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30 Nov 2017
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Nepal to Germany on a Royal Enfield
Hi everyone,
I live in China and I'm planning to leave the country next year and go back home overland. First by train/bus from Shanghai to Nepal – and from there on a Royal Enfield Bullet to Germany. I'm want to arrive in Nepal between April and June 2018, buy the Enfield, do the paperwork, wait for the Carnet from ADAC in Germany and then start via India – Pakistan – Iran...
I'm more the 'why not' and 'just do it' type of guy – but I think a trip like this needs a bit of preparation 
That's why I have a few questions, and I'm very curious about any kind of tips from experienced bikers.
1. What's the best time to start from Nepal?
2. Which is the best (safest) route? And where can I get detailed route maps?
3. Might sound naive but I only have a history of Enduro & MX and didn't do many tours: Is GPS Navigation mandatory or will I get along with oldschool maps and asking locals? 
4. Can I get gear (saddle bags/tent/tools etc.) easily in Nepal or is it better to buy it in advance?
5. What's a realistic duration for such a trip, respectively will my mom see me on Xmas? )))
Thank you,
Flo
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30 Nov 2017
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
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Hi Flo and welcome,
I can answer a few of your questions, firstly start your ride home as soon as possible in the months you have given, it will be getting warm on the sub-continent and you want to be away before the monsoon starts.
The two popular routes are India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and onwards or India, Pakistan, cut the corner of China to Taikistan or Kyrgystan I am not sure which then on through Central Asia, this will require you to have a guide through the small part of China which can be expensive and best shared with others going the same way.
You will be fine with paper maps and asking locals, this is my prefered method but most now use GPS.
You will be able to get gear for the bike in Nepal but it would be best to bring your own helmet and riding gear bought in Europe, what you get there is often poor quality and not to any safety standard.
No problem being home for Christmas, in fact you will want to be as it will be getting very cold en-route by then. It is possible to do this trip in two months but taking 3 or 4 you will see much more.
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30 Nov 2017
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Munich, the beer capital
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G'day mate,
like Mark says: monsoon. It starts in Nepal end of May/beginning of June. Very wet ;o)
Dunno about the Pakistan and Iran, but watch your speedo in Turkey. The speed limit for bikes is 80 kmh. Police are seen mostly on the main roads, but the secondary roads are more interesting anyway. The European countries are no problem, even in Greece has 30 kay signs nearly everywhere, but nobody cares 
Enjoy your trip
__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)
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1 Dec 2017
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Wow! Thank you guys, that's a lot info. Very helpful!
As I wanna be free and ride without guides, I want to avoid China. So, the route will be Nepal-India-Pakistan-Iran...and from there on I don't know yet.
If you have any tips where I can get detailed routes & roadmaps, I'd be very happy
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1 Dec 2017
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Nelles make maps of most or all of the countries you will be passing through. Landkarten Nelles Map - Titelprogramm
Some of the route such as in Pakistan will be dictated by the police and there is only one road to Iran. From there you can work it out for yourself depending what if any places of interest you wish to visit, check other's ride reports for more information.
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4 Dec 2017
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Thank you so much, Mark.
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