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Avoid Iran and Pakistan? Avoid Iran and Pakistan?
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Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road Recent News, political or military events, which may affect trip plans or routes. Personal and vehicle security, tips and questions.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
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Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #31  
Old 7 Apr 2011
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Ps. A C90 will climb the Himalayas. But not two up.
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  #32  
Old 4 May 2011
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Thanks for all the replies and advice!! J I’ve now decided that I will go through Iran, Pakistan and India. I’m okay with there being some risks and it seems like I would be silly to miss the chance to ride through all of the culture these countries have to offer.
It looks like my Girlfriend wont be joining me for this part of the trip because of the stress it could put her under. I can take almost anything in my stride but we both think it won’t be fair on her.
Anyway…. I’m now really set on this trip and can’t wait. It looks like my main issue will be Visas. Has anyone British got an Iran Visa within the last 6 months or so?
Thank you all for your help, much appreciated
Ed
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  #33  
Old 28 Jun 2011
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Visa for Iran on British Passport
Just a quick bump to ask if anyone has got an Iranian or Pakistan visa recently on a British Passport?

Many thanks
Ed
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  #34  
Old 1 Jul 2011
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Two Swiss kidnapped in Loralai
Hello,

two Swiss has been kidnapped today in a restaurant in Loralai near Quetta.

Regards

Mike
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  #35  
Old 2 Jul 2011
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Iran visa and British
I got a visa for Iran, no problem. I'm British but based in Qatar, riding 'home' via Saudi, UAE, ferry from Sharjah to Bandar Abbas, up through Iran, Turkey, Balkans etc. I used www.PersiaTours.com contact there is samira zare [samira.persiatours@gmail.com], highly recommended. Rob
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  #36  
Old 3 Jul 2011
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Came through about 6 months ago. Riding through Iran and Pak were some of the most amazing times in my life. Iranvisa.com were a little expensive but got the job done (British). I was also able to elect to pick it up in Istanbul which was nice and I had no troubles with the process.

A quick note on the recent developments. The DG Khan road that the Swiss took we were advised against (I came through the same time as Crazymanneil and a few others). The DG Khan road is bad and policed by local tribe leaders not Pak police. Ergo I'm not sure escorts operate through this area. The road we took southeast towards Sukkur was in a better condition, policed and beautiful.

Alternatively you may be able to get your bike onto a train at Bam or Quetta to Islamabad/Rawalpindi. Keep your ear to the ground, but I would still go. Iran and Pak, especially the KKH are too incedible to miss.

Let us know what decision you make
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  #37  
Old 31 Jul 2011
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Hu meeting in Pakistan
Hello if someone its planning to ride Iran and Pakistan around October-November
have a look to this:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...462#post344158

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  #38  
Old 31 Jul 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike K. View Post
Hello,

two Swiss has been kidnapped today in a restaurant in Loralai near Quetta.

Regards

Mike
Loralai is around 500 kms from Quetta close to Afghan border and the lawless tribal areas. I wonder how and why the Swiss reached where even I cant go. All tourists and even locals are clearly warned not to take that route.
I wont be surprised if some other story comes out of the unfortunate kidnapping.
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  #39  
Old 31 Jul 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Omie View Post
Loralai is around 500 kms from Quetta close to Afghan border and the lawless tribal areas. I wonder how and why the Swiss reached where even I cant go. All tourists and even locals are clearly warned not to take that route.
I wont be surprised if some other story comes out of the unfortunate kidnapping.
Good point Omar. When we were in Quetta we were told if we wanted to go this route we would have to request permission which involved signing a declaration that we understood there would be no police escort, at our own risk etc.

I hope it turns out well for them and wish them a safe return.

N
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Belfast to Kathmandu on a Diesel motorbike 2010/11 www.suckindiesel.com
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  #40  
Old 31 Jul 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crazymanneil View Post
Good point Omar. When we were in Quetta we were told if we wanted to go this route we would have to request permission which involved signing a declaration that we understood there would be no police escort, at our own risk etc.

I hope it turns out well for them and wish them a safe return.

N
Hi Neil, Drone massacres are taking toll and unfortunately the law and order situation in Balochistan has worsened specially in the tribal areas which are an absolutely no go areas for foreigners.
Only the main roads are safe.
BTW Your Diesel bike is still discussed here
Omar
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  #41  
Old 1 Aug 2011
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thanks for all the updates. However I am now confused as to how I get from India to Iran via Pakistan.

I've attached a very bad map of Pakistan.

The "A" is the Wagah-Attari border which I've been told is the only one open to foreigners.
The Red fuzzy area is Balochistan which is a "no-go area"
The Red line is the DG Khan road which is also "no-go"
The Green dot is Sukkur which was described above as safe, and the green line shows the road I'm assuming Bryn means is also safe.

My main problem appears to be the blue dot which is the Mirjaveh-Taftan border and is apparently the only border open to foreigners. How do I get to Iran without entering Balochistan? It covers the entire border

If anyone wants to create an equally bad map to show me then it would be greatly appreciated
Attached Thumbnails
Avoid Iran and Pakistan?-map-pak.jpg  

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  #42  
Old 1 Aug 2011
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Hi Ed,
Your map is fine. Taftan/Mirjavah border is in Balochistan and you'll be crossing it. It is the largest province (area wise) of Pakistan and certain areas are unsafe specially the ones close to Afghan border. You should be taking the following route,
Sukkur-Shikarpur-jacobabad-Sibi-Mach-Quetta-Dalbandin-Nokkundi-Taftan
The main roads should be safe. If there are any problems you might be given guards or advised to take a train and you can take your bike in it too.

Omar
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  #43  
Old 1 Aug 2011
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Thanks Omie thats really usefull and incase anyone else is reading this for info I've made a map to show Omie's route. It does run a bit close to Afganistan but then I suppose there's no ther option.
Once again, thanks
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Avoid Iran and Pakistan?-route-pak.jpg  

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  #44  
Old 1 Aug 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by poodlebiscuit View Post
Thanks Omie thats really usefull and incase anyone else is reading this for info I've made a map to show Omie's route. It does run a bit close to Afganistan but then I suppose there's no ther option.
Once again, thanks
Yep, the main road goes near the Afghan border. And it is a troubled area (and it doesn´t stop at the Iranian border, you´ll probably have escorts in Iran, too, until Bam). But at least the government(s) have some presence on that route. Closer to the coast you´d really be on your own, I think. The majority of overlanders go between Iran and India following more or less exactly the route, that you have on that google-map.

Quetta to Taftan is a long stretch, so either break up the journey in Dalbandin where there´s a hotel (well, sort of!!), or start off very early, so that you´ll arrive before sunset. During our trip the road was better near the Iranian border, and got worse as we approached Quetta. But I haven´t been there in almost 4 years, so I don´t know, how it´ll be now.

Cannot guarantee anyone´s safety of course, but in fact traffic is probably the most realistic danger for tourists passing through there.
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  #45  
Old 1 Aug 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pecha72 View Post
Quetta to Taftan is a long stretch, so either break up the journey in Dalbandin where there´s a hotel (well, sort of!!), or start off very early, so that you´ll arrive before sunset.
500km is the distance I cover on my C90 on European roads before sunset normally. I've done 1000km in 29 hours non stop but that doesn't sound like a good idea on these roads (and I fainted and crashed at one point haha) looks like the stop in Dalbandin will be the plan
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