Rickshaw Challenge
The Travel Scientists is the world’s most gonzo adventure travel operator. Based in Budapest and Chennai, we have specialized in organizing car rallies all across the globe – India, the Caucasus, Central Asia, you name it – and after more than 10 years in the business, we are among the best. Our rallies are not about speed or competition, but we like to foster a sense of community and communal adventure, making friends for a lifetime rather than just driving from A to B by yourself.
Um, sort of. The more you obey the rules listen to advice and practice common sense; you’ll probably do just fine. But it’s not guaranteed, you won’t have a support or rescue team nudging you on plus you’ll be in extremely remote areas at some point. This is real adventure. Read more about the threats and dangers. We never had major security/safety problems in the past years, so don’t be too much concerned, just use common sense and follow the Road Book.
Anyone with a valid driving license. Technically you should also be of sound mind and body… but that’s covered in the terms and conditions you sign before the start. No age restrictions, use your common sense and/or ask the organizers.
Typically teams consist of two people. This provides ample room for both you and any additional gear you may wish to carry such as cameras, water etc… A rickshaw can easily take 3 people and this is also a common team format, but your space is then limited.
Your choice, of course, but doing all the driving alone can make it tiring and restrict your ability to take in the views and soak up the experience.
If you cannot persuade a friend to join you, then we are happy to assist pairing you up with another lone traveler.
Maximum 25 teams can register. Thanks to our liberal definition of a team (1 to 3 people), that number can vary.
All drivers need to be in possession of a valid driver’s license and an international driving license. If you are just a passenger and don’t intend to drive, you don’t need one.
Fill out the form on the trip page and we will contact you shortly with all further details. You are officially signed up once we’ve received the entrance fee.
We try to be as flexible as possible but please be aware that if full payment is not received on time we reserve the right to reallocate your place to another participant.
When the 25th team has registered or 30 days before the start date.
You can pay per bank transfer and PayPal.
Where the event is cancelled the organizers offer the participants the choice of purchasing an alternative event, of at least the same standard if available (and paying in respect of any price difference) or receiving a full refund of all money paid to us less administration charges.
The Organizers will not cancel an Event less than 45 days before the departure date except by reason of force majeure or non-payment of fees.
Entrance fees may be refunded only if the rally is cancelled for any reason. Entry fees can also be transferred to respective rally in the next year, if the applicant cannot participate in the upcoming event and informs the organizers at least 45 days prior to the flag off.
Worry not. The organizers of the Rickshaw Challenge will provide a crash course (ahem) for all participants. We think you will find the vehicles surprisingly easy and fun to drive.
Not all participants in the team are required to drive. If you’re not interested in being a driver in the event, you can still enjoy the journey from the back seat and take on the important role of being official filmmaker, photographer or navigator for your team.
30 days before the start date
We encourage you to send it in early to guarantee your place in the rally.
– 40% of the registration fee is payable on sign-up to secure place
– balance 60% is due 45 days before the start of the event.
We try to be as flexible as possible but please be aware that if full payment is not received on time we reserve the right to reallocate your place to another participant.
Administration of the Rickshaw Challenge is a full time, year-round job for organizers and the additional support staff in multiple offices internationally. We work hard to make things as easy as possible for participants to sign up and have a great time. Your fees enable us to carry out all the route planning, research, logistics and administration whilst providing an earning for our hard working staff.
In addition to the “background” work, your fee also covers the inclusive features of your trip package such as:
– Rickshaw Training
– Rickshaw vehicle, permit and documents
– Vehicle insurance
– Support crew and vehicle
– Luggage handling
– Organiser assistance through the event
– Survival kit
Once your Team Registration Form has been processed by us you will know your place is confirmed and can set about planning for the trip. You will need all the usual documentation you would expect for a holiday as follows:
– Passport (with visa where applicable)
– Travel insurance
– Driving licence
– International Driving Permit (for non-Indians)
– Vehicle registration document*
*this will be provided to you by the Rickshaw Challenge Team
We strongly suggest you make copies of all your essential documents. You are able to drive autorickshaws on a licence with either car or motorcycle entitlement. If you intend to only be a passenger you will not need any licence.
Your basic vehicle insurance is automatically covered once you are entered in the race however we strongly encourage all participants to have appropriate travel insurance to deal with medical and other costs.
The cost of the auto rickshaw rental will be included in the entrance fee. However, you are responsible for paying a €1000 deposit upon receipt of your rickshaw to cover any damage to the vehicle, this deposit also covers a mobile phone for the event. The deposit will be returned to you in full if the condition of your vehicle at the end of the event is very similar to its condition at the beginning. If you’d like to make any customization to your rickshaw, our “Pimp my ‘Shaw’” team will be excited to add your requested features to your autorickshaw. This is priced separately, please see Pimp My Shaw for details and a price list.
Sure! You can do anything that’s legal & considered roadworthy in India so basically pretty much anything goes! We’ve had rickshaws done up as mobile discos, giant rabbits, and with luxuries like flip down flat screens and on board fridges! You dream it, we’ll Pimp it!
Provided our own costs our covered then yes. We’ve already had teams successfully donate their rickshaws to worthy local causes. Our partnership with the Round Table India means that we will easily be able to find a grateful home for your rickshaw and provide you with any necessary donation receipts or philanthropic support. New, used or just funny looking someone will be happy to accept it.
A tourist visa is sufficient. Contact your local embassies for more information and any needed application processing. We encourage you to apply early (45 days before departure) in case of delays.
Yes! If after the trip you just can’t bear to part with your trusty rickshaw we can come to an arrangement. You will be responsible for all costs associated with the purchase beyond the sticker price including: taxes, shipping, customizations, rush and service fees We will be glad to assist.
We also offer a search and buy service for both participants and non-participants so if you want to return home with a momento with a difference just say the word! And if you really want to go for it check out our “Pimp my Shaw” service.
We ask you to contact a traveler’s clinic in your home country or your personal doctor to find out what kind of vaccinations you might need or medical precautions you should consider before traveling. We highly recommend you bring a medical kit with you, which should include the following:
– Pain killers
– Ointments for insect bites
– Insect repellent
– Tweezers and needles
– Antiseptic alcohol
– Thermometer
– Eye drops
– Vitamins
– Generic antibiotics
– Anti-diarrhea medication
– First-aid supplies
Please remember, you will be responsible for bringing your own prescription medication as needed.
Each Rickshaw Challenge will be accompanied by an organizer team with years of experience, which will give you a briefing about the upcoming day in the morning and will be available for your questions in the evening in the base hotel. Each Rickshaw Challenge will also be accompanied by a luggage car, which will transport your luggage during the day and by a service car, which will fix your rickshaw in case you break down.
Accommodations are included for Standard and Deluxe teams. If you’re on the Basic package, then accommodation is your responsibility. In the road book you get a list of hotel/hostel options with as much information as possible. You can choose based on your priorities, though keep in mind that we are traveling during tourist season in some places that have very few options to start with. To make things easier for participants we offer limited accommodation packages before the start of the event.
The Rickshaw Challenge organizers have researched and planned the route based on roads marked on common maps, however this is a big cultural shift from developed highways. Expect dirt roads, potholes within potholes, landslides, and the possibility of roads not existing anymore! The route is designed so that any rickshaw can participate, no matter its age or model. Of course, we’ll all be expected to get out and push at some point.
No worries, there is at least one rickshaw repair shop every few hundred meters an felt every second Indian is a rickshaw repair expert, so within no time you’ll be surrounded by some helpful souls.
Each Rickshaw Challenge is also accompanied by a support crew and vehicle, whom you can contact and who’ll come to rescue.
You will be driving an unfamiliar vehicle in unfamiliar territory. You will get lost. A lot. Luckily help is on hand in all sorts of ways. There are your fellow participants who in the spirit of the event will always lend a helping hand (or occasionally completely stitch you up and send you the wrong way). But who better to point the way than the friendly locals. Savvy rickshaw teams know that the best way to get back on track is during a chat while sampling the wares of a local coconut or tea seller. If you really are hopelessly lost you have the back up of the Rickshaw Challenge Team. Part of your support pack is a pre-paid mobile phone which you can use to summon the team for help and if required, rescue!
And finally, before you consider coming armed with GPS and sophisticated mapping equipment just remember that technology can’t tell you if the road was washed away during the last monsoon or if the road contains potholes the size of moon craters!
That is entirely up to you, but here’s what you should keep in mind.
First of all you need to bring the 1000 Euros for the rickshaw deposit in cash (we don’t accept cards, cheques and IOU notes).
You will have time to tour in India, which also means you will have time to gather a few souvenirs should you choose to do so. You’ll want to bring enough money to cover your food and drink costs, nightly housing costs, etc. for the duration of the Rickshaw Challenge as well as some coverage in case of an emergency. ATMs and currency exchange will be available throughout the course of the event, but we also advise you have access to funds from home. After many years of great challenges with international participants we have found that most people are happy with €50 per day. Your preferences may be more or less expensive.
There will be a safety deposit box in the support vehicle of the event. If there is anything you do not wish to carry with you in your auto rickshaw for any reason, you can trust your possessions with our team. You will be given a detailed receipt of items placed in our possession. It will be your responsibility to hang on to this receipt in order to have your belongings returned to you.
If you have any further or specific questions about the Rickshaw Challenge, please feel free to contact us.