Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 1 Jun 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: MYKONOS
Posts: 34
Overland Through China.To do or not to do.

Hello everybody out there,
We have just finish our route through China and used Navo Tours to do it.
I am putting our thoughts for all of you out there as a referendum.
We had taken the 21 days Nepal to Kyrgyzstan via Tibet on a group that we put together of 5 vehicles (two of them motorbikes) and we were 10 people all together.
Unfortunately we enter on the 25th of April the day of the big earthquake.
We were forced to evacuate the area with out our vehicle but for this part you can read on our site at Overland Diaries � Blog Archive � Chapter 24/Nepal (Earthquake Strikes!!!!).
I am hear to talk about the rest of our experience. For our bad luck our car came back crippled from its clutch (Border Army had fun the 9 days that they kept our cars) so we had to move it to the next city by truck.
Following that here is our point to consider before the tour.
Point 1 : The Chinese government is forcing you if you separate from your group to pay for an extra guide something that can cost up to 120 euro a day.
Point 2 : In the part of Tibet Navo was forced to use local guides. This are some local people with a slight knowledge of either Mandarin or English that can hardly assist you.
Point 3: The actual company that took care of our group in the Tibet part were unhelpful and avoid any responsibility although the critical of the moment we were going through .Also avoid to tell us about their real identity trying to hide behind Navo.
Point 4 : The route after exiting Tibet and for the following 10 days(scheduled in the tour) is just a drive through with no actual sites and therefore can be done in a much faster paste witch would reduce the cost dramatically.
Point 5 : Although Navo did their best the restrictions in comparison with the cost of that tour makes you wonder if it worths it.
-All in all and beside our bad luck through the earthquake in our opinion the specific crossing should be consider as a last option on the overland route from Europe to Asia and vice versa.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 1 Jun 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,377
I would have to agree, although my experience was several years ago, in 2008. We had about 8 motorcycles, with guide cars front and back. We simply drove from city to city and could not even stop for pictures if the guide cars didn't stop.

Honestly, it was far from fun and not my idea of what motorcycling is all about.

China is a fascinating and beautiful country but I won't be back on a moto until theн remove the requirement to have guides.

Last edited by motoreiter; 4 Jun 2015 at 10:53.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 3 Jun 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 19
Thanks for the heads up. As I'm currently preparing for traversing China next year by bike & am having trouble finding some co-travellers (Loas-Kryg Apr-May 2016) will now try to find an interesting alternative & air freight charges.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 20 Jul 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: MYKONOS
Posts: 34
contact us for more info
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
navo tours, overland through china, self drive china


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


 
 

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

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
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!

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 01:32.