Hi Erwin
I'm planning on setting out in a similar route, would be interested in joining a crossing through China, if the timing and route are suitable. Could you give me an idea of when you plan to go through China and if you're interested in joining forces for that section of the journey.

Les K

Hi Les K , Erwin has not posted since he started the thread. Not sure if that means he is no longer going. I have been trying to go through China for two years, the closest I got was last year. I was joining [url=http://www.overlandwithkids.com]Overland With Kids |

Hi Les K, Just to let you know Erwin has not posted on this thread since his initial post, not sure if that means he is no longer going...Re China I have been trying to transit China for two years but not managed it so far. I was going to tag along with www.overlandwithkids dot com. Anne did a huge amount of work on getting quotes for guides etc. As part of a group that included a 4x4 with room for the guide it looked like costing £1500 as my share of guide and fees. Unfortunatly they had to change the dates and I could not travel on the revised dates. I am still going to transit China ..I am looking at 2012. I would be interested in talking to anyone else who is serious about China...especially if you are planning to go in a 4x4...

Thanks Jimmy (xt600)

I hope you have the budget and time for China. Expect to pay anywhere from US$150-250 per person per day for the tour agency to get you through China not including the paperwork. Also all the paper work will take 3-4months before you get to the border. If you're serious start preparing now.

I consulted about 1 year ago over 5 agencies working in China for self drive/ride tours and none of them wanted to combine cars and bikes in one group because motorcycles are banned from all freeways and motorways in China. So the position was that the group would have to be separated, hence another group another travel agent/translator. It works out more expensive per bike then per car as well as groups of bikes would need to pay for the expense of a car for the travel agent/translator to travel in. If your group has a car and you'll be doing ALL the minor roads together then you can save by having the travel agent/translator ride with you.

China sounds great but the budget for China will put a big hole in your wallet, be warned.

Vietnam is pretty much out of the question with your own vehicle short of getting a letter of invitation from the government and a police clearance.

Try to avoid SEAsia in the wet season or be preapred for the worst

I would also not recommend Singapore as it is expensive to get permits to drive/ride in Singapore and there are other ports that are more accessible and cheaper.

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I've mailed Erwin and he is changing his plans. It will probably be for 2012.

It seems a very cool trip to me... Support, shelter and cooking... It's almost not adventuring... :-)

I'm from Hasselt, BE and driving a V-Strom (as of januari next year ). Keep me posted if your planning to go in 2012.