Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Travellers Seeking Travellers
Travellers Seeking Travellers Meet up with other travellers on the road, or find someone to travel with to the ends of the earth!
Photo by Stefan Thiel of Mark Hammond crossing a river in NW Mongolia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Stefan Thiel, of
Mark Hammond crossing
a river in NW Mongolia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 9 Nov 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Dubai
Posts: 103
2 months riding around in Central Asia Jun-Jul 2015

Hi all,

I work in AbuDhabi, ride a '10 KTM 530Exc and have a chance to take 2 months off work around June 2015. I would like to spend this time riding mostly off-road tracks in the Central Asian nations. The planned route is :

Turkmenistan -> Uzbekistan -> Tajikistan -> Kyrgyzstan -> Kazakhstan -> Russian Altai region -> Mongolia.

My intention is to fly myself and bike to Ashgabat in Turkmenistan and head towards Ulaanbaator, Mongolia via above mentioned route. From UB, i will fly back to Abu Dhabi.

I know i could easily take the ferry into Iran from Sharjah and ride on but i'm avoiding it because of Carnet headaches. Moreover, in June-July it will be Ramadan + peak summer heat and i don't want to be in Iran at that time.

Questions :
Turkmenistan - worth it or skip it ? If its only long straight roads, i'd rather skip it.
Altai republic - Russian visa sufficient OR special permit required ?
Weather - is June-July the wrong time to be in the region ? I checked a few weather sites and it looks like weather wise it will be good.

thanks for any inputs/advise and i'll be glad to know if you are planning to be in/around that aea during this period.

cheers
Vicks
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10 Nov 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Italy
Posts: 501
Quote:
Originally Posted by vicky250gt View Post
[...]
Questions :
Turkmenistan - worth it or skip it ? If its only long straight roads, i'd rather skip it.[...]
Worth it?: yes
Straight roads: yes, but interesting
Visa stressing?: absolutely, not cheap and not easy, I would never try to ship a bike there

Quote:
Originally Posted by vicky250gt View Post
[...]
Altai republic - Russian visa sufficient OR special permit required ?[...]
Russian visa is enough if you don't exit from the main highway close to the Mongolian/Kazakh borders

Quote:
Originally Posted by vicky250gt View Post
[...]Weather - is June-July the wrong time to be in the region ? I checked a few weather sites and it looks like weather wise it will be good.[...]
I think it's good timing

cheers
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10 Nov 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Dubai
Posts: 103
Quote:
Originally Posted by crisidsto View Post
Worth it?: yes
Straight roads: yes, but interesting
Visa stressing?: absolutely, not cheap and not easy, I would never try to ship a bike there
In that case, would it be better to ship the bike to Ulaanbaator and start riding back from there ? But i would still have to fly the bike out from Turkmenistan.

I wouldn't mind skipping Turkmenistan and start my ride from Uzbekistan. Any advise on shipping bike to/from UZ ??

thanks for your inputs.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11 Nov 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Italy
Posts: 501
Quote:
Originally Posted by vicky250gt View Post
In that case, would it be better to ship the bike to Ulaanbaator and start riding back from there ? But i would still have to fly the bike out from Turkmenistan.

I wouldn't mind skipping Turkmenistan and start my ride from Uzbekistan. Any advise on shipping bike to/from UZ ??

thanks for your inputs.
I don't know anything about shipping from AbuDhabi, but I can tell you Tahkent, in Uzbekistan, has been a popular destination for people shipping their bikes to Central Asia from Europe: if you search this site, you'll find some more accurate info for sure...
Other option can be Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan...
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 27 Nov 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Dubai
Posts: 103
Thanks for your inputs crisidsto

I now have the possibilityof taking 2-3 months off work during June-August so i want to ride the stans, Pamir, Altai and Mongolia. So, if some one is doing any of the following countries, I would like to join you (in no particular order) :

Uzbekistan
Tajikistan
Kyrgyzstan
Kazhakhstan
Altai republic
Pamir region
Mongolia


I'm very flexible with the order in which i ride the countries as i dont have a fixed itinerary. I just have a start and end date, and o course the weather. I did some reading and found that it will be quite hot in Uzbek and Tajikistan during June-July so i'm thinking if i can plan my ride in another direction.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 1 Dec 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 50
Hi,
i am currently in kyrgyzstan (japan, russia, mongolia, kazakhstan, kyrgyz) and will be heading towards europe middle of may - tajikistan, uzbek, kazakh, azerrbaijan, georgia, armenia turkey. Some company would be nice if our paths cross.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 3 Dec 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Dubai
Posts: 103
Quote:
Originally Posted by regie View Post
Hi,
i am currently in kyrgyzstan (japan, russia, mongolia, kazakhstan, kyrgyz) and will be heading towards europe middle of may - tajikistan, uzbek, kazakh, azerrbaijan, georgia, armenia turkey. Some company would be nice if our paths cross.
Hi,

I will begin my ride only in June 2015 so, i'm not sure if you'll still be in one of those countries by then. If you are, will be glad to eet up and ride together.

cheers
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 3 Dec 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 50
Quote:
Originally Posted by vicky250gt View Post
Hi,

I will begin my ride only in June 2015 so, i'm not sure if you'll still be in one of those countries by then. If you are, will be glad to eet up and ride together.

cheers
...cool, I'l keep an eye out for ya on the road (and in this thread). My plans continually change so anything could happen. Originally it was only going to be Turkey, but now I am thinking Morocco!

cheers,
regie
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 19 Feb 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 50
Heading to Turkey

Hi,

I'm back in bishkek kyrgyzstan. My plan is to go to china for 2 months, then come back to bishkek, organise visas, then jump on my bike for tajikistan, uzbekistan, kazakhstan, cross caspian to aserbaijan, georgia, armenia and turkey.

Will probably first ride to Osh and Pamir highway around end of May.

be nice to meet up somewhere and share some stories.

cheers,
regie
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
South East Asia on Motorbikes M_A_X Ride Tales 8 23 May 2013 04:40
Caucasus and Central Asia - visa and border crossing info crash Northern and Central Asia 19 4 Mar 2013 16:22
Anyone in Central Asia, Altai-Russia & Mongolia between mid-July and end-August 2012? chris Travellers Seeking Travellers 60 20 Aug 2012 20:51
Riding a Trike through Central America cgwinner Ride Tales 17 9 Aug 2012 15:08
endurotracks in central asia moep Northern and Central Asia 0 10 Jul 2012 19:44

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

  • California: April 18-21
  • Virginia: April 25-28
  • Germany Summer: May 9-12
  • Québec: May 17-19
  • Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
  • CanWest: July 11-14
  • Switzerland: August 15-18
  • Ecuador: August 23-25
  • Romania: August 30-Sept 1
  • Austria: September 12-15
  • France: September 20-22 SOLD OUT!
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3

2025:

  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025!
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • France: September 19-21 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:09.