Overland China from Laos
 

Hi!!!

I am crossing China next July entering from Laos heading either Kazakstan or Kyrgistan. I am looking for forming a group to share the guide and tour costs.
I am dealing with NAVO tour company which is expensive but seems to be reliable.

The date I would like to enter to China is the 5th July, is somebody interested on same dates similar route??

Thanks, cheers!

Gooday Marc22, I too want to get a group together and if you scan down the list here, you'll see my post from a few months ago. I want to be into China, 6 to 8 weeks earlier than yourself though. So as to hit the Pamirs mid summer. As a matter of interest, what quotes have you got so far? I was quoted $18750 US regardless of group size. Crazy, but what do you do? A group of at least 6 would make it viable from our point of view.

Cheers

Graeme.

Great Guide to cross China with
 

Hi,

The price that you have is crazy, we crossed in 2014 and it was no where near that price. Try desert_roses@sina.com she is a great guide and will make the trip across China very interesting for you.
Have a look at our web sites.

Dave
www.plodd.net
www.overlandersthailand.com

Oh it's crazy alright, that's why we dropped the idea like a hot potato. I really appreciate you passing on the contact. I'm chasing it up now.

Cheers

Graeme.

When I rode through China in 2008 I was told it would cost me $500 per day for a guided ride.

Instead, I chose to ship my bike to Korea, fly to Vietnam, then take a bus across the border into China and purchase a brand new local 125cc for $500. Even though it would be illegal to ride in China without a guide I figured that even if I managed to ride for even 1 day in China I would break even compared with hiring a guide for a day.

As it was, I rode around China for over a month, and travelled around 8,000kms - with many, many daily interactions with local authorities - was many dollars in front, and had a very enjoyable time.

Would I do it again? - most definitely! The decision is yours.

Thanks Farquar, China is not a "destination" as such. It's a route to get to the Pamirs. For me, the most interesting, but not the only one. Katrina, my wife and I are about to set off on a multi year RTW trip. The last 6 months have been spent setting up a new Africa Twin and it is that and that only, we shall take. Although she has her m/bike license, she is neither a confident, nor experienced rider. So on a few counts China is out, unless we can nail down a reasonable cost guide. I will not do it with a gun to my head by unscrupulous guides. We've been travelling the world on motorbikes and with kids for 35 years and the mere thought of using a guide, I find repugnant. But unfortunately at this point in time, there is little other choice, unless it's done they way you have. That I could do on my own in a heart beat, but sadly not the wife. Even if she survived the experience, I'd have heart failure worrying about her.

Daveandles I'm still waiting on a reply from desert_roses. Can you enlighten me on an aproximate cost, as you experienced it?

Cheers

Graeme

Fair enough Graeme, I rode the southern route (India - Afghanistan) 40 years back. It sounds like you have also done it previously and are after an alternative this time round.

Have you thought about shipping your bike (from Australia or Laos) directly to Kyrgyzstan /Kazakhstan, flying yourself to China and then buying a bike to ride west and along the Pamir Hwy?

I know it is tempting to want to ride the same bike for the whole journey, but sometimes financial pragmatism can work too. :mchappy:

Cost for China
 

Hi,

We asked for a price over 1 year ago and I think for 6 weeks it was around £4500 for 1 car, however, as I am sure you know if you can get more vehicles the price comes down price wise per vehicle.
I think the reason Spring has not responded is she is on a trip at the moment, I will be contacting her re a trip we want to make and I will mention your details to her.

Dave
Plodd - A Trip of a Lifetime
www.thailandoverlanders.com

I'd take the advice of one travel through China trip wonders saying you can travel through China unguided no licence etc etc because they did it with a grain of salt. In Farqhur case he did it 8 years ago. Things change in China very quickly just getting a C1E license in China is way more difficult now than 5 years ago even if you tick all the boxes. Renewing Your license in China is getting difficult even if you tick all the boxes.Riding your M/C legally in China is more difficult.

I've been in discussion with quite a number of tour operators and others. Self driving without a guide, is now illegal and essentially impossible. Sneak about on a local Chinese bike, OK who knows maybe.

We are initiating plan B. Until China gets real with their rules, reg's and prices, it's out for us sadly.

Graeme.