Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > West and South Asia
Burma - the missing link? Burma - the missing link?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 28 Sep 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: London UK
Posts: 39
Burma - the missing link?
For reference, we crossed Burma last June.

Visa's took two months to get in Delhi ( and a lot of hassling the embassy staff!)

Key admin point is - they must issue a "road permit" as well as the visa - if you do not have the Road permit the Indian Authorities will not let you approach the boarder.

Once you have these two docs. you need special permits for Nagaland and Manipur (india). We had our applications refused by the delhi authorities, but heard through the grape vine that you could get them in Calcutta. We were not dissapointed as calcutta issued them in three hours...but did ask for our marriage cert!!

Fianlly, all went OK though Burma but, getting out took 17 days!! No kidding! The Burmese Immigration insisted that we could not drive a 250km section near the Thai boarder and that we must send the bikes by truck and fly ourselves. Once the bikes were loaded the army refused to let the truck leave!! Eventuially it left and then dissappeared for the next 10 days! no information for us whilst we waited... all very very frustrating. But it did arrive eventually!

Good luck for anyone else trying to cross this military dictatorship...

[This message has been edited by Simon Harby (edited 29 September 2004).]
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 1 Oct 2004
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: B.C. Canada
Posts: 209
Thanks for the info, Simon. I have been to most of the Thai/Myanmar border crossings and could have ridden in Myanmar illegally a few times, but not worth the risk...Good to know firsthand that someone has done it.
The North Comet bike club in Chiang Mai Thailand are organizing a trip through northeast Myanmar to Kuhnming China this Nov.
Info on gt-rider.com .Wish I could go...


------------------
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 1 Oct 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: London UK
Posts: 39
Interesting to hear that the Chaing Mai gang are en-route to Eastern Burma...
If you have a chance to go that way again, they have opened the boarder at Tachilek and you are permitted to drive to Keng Tung (100ks) and I guess with a little effort be allowed to do what the guys in Chaing Mai are doing...
THe challenge that needs sorting is the crossing to Taunggyi... I think Burmese would let you go if its was dry season?? and they (the Burmese) are not in the height of killing the tribes people up there... The Burmese army really are b*stds.

Hope this helps

Simon


Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 6 Oct 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Bribie Island, Queensland, Australia
Posts: 232
We would have loved to go through Burma on our last trip and this trip it would also make life a lot easier but am not sure that we want to finance them as long as they have the political attitude that they have there.
Better to spend our money in other countries and to hell with the b's.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12 Oct 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: London UK
Posts: 39
Not too sure that going through Burma would have made your life easier.... Have a look at the note about "getting out"

Re: your comment about financing them... well, we spent our money as far as we could with the local non-govenmen run guest houses. And, would you believe it, we were hassled by the police at midnight for staying in a non-tourist approved g-h.!!
I think there is a case for visiting Burma but spending your money with the locals and in that way supporting them....

Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 1 Jan 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1
Hi Guys

THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION - BURMA

Monika and I will be trying to cross Burma after visiting Nepal in the late spring of 2005 enroute Australia.

Some good information is enclosed here which we will be of use to us.

Will comeback here with latest details and on how we got on.

Happy New Year to everybody and to Grant and Sue

Simon and Monika
www.spiritsofadventure.com


------------------
live the dream and encompass the spirits of adventure
__________________
live the dream and encompass the spirits of adventure
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 4 Jan 2005
DaveSmith's Avatar
Slacker supreme
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Sacramento, California
Posts: 410
If anyone helps on this through email, please send me a copy. I'll be in Japan 2005 and part of 2006 and I'd like to ride to Italy for the Motogiro in June (I think that's when it is).

------------------
Trying to ride (and work) my way round the world on a 1965 Ducati 250cc. Australia, New Zealand and Japan are first. http://nokilli.com/rtw/
__________________
Not Ted Simon since 1970!
http://nokilli.com/rtw
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 23 Jan 2005
strikingviking's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Mazatlan, Mexico
Posts: 115
I am currently in Karachi waiting for my missing motorcycle to show up. No communication from shippers or Jordan Air. Bike is now nine days overdue. Will post info as situation develops.
Looking to ride across India and Burma into Thailand next month. Appreciate any advice on procedure.
All the best amigos
Glen

------------------
Around the World on Two Wheels www.strikingviking.net
__________________
EARTH RIDE!
Understanding the world through adventure travel.
www.strikingviking.net
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 19 Mar 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: köln-Germany
Posts: 1
Hi Simon,
I´m new here and just find your postings. We (my girlfriend and me) are planning a trip from Germany to india via russia-mongolia-china-vietnam-laos-burma. Right now I´m in contact with the burmese embassy and they told me to apply for the travel-permit.Like you did in dehli, I guess!? My question now: How do I verbalize it and what kind of detailed contents are needed to be indicate ?
Hoe you can help me
cheers
Juni

Quote:
Originally posted by Simon Harby:
For reference, we crossed Burma last June.

Visa's took two months to get in Delhi ( and a lot of hassling the embassy staff!)

Key admin point is - they must issue a "road permit" as well as the visa - if you do not have the Road permit the Indian Authorities will not let you approach the boarder.

Once you have these two docs. you need special permits for Nagaland and Manipur (india). We had our applications refused by the delhi authorities, but heard through the grape vine that you could get them in Calcutta. We were not dissapointed as calcutta issued them in three hours...but did ask for our marriage cert!!

Fianlly, all went OK though Burma but, getting out took 17 days!! No kidding! The Burmese Immigration insisted that we could not drive a 250km section near the Thai boarder and that we must send the bikes by truck and fly ourselves. Once the bikes were loaded the army refused to let the truck leave!! Eventuially it left and then dissappeared for the next 10 days! no information for us whilst we waited... all very very frustrating. But it did arrive eventually!

Good luck for anyone else trying to cross this military dictatorship...

[This message has been edited by Simon Harby (edited 29 September 2004).]
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 28 Mar 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 655
hello
i did not manage to drive through burma. this was in spring 2004.
but i put some practical info on burma (and other countries) on my website :

http://vincent.danna.free.fr/infos/birmanie.html

http://vincent.danna.free.fr/infos/index.html

good luck
happy trails
__________________
--
Vincent Danna

* www.va-project.com
Sept 2008 - dec 2009 : Voyage et art contemporain en Amérique du sud.

* http://vincent.danna.free.fr/
2002 - 2004 : Un tour du monde en moto.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 1 Apr 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Nussdorf/Attersee (Austria)
Posts: 21
You will find a very interesting account of people who REALLY managed to cross Myanmar by car from one side to the other (India) in August 2004:

http://www.bootsnall.org/datw/archives/000877.shtml

Reinhart



------------------
www.tlc-exped.net/
__________________
www.tlc-exped.net/
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 16 Jul 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: London UK
Posts: 39
you say a group REALLY crossed Burma, you may want to ask an Native English speaker, what the connotation of the word "really" is in this context.

Have you crossed Burma your self?

[This message has been edited by Simon Harby (edited 15 July 2005).]
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 30 Jul 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 655
simon,

thanx for your first very interesting and detailed post, and others.

could you give more info please about the delaies, authorities you met in india for the paperwork, on the way near the border, in india and burma, kind of paperwork at the border, eventual problems and advice, etc ...

how much did this paperwork etc ... cost you , did you have to pay a day expensive pass , like in china for example, or just the paperwork ?

nb : i m not debating you about financing burma debate :-) , just to know as i failed going there
cheers
and congratulations for determination


__________________
--
Vincent Danna

* www.va-project.com
Sept 2008 - dec 2009 : Voyage et art contemporain en Amérique du sud.

* http://vincent.danna.free.fr/
2002 - 2004 : Un tour du monde en moto.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:25.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top