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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.
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  #1  
Old 27 Sep 2006
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KARAKORAM Highway
Hello everybody
Does somebody of you know if the karakoram Highway is open for travellers and if it is possible to cross the border from Pakistan to China on it with the bike?
thanks ..
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  #2  
Old 27 Sep 2006
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The KKH has bits that close from time to time due to bad weather, bridges collapsing or political protest, but is an all-year-round road.

I wouldn't go up there in the winter on a bike though. It is cold.

The road was built to cement ties - literally - between Pakistan and China, so yes, you can drive right over the border. The paperwork/permission is the problem.

There is plenty on this site about getting into China. Have a look around. In a nutshell: basically possible, but very costly.

Are you are looking for a Oz to Europe overland route Stefan? Sadly it is not possible through south asia, as you have to ship the bike over/around Burma. If you want to keep your wheels on the ground then Russia is your choice. I can put you in touch with another Queeslander who did this very route as it happens. PM me.

Simon
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  #3  
Old 27 Sep 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Simon Kennedy
The KKH has bits that close from time to time due to bad weather, bridges collapsing or political protest, but is an all-year-round road.
Caravan Cafe say that the Kunjerab Pass at 16,000 odd feet, closes Oct to May...

Redboots
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  #4  
Old 28 Sep 2006
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Hi Simon
Yes my plan is to go from oz to Europe. i have allready heard that it isnt possible to go through Myanmar because it is a military regime or so?...
Thats why my plan was to get the bike shipped from Perth to Madras(chennai) in India. do you think thats possible?
My other question is that when i wanna go from pakistan to Tadjikistan i have to cross a tiny bit of afganistan. Do you know if it is possible to get a transit visa FOR THAT?
It would be great if you could bring me in contact with your friend. my e mail is stefanhoffmeister@gmx.net
cya
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  #5  
Old 28 Sep 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stefan007
Hi Simon
Yes my plan is to go from oz to Europe. i have allready heard that it isnt possible to go through Myanmar because it is a military regime or so?...
Thats why my plan was to get the bike shipped from Perth to Madras(chennai) in India. do you think thats possible?
My other question is that when i wanna go from pakistan to Tadjikistan i have to cross a tiny bit of afganistan. Do you know if it is possible to get a transit visa FOR THAT?
It would be great if you could bring me in contact with your friend. my e mail is stefanhoffmeister@gmx.net
cya
You can get a visa for Afghanistan no problem. If you get to Pakistan (I presume you're coming from Iran?), you can get a visa in Quetta. I met an English couple who crossed from Tajikistan to Pakistan. They were in a Toyota Landcruiser.
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  #6  
Old 28 Sep 2006
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Hello,
first of all, thanks Kevin for the link to horizons unlimited.

Answer to question; Yes you can get visa for Afghanistan in Peshawar (as well as Quetta) and visa for Tajikistan very easy to get in Delhi.

Watch out with shipping to India. I've heard that people had loads of shit getting their vehicle through customs. Export via India is no problem but import seems not that easy. Heard good stories about airfreigt to Kathmandu instead!

Have fun
Roel
www.popadd.com/overlandy2006
Uk to Oz in a Land Roevr (sorry that it's not on 2 wheels...)
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  #7  
Old 28 Sep 2006
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hi,
i can only add that shipment to india is something you wanna avoid. bin there, only do it if you have loads of extra time and you like to give bakshees to about everybody involved in the shipmentproces. i am on the kkh now -tashkurgan (chineese side) but this time on a bicycle. was there 2 years ago in jan/feb. too cold and a lot of landslides wich can slow you down for several days. it seems that the pass closes in bout month (my guidebook says) had already some snow on the chinees side..
good luck
i would take my chance with peshawar if you go afhanistan.waited once 3 weeks in quetta for my iranian visa. they can be very anoying there..
niels
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  #8  
Old 1 Nov 2006
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Pakistan - Tajikistan
Hi there

I have been working in Northern Afghanistan and Tajikistan (Gorno-Badakhshan) in 2001 and again 2005. Together with a colleague I drove in 2003 from Uzbekistan to Tajikistan and followed the Afghan border all along till Khorog (Tajikistan) and then over the Pamir Highway into Kyrgyzstan. For your information: There is no Border Crossing from Pakistan into the Wakhan District (that's the Region between Pakistan and Tajikistan). The only way I could think of would be coming through Kabul and then driving up the Panjir Valley to Baharak and then over to the Border Crossing in Eshkashim. That's the only route I know of. Just keep in mind, that the security situation in the North of Afghanistan is getting worse day by day (eventhough not in the news).
If you need more info, just send me an email.

Claudio

www.claudioangelini.ch
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