Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Northern and Central Asia
Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree2Likes
  • 2 Post By eurasiaoverland

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 1 Jan 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: lyon
Posts: 141
kazakhstan

hi all,
i plan to rich aral sea in kazakhstan next may/june and also drive in the west of the country, anyone have any advices ? how many kilometers is it possible to drive a day? we are two on a bmw r1200 gs
thanks
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 1 Jan 2017
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Somerset, Great Britain
Posts: 471
Yes - the road to Aktobe is horrendous! Or at least it was in 2015. Made it in one day from Aytrau, but it was a gruelling day. I think it's possible to approach Aralsk directly from the west, but remote and sandy.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 2 Jan 2017
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Australia
Posts: 14
We rode through Kazakhstan late 2016. We went due East from Astana on mostly dirt roads.

Some days we were lucky to make 150km. Other days we got up to 250km. It was slow.
__________________
@mototouring16 Yamaha Tenere 1988, BMW F650GS 2004
www.wildeshausen-to-tullera.weebly.com www.facebook.com/mattheresa2016
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 2 Jan 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Brunei
Posts: 950
Quote:
Originally Posted by IanC View Post
Yes - the road to Aktobe is horrendous! Or at least it was in 2015. Made it in one day from Aytrau, but it was a gruelling day. I think it's possible to approach Aralsk directly from the west, but remote and sandy.
The 'road' from Atyrau to Aktobe is famously bad. I assume anyone using this road has either done no research or deliberately wants to drive on dusty, rutted hard baked earth and washboard through a totally featureless landscape.

The paved road to Aktobe heads north from Atyrau to Oral (Uralsk) and then west to Aktobe, from where the road is paved to Aral.

Quote:
Originally Posted by matntheresa View Post
We rode through Kazakhstan late 2016. We went due East from Astana on mostly dirt roads.

Some days we were lucky to make 150km. Other days we got up to 250km. It was slow.
You definitely won't get near the Aral Sea heading due east out of Astana.

In essence, if you want to get there directly and are prepared for long off-road sections, head north-east from Beyneu towards Kokaral. I would love to do this trip, but it is seriously remote. You would need lots of water, fuel, and a GPS route.

If you want to stay on asphalt then Atyrau - Oral - Aktobe - Aral is the way to go.

If you really like bad roads, try Atyrau - Kandyagash - Shalkar - Aral.

Kazakhstan is a wonderful country to travel in, take a look at my website if you'd like to get some ideas for destinations. I highly recommend Mangystau and any of the mountains in the extreme south or east of the country, especially Altai. For long off-road adventures, I think only Mongolia can beat Kazakhstan in this part of the world.

Good luck,

EO
__________________
EurasiaOverland a memoir of one quarter of a million kilometres by road through all of the Former USSR, Western and Southern Asia.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2 Jan 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Italy
Posts: 502
Kazakhstan is a very big country: there are good, recently paved, long and boring tarmac roads, on which you can ride tons of kms/day, and there are a lot of tricky, dusty tracks in the middle of nowhere, which will force you to 100-200 km/day.

You can cross the country all on asphalt, or you can explore some remote and beautiful areas, but this will involve some off roading.

I think you should do some research before departing: EO already gave you some great advise.

In the ride tales section of this forum, you can find my report from last summer
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...caucasus-88850
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 3 Jan 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: lyon
Posts: 141
thanks all
your advices help me to improve my knowledge about kazahkstan
Reply With Quote
Reply


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


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Cross Russia from Mongolia to Kazakhstan - road advice Blommetje Route Planning 8 14 Apr 2015 13:50
Need help with Kazakhstan invitation letter Gotan Northern and Central Asia 27 10 Apr 2015 21:55
Kalmykia, Volgograd, and Northern Kazakhstan Report eurasiaoverland Northern and Central Asia 2 17 Dec 2014 21:20
Kazakhstan 2013 dejansuc 4 Wheels Travel Reports 9 26 Sep 2013 09:02
Kazakhstan without a bike but wanting one, any useful info? moxyfilms Route Planning 1 13 Jan 2013 22:00

 
 

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

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

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!

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 03:20.