Hi everyone,

I'm starting a RTW trip from New Zealand across to Europe, but I'm struggling with the best way to get from Darwin to central asia.

Is there a route up that doesn't require joining a tour group? I had really been hoping for thailand or myanmar, but would rather not have to fork out the large sum for a guide up through.

After that, I see lots of tours that run West to East, do you know of any tours that run East to West? I have talked to ridechina, and they do one in late may either through the silk road, or around the south end and nepal to Kyrigyzstan.... if they get enough people. Anyone else do a BYOB tour across china? I'd be happy to end up at any of the stans or mongolia.

Thanks!

Hello mate,

First of all - assuming that you have a Kiwi passport? That'll make a difference for Iran and therefore your route.

Second, since you're going to have to freight whatever (whilst accepting that you'll probably want to minimise this as much as possible), its worth thinking about how that can make it easier.

I'm not sure about Thailand nowadays (heard you might need a guide?) but to get out of SE Asia overland into either India or China, you'll need to get a guide for either Burma or China.

The other option is to freight by air from Singapore or KL to Kathmandu or by sea to either Chennai or Calcutta. I didn't do this but I've got some notes on this somewhere on the inquiries I made, so message me if you want details.

Just remember that Indian customs might be a PITA.

Once you're through into India they you're into Pakistan (note that Wagah is the only land border you can use) - from there turn right to head north up the Karakoram Highway and into China. You'll need a 3 day guide as a minimum to cross that into Kyrgyzstan or Kaz, after which you're home free.

If you turn left (south) then you can go to Iran. Goods news is that if you hold a Kiwi passport, you don't need to get a guide for there. From there, into Turkmenistan and then Uzbekistan if you still want to see the Stars, or straight across to Turkey.

Hope this helps.

Ed

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Where Next Barney? Buenos Aires to Lima 2015 | London to Sydney 2015/6 | Armenia, Georgia & the FYR 2022 | Algerian Sahara 2023.