Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB

Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/)
-   4 Wheels Travel Reports (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/4-wheels-travel-reports/)
-   -   Uk to Vladivostok or possibly China! In need of advice! (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/4-wheels-travel-reports/uk-vladivostok-possibly-china-need-78980)

overlandlass 1 Nov 2014 19:18

Uk to Vladivostok or possibly China! In need of advice!
 
Hi
We are planning a RTW trip in our VW Syncro starting from the UK next April 15. We want to head east and plans so far are -
Uk -across Europe -Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan - then either Kazakhstan or we could nip into Krygyzstan first any tips on this would help.
after Kazakhstan, Russia then Mongolia and then this is where our big dilemma comes in.
We would love to go to China but it does seem very expensive to take your vehicle and you really do need to find others to travel with which looking on this site we could probably hook up with someone, however we eventually want to get to the US and we have been told it is difficult to ship out of south east asia??? If we can where would be the best place to ship from to get to north America - we will want a container not roro.
Another option would be to drive from mongolia through sibera to valdivostok and ship the van and while it is sailing off to the US do China backpacking - we have to spend 5weeks somewhere while our vehicle is being shipped.
Any info on any of the above would be amazing at the moment I am going round in circles and need someone to give me a slap and get me back on track!!!
Cheers guys I know someone out there will be able to put us back on track

trackdayrider 2 Nov 2014 00:05

Hi.. Will watch with interest as the route you mention out to Vladivostok is exactly what I'm intending, leaving the UK last weekend in April.
I'm still undecided about where to ship to from there but planning to get to Australia and NZ before USA.

Cheers
Mark

overlandlass 2 Nov 2014 03:47

Yes we should keep in touch as we may be able to help each other out - have you sorted visas yet?
:thumbup1:
Roll on April

tacr2man 2 Nov 2014 18:29

try enq here

CSCA Home

htsh

trackdayrider 3 Nov 2014 20:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlandlass (Post 484804)
Yes we should keep in touch as we may be able to help each other out - have you sorted visas yet?
:thumbup1:
Roll on April

Not sorted out visas yet.. I would like to sort some on the road if I can so I'm not tied to specific dates, but I need to do some more investigations into what I HAVE to sorry out in advance..

overlandlass 4 Nov 2014 21:35

We have been in touch with David from Stantours and I think he can help sort them for you on route. - you just have to firm up your route which we haven't yet!

Griffdowg 8 Nov 2014 23:46

You can ship to the US from Vlad through Links Ltd. Speak to Yuri:

Links Ltd
Yuri Melnikov
89, Svetlanskaya str, suite 312
690078 Vladivostok, Russia
Links Ltd | professional packing and moving services provider in Vladivostok, Russia
TEL +7 (423) 2220 887
FAX +7 (423) 2221 578
Mobile +7 (902) 5243 447

This would be your cheapest and easiest option.

If you really want to cross China then its best to put a post in the travellers seeking travellers section. Groups tend to form each year combining bikes with 4x4s and trucks. Just be aware that every story I have heard, people have been rushed and not enjoyed their experience. I did see a post recently of a man in China who can get you in and travel independently without a guide. I have been searching for it again for you but cannot find it.

We considered shipping the truck and then taking the trans Mongolian train through Mongolia and into China. This wouldn't be a bad option. In the end we had little money so had to hide out in Indonesia while we waited for the truck to reach Australia :)

overlandlass 9 Nov 2014 18:27

Hi
Yes we have been in touch with Yuri and he has been very helpful. We now have two bikers to go through China with organised by NAVO. However am still in two minds what to do even taking a mth to go through China is going to be pushing it and could be hassle shipping out of SE Asia. We have to be somewhere while the vehicle is being shipped, so in theory if we get visas we could still do China backpacking or failing that go lie on a beach somewhere for a few wks!!
We would really love to "do" China but think it will have to wait for the next adventure as we do want to travel down through the states into South America - so much to do, too little time (and money!)

overlandlass 9 Nov 2014 18:37

china without a guide
 
Yes someone sent me the link - I think it is on one of the other threads, I'll try and find it. To be honest when I read it, it all seemed a bit daunting and at the moment we are still dealing with renting the house, sorting work etc, ect and as newbie Overlanders I'm not sure I feel up to taking it on - however may feel different after we have made the break and are on the road.
What appeals most about this overlanding lark is the freedom and all of a sudden I feel tied up with - having to do things at certain times because of visa restrictions etc
no doubt will all be better once we are out on the road
roll on April

Griffdowg 10 Nov 2014 11:03

Yes there are quite a lot of visa restrictions but once you have a plan it all flows freely. Overlap your visas by a a few days or even a week where you can as this gives you the option to hang around or 'get out' of that great/crap country. Also don't be tight with your visas, pay a few extra $$$ to extend them. You never know whats going to happen, you may want to stay in one spot for weeks (ie the Pamirs) or have a breakdown requiring parts to be flown in. You wont want the stress of visas once that happens!

Also know the protocol for extending your visas incase the poop hits the fan. You will be better prepared to deal with it on the ground then.

Don't let this all worry you though, its far easier once you are on the road! You will be surprised how many people are out there travelling in remote areas and don't have a clue what they are doing!

G

jobinard 14 Nov 2014 15:02

Crossing china
 
Hello,
Sure it'not easy to decide considering the difficulties from each part !
In my opinion, crossing China, even on a "pushy rythm" and not on the best conditions stays a very good way to combine in one trip Mongolia AND south east asia (i can not choose between those two...).
We are 2 vehicules confirmed to cross China in september (30 days), from Mongolia to Laos. We have other informal contacts ongoings.
Price gets "lower" if we are several vehicules traveling altogether.

Please let me know if your?re interested !
Cheers

mickoobyrne 16 Nov 2014 04:41

Mickoobyrne.
 
Hi just a quick reply. I crossed China, Tibet and Mongolia then into Russia and on to Europe in 2009/2010. We used NAVO who were VERY good. Yes expensive but if you want to go that is the cost! Details of our trip are on my site toyotadreamingv1 there is a link to the Rottnest to Rotterdam trip there. You can ship from Russia or drive down into Laos then Thailand and ship from there. Remember that over landing does require spending lots of time doing visa " stuff" in fact it seems like that occupies you most of the time on some days, and other countries have other processes some easy some infuriating but heck it is their country and their process do just roll with it. Just decide to go, that is the hard part the rest is just process. Enjoy it all and if I can help in any way contact me on micko@mickoobyrne.com Cheers.

mickoobyrne 16 Nov 2014 04:42

Mickoobyrne
 
Oops my website should read toyotadreaming.com

mickoobyrne 16 Nov 2014 04:47

Mickoobyrne.
 
Hi just a quick reply. I crossed China, Tibet and Mongolia then into Russia and on to Europe in 2009/2010. We used NAVO who were VERY good. Yes expensive but if you want to go that is the cost! Details of our trip are on my site toyotadreamingv1 there is a link to the Rottnest to Rotterdam trip there. You can ship from Russia or drive down into Laos then Thailand and ship from there. Remember that over landing does require spending lots of time doing visa " stuff" in fact it seems like that occupies you most of the time on some days, and other countries have other processes some easy some infuriating but heck it is their country and their process do just roll with it. Just decide to go, that is the hard part the rest is just process. Enjoy it all and if I can help in any way contact me on micko@mickoobyrne.com Cheers.

trackdayrider 16 Nov 2014 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlandlass (Post 485398)
.... What appeals most about this overlanding lark is the freedom and all of a sudden I feel tied up with - having to do things at certain times because of visa restrictions etc
no doubt will all be better once we are out on the road...

I can identify with that feeling !

overlandlass 23 Feb 2015 19:59

getting ready!
 
Hi Trackdayrider
Hows the planning going? I had a look at your blog site and you look as if things are moving on pretty well. We are in headless chicken mode, just about to give up work this wk so all steam ahead then and try to pin down these pesky visas!
Looks like we maybe travelling at the same time so would be good to keep in touch and maybe meet up at some point
drop me a pm if you are interested
Suzanne and John

trackdayrider 23 Feb 2015 21:25

PM sent :thumbup1:

paulmoody 27 Mar 2015 07:15

Life is a daring adventure or nothing
 
Hi from Gibraltar.....

We are now on our second trip around the world in the same Hilux and we have crossed Siberia to Vladivostok where we used Maersk to ship to Seattle.

We drive in 3 week stages as vacation overlanders then park up then by a return ticket for home.

Our experience is that the key to happy road trips is in the planning and sorting visas and stuff on the road is difficult, expensive and very time consuming.

Last Friday we reached Istanbul on our current road trip to Australia.....next month we drive onto Kyrgyzstan and with difficulty trying to sort our visa for Turkmenistan.

In September we will transit China and have found a none guide option . to get us to Laos.

With two cars it will cost 2450 euros and more it will be less so we need travelling buddies if you are out there.

I would be happy to help you more and always remember "never ask permission only foregiveness.

paulmoody

trackdayrider 27 Mar 2015 13:12

Got my passport back yesterday with visas all in place so almost all good to go

:-)

overlandlass 4 Apr 2015 14:48

Great news! we have the Russian visa just waiting on the Turkmenistan LOI
2 weeks and we are off!!

daveandles 14 Nov 2015 03:06

www.podd.net
 
Hi have a look at our web site it may be of help to your planning. Plodd - A Trip of a Lifetime

Any questions and I will try to help

Dave


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 22:42.


vB.Sponsors