Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Netherlands to Vladivostok - thoughts on route Netherlands to Vladivostok - thoughts on route
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 16 Sep 2019
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 25
Netherlands to Vladivostok - thoughts on route
Hello everyone,

I'm planning my route right now and I was wondering what you guys think of it. The route is semi-fixed. I went looking for points of interest on websites like this one, Caravanistan and just from googling around. I want to leave in July 2020 and I want to travel for at least a couple of months (3,4, preferably more) but I'm not sure if that's possible with the winter that is coming. I hope that I can go to Vladivostok and back in that time span so I can continue cruising towards warm places (AKA places where it doesn't drop below -5C).

Anyway, let me know your thoughts, this is my route:













This is 27.500 kilometres, which results in roughly 250 kilometres a day which is doable I guess. Some days will be longer, some days will be less. The trip back is either just straight back to Europe through Russia or I'm going to ship it to the US/Canada. I'm not sure yet, this is also because I'm looking for a workvisa abroad but that's another story. Anyway, thoughts?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 17 Sep 2019
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Posts: 1,103
Any particular reason you're skipping Georgia? It's a wonderful country to visit, you'll be right on the border, and then going all the way back to Lake Van just to head back up into Armenia and double back... seems weird.

EDIT: Oh wait, I see you're doing it on your second slide. Still, I'd suggest doing more in the country. You're only visiting Tbilisi, which is fine, and the region around Kutaisi, which has a few interesting canyons & caves around it; but you're skipping Svaneti & Kazbegi, as well as the Kakheti wine country, all of which I would heartily recommend.

Also, rather than following the main road into Azerbaijan and hustling between heavy cargo trucks all day, I'd suggest going via Sighnaghi to Sheki (very fine old town) and from there via Gebele, along the less-trafficked mountain roads and national park, down to Baku.

Also be aware that Armenian stamps in your passport will mean hassle on the Azerbaijani border. They'll still let you in most probably, but you're likely to get questioned about it and generally get some more hostile treatment.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 17 Sep 2019
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 25
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnTyx View Post
Any particular reason you're skipping Georgia? It's a wonderful country to visit, you'll be right on the border, and then going all the way back to Lake Van just to head back up into Armenia and double back... seems weird.

EDIT: Oh wait, I see you're doing it on your second slide. Still, I'd suggest doing more in the country. You're only visiting Tbilisi, which is fine, and the region around Kutaisi, which has a few interesting canyons & caves around it; but you're skipping Svaneti & Kazbegi, as well as the Kakheti wine country, all of which I would heartily recommend.

Also, rather than following the main road into Azerbaijan and hustling between heavy cargo trucks all day, I'd suggest going via Sighnaghi to Sheki (very fine old town) and from there via Gebele, along the less-trafficked mountain roads and national park, down to Baku.

Also be aware that Armenian stamps in your passport will mean hassle on the Azerbaijani border. They'll still let you in most probably, but you're likely to get questioned about it and generally get some more hostile treatment.
Thanks for the help! I will add the Armenian things you talked about to the trip itinerary. Good thing to know about the Armenian stamps, this means that I will first go to Azerbaijan and then to Armenia instead of the other way around. I don't mind in which way I travel and if that makes it easier then it's all the better.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 17 Sep 2019
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Brunei
Posts: 940
My initial thought is that you are trying to do way too much - even with 4 months the pace will be relentless and you risk having a very superficial experience. In two months I think it would be difficult to do.

Your route through Turkmenistan is not a valid transit route, though if you have an unused Iranian visa you should be able to get a visa and then ope the guys at the border allow you to take the route you want.

Azerbaijan after Armenia is fine as long as there is no evidence of travel to Nagorno Karabakh.

Hope you make it to the Karynzharyk Depression

EO
__________________
EurasiaOverland a memoir of one quarter of a million kilometres by road through all of the Former USSR, Western and Southern Asia.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 18 Sep 2019
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 25
Quote:
Originally Posted by eurasiaoverland View Post
My initial thought is that you are trying to do way too much - even with 4 months the pace will be relentless and you risk having a very superficial experience. In two months I think it would be difficult to do.
How long would you plan for this route? I've got time enough, the only problem that I foresee is the winter that is coming and probably will prohibit me in riding.

Quote:
Originally Posted by eurasiaoverland View Post
Azerbaijan after Armenia is fine as long as there is no evidence of travel to Nagorno Karabakh.
Wasn't planning on going there, if there's no problem with stamps in passports I'll see how I go once I'm there. It's more about things that I wanna see in the country than which country I visit first, considering I'm gonna go see them all.

Quote:
Originally Posted by eurasiaoverland View Post
Hope you make it to the Karynzharyk Depression
EO
Dang, that looks beautiful! I'm gonna put it on the list!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 18 Sep 2019
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Bern, CH
Posts: 264
Quote:
Originally Posted by bosaapje View Post
... leave in July 2020 and I want to travel for at least a couple of months (3,4, preferably more) but I'm not sure if that's possible with the winter that is coming. I hope that I can go to Vladivostok and back in that time span so I can continue cruising towards warm places (AKA places where it doesn't drop below -5C).

The trip back is either just straight back to Europe through Russia or I'm going to ship it to the US/Canada. I'm not sure yet, this is also because I'm looking for a workvisa abroad but that's another story. Anyway, thoughts?
Hello

Depending on your further plans to northamerica, how about Vladivostok to Netherlands.
Ship or just make some miles on the first leg, up to you.
Turkey in october/november is probably easier to do than the far east and siberia.

sushi
__________________
My RTW:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrXt660ztenere
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 18 Sep 2019
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 25
Quote:
Originally Posted by sushi2831 View Post
Hello

Depending on your further plans to northamerica, how about Vladivostok to Netherlands.
Ship or just make some miles on the first leg, up to you.
Turkey in october/november is probably easier to do than the far east and siberia.

sushi
Huh, I never thought of that. That might be a pretty good idea.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 3 Nov 2019
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
I think your route through Kyrgyzstan is very unambitious. You can do a lot more interesting roads there without adding much in the way of time.

Further, if you are going to Karakol, why not cross over to Kazakhstan from there? Why go back to Bishkek?
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Transafrica Eastern route 2019, back to Europe willy.sommer Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 12 Mar 2019 12:49
Driving from japan to Netherlands , starting June 2019 Hanesija Northern and Central Asia 30 15 Apr 2018 02:29
Netherlands - Iran - Netherlands planning (weather, Ramadan, etc) Matr Route Planning 13 13 Mar 2018 14:28
Nuvi 270 not recognising OSM map or route dave.m Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 3 13 Feb 2013 20:45
London to Cape Town, November 2012 Tfoy97603 Travellers Seeking Travellers 56 4 Sep 2012 17:51

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:24.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top