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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #46  
Old 16 Sep 2012
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UK to AUS via China - interest so far.

Quote:
Originally Posted by richards107 View Post
pm you David
thanks Richard
Richard

Got your message thank you.

Have a look at the link below - it was sent to me by 'MOGGY' and this route is something like the trip I would like to make no matter which direction. Regarding China - either Silk Road or Tibet. Mongolia so far has not come into the mix.

London to Australia

If I was to start in UK I would like to get going late spring and meet up with 'grifpeterson' and others to cross China.

So far 'MOGGY', 'Tomos', 'TomBon 865' and 'grifpeterson' have expressed interest.

Your estimates of costs and timeframes are about right - can be done a lot cheaper but it is a once in a lifetime thing and to be enjoyed.

Cheers
David
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  #47  
Old 16 Sep 2012
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Small force to be reckoned with indeed!

Shall be weighing up the costs and talking it over today. We will try and nut it out quickly to avoid mucking anyone around.

Cheers!
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  #48  
Old 16 Sep 2012
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Response to tradern

Quote:
Originally Posted by tradern View Post
Small force to be reckoned with indeed!

Shall be weighing up the costs and talking it over today. We will try and nut it out quickly to avoid mucking anyone around.

Cheers!
With this size group the costs are considerably less - assuming everyone realises their dreams and starts the journey.

Don't rush your deliberation - I'm very much chilled - what will be will be.

David
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  #49  
Old 16 Sep 2012
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At this point of discussion (we had a lazy day here in Siam Reap) we have realised we would have to miss out on Russia if we went this way. As we both want to do wheelies with Putin in Moscow this is going to knock us out.
As if we went East to Vlad we will be riding back to do Europe anyway. If we go west towards the EU we then will have gnarly Russian weather by the time we finish in Europe.

Argghh... Should have planned this all a little better...
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  #50  
Old 16 Sep 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davidsmotorcycletravels View Post
Countries that were in the mix such as Iran and Pakistan have a "Reconsider need to travel" advisory. It means these countries have "volatile unpredictable security". Shame about Iran - many bloggers that have been there report it to be a beautiful and welcoming country????

David
We have met a couple of people that went through Iran and had no problems at all.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Trip-End-Of-The-World
- this guy went through and only had troubles because he had a gopro on the helmet, got chased down by police but all was good in the end.

Aus gov tends to be overly pessimistic about these things. Mostly just covering their asses I think and so they can turn around and say they warned you if you ask for consular assistance if you get in the shit with the authorities etc.
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  #51  
Old 17 Sep 2012
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Iran

Quote:
Originally Posted by JetJackson View Post
We have met a couple of people that went through Iran and had no problems at all.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Trip-End-Of-The-World
- this guy went through and only had troubles because he had a gopro on the helmet, got chased down by police but all was good in the end.

Aus gov tends to be overly pessimistic about these things. Mostly just covering their asses I think and so they can turn around and say they warned you if you ask for consular assistance if you get in the shit with the authorities etc.
Thank you for that and I agree. Read many blogs of riders who had no trouble at all.
Cheers
David
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  #52  
Old 17 Sep 2012
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Missing out on Russia

Quote:
Originally Posted by tradern View Post
At this point of discussion (we had a lazy day here in Siam Reap) we have realised we would have to miss out on Russia if we went this way. As we both want to do wheelies with Putin in Moscow this is going to knock us out.
As if we went East to Vlad we will be riding back to do Europe anyway. If we go west towards the EU we then will have gnarly Russian weather by the time we finish in Europe.

Argghh... Should have planned this all a little better...
No problem - say hello to Putin - isn't he a Harley Davidson man????

David
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  #53  
Old 18 Sep 2012
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China - guide costs

For information of those considering the trip. Received another quote for the China leg of the trip. Costs appear to be fairly uniform across most guide companies.

Tour price for self-drive based on 2pax2motorbikes+1pax1car(with a seat for guide) in May 2013: USD12622,- per group

Tour price for self-drive based on 3pax3motorbikes+1pax1car(with a seat for guide) in May 2013: USD14349,- per group

Included
Full set of vehicle import documents/paper works in China for self drive
Arrival check in at Chinese customs and exit customs handling to Laos
Chinese temporary drivers license and temporary vehicle plate/tag
Vehicle inspection fees after entry China
Vehicle liability insurance fees and the third-party insurance fees in China
Informed English speaking guide as the liaison to be at your service during the tour
Wages to the liaison guide includes hotel accommodations and daily meal supply
Chinese ordinary travel accidental injury insurance for travelers

Excluded
All visa fees
Meals and hotel accommodations in China
Fares of China toll road, bridge and tunnel access charges when applicable
Tip to your national guide
Sightseeing tickets and admission fees for tours, excursions and trips
Personal expenses and persons issues such as drinking water, phone call, shopping etc.
International travel insurance, Chinese commercial vehicle insurance, first-aid charge and charges of emergency evacuation; car fuel/gasoline in China and Car fix and repair fees
All the service not mentioned in the inclusions and itinerary


As you can see the costs are NOT calculated simply by dividing the total cost by the number of riders. As per the quote above for an additional bike and rider there is a $620 cost saving per person.

Cheers
David
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  #54  
Old 18 Sep 2012
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Heading East 2013 - China Crossing

Hi David,

I just came across your post and I have similar issues regarding the China crossing.

I intend to start from Germany next year in May, going to Mongolia, and from there south to Nepal/India via China. I guess I would be in China in July/August.

Let me know, which way you are going and whether you will start in UK ...

Best Regards

Jens
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  #55  
Old 19 Sep 2012
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Mongolia?

Quote:
Originally Posted by cascalho View Post
Hi David,

I just came across your post and I have similar issues regarding the China crossing.

I intend to start from Germany next year in May, going to Mongolia, and from there south to Nepal/India via China. I guess I would be in China in July/August.

Let me know, which way you are going and whether you will start in UK ...

Best Regards

Jens
Jens

Thank you for your message. Starting out from Germany you probably will pass through Russia enroute to Mongolia? The route I am discusing with others and pretty much decided on does not involve Mongolia.

My route, at this stage should I decide on UK to AUS, passes through Turkey, the stans and then Kashgar.

Cheers
David
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  #56  
Old 19 Sep 2012
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Clever bastards! Keeping the costs up even though we add more people to the group. I like simple mathematics, but of course, they're Chinese, they practically "invented" it, huh? So they can do whatever they want! ;-) Hmm..
I'll try to find more people to join, but unless the costs per person doesn't get under $1000 I can't afford it. Then I'll ship the bike instead...
IF you go south to north, that is...
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  #57  
Old 20 Sep 2012
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China costs

Quote:
Originally Posted by andykarn View Post
Clever bastards! Keeping the costs up even though we add more people to the group. I like simple mathematics, but of course, they're Chinese, they practically "invented" it, huh? So they can do whatever they want! ;-) Hmm..
I'll try to find more people to join, but unless the costs per person doesn't get under $1000 I can't afford it. Then I'll ship the bike instead...
IF you go south to north, that is...
Hello

Judging by the last quote the costs are down to $3,587 USD per vehicle assuming four vehicles with a seat for the guide. When I first started looking the cost for me travelling alone was in the vicinity of $14,000 USD.

The quotes appear to indicate that the cost of Chinese insurance, licence fees and vehicle tags per vehicle is high. When I compare the cost of three vehicles v's four vehicles the costs per vehicle reduce by about $600 only. That is why I have been canvassing for other interested riders to join forces with. I have asked for quotes from every guide company found on the internet. Don't think the cost per rider will ever get down to less than a $1,000 USD though.

If you find anything please let me know.

David
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  #58  
Old 24 Sep 2012
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Yeah, it was maybe a bit naive to think I'd get away with it THAT "cheap"... we'll see how much I manage to scrape together until spring... Thanks a lot for checking so thoroughly!
/A
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  #59  
Old 3 Oct 2012
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Hi Jens, Re your preferred route I think we share almost the same timing and route, I see David has found groups traveling from Kyrgyzstan to Laos and also Laos north to the Stans. David are you aware of any groups traveling Mongolia to Laos?.

Thanks Jimmy



"I just came across your post and I have similar issues regarding the China crossing.

I intend to start from Germany next year in May, going to Mongolia, and from there south to Nepal/India via China. I guess I would be in China in July/August.

Let me know, which way you are going and whether you will start in UK ...

Best Regards

Jens"
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  #60  
Old 4 Oct 2012
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Possible group with 4x4 travelling Mongolia to Laos September 2013

I have received a reply from Tibetriesen. They have an inquiry from a 4x4 wishing to transit China ( Mongolia to Laos) in september 2013. There is a possibility to join the group and share costs.

If you travel alone, a working vehicle for our guide is needed, it should be much more expensive.
It is on the best you can travel with another vehicle. From Sept. 2013 we have an inquiry for the routing like below. Maybe you can join in.
Itinerary English version: Mogolia - Erlianhaote – Xian – Sichuan - Yunnan - Mohan – Laos in 23 days:
Day01 Entry in China through Erlianhaote (also Ehrenhot)
Morning
enter China via Mohan border, after custom formalities drive to hotel. 2N at 4*Haifeng Hotel

Day02 Erlianhaote: completion of formalities.

Day03 Erlianhaote Uangab (353km). 1N at 3*Bihai Hotel
Day04 Uangab – Zhangjiakou – Huailai – Great Wall by Badaling (285km in 3.40 St.). 2N at Great Wall
Day05 Great Wall by Badaling: Wandering.
Day06 Badaling – Huailai - Xuanhua - Datong (280km in 3.50 St.). 2N at 4*Yugang International Hotel
Day07 Datong: Yungang caves, Nine-Dragon-Wall. Huayan monastery, Hongqi Market.
Day08 Datong – Hunyuan - Yingxian (141km in 2.30 St.): On the way you can visit wood pagode in Yinxian and hanging monastery in Hunyuan. 1N in Yingxian
Day09 Yingxian - Taiyuan (250km in 3.20 St.): Drive to Taiyuan. On the way visit Jinci Tempel. 1N at 4*Shanxi Grand Hotel
Day10Taiyuan – Yuci– Altstadt Pingyao – Jiexiu – Linfen (255km in 3 St.): You can visit old city Pingyao (UNESCO). 1N in Linfen
Day11 Linfen – Houma – Yuncheng – Weinan - Xian (390km in 5.15 St.). 2N at 4*Grand New World Hotel
Day12 Xian: Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and City Wall, Morschee.
Day13 Xian – Hanzhong(356km in 7 St.). 1N in Hanzhong
Day14 Hanzhong - Guangyuan (Mingyuexia, Thousand-Buddha-Fresco) (184km in 4 St.). 1N at 3*Guangyuan Hotel
Day15Guangyuan (Huangze Si Tempel) – Mianyang – Panda Zoo - Chengdu (158km in 3 St.). 2N at 4*Wuhou Express Holiday Inn
Day16 Chengdu: Qingyang Gong Tempel, Maosoleum of Du Fu, Tee drink in People’s Park, Old city wide and narrow lanes.

Day17
Chengdu – Ya’an (141km in 2 hrs). 1N at 4*Beite Star and Moon Hotel
Day18 Ya’an – Xichang (280km in 3 hrs). In Xichang visit slave museum, Qionghai lake, Datonglou old city). 1N at 3*Pretty Hotel
Day19 Xichang – Panzhihua - Kunming (G108, 507km in 8.11 hrs). 2N at 3*Camelia Hotel
Day20 Kunming: visit Qiongzhu Si Tempel, West Mountain and Dianci Lake, stone forest.
Day21 Kunming – Yuxi (97km in 1.30 hrs). 1N in Yuxi
Day22Yuxi – Mojiang – Pu’er - Jinghong (446km in 6.30 St.). 1N im 3*Yunti Hotel
Day23 Jinghong - Mengla – Mohan (180km in 3 hrs) – Laos: Early morning drive to the border for Laos. Help with the departure formalities.
End of the trip.
Tour price for self-drive based on 1pax with 1 motobike & 2 pax with 1 vehicle 2013: USD7941,- per group



Its a bit late in the year for me but maybe of interest to others.


Jimmy46

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