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Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 9 Jan 2010
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Route to Thailand more questions (sorry)
Appologies for more questions but this is the place im getting the most (good) advise

Im still trying to sort a route. What countries are to be avoided at all cost? Can China or Burma be crossed by putting the bike on a train as its very expencive/impossible to ride.

The easy bit, so to speak, is uk, France, Belgium,Germany, Poland,Ukraine,Kazakhstan, but then im confused as where to go. I assume that Afghanistan is a no no and is Pakistan ok???

Id be greatful for any help on this....
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Old 10 Jan 2010
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> What countries are to be avoided at all cost?

Depends how much adventure you want. Afghanistan is near the top of my list. Some people now want to avoid Pakistan, although with all the escorts you will be in much more danger from a crash then from Al Qaeda & Co. As you correctly say Burma is no go and China is very expensive.

> Can China or Burma be crossed by putting the bike on a train?

Can you see any train tracks crossing these countries?

Most people ride to Kathmandu and then fly to Bkk. You can also ride to Bangladesh and then ship or fly from there.
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Old 10 Jan 2010
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Originally Posted by beddhist View Post
>

Can you see any train tracks crossing these countries?
Train travel in China - a beginner's guide

http://chinatravelguide.com/shared/i...RailwayMap.png

'vette
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Old 10 Jan 2010
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> . You can also ride to Bangladesh and then ship or fly from there.
sorry for being dumb but what route would you take to Bangladesh I cant see how you can avoid the above countries..


many thanks for the links vette it would appear that the train network is good just need to find out if I can get a bike on the train and across the country.
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Old 10 Jan 2010
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Route to Thailand
Hi Trix,

I wouldn'y worry too much about Pakistan if you're coming from the north and along the KKH but would advise against Afghanistan for obvious reasons. Once through Pakistan and India the best way is to freight the bike, often as has already been said, from Nepal through to Bangkok.

Burma is no go, and China is expensive, hence the shorter cheaper route outlined above via Kashgar - about 5 days in China. Don't know about trains but hope to be able to ride as much as possible myself...
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Old 10 Jan 2010
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Even if it was somehow possible to transport your bike on a train, doing entire China that way might be a tad complicated. It´d probably mean you´ll need to get several trains, one won´t get you through the whole country. And don´t forget your vehicle could be rejected on the border BEFORE you have any chance to put it on a Chinese train.

So it´s either Iran-Pakistan-India or the Stans-China-KKH-Pakistan-India, (then ship to Thailand)... or pay very, very large money, and wrestle your way thru the red tape to be allowed to cross whole China.
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Old 11 Jan 2010
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sorry for being dumb but what route would you take to Bangladesh I cant see how you can avoid the above countries..
You avoid Burma and China. Pak is possible, so where is the problem? If you also want to avoid Pak then you have to ship/fly.

Train? Hmmm, why not? Go and try it. You may have found a new way of getting your bike into China, although I doubt it. There is no railway in Laos (apart from a short stub near Vientiane) and I don't think there is a line crossing into Vietnam (which, again, won't let your bike in anyway.). The map doesn't show where rail lines cross borders.
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Old 11 Jan 2010
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You avoid Burma and China. Pak is possible, so where is the problem? If you also want to avoid Pak then you have to ship/fly.

Train? Hmmm, why not? Go and try it. You may have found a new way of getting your bike into China, although I doubt it. There is no railway in Laos (apart from a short stub near Vientiane) and I don't think there is a line crossing into Vietnam (which, again, won't let your bike in anyway.). The map doesn't show where rail lines cross borders.
You can take a train from London to Hanoi...There is a book detailing the journey.
In ..www.slowbikes.com details of Jakes solo journey on his KTM, bluffed his way into China without guide. The bike broke down and weather was unsuitable to ride, so he put the bike on a train in China. Exited into Laos by road, again with a bit of persisitance and bluff.

It may be possible to ride in with a guide part way and then take a train to the Laos border ( or as near as the line goes) and freight ride your bike out.
I still believe the cost difference between flying and freighting the bike around China, as apposed to the guide etc..is more than compensated for by having the opportunity to travel through China.

Just my two pence worth.

Jimmy
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