I am planning to take a trip from Laos to Germany. Bike (KTM 690) is registered in Laos. What would be the best time of the year to do this trip (time frame anything from 6 weeks to 3 months) and what would be the most interesting route to take, avoiding getting shot or having to pay for an escort... thanks a lot

If you can, it´d probably be best to start off in spring, before the rainy season starts in the tropics, and arrive after winter has passed in the north. I think 6 weeks will be a bit of a hurry, 3 months much better.

About the route, there´s plenty of info about China here, and it seems like it is possible, but doing it the "official" way costs a truckload of money, and you need to contact a tour operator and arrange a lot of of things, before you go.

Burma is not possible at the moment.

You can freight from Thailand/Malaysia --> India/Nepal by sea or air. From there you can go Pakistan-Iran-Turkey or Pakistan(Karakoram Highway)-China-Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan, and then head west. This latter route will involve some very high mountain passes, so will not be do-able all year round. Parts of northern Iran and Turkey also get cold in the winter.

Personally, I wouldnt go to Afghanistan at this time. Also the situation in Pakistan varies almost weekly, so its good to keep an eye on that. Very friendly people there, but some areas do have problems.

You will need a carnet to bring a foreign vehicle to India and Pakistan (or Iran), and it is better to arrange it, before you go.

most likely heading west in january/february, and then have to see how the political and climate situation is.
I lived for 6 years in china and have a chinese driver license, but it is difficult to cross into Yunnan and drive there for the various reasons explained many times already. Without a 'tour guide' it will be difficult, but I try to pull some strings with the governor of Yunnan. Lets see. heading off via tibet and then nepal in march will be tough or most likely impossible, so if that one works I might delay a bit, would be a wonderful journey!
If the north-west passage doesn't work, I'd follow ur advise and drive to bkk and ship/fly to india or nepal and take it from there.
As for Afghanistan, I worked there before and I don't want to go through with a motorbike... I stick to Pakistan which can be 'challenging' as well. We see how the situation is developing. Obama doesn't look like a war monger, so we might be spared some nuking in Teheran...
Burma is another basket case, by 2011 something might have changed, and it might be possible to cross, or it stays as is... My guess is that I need
to prepare a main route about 6 months before heading off, with alternative country passages and play it by ear. Problem might be the carnets as my bike is registered in Laos, but I see how I manage that. any good suggestions about road maps? thanks a lot best salween

when are you planning to start your journey?? I'm in thailand right now and we're also planning to head west in the beginning of 2009.
my problem is china... do you have any possiblities to cross china to nepal???

btw, we're 8 months on the road, started in the philippines. my bike is registered in the philippines but I got a carnet in germany w/o any problems!

looking forward to receive your answer

darius

hi darius
i have to wait until early 2010, can't get away right now . my original plan was to go north from laos and into yunnan, then over to lhasa via kunming and chengdu (i have lived in China from 2001 to 2007) and then into Nepal, heading west from there, but so far I can't see that happening. I might get into China and as long as nothing happens you might get away with it, but
if something goes wrong, it will be a hassle with the PSB and the police and you might lose the bike and more! No fun to deal with those guys. So now my plan is to drive to either Chiang May and ship to Dhaka or Bangkok and ship to Katmandu and take it from there.
if you want to visit laos let me know and try not to go via the friendship bridge! rather go through the north (Bokeo, Huay Xhai)

How did you apply for the carnets? Via ADAC?
best salween

Hello there,

welcome everybody, just joined HUBB as I see that it a great platform for bike travelers. I plan to go to Thailand/Laos/Vietnam/Cambodia for 9 weeks from next Tuesday. Have no straightt plans yet, just want to get me a bike somewhere and travel arround. So if you like we could meet in Laos and a have a talk over a (heard it`s a good one). Would be hapy about any info.

Greets Uwe

no worries, uwe, just send me a mail via the hubb once u know when u r here.