Every year, it feels like déjà vu when we finally sit down to write another newsletter after a long break. We always promise ourselves to write monthly – it’s such an important thing to do – and during the off-season, we actually manage it. But once the high season kicks in, we dive headfirst into our tours, the days start flying by, and… well, the newsletters stop. Typical us!

Every year, it feels like déjà vu when we finally sit down to write another newsletter after a long break. We always promise ourselves to write monthly – it’s such an important thing to do – and during the off-season, we actually manage it. But once the high season kicks in, we dive headfirst into our tours, the days start flying by, and… well, the newsletters stop. Typical us!

But since you’re reading this, it means we’re back – and ready to share what’s been happening and, more importantly, what’s coming next. There’s no way to fit everything into one letter, so we’ll be sharing updates step by step in the coming months.

Hope you enjoy the read! If you have any questions or just want to share what’s next on your travel list, feel free to reach out to me directly at alex.nikonov@rusmototravel.com – I’d be happy to hear from you.

This year was as eventful as ever. The biggest discovery of the spring? Africa. Don’t get us wrong – we love our tours in Morocco, Turkey, Patagonia, and Thailand; we’ve explored those routes so many times that they almost feel like home. But Africa was completely different—a whole new frontier waiting to be explored.

In April and May, we led two incredible tours across Southern Africa – one exploring South Africa and Namibia, and another grand expedition through South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. The journeys were vibrant, the groups amazing, and the impressions unforgettable. We had dreamed about Africa for a long time, and finally, we made it happen.

We rented our motorcycles from Karoo Biking, run by Jürgen – someone we first met nearly twenty years ago on our very first private journey across the “Black Continent.” Jürgen is based locally and has a large fleet of bikes, including the latest BMW F800GS, F900GS, and R1300GS models. We were a bit disappointed by the weak clutches on the new R1300GS – a couple of them burned out after the gravel roads in Namibia. But as the saying goes, if a problem can be solved with money, it’s not really a problem at all.

All the tours went wonderfully. The only challenge came in Namibia, where unusually heavy rains – the kind that happen only once a decade – made some of the gravel roads unexpectedly slippery for a few participants. And a couple of our lodges, set deep in the savanna, had 10 km sandy approach roads, but for our experienced travelers, that was no problem at all.

Based on the experience from our first tours, we’ve increased the difficulty level of the South Africa – Namibia routes to “High” and introduced a new tour exclusively in South Africa along the famous Garden Route – a 100% paved-road adventure. We invite you to join us in April 2026! The first group is already full, but a few spots remain in the second group.

Description on the website via the links below:

The highlights of our summer were undoubtedly the tours to Sakhalin and Magadan. A year ago, we decided that even though organizing them is incredibly challenging – and unlikely to bring big profits, with logistics, ferries, repairs, fuel, and hotels consuming any margin – we had to follow our hearts. And our restless spirits were determined to show you the Far East of Russia. After all, if not us, then who else would take on an adventure like this?

No matter how challenging it gets, we live by the motto: “Do what you have to do, and let come what may.” In the end, we successfully ran four tours to Sakhalin. Our guides brushed up on Chekhov, savored caviar, oysters, and other local seafood (alongside the occasional instant noodles), while our guests collected unforgettable memories – even the ferry ride from Vanino to Kholmsk, the only way to reach Sakhalin Island by vehicle, couldn’t dampen the experience. Sometimes, you just need to step out of your comfort zone.

Will we run tours to Sakhalin again in the future? We’re not sure yet – probably yes, but most likely in 3-4 years. Maybe we’ll manage sooner, but for now, we’re taking a short break. In the meantime, you can explore the photos and read all about the experience on our website: [here’s the link].

For now, get inspired, and let us know if you’d like to join a Sakhalin tour – we’ll begin forming groups for 2028.

The two tours to Magadan – along the legendary Road of Bones – were the second highlight of this summer. These were extremely challenging expeditions along the Kolyma Highway, taking us through the Pole of Cold in Oymyakon all the way to Magadan. There’s so much to share that we plan to write separate, detailed reports – two paragraphs simply aren’t enough to capture the full experience.

The groups were remarkable, facing countless challenges – not just stepping out of their comfort zones, but taking on a test on the level of a marathon or even an IronMan. No one crossed the finish line feeling fresh; by the end, everyone was completely exhausted. But this was a conscious choice made by the strongest and bravest, and we can only pay them tribute and praise. You are incredible. Truly incredible for taking on this adventure.

We also want to take this opportunity to express our deepest appreciation to our guides, who achieved the nearly impossible despite breakdowns, bad weather, washed-out bridges, and flooded rivers. And a heartfelt bow to our back office team – for the entire month the groups were on the road, they were working almost around the clock, helping to resolve countless situations.

We’re sharing a few photos from the tours. During the off-season, we’ll aim to write a full report – and we think many of you will enjoy reading it.

The situation with the Magadan tours is similar to Sakhalin – we’re not yet certain if we’ll run them in the coming years, but we will definitely return to Kolyma at some point. We already have people eager to join next year; if we can form two or three full groups, we might go sooner. For now, though, we’re taking a moment to catch our breath and rest.

Autumn was marked by the long-awaited coast-to-coast tour across the USA, from Los Angeles to New York. Twenty-three days, 8,500 km on Harley-Davidsons, riding from one shore to the other – an American-style adventure reminiscent of the Russian Trans-Siberian Route.

We’ll be sharing a detailed report on this tour a little later, since it only wrapped up a few days ago. But what an adventure it was – stunning, unforgettable, and something we plan to repeat next year. Hopefully, there won’t be any visa issues next time, as a few participants ran into problems this year, which was an unwelcome surprise. The food in the US may have been disappointing, but the sights – both natural and man-made – were truly amazing.

Here are a few snapshots from our USA tour. Planning to join us next year? Don’t forget your visas – that’s the main thing to sort out. We’ll handle the rest.

This is the same South Africa – Namibia tour we ran in April-May. Two weeks of epic African landscapes – canyons, deserts, towering dunes, Atlantic Ocean shores, and unforgettable close-up encounters with wildlife.

We’ll begin in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, and ride to a nature reserve that’s home to lions, cheetahs, and leopards. Next, we’ll visit the coastal town of Swakopmund to admire sea lions and pelicans. Along the way, we’ll stop in Solitaire – an open-air museum dotted with vintage cars.

Riding across desert plateaus, we’ll reach the main highlight – the red sands of Sossusvlei, which resemble Martian landscapes. Here, some of the world’s tallest sand dunes rise up to 300 meters.

Next, we’ll visit one of the world’s greatest natural wonders – the Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon on the planet. From there, we make the final ride back toward civilization, exploring the scenic wine routes near Cape Town and reaching the southernmost tip of the African continent: the Cape of Good Hope.

Difficulty level: Medium-High – with 30% off-road and nearly 1,000 km on gravel and sand roads.
Motorcycles: BMW F800GS, F900GS, or R1300GS.

Read the full tour description and reserve your spot here:

Vietnam is a new tour on our calendar, a natural next step in our exploration of Asia. After running tours in Thailand for the past three years, it felt like the perfect time to ride through Vietnam.

Vietnam stretches along the South China Sea, part of the Pacific Ocean, offering a stunning mix of landscapes and culture. We’ll explore Ninh Binh province, famous for its rice fields and dramatic karst mountains.

Next, we visit Phong Nha National Park, home to some of the world’s most impressive caves. Here, we’ll take boat rides along underground rivers and wander through vast halls adorned with stalactites.

Our journey continues along the legendary Hai Van Pass – a winding mountain serpentine with breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean. We’ll also visit Hue, the ancient imperial capital, as well as coffee plantations in Buon Ma Thuot, spectacular waterfalls, and traditional ethnic villages.

Duration: 12 days, covering approximately 2,500 km on 100% paved roads.
Motorcycles: Choice of mid-size and large touring enduros, including BMW, KTM, and Triumph models.
Availability: Only 2 spots left!

Read the full tour description and reserve your spot here:

Another exciting new addition – and perhaps the most unique journey in our lineup – is a retro Harley tour across the Island of Freedom, accompanied by none other than Ernesto Che Guevara’s son. This is likely the main highlight of the tour. And of course, riding Harleys through Cuba is an extraordinary experience in itself.

We begin in Havana and ride through the tobacco plantations of Pinar del Rio, where we’ll learn about the art of Cuban cigar production. Next, we’ll explore the Las Terrazas reserve, with its winding mountain roads and lush tropical scenery.

From there, we head to the coast to Cienfuegos, a charming city known for its French colonial architecture. Our journey continues to Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage site with cobblestone streets and a rich history. Then it’s on to Santa Clara, where we’ll visit the Che Guevara Mausoleum and delve into Cuba’s revolutionary past.

Next, we ride to the northern coast, reaching the resort area of Cayo Santa Maria with its pristine white-sand beaches. The tour concludes with a scenic coastal ride through Varadero, returning to Havana.

Duration: 10 days, covering 1,600 km entirely on paved roads
Motorcycles: Harley-Davidsons
Special highlight: The lead guide for this tour is none other than Che Guevara’s son

Read the full tour description and reserve your spot here:

That’s all for today! Our marketing team is probably already shaking their heads at the length of this newsletter. In our next email, we’ll share stories from other tours this year and introduce new routes for 2026.

In the meantime, check out our website – there are plenty of incredible tours to suit every taste. Pick a destination that speaks to your soul and join us – it’s going to be unforgettable!

Explore our tours here: https://www.rusmototravel.com/tury

Thank you for reading! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re happy to provide all the details.

Stay in touch, and we’ll see you on the road.
The RMT Team

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