At briefing in Hanoi we do not ask “do you have insurance”—we ask for the policy and read the motorcycle line. Without riding / adventure travel motorcycle cover, start is blocked even if deposit is paid. Forty-five days out, assemble passport (6+ months after tour end), class A license, IDP, route visas, and booking copies. Below—differences by catalog tours: Vietnam (e-visa), Morocco (visa-free for many passports, IDP still mandatory), Balkans (non-Schengen loop through Serbia/Montenegro/Bosnia).
By catalog tour—not one list for everyone
Vietnam (`vietnam-due-north`): e-visa or pre-arranged visa, IDP, class A, motorcycle insurance. Match visa dates to the calendar slot—a one-day mismatch means moving dates.
Morocco (`morocco-atlas-8d`): passport, IDP, class A, gravel confidence (experience counts too). Program windows April/October; visa depends on citizenship.
Balkans GS (`balkans-non-schengen-8d`): route Belgrade → Durmitor → Kotor → Sarajevo—entry rules per country for your departure date.
Garden Route (`garden-route-gs`): South Africa—passport, IDP, class A, motorcycle insurance; visa depends on citizenship.
Insurance: what we look for in the policy
Explicit wording: riding motorcycle over 125 cc or adventure travel including motorcycling. Medical limits from €50k (Europe/Balkans) to €100k (remote regions).
Evacuation and repatriation as line items. Card “travel perks” often exclude motorcycles—read the PDF, not the bank landing page.
Deadlines and typical mistakes
Get IDP before visa if the consulate asks for a copy. Original license and IDP in jacket; copies in dry bag and cloud.
Deposit per email after calendar date confirmation. Waiver signed pre-start—guided standard.
Common mistakes: policy dates one day shorter than the tour; Vietnam e-visa dates from last year’s plan.
| Document | Lead | Example tour | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport 6+ mo | now | all | border deny |
| Vietnam e-visa | 14–21 d | vietnam-due-north | dates |
| IDP | 14 d | Morocco, Vietnam | no start |
| Ride insurance | 7 d | all | briefing block |
| MIR deposit | per email | calendar | lost seat |
FAQ
01Does deposit include insurance?
No. Insurance is the rider’s responsibility on all catalog tours unless a specific departure email states otherwise.
02Visa refused—money back?
See booking policy: documented refusal may allow date transfer or partial refund per tour terms.
03Domestic license without IDP?
For MIR international departures we recommend IDP; Morocco and Vietnam program blocks list it as required.
04Own bike—different paperwork?
Yes: customs, Carnet, insurance on your machine. Catalog departures use organizer bikes—simpler. Ask via contacts before deposit.