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Suggested route through Kazakhstan
Looks like the corona virus is forcing my hand, so my long thoughts about trans Asia trip is becoming a very strong possibility. I intend crossing from China into the Kazakh border with a bike tour in May/June 2020, but might as well continue on to Europe. Of course aware that the border is now completely closed thanks to the virus scare.
Looking for suggested routes through Kazakhstan, leaving China either through Korgos or Alashankou, dependent on not having to produce an ATA. I would like to get through with the least hassle, to enter Russia and turn southwards to Georgia. I am South African, so no need for Russian visa, but need a Kazakh visa. Riding a newish and meticulously maintained Benelli TRK502X ADV bike. Any suggestions or anyone interested to join? Intended route is through Kazakhstan, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, then entering the EU in Greece and final destination Portugal. |
If you want least hassle stay on main road Almaty/Aktobe.. it's recently built by Chinese and in good shape. The old silk road via Shilkar isn't; did it last year.
With regards to visa KZ doing visa upon arrival check if your country on the list good luck |
Unfortunately as a RSA citizen you aren't eligible for their 30 days visa free regime. Also I don't think e-visa is going to help you, as this seems to apply only to arrivals through ALA or TSE airports. This means you will need to visit a KZ embassy and get a physical visa in your passport.
https://caravanistan.com/visa/kazakhstan/ Apart from that your route sounds fine. |
The most interesting route is through Uzbekistan (Samarkand, Bukhara, ..), back to Kazakhstan (detour to Mangistau), Russia and Georgia. Pretty bad roads.
The easiest is Almaty -> Shymkent -> Aralsk -> Oral -> Saratov (Russia). Basically what Google is routing. All paved and good roads except about 100 km right after the Russian border, which is dreadful. But definitely boring. Last option: Uzbekistan -> Turkmenistan -> ferry to Azerbaijan. Shortest and great fun but tricky because of the elusive Turkmen transit visa. Laurent |
To be clear, in Kaz, when I say "all good roads" it means "the only good road". The rest is crap. But ridable and loads of fun if you like lots of emptiness !
The only other good road is through Astana, a long detour if you're headed to Georgia. |
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Almaty-Shimkent-Aktube is good and I was told it's finished to Oral.. |
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Looks like I am really at the mercy of the corona virus now, as all borders with China have been shut, all I can do is looking at maps and wait for them to open. No decent riding either as cities have been closed off and people are discouraged from going outside, although I do take my bike for a spin every now and then. My next steps will be first to get a visa extension in China, as my visa expires in May and I intend to do the first leg across China with a group from my local bikeshop from end of May, then secondly to get a Kazakh visa at the consulate in Shanghai, once it is allowed to travel to and enter Shanghai. After that I will make it up on the road, but must see places for me are Volgograd, Tbilisi, Istanbul, Athens and Rome. The pieces in between will fall into place by themselves. |
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If you have a chance check Vardzia, Georgian cave monastery good luck |
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I would look to purchase a bike at the start of the journey. |
If you have no real desire to stay in Kazakhstan longer than you have to, then also consider exiting at Alashankou and then heading north via oskemen and shemonaikha to the Russian Altai... making your way across Russia is going to be less boring than going over the Kazakh steppe on the main highway, which as other have mentioned is exceptionally boring even by boring standards
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