india to europe route ideas? saudi arabia?
 

anyone buy an enfield in india and drive it back to europe? i'm planning on doing that later this year and was wondering if anyone whos done it had a map or other record of their route. what is the most common route? i know a lot of it depends on where i start in india but im mostly concerned with the route through pakistan and iran. i tried searching but the search doesnt seem to work for me. also, do people drive through northern saudi arabia and is it possible to go to kuwait from iran via iraq? thanks.

The most common route these days is Pakistan-Iran-Turkey. There is only one international border with India, between Amritsar & Lahore. I´ve done that route (coming from Europe), and it was great, no problems on our way at all, but you may have trouble getting a visa for Iran. And the situation in Pakistan also changes almost day to day, so that is worth keeping an eye on. Usually the troubles are not in the regions that the main overland-route from India to Iran goes to.

People have also gone from Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan to China, and then to Pakistan´s Karakoram Highway... but there is the problem of arranging everything for China (and paying large sums, too!) Plus it is a high mountain route, so not possible during winter. And I remember someone claim that maybe you cannot do the KKH into China from Pakistan (?), not sure if this is correct, so others may have better info on that...

For an occasional tourist, it seems Saudi-Arabia is tough to get into, very few people have done it. And better just forget about Iraq, unless you´re suicidal. Me, I wouldnt go to Afghanistan at the moment, either.

If you're a USA citizen, to enter Iran, Iran government will only issue a Visa if you are on a pre-approved itinerary arranged and accompanied by a guide who works for an approved Iranian travel agency. This has been done, is do-able, but is quite expensive for a single or 2-up rider.

One 2008 example, with background info on how to arrange this, is at
index

You might also take a look at
IRAN: Who wants to take the next step and go?? - ADVrider
(different itinerary, but US citizen currently trying to make Iran bike travel arrangements)

Iran also requires a CdP (Carnet) to enter a motorcycle into the country.

thanks for the info. youve given me a lot of stuff to figure out. do you know if the situation in iran is likely to change anytime soon?

Can't predict the future better than anyone else....you can track the overall political situation just by following usual news sources. Specific changes for USA citizens & all vehicles entering Iran will likely post on all the usual forums, including this one.

the vintage bug
 

hello mate
myself am planning this trip, have the same doubts, mainly about iran, u can read this one recent blog , abit lacking on the details but gives some feel of the nature and road quality. 2008: A Motorcycle Odyssey - One mans trip over 30000 miles from Cardiff, UK to Vancouver, Canada
and ofcourse this islander drove west to east and on a brand new bike.

anyway, im hitting india on february , mounting an enfield, feeling it around and was thinking to head for pakistan around march. open for company. send me your mail address if u want to join forces on research and travelling.

o

There are many people who have gone from india to europe on enfields.
Infact, the biggest dealer of bullets in New Delhi sells quite a few bikes to europeans who straightaway ride them to Europe. The route is quite obvious, India, Pak, Afganistan, Iran, turkey, then europe.

I have been thinking about the same ride myself, the only trouble is the current situation between India and Pakistan.

the other problem - the carnet -since 2002...
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tri...k#EnfieldIndia

Would love to do this trip from India to Europe but have the rather fanciful idea of following the silk rout instead. India-Pakistan-China-Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan-(Afghanistan (dreaming I know))-Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Turkey. It would be in summer but would an Enfield handle the higher passes? Anyone done anything similar? I know people have gone in the other direction but not sure if it's been on Enfields.........

I would not go to Afghanistan these days, because you cannot cross the country without going to some war-zone areas. Even in Pakistan, I´d stay clear from the northern border areas next to Afghanistan, because they´re unsafe. High risk of kidnapping, for example, and I dont think the authorities will even allow you to enter those areas without permits and armed escorts. Quetta to Taftan has usually been relatively safe.

In India, you can get parts & service for Enfields in a lot of places, so over there you can keep them running, even if you could not fix them yourself.

But when planning to ride an Enfield far away from India, you will actually need to be quite self-sufficient with such things. So a certain level of mechanical know-how will be required, these bikes are from a different era, and need to be maintained.

You may have trouble getting a carnet for a bike purchased in India. And you will not be allowed to ride in Pakistan without it. Crossing into China from Pakistan may in fact be possible, but definitely not easy, or cheap.

i´ve also this problem, i try to find a solution to circle pakistan if i will not get a visa for there next year. but how will you get to saudi arabia? ship the bike to oman or uae?

I enquired about a Suadi visa about 2 or 3 months ago and was told that they do not issue tourist visas.
Maybe to do with my nationality, i'm a brit.

have you read Gordon May's book "overland to india"? Same trip in reverse on a 1955 Enfield. Pakistan is the way to go i think, it is what i am going to do, why not.. **** it, whoop whoop!

thanks for the replies. seems like the biggest hang-up is getting a visa for iran. apparently you can buy enfields in nepal and that solves the carnet problems so thats what ill do if i can figure out the iran part. i was thinking id go nepal-->india-->pakistan-->iran-->turkey-->detour down through syria, lebanon, israel, and jordan and back up to turkey-->greece-->albania?-->serbia?-->hungary-->austria-->bottom of germany?-->switzerland?-->italy-->france-->UK-->and end up in ireland.
OR
If im running out of money or something skip the middle eastern detour and head from turkey-->greece-->ferry to italy?-->france-->uk-->ireland

pecha22--- i was hoping to learn enough from the indian enfield mechanics to be able to manage on my own for the rest of the trip

The graduate---im still in the process of raising funds and stuff but if i get a break and it looks like ill be able to leave earlier and i can get the iran thing sorted out ill definitely be in contact

I think, at the moment the most difficult thing is, to get a visa for pakistan (also for USA citizens)?

Pakistan import licence
 

I've read Jules Davenport story where he suggests you, "get a Pak Import License from the CBR in advance, should be possible by post". Has anyone successfully done this? Any tips on how to go about this would be appreciated.