Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Ramadan. Good time to travel? Ramadan. Good time to travel?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
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 16 Feb 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Staffs UK
Posts: 13
Ramadan. Good time to travel?
In waiting to see if there's a favourable outcome to the Pakistan election my intended April start to my RTW trip looks increasingly unrealistic. My next option is to set off sometime in early September. This will hopefully spare me the worst of the Turkey/Iran/Pakistan summer but will coincide with Ramadan.

I'm keen to hear any opinions as to whether this is a good idea or not.
I understand travellers are exempt from the fasting, but does this mean that roadside teahouses/eateries remain open or does pretty much everything close down?

Many thanks

Pete
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 17 Feb 2008
Robbert's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Gent, Belgium
Posts: 523
Roadside eateries are open and feed the truckers. There's no problem with traveling during Ramadan. Opening hours of sights can be different, and a few other things run odd. I prefer traveling outside Ramadan, but if you happen to be there, thats no problem at all.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 18 Feb 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Posts: 312
Yep, I'd rather not travel during Ramadan but it is no way a deal breaker.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 19 Feb 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 30
Don't ride during Ramadan in any Islamic country. During Ramadan, you get food only in high end hotels in the day time it will be expensive. In some moderate Islamic countries you may have take away service but only in main cities. You may get dehydrated in Iran because you can't drink water on road side or smaller cafeterias.

Nelson
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 19 Feb 2008
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,982
Quote:
Originally Posted by nsk11 View Post
Don't ride during Ramadan in any Islamic country. During Ramadan, you get food only in high end hotels in the day time it will be expensive. In some moderate Islamic countries you may have take away service but only in main cities. You may get dehydrated in Iran because you can't drink water on road side or smaller cafeterias. Nelson
This has not been my experience in Africa, where I've travelled twice during Ramadan. I found it a bit awkward at times, but in the balance rewarding. Don't know whether things are different in Asia.

Hope that helps.

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 19 Feb 2008
Robbert's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Gent, Belgium
Posts: 523
Quote:
Originally Posted by nsk11 View Post
Don't ride during Ramadan in any Islamic country. During Ramadan, you get food only in high end hotels in the day time it will be expensive. In some moderate Islamic countries you may have take away service but only in main cities. You may get dehydrated in Iran because you can't drink water on road side or smaller cafeterias.

Nelson
Nelson,

I don't know where you get that... . I was in Iran during the last Ramadan, was in Syria, Morocco and Mauritania during Ramadan earlier, and didn't skip a single meal. In Iran, all truck stops sell kebabs, and there're truckers eating it. All food shops are open during the day, so you can buy food and water everywhere. You want to be in a secluded place for eating and drinking. Ask around, ... in Esfahan a shopkeaper showed us the park where all the locals where sneakilly having a bite. In Syria, they would distribute water on the bus... .
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 19 Feb 2008
Sime66's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Wild West (of Crete)
Posts: 283
Quote:
Originally Posted by nsk11 View Post
Don't ride during Ramadan in any Islamic country. During Ramadan, you get food only in high end hotels in the day time it will be expensive. In some moderate Islamic countries you may have take away service but only in main cities.

Nelson
I rode through Morocco from day 1 of Ramadan (I had come on holiday by mistake) and the only problem was all the bars (apart from those in cripplingly expensive Western hotels) were shut.

Actually now I think about it that was a massive problem.
__________________
Simon

London-Cape Town 2004-06
Buenos Aires-Vancouver 2008-10:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fitzpatrick
Last edited by Sime66; 19 Feb 2008 at 17:30. Reason: illiteracy
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 19 Feb 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 30
I live in Dubai for last 10 years and travel around UAE and neighboring countries for work and fun. I faced problems during Ramadan related to food and traffic an hour before Iftar ( Iftar is a meal to break the fast). But roads will be virtually empty for an hour after Iftar. I am really surprised to read about your posting on Iran and locals eating during the day.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 21 Feb 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Staffs UK
Posts: 13
Thanks everyone for your opinions, not sure what to make of them though.
And I thought I was confused before.

I can quite easily go all day without food and I could carry enough water on the bike, it's just that I've always thought of the roadside tea stops as quite an atmospheric occasion, maybe I'm being a touch too romantic here. Perhaps there's more romance to be had in a trip to the Sandbach services!

Mmm, perhaps I'll just go for it and see what happens. Then again maybe not.

Cheers everyone.

Pete
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
Tyre Reviews davidlomax Equipment Reviews 11 10 Aug 2008 23:12
Good tyres (Michelin Anakee) pecha72 Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 5 17 Mar 2008 20:24
Whens the best time to go? livelarg North America 9 2 Feb 2006 15:14
2000 Varadero 1000 any good? Dan Coote Which Bike? 19 20 Jul 2005 09:39
2 bikers on the same F650 for a travel ? Renaud BMW Tech 5 10 Nov 2004 21:50

 
 

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
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!

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 05:04.

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