I am planning a RTW trip starting in May 2014 from Germany. My first aim would be to get to India via Turkey and Iran. Any suggestions on how to travel on from Iran? Anybody out there ridden that way to India from Europe recently? Grateful for any kind of Information!

Hi there! You've got about 3 choices from Iran:

Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, china, northern Pakistan (or Tibet, Nepal)
This involves guide costs with china.

Or southern Pakistan, India most direct.

Or sea freight from Dubai to mumbai.

Good luck! Don't forget you need carnet.

Shippings not fun, try to ride if you can, and as was said before it's either south or north side around Afghanistan, and north means you have to get the bike into China.

Hi there Pecha 72, do you have any expirience with the route north of Pakistan into India? Where would I cross China? Cheers Dr.Notch

Niello8
Do you have any expirience with the northern route to India via Iran...Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, china, northern Pakistan (or Tibet, Nepal)...have you ridden it recently?! Cheers Dr.Notch

We got to India via the stans, western China & northern Pakistan. We did not go to Iran but others in our china group did and then went up via Turkmenistan. Our route was much longer around the caspian. We joined a prearranged group in Kyrgyzstan and shared costs for the guided 5 day stretch through china to the Pak border. Getting the licenses for china without a guide is almost impossible but joining a group makes it more affordable. The KKH is magnificent with some adventurous challenges, the scenery is amazing. We were there in 2012.

The southern route is much faster but I believe you are limited by more police escorts and restrictions. Though you will get that in the north too. Have lots of patience & good nature

Niello8!
Was it a big deal to find a group that had organized a guided tour that took them through the five day stretch in China? Was that stretch of trip in China already part of the KKH? Do you remember how much it was to join that guided part through China? How long did it take you to do the KKH all together? Would you recommend the northern route coming through KKH into India in general?! I think I would like to take it much more then the southern, or direct route through southern Pakistan.

Joining a group for China wasn't too hard. There are always overlanders looking to join up because it saves money. You can comb the HUBB and see if anyone is going that way at a time that works. The timing does have to be absolutely specific. Our group was 12 people so the cost was not bad. This may have also been due to us using a company (china tour) that did not seem to have much experience. More established outfits like newlands may provide an easier experience.

The road from Kyrgyzstan through china to the KKH is very beautiful and traverses 2 high passes: khunjerab & torugart. The KKH itself is a challenge in parts but one of the most stunning regions you will ever see. Truly one of our favorite legs of the journey. We spent 2 weeks in northern Pakistan & could've done longer. There are some gorgeous side roads & really incomparable natural beauty. I should also mention that Kyrgyzstan is pretty incredible as well. Yurt camping at 3500m where you can just ride up the mountain. Wow.

So the important things about this route: china leg must be scheduled exactly & this can be done over the internet. The bigger the group, the cheaper it should be. usually having a 4 wheel vehicle in the group helps ligistically & costwise. Pak visa must be obtained from your home country & make sure they give you the right date!

Good luck in your planning!

Hi Dr.Notch,

I think you may want to check this thread:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...e-2014-a-70846

A few people there (including me) have started to discuss the organization of a guided China crossing next year. Seems like most of us will be bound from Europe to SE Asia starting next March/April.

Have a look and let us know if you would be interested in joining the group

Cheers

Niello8! Thx for the extra Info on the northern route through KKH into India...now I really want to ride that way. As you said there seems to be quite a few people joining up to form groups to ride that chinese stretch of road to share guidecosts. I am planning to ride KKH mid August, and spend some time in northern India after that. Hope it is a good time of the year to be there weatherwise.
Hebbo, thx for the link to the thread you started. There seems to be quite a few people on the way down to India next spring. I plan on riding through Turkey, Iran and the Stans to the KKH and then on to India. My trip will go on after that...I have two and a half years to go round the world starting in the middle of may 2014. Please keep me updated on your preparations, maybe we all can join together to ride China to share guide costs next year....
Cheers from Germany Dr.Notch

Hi Dr.Notch,

hope fully we will all meet to cross China! Your route sounds very similar to the one I expect to follow. I am not sure yet for how long I will be travelling but my initial aim is to reach Melbourne. As you said, I will have to make sure that, weatherwise, September/October is a good period to go through SE Asia

What will you riding?

Hebbo, who knows... we may ride through China soon...I will be riding a twenty year old Honda XRV750 for my round the world trip...cheers Dr.Notch

That's a great time to ride that region. We did the KKH 1st to 3rd week sept and the weather was glorious. Ladakh weather can be very finicky with the passes closing for snow so find a good source for weather updates. We left that region mid October due to snow, it was fantastic.

Hi , done in Sep/Oct last year the pakistan route. For more informations look at my blog [url=http://graz-goa.weebly.com]Graz - Goa

Hello Dr.Notch,
I also have plans for next year, a trip to Italy-Nepal (one way), but I thought from the south .... but still I do not know, exactly
hello Fabio