoon of day one and two whole days at the tour's end, which is enough to enjoy the beaches and bars on offer. The majority of your tour will be in Karnataka, with a brief dip into northern Tamil Nadu. Karnataka epitomises rural India, which is much the same as it has been for centuries. Most of the population work in the fields and our arrival in small towns usually causes quite a stir. People are generally very friendly. We also pass through some big towns, such as Mysore - famous for its shopping and bazaars.

Day 1: Arrive in Goa and head to The Blazing Trails HQ to meet the team and receive a thorough briefing, including an introduction to your bike, an Enfield 350 Bullet. From here to your hotel for lunchtime, leaving the afternoon for money changing and any other last minute preparations. A good night's rest is recommended, ready for your first Indian road miles.

Day 2: Goa to Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka. It's an early start (5.45am) for a rapid breakfast of coffee and fried eggs. Set off is at 6.45am. This is a fairly short day, allowing everyone to familiarise themselves with the Enfield. Heading east, the road passes through Old Goa and winds into the surrounding hills. The road surface is rough in places, but the stunning views more than compensate for this. Assorted obstacles permitting, our first night's stop at the Kali Wilderness & Adventure Camp should be reached by lunch. Here there's the opportunity to trek/nature-watch, or raft the white water of the magnificent Kali River. Otherwise, put your feet up and relax.

Day 3: Dandeli to Hampi. Leaving around 7.00am, we head out through forest and up onto the Deccan Plain and a dramatic change in landscape. At a sensible pace we cruise across the flat landscape, acclimatising to the bikes and Indian road manners. Our destination is Hampi, which at just over 250kms takes around seven hours.

Day 4: Dandeli. A day off the bikes to explore one of India's most impressive archaeological sites. Hampi, now mainly ruined, was the capital of the ancient Vijayanagara Empire. Untouched since the Moguls sacked the city in the early 16th century, Hampi is now populated mainly by monkeys. The ruins of this otherworldly lost city cover about 40 square kilometres, with dozens of fascinating temples and natural wonders set in a boulder-strewn river valley. It is now a magnet for spiritual pilgrims and more familiar tourists – no surprise, as it is fascinating and beautiful in equal measure.

Day 5: Hampi to Belur. Off by 6.00am for a ten-ish-hour day in the saddle. Riding from Hampi starts in open agricultural land, but slowly we climb into the scenic hills approaching Chikmagalur, one of the main coffee growing centres of India. We'll be in Belur in time to visit the town's 1000-year-old Hoysala temple for evening Puja (prayers) – a colourful, exuberant and moving experience.

On the Goa Trail

Day 6: Belur to Mysore. Set off at around 9am for a 180km cruise across verdant plains, rice paddies and palm plantations. Mysore is famous for its palace, sandalwood carvings, spices and some of the best silks in India. It's a bustling, modern feast for the eyes; a fantastic place to shop and eat. Get lost in the bazaar, or take a stroll around the palace or zoo.

Days 7: Mysore to Masinagudi. Out of Mysore's bustle and down into the wildlife sanctuaries of Bandipur and Mudumalai, forested with teak and sandalwood. Elephant, tiger, gaur (not really a bison), wild boar and many species of deer roam hereabouts and a roadside sighting isn't out of the question. We stop at Jungle Retreat, a luxury wildlife lodge set at the foot of the Nilgiri Hills. Not only are you in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, you're also now in your third Indian state – Tamil Nadu.

Days 8: Masinagudi. A day for rest and exploration. Possible activities include a trip to Ooty, the former hot-season retreat for the British Raj's Madras administration. To get there requires the tackling of 36 hairpin bends climbing 1500m in 11km. However, if it is raining, or you've had a drink, this is not an option – though an ascent by jeep can easily be arranged. Ooty is a great place to shop for tea, spices (especially peppercorns and cardamom), tribal jewellery and shawls. Around Ooty are tea plantations, fantastic views and up-market eateries. Wildlife treks can also be arranged back at our lodge and are highly recommended as Masinagudi offers the chance to see wild elephant, gaur and a huge number of other fascinating creatures.

Day 9: Masinagudi to Madikeri. Out of the wildlife sanctuaries and up into the heart of the Coorg – a mountainous area, the most biologically diverse in India. Perhaps the most tranquil ride of the trip, we meander along beautiful, wooded, winding roads. The night is spent in a simple shared dormitory on a remote coffee plantation, set deep in the forest. It's the perfect place to sip a beer and talk the day down as the sun sets.

Day 10: Madikeri to Turtle Bay. After an early breakfast, we sweep along stunning roads looping down through the Coorg Hills until reaching the sea at Mangalore. From here it's a short coastal ride to a pretty beach resort at Turtle Bay. Dinner, beer, bed.

On the Goa Trail

Day 11: Turtle Bay to Gokarna. A relaxed morning on the beach, before a gentle cruise up the coastal 'highway' to Gokarna. Here the bikes are parked before heading for Paradise Bay by boat or on foot (your choice). Our destination tonight has no telephones, electricity or road, just a beautiful sandy cove. Dolphins move close to the shore, which shelves away dramatically, offering good swimming. Accommodation is on the beach, where we provide mats and blankets for those without sleeping bags.

Days 12: Gokarna to Goa. If you want a morning swim, get up early as we'll soon be leaving for the easy ride back to Goa where you must say goodbye to your bike.

Days 13 & 14: Goa. A couple of days to wind down, or indulge in Goa's more 'Western' pleasures – beaches, restaurants and shops.

Day 15: From Goa to the "real world". All good things come to an end, and your flight home to the UK awaits. Just remember your gears are now on the left and that pedal on your right is the ....screeeech!!