I'm sure someone has done it!

Has anyone got a map/route that shows a 'preferred' route requiring minimal (if any) off-roading? I don't have any off-roading experience whatsoever.
Like everyone I am looking for the path of least resistance but I still realise it will be a very challenging trip and very unlike the European trips I have done before so I something of a realist too.
And also, what is considered a reasonable timeframe to allow for a non-rushed or hurried trip for such a journey, assuming you were going to Mumbai?
And visas/carnets......any advice here?
And finally, what would be considered to be the best time of year to leave the UK?
Oh, perhaps I should mention........the trip is on 2 wheels there and back and the bike of choice is likely to be a 650 V-Strom or similar!!

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"Life is too short to drink cheap wine!"

Hi Chris, last year I drove from India to UK. I took the Silk Route.
Can discuss at lenght on vsadvt@gmail.com. Coming to India be my guest too.

On an old 350 cc Enfield motorbike

Hi, me & my wife went from Europe to India on our way to Australia almost 7 years ago. Rode a DL650 two-up, she sat on the back the whole time. There were, and I believe there still are, two “main” options from Europe to India:

Turkey - Iran - Pakistan - India (we went this way),

or

Kyrgyzstan - China - (via KKH, the Karakoram Highway) - Pakistan - India

(Actually there seem to be some routes in China to Tibet and onwards to Nepal, but I haven´t heard of any normal travellers using them, only some travel agencies, who put together riding tours, that cost a small fortune to participate, I suspect the cost of doing this as a solo travellers is prohibitive).

Karakoram Highway goes through some very high mountain passes, so via Turkey this is do-able more months per year... BUT eastern part of Turkey and northwest Iran can still get very cold. I would not pass through there on a bike after October, although this will probably depend on the year.

The KKH route means you have to enter China, a major obstacle, but still seems to be do-able with plenty of cash, and planning well in advance (you need to get in contact with a Chinese tour operator, but I haven´t done this myself).

Iran & Pakistan for us were great, absolutely no problems. But after following the situation, I´d say that western Pakistan (Balochistan) is more problematic now, than it was back then. The police will most likely escort you part of the way, or all the way (and there was escort in southeast Iran as well, may well be this is still the case). It didn´t cost us anything, and they were friendly, but slow.

If you can get Iranian & Pakistani visas (Pak visa you will need for the KKH route as well), and also feel ok to ride through Balochistan, then my guess is that that is the easier option of the two. Main roads were 95% okay, could have done it on a streetbike. Sometimes there were huge potholes, and even open sewer holes to avoid, though. Do not ride in the dark. And traffic is really quite bad in Iran & Pakistan (...just gets you nicely warmed up for the REAL chaos of India LOL!!)

You will need a carnet to get the motorcycle into Pakistan and India, possibly Iran as well. There is only one international border crossing between Iran/Pakistan, and the same goes for Pakistan/India (that border is located a bit east from Lahore).

For us it took about 5 weeks from Finland to India, but I think it could be done in just 2 weeks (although quite stressful - we met a Czech couple on a 4x4, who had driven to southern Iran from Praque in just over a week). On the other hand, some travellers do spend several months on that route, there is a LOT to see and do in each of the countries. If you want to see the sights along the way and take it easy, then plan at least 5-6 weeks. There´s plenty to see in Europe as well, but I think for us was a good plan to skip most of them, and concentrate on the more faraway places, because those will be a lot harder to visit again later.

Time for leaving UK, I´d say either spring (don´t know when exactly, but to be in eastern Turkey after winter, and in India before the monsoon rains), or during autumn, maybe around September, to pass eastern Turkey before winter. Severe midsummer heat in Iran, Pakistan & India could also be uncomfortable, or even dangerous.

Our sort of “blog” still seems to be alive here:
MOTO1 - Matkalla

Hope that is of any use, and will be glad to help in any way, if I can! Pekka

Thank you Pekka. I read your blog as well. It is definitely a journey with many challenges ahead but I think that if I give myself enough time and try to keep my stress levels to a minimum then it is definitely achievable.

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"Life is too short to drink cheap wine!"

Hi guy's,
Myself & a friend are planning to cover the Iran-Pak-India route starting in jan.
We are heading for Loas / Nam .We will be taking a pair of Africa Twins and camping ( till i need a hot shower! & to wash me duds! ).If Jan seams a bad start time to head off it's coz we want to A) miss the U.K. winter & B) we have 6-8 months to do the round trip.

Any info on do's & dont's would be most welcome ?? Simon

Jan is a good time to come to India. Give me a shout when coming this side. Am in India.

India is no good for camping. Cheap places available every where. Can arrange hospitality at many places too.

Kayjay,

Do you know if it would be possible to buy Indian imported Enfield and drive it back and leave it in India? I thought this would be a good charity fundraiser idea, driving Enfield back home

Hiya mate ,it would be great to meet up in India. We should arrive mid to late February. Our route plans are flexible so I guess up can name the area/town .cheers simon

Yes one can buy an imported bike here and leave it behind too.

Simon do give me shout when u come to India. Will catch up and if possible ride together.

Hey Chris -
Here's my route plan for Bangalore-France Overland.


Now here's the hard and deterring part for me - China is a long-leg and an extremely expensive one at that.

I am seriously looking at other route options that is safer and economical and possibly bypasses China.
Any ideas greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone. We are looking to ride to India, eventually on to Australia, but that will be another trip. Were hoping the route to India would be Iran/Pakistan but as the news changes daily we are looking at plan B. Were wondering about riding down through east Africa, starting in Egypt, perhaps on to Cape Town and have bikes shipped to India from there. We would probably return home, then join the bikes later in the year to start for Australia. Anyone any thoughts on this?
At the moment we ride Triumph Tiger 1050 and 650 V-strom, but plan to take 250s, possibly Hondas, easier to pick up when you drop them.

January is great time for the plains of Punjab and Sind but cold for the higher passes. Parts of Balochistan can be cold too.


Wish you a great trip.
Cheers
Omar