Possible to ship through China OR ride Afghanistan?
 

I'll be going from Pakistan to Kyrgyzstan in a few months.

Is it possible to ship the bike through China by truck or rail to avoid a guide?
Is it possible to ride through Afghanistan to get to Kyrgyzstan (both safety and logistics).

There are two or three borders which you can cross directly from Tajikistan to Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan does not border Afghanistan.

The above questions could have been answered by reference to an atlas.

If you get into Afghanistan, you cannot go overland into Pakistan.

Joining a party of riders through the corner of Xinjiang does not work out too expensive, and although it's a crap experience of China, it is much cheaper than your other opition, which would be to air freight.

It is not very clear what you are intending to do, perhaps you could rephrase your question?

Afghanistan.
 

Do i really need to explain why, but do not even think about riding through afghanistan

I think explaining why with first hand information would be great. I've heard of people crossing recently, by motorcycle and by bicycle. Sounds like a bad idea to me, but was wondering if anyone else knew something I didn't.

Oops, typo. I meant to write: is there a way to ship the bikes overland through China from PAKISTAN or is there any way to ride across that sliver of Afghanistan which separates Pakistan from Tajikistan

I'm simply trying to find the cheapest way, any way, to get from Pakistan into either Tajikistan or Kyrgyzstan.

Sorry about the original typo

An explanation would be nice, yes. Have you spent any time in the country? What are you basing your opinion on?

The problem is getting into Afghanistan from Pakistan. Both countries have clamped down on foreigners using the Khyber Pass border. In October 2009 I received extraordinary permission to cross the pass (it had been closed to foreigners since March 2008 I think), and I have not heard of any other foreign travellers crossing since. If you can substantiate reports of travellers who have done it recently, I'd be interested.

The strip of land separating Pakistan from Afghanistan is not crossable. It would be fantastic if one could, but sadly all the passes to Pakistan are closed, guarded, and inaccessible by any vehicle.

You can read a little about my drive across Afghanistan here:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...hanistan-47438

It was trolls and naysayers like #3 who put me off visiting two years earlier, when it would have been a little more accessible.

I have not kept up to date with the situation there, though I have a good friend who runs trips flying into and out of Afghanistan, and they still travel overland between Kabul and Mazar. The snag for you is the Peshawar to Kabul route, as both countries have banned foreigners from it.

If you did manage to do it somehow, make sure you get first-hand, on the ground info from locals, or at least someone who bases their opinion on more than CNN.

Realistically, your cheapest option would be to wait for some other people to crosss with. If you get lucky, you might find an overland vehicle which can take the guide, and would make it much cheaper. Advertise on here, and hang around the tourist haunts in Islamabad and Peshawar. You could try German language forums, as many overlanders are Germans or Swiss these days.

I have no idea how much it would cost to crate your bike and have it flown to Kabul. If you had time, you might be able to make some local contacts who would take your bike in a truck into Afghanistan, but the paperwork, especially discharging the carnet, would be a nightmare. Flying to Tashkent might also be an option. Where are you now? I hope you have your Pakistan visa in hand, if you are not in your home country.

Good luck, and keep posting

Daniel

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Xinjiang is probably the asshole of China.
Theiving, cheating, scumbags.

vette

Possible to ship through China OR ride Afghanistan
 

I have been to that part of world many times during my time in the military and still have friends there right now. Too many unknown and I still not safe for any traveling but in the end you will make that final decision go or not go just my two cents.

That's rather a sweeping judgement. Xinjiang is a gorgeous corner of the world, but thanks to China, best not visited by vehicle. It's a bit of a shock after the friendliness of Pakistan and the wildness of Kyrgyzstan. Plus any run in with organised Chinese tourism, and Any dealings with Chinese officials is hardly going to be a high point of your trip.

But, get past all the obstacles, and you're in a stunning part of Central Asia - from the sands of the Takalamakan to the forests of the Altai mountains...

Hopefully one day the Chinese will allow tourists to drive their own cars in China, but don't hold your breath.

How bad is Xinjiang ?

More Xinjiang terrorist suspects captured: Ministry |Society |chinadaily.com.cn

Is it any reason why the Chinese go*ver*ne*me*nt really don't you to go there?

So many far more beautiful places than Xinjiang.

So many places with far nicer "real Chinese" people.

vette

Xinjiang riding
 

I did a loop through Xinjiang with a small group two years ago. Overall, I agree it is not the most exciting routes for motorcycling - relatively flat, many straight roads and a lot of security. There were some good spots - Multicolor Bay, Kanasi National Park and Urho Ghost Wind City, where some scenes were filmed for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". As always, we did need to work with a local tour company for this trip (they are out of business now). Our tour company failed to obtain all the proper permits. Our original route was in blue, going counter-clockwise from Urumqi, but we then had to turn back and retrace our route on the green/yellow/orange line back to Urumqi. Lots of security in Xinjiang at the time, and the mood is unpredictable, driven by events. Nowhere near as interesting as my 2 week ride in Tibet two years prior...