About Us

Our engine, our team, our story!

Asia Bike Tours: Born to Ride Since 1997

For over 25 years, we've been taking adventure seekers on two wheels to places where the roads grow quieter, the encounters feel more real, and the impressions last longer.
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Whether it's the Himalayas, jungle, desert, or high mountain valleys – our motorcycle tours through Asia aren’t off-the-shelf products, but handcrafted experiences with character.

From Rajasthan to Vietnam, from Kyrgyzstan to Bhutan: we ride where others have already turned back – not because it’s always rough, but because it’s still untouched.

Small groups, strong routes, genuine encounters – and a crew that knows how to get both a bike and a story moving.

And the best part? Over 80% of our riders return.
Because once you’ve ridden with ABT, you don’t just come home with dust on your jacket – you come home with stories for life.

How It All Started

From Office Chair to Saddle – The Birth of Asia Bike Tours

Back in 1997, Heinrich Wegenstein had enough of the grey office grind.
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The suit felt too tight, the horizon too small – so he grabbed his bike and followed his wanderlust east, toward India. What started as a solo escape from the “big business” world quickly turned into something much bigger.

With every ride through Rajasthan, his experience grew – and so did the excitement of those who joined him. Word spread fast. Heinrich evolved from a lone adventurer into the guide of a growing motorcycle community. New routes followed, more bikes, more countries – and a crew of like-minded riders who shared the passion and took the handlebars with him.

Today, Asia Bike Tours is exactly what Heinrich was searching for back then: a genuine escape from the everyday, powered by horsepower and heart.

Travel has been not just our profession but our passion for over 25 years.
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In a time when tourism is often reduced to superficial cultural consumption, we believe in genuine encounters: respectful, not romanticized—honest, curious, and open.

Many travelers today aren’t looking for five-star comfort, but for depth, reality, and connection. That’s exactly what we offer: no staging, but insights into ways of life, cultures, and landscapes as they truly are.

We don’t aim to be perfect. But we give 100% to make every journey with us a lasting memory—just as it already is for more than 80% of our returning guests.

The Crew That Turns Rides into Legends

Meet the Crew Behind the Adventure

Tenzin

Bhutanese local Tenzin turned a canceled Tibet tour into our first Bhutan adventure. Ex-monk, five-language pro, and Himalayan guide – he’s your go-to for all things Buddhism and Bhutan!

Heinrich

Heinrich Wegenstein, the mastermind of Asia Bike Tours, turned his love for bikes into 25 years of epic adventures. He’s passed the torch, but let’s face it—the road never lets go. You’ll still see him leading the way!

Enrico

From loyal guest to ultimate guide – Enrico is the heart of Asia Bike Tours. With a passion for adventure, captivating stories, and a camera always in hand, he makes every trip unforgettable. Traveling with Enrico? More than a trip – it’s an adventure of a lifetime!

Shankar

Shankar, half-Indian, half-Austrian, grew up loving India, studied South Asian cultures in Vienna, speaks 4+ languages, and has guided tours since 17. Obsessed with travel, food, and history—he’s your go-to for deep dives!

Benedikt

Born in Dharamsala and raised between Indian streets and four languages, Benedikt blends book smarts with adventure. East meets West? He’s your guy!

The New Dream Team at the Handlebars – Asia Bike Tours 2.0

Heinrich Wegenstein — Founder, Visionary, Trailblazer

Heinrich says he’s ready to retire – to enjoy the quiet life, watch the leaves fall, and the squirrels chase each other around the trees.
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But honestly? We don’t quite buy it. Because if anyone knows the truth, it’s him: once you’ve ridden through Asia on a motorcycle, there’s no going back.As long as passion fuels the engine, Heinrich will keep leading the occasional tour – the ones he truly feels like riding.
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And that’s exactly how it should be. As organized as necessary – as laid-back as possible.
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What began in Rajasthan quickly grew: more bikes, more tours, more friends eager to join the ride. As demand picked up, it became clear – Heinrich couldn’t do it all on his own. So he built a crew of like-minded riders: people who shared his passion and knew how to turn a trip into something unforgettable.

After 25 years on the most epic roads across Asia, Heinrich decided to pass the handlebars. Benedikt and Shankar – long-time guides, close friends, and true ABT originals – have taken the lead.But Heinrich? He may talk about slowing down, but deep down, he’ll always be a rider.
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And trust us – you’ll still see him up front now and then. Only on the tours he’s truly fired up for. Exactly the way it should be.

Shankar Nath - Where Cultures, Curves, and Curiosity Collide

The son of an Austrian mother and an Indian father, Shankar grew up in India and quickly fell in love with the diversity of the subcontinent. He later moved to Vienna, where he completed his degree in South Asian Studies at the University of Vienna.

Fluent in Hindi, Urdu, German, and English – and with a few Indian dialects in his back pocket thanks to his hobby as a self-taught linguist – Shankar has been leading cultural and educational tours since the age of 17. Whether it's for universities, curious travelers, or seasoned adventurers, he knows how to turn every journey into a meaningful experience.

His path to ABT? A lucky encounter with Heinrich – and a shared belief that motorcycle travel is about way more than just getting from A to B. It’s about connection, insight, and real adventure.

His now-legendary backpacking trip from India to Europe only deepened his love for cross-cultural exploration – and infected him permanently with the “culture virus.”

His specialties? India and Iran. His passions? Motorbikes, street food, and great stories.
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His superpower? Explaining culture in a way that makes you learn something, laugh a little – and immediately crave something spicy.

‍Pro tip: Don’t bring up history, food, or language unless you’ve got time. And ideally a cup of chai in your hand.

Benedikt Urban

“Friendly, charming, understated” is how guests describe him, and that does hit the mark. Of European parents, Benedikt Urban was born and raised in Dharamsala, India.

Growing up in the local Indian community while attending a Tibetan school in a town also known as the exile home of the Dalai Lama, he’s fluent in English, Tibetan, Hindi, and German. He studied Political Science and Economics in the United States.For many years he worked at the confluence between academic exchange programs for universities: teaching and organizing cultural/educational travel for people of all ages.

‍Having acquired diverse insights into the historical and cultural traditions of communities across South Asia and Tibet, he has unique perspectives when it comes to comparing the different worlds of east and West.

Tenzin Thinley — from the monastery to the curves.

Bhutanese, often traveling with his two sons, Tenzin first crossed our path when a Tibet tour had to be canceled after the borders were closed due to SARS. That twist of fate led to our very first Bhutan tour—and the start of a long friendship.

Tenzin trained as a tourism professional in Germany and Austria, which explains his impressively good German. In addition to Dzongkha (Bhutanese), he speaks fluent Tibetan, Hindi, and English—pretty much every language you need to feel at home across the Himalaya.

When he’s not on the road with us, he runs his own travel agency in Thimphu. And because he’s such an outstanding guide, we love partnering with him beyond Bhutan as well—on tours to places like Ladakh.

Two years in a monastery gave him deep insight into Buddhist rituals and everyday life—so his explanations don’t come from a guidebook, but from the heart of the culture.

Values we uphold

Fair Play is a cornerstone of our business

We live in a rich world with money badly divided. At ABT, fair play isn’t just a principle – it’s our philosophy.

All our partners, guides, mechanics, and drivers are paid fairly and treated with respect. When we travel, we do it together – same beds, same meals, same experiences. You’ll never see our crew in cheaper rooms or treated as second class. We ride – and live – on equal ground.

This isn’t an add-on. It’s the core of our company culture. The essence of who we are. And the reason we do what we do.

Because real journeys only work when everyone’s riding together – with dignity, trust, and shared purpose.

Ecological Footprint, an avenue we continuously challenge ourselves to do better

WeWe continuously reflect on the ecological footprint we leave behind – and how it affects the vulnerable communities and fragile environments we visit. We don’t claim to have all the answers, but we actively ask the right questions and do everything we can to minimize our impact – from tour planning and transport to the partners we work with.

This also applies to our carefully selected supply chain partners, who share our values and our commitment to responsible travel.

With Shankar’s background in social ecology and Benedikt’s experience in sustainable entrepreneurship, we make sure our sustainability efforts go beyond marketing buzzwords. Our approach is grounded in evidence, reflection, and real responsibility – not just pretty labels.

We truly believe: motorcycle travel and ecological awareness are not mutually exclusive. Quite the opposite. Those who travel with open eyes know how precious this world is – and that we’re not just here to explore it, but to protect it.

Mark your calendar

Between the Himalayas and the Expo Hall – Here’s Where You Can Meet US

MOTORBIKES DORTMUND 2026

Asia Bike Tours at Motorräder Dortmund 2026! Join us at one of Europe’s biggest motorcycle fairs – with live tour presentations, meet & greets, and fresh inspiration for your next guided motorcycle adventure through Asia. Stay tuned for booth details and a chance to grab free tickets!

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Messe Wels | Save the date

Moto-Austria is the leading motorcycle and scooter exhibition in Austria, which takes place every two years at Messe Wels. The next trade fair is planned from February 6 to 8, 2026. New products from brands such as KTM, Suzuki and SYM as well as accessories, clothing and electric mobility will be on display. The event also offers shows, stunts and a varied supporting program. We look forward to seeing you there!

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MOTORRADWELT BODENSEE 2026

Five exhibition and five action halls to marvel at, buy and get active yourself: MOTORRADWELT BODENSEE kicks off the new season in January and makes bikers' hearts beat faster. Because if your fingers really itch while watching, you can make the numerous test tracks unsafe on various motorized two or four-wheelers. So be there when MOTORRADWELT BODENSEE opens its doors — and dive into the world of freedom, adventure and unforgettable experiences on two wheels!

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"ABT Jahresfest 2026": Save the Date!

Save the Date! Join us for a day of connection, stories, and celebration in the Bavarian Alps – with good food, familiar faces, and 25+ years of tour memories. Stay tuned for all the details – and don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter!

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ALL EVENTS

Before you ride with us – get to know us. It’s worth it.

Our engine, our team, our story!

Asia Bike Tours: Born to Ride Since 1997

How It All Started

From Office Chair to Saddle – The Birth of Asia Bike Tours

The Crew That Turns Rides into Legends