Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Silk Route - Any difficulties on route? Silk Route - Any difficulties on route?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

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


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11 Jun 2007
WRONGwayround!'s Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Somerset
Posts: 18
Silk Route - Any difficulties on route?
Good morning fellow travellers!

After our bikes were swiped in Germany our insurance has now paid out and we've all just bought new F650GS's and "Touratech'ed" them.

We are gonna be leaving to do the Silk Route in August. We have decided that due to Chinese restrictions on Licensing, Plates and Chinese Insurance we are going to stop in India and turn round. Then return via the Northern Route through Russia.

I do not mind a challenge but is anyone aware (or can foresee) any issues with this trip. Any advice on counties to avoid (politically) etc?

This will be technically our first major trip (Except the Italy thing that went a bit wrong )

Any opinions, thoughts, advice is more than welcome.
__________________
The FUN-duro is nearly ready. 9 months and £1800 later she will breathe again after her little incident with a hedge
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11 Jun 2007
beddhist's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whangarei, NZ
Posts: 2,214
If you can't/don't want to cross China then India is a cul-de-sac: China sits between the Indian subcontinent and the "Northern" countries. You will either have to fly over China or return to Iran before heading North.
__________________
Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12 Jun 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 994
There IS a viable route through China (via Kashgar), as far as I remember this pops you into Kyrgzstan or Tajikistan if approached from the south, you can then pick up the northern Silk Road from Kazakhstan into Uzbekistan then via the 'classic' silk road cities of Samarkand and Buchara, then Turkmenistan (the best Stan - do NOT miss it!!)
As far as the Southern route goes Pakistan should be fine but I'm not sure about Iran at the moment. A safe option would be to go out through the Caucasus, get a boat across the Caspian Sea then go TM, UZ, KZ, KYR, TJK, China, Pakistan, India then double back on yourself (if you are definite on getting to India), then head further north and come back across Russia.

Hope this is of some use
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12 Jun 2007
WRONGwayround!'s Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Somerset
Posts: 18
Question A slight change of plan!!!
Great advice - thanks to all - However this route has changed slightly over the last 24hrs.

One of the guys mentioned that we are already half way to Australia. So we may as well go the whole hog and finish in Melbourne! travelling through:

> Bangaldesh
> Myanmar
> Thailand
> Singapore
> Indonesia
> Papua New Guinea

Anyone see any issues with that? - I am still REALLY green to the Motorcycle Touring Scene. Despite the fact I am slowly reading through all the blogs on HU, some of the above aren't covered.
__________________
The FUN-duro is nearly ready. 9 months and £1800 later she will breathe again after her little incident with a hedge
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12 Jun 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 1,731
I remember recently reading something about problematic areas in India near the border of Myanmar, which might be off-limits.

And Myanmar is anyway probably one of the hardest countries on the planet to enter with your own vehicle... maybe there was someone, who did it some years back, but not after literally months of preparation and endless negotiations with the authorities (and still not allowed to cross the whole country but freight the bike part of the way). Its much more likely that entering Myanmar is not going to happen.

Air- or shipfreight from Nepal or India onwards to Thailand or Malaysia seem much more realistic options.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12 Jun 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 994
You might want to do some research on the state in PnG at the moment, last I heard was bad bad news but that was a few years ago now
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 13 Jun 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Otago, New Zealand
Posts: 63
Silk riders.
Do a google search on "silk riders" and get a copy of the Morgan's ride through the silk road on 650 BMWs - well worth a read for anyone interested in motorcycle touring.
__________________
Howie
V-strom 650, Transalp 650, DR-Z250
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 13 Jun 2007
WRONGwayround!'s Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Somerset
Posts: 18
Sorted
Howie - Thanks for the idea, that makes for superb reading!!

Thanks to all who posted PnG could be very interesting - Cheers for the "heads-up" from HenryUK

Myanmar will have to be frieghted across unfortunately But hay-ho, you live and learn!!

Cheers again to all!!
__________________
The FUN-duro is nearly ready. 9 months and £1800 later she will breathe again after her little incident with a hedge
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 13 Jun 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 994
Just noticed that you are touring on a Ninja, good skills!!

Make sure that you go from Shymkent to Almaty in Kazakhstan. You will be wondering why I told you that until you meet up with the new road. It's as good as the road to Split in Croatia, superb surface, no traffic, bends you can see all the way round for miles thanks to the landscape.

I was wishing I had a blade for that bit. The Elefant probably handled the sand better though!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 13 Jun 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: pambula, nsw, australia
Posts: 126
Good to see that you havn't been dissuaded by your unfortunate experience in Germany. I first suggested that you drop in on the Motorcycle Restaurante. Still do that on your way through Europe If it fits. As a matter of interest I saw John my mate who cooks there each northern summer being interview on telly just last week. He has for the last couple of souther summers spent his time cooking on the Aurora Australis. Australia's antarctic supply vessel. Never a dull moment. If you make it this far look me up, I'm on the coast half way between Melbourne and Sydney. Or e-mail me on gkdrperkins@hotmail.com,
Cheers,
Graeme.
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
ROUTE THROUGH HONDURAS/NICARAGUA sohrakoff Central America and Mexico 5 27 Nov 2008 02:12
What software for planning and measuring a route around the Eurostar Route Planning 2 19 Apr 2006 07:23
Lake chad route on a bicycle Larsofsweden North Africa 6 17 Jan 2006 18:10
Silk road ( China to Turkey ) Route planning & help Required Silkrider Route Planning 1 2 Nov 2005 13:45
Magadan to Istanbul (via Silk Route) Adrian Route Planning 2 20 Feb 2004 04:32

 
 

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

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. 11-15
  • 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 06:20.

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