If Iran closes ...
 

I'm afraid Iran might shut the door on us given the troubles with the UN etc. I'm going to be in Turkey and want to get to Pakistan, for which I already have a visa. I'm looking at a map and debating what the best way is to get to Pakistan ... It ain't looking easy from Turkey. I don't have my carnet finalized yet, so I can add a bunch of countries. So what's the best alternative, just in case?

First thing, have your carnet valid for every possible country in Asia. It will cost you nothing extra to do this.

Two alternate land routes:

First, Turkey to Georgia/Azerbaijan, across the Caspian by ferry to Central Asia (Turkmenistan).

From Central Asia you can get to Pakistan two ways:

1. From Tajikistan though Northern Afghanistan to Kabul, then over the Khyber Pass into Pakistan. Check out Peter Forwood's blog here on HU, he took this route to Kabul, but didn't go all the way to Pakistan. Do your homework before taking this route, but it should be feasible, we spoke to many travellers who were in Afghanistan recently and felt safe.

2. Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan via Kashgar, China. It will cost you around $1100usd to get your bike into and out of China the "legal" way, but its simple to do and is a spectacular route into Pakistan. The China route is very easy to do through the folks at Caravan Cafe. This way is recommended if you don't feel comfortable with Afghanistan. We crossed into Pakistan by this route.

If you have any specific questions, let me know. Iran is certainly the cheaper and easier option (unless you are American), but not the only one...



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Dave
www.mototrekker.com

Thanks for the feedback. Will map it out and add it as an alternative. I'm traveling on a Canadian passport and the Iranian embassy in Brussels assured me that I can get a visa when I am in Brussels. Just making sure I can get around it. Most likely will go through Afghanistan if Iran is not feasible.

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Kevin

http://www.nohorizons.net

Kevin, if you plan to go into Afghanistan try to have some contacts arranged in cities you intend to visit. Journalists or the like. A friend has just come back from 12 months working in Kabul for an NGO and says its still pretty lawless, especially the south. And no I am not saying dont go, just be prepared.

This post on the Hubb a few years ago a reminder

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000072.html

There is a more recent thread on Afghanistan and the advice was: don't!

Another possibility is UAE and a dhow to Karachi. Should be an interesting experience.

I don't think the roads in Anatolia are passable on a bike right now. There is a thread on that topic, too.

the 2 options of davidmc seem nice ... "on the paper". those who have been there are quite rare and know the difficulties there.
there are safety / security problems, as mentionned on some precise posts in the northern asia forum. + visa problems, depending on the nationalities ...
i m not trying to be pessimistic at all. just realistic.
good luck anyways for your trip and the future in iran and the area.

Don't forget to put things into perspective, Southern Pakistan (Balochistan) after the Iranian border isn't the safest part of the world either. Northern Afghanistan (not the south, this is definately dangerous) may have risks which are acceptable as an overland traveller.

Again, do your homework, but don't forget that generalizing about one country is rarely accurate, there may be drastic differences in the security situation within the same country.

Based on the folks I have met in the last few months, I have heard some positive things about the situation in Northern Afghanistan and mostly negative things about the south. Knowing what I know now, I would have very seriously considered this route myself.

To my knowledge, Peter Forwood is the only one I know of on HU who has ridden into Afghanistan. If you can contact him, he should have some good advice.

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Dave
www.mototrekker.com

I have just heard that Iran is going to be issuing 15 day tourist visas at the border to all nationalities except Israeli's. It was read by a freind on al jazeera I will post the link when I find it.

I've just checked AlJazera and couldn't fine such a news http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/frown.gif Sorry lads..

AlJazeera:
http://english.aljazeera.net

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ride safely
ozhan u.
'97 F650
www.ozhanu.com/gezi

[This message has been edited by ozhanu (edited 19 January 2006).]

OK found it, wasn't al jazeera but dailystar.


http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article....icle_id=21480#

(c) 2006 The Daily Star Tuesday, January 17, 2006 Iran to start issuing tourists 15-day visas upon arrival New policy includes U.S but excludes israelis By Agence France Presse (AFP)


TEHRAN: Iran announced Monday it would allow foreign tourists, including U.S. nationals but excluding Israelis, to acquire 15-day tourist visas upon arrival in the Republic. A government official said the decree, approved by hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Cabinet on Saturday, was valid for all nationalities except arch-enemy Israel - which the Islamic Republic does not recognize.

The tourist visas can be extended once by another 15 days, although a stay of more than one month requires Interior approval. In the past, tourists from most countries have had to go through lengthy, complex and expensive application procedures at Iran's embassies.

Even U.S. nationals would enjoy the streamlined entry procedure, although the official said border would continue to fingerprint Americans on arrival - a policy put in place in retaliation against U.S. procedures.

The decree said the new measure was aimed at "boosting and facilitating tourist visits."

Last month Iran's state-run Tourism Development Company adopted a new slogan - "Iran, the Land of Civilization and Friendship" - to help lure more tourists.

Iran has had a tough time attracting foreign tourists since the 1979 Islamic revolution, despite offering breathtaking architectural wonders and stunning desert and mountain scenery.


Small specialist tour groups still visit, but many tourists are deterred from traveling to a country which the U.S. describes as "evil" and at the center of an international crisis over its nuclear program.

The number of tourists visiting Iran, including Shiite pilgrims, is estimated by industry sources at 700,000 a year.
Ahmadinejad's shock presidential elections win in June last year has added to tourism sector difficulties, according to industry workers, with the president now known for his call for Israel to be "wiped off the map." - AFP

Well ... I saw this about an hour too late .. just got a money order for Iran .. guess I'll ust get the 30 day visa and be done with it. good find though... always me to tip toe to Kandahar (and get back in) if I felt the need ...

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Kevin

http://www.nohorizons.net

Ace!

That only leaves Pakistan and India. Maybe if we loose the cricket?

Frank,

if your interested this months Two Wheels has my Iran story in it.

alec

alec, and when do you publish your most beautiful story ??? the french (baby) one ! don't blame cheese and wine on this one, maybe it helped :-) do you want a picture of my guestroom where he/she was maybe "made" for the article :-) ?

Thanks Simmo, great work (the Iran news & the baby?) I sent an email to Iran consulate only a few days ago asking for info about visas, this simplifies things a lot. It will be interesting to see if response (if I get one) from consulate confirms the story.

Shameless plug for the mag... cos now I will have to go get it.... bugger.

John