Pamir highway - from Beijing
 

So the planning starts for my Pamir highway trip in July 2024.

My rough plan is since I live in Beijing, I will get my motorbike transported to Kashgar. From there I will be making a border crossing from China into either Tajikistan or Kyrgyzstan. I would like to do a loop that takes me back into China via the Qolma pass. Or I leave China via the Qolma pass and come back into China via Kyrgyzstan.

Whilst I know the Qolma pass is open (according to Caravanistan), I am receiving conflicting information with regards to if I (a foreigner) am allowed to ride my own motorcycle there from Kashgar, it is Chinese registered. I also need to work out what paperwork I need for taking a Chinese registered motorcycle out of China, with some people saying there's no paperwork needed and others saying I need a customs declaration form and a deposit.

Early days and in the meantime I ask questions, do a lot of reading, prepare the bike, buy stuff.

Happy days.

My daughter and I fly to Kashgar on Sunday 30th June to pick up my motorcycle and gear. Then on Monday 1st July we head to the Irkeshtam pass. My daughter is currently in the air as she flies out to meet me here in Beijing, where I live. The bike was shipped to Kashgar 2 weeks ago and is there and waiting for us.
We are GO for takeoff.

Sounds like you 2 will have an amazing trip together. Enjoy! :mchappy:


I am curious though, I'm sure others as well, about the answers to the questions you asked before:

• did you need to book a guide?
• did you need any special paperwork for taking the bike out of China?

@duibhceK

1. I have had to book a guide for the Chinese part of my Journey. The plan is that I will follow the guide up to the border. They will help me get through checkpoints and through immigration at the border.

2. Yes, I need an export licence and I need to make a rather hefty deposit which will be returned to me when I bring the bike back. My understanding is I am allowed to export the vehicle for a maximum of 6 months, but this would need to be confirmed. The deposit is equal to the value of the motorcycle when new! Is this the case for all vehicles or is it a standard fee, I don't know.

Hi, I was wondering if you were happy with your guide, and if so, could you let us know how much they charged and pass on any contact info?