This route through Tibet is on offer by China-tours. They have a vehicle with six already to go in May, 2013. Have a look at the link.

https://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?m...2121,39.506836

Something to consider.

David

Hi! My name is Andy and I'm also interested in joining you with my bike going north, home to Europe.
I live in Cambodia and I want to cross China as quickly and cheaply as possible in spring/summer 2013.
How many does that make us? Are we getting down to a reasonable cost soon?

Andy

Great to hear from you.

Myself and other HU travellers that I have communicated with still have not committed to a particular route - if I understand what has been said correctly. Certainly for myself I am still undecided.

What is looking feasible and probable is - the route starting from Laos through Tibet exiting China into Kyrgyzstan in May/June, 2013. Possibility of as many as 4-6 other riders joining a family group in a vehicle. The itinerary is for a trip of 34 day duration. Potential for the costs reducing down to as little as $2000+ per vehicle.

Don't know if the tour company have a number limit for a single guide but as far as I am concerned - the more the better.

My suggestion is to stay in touch. More than happy to share what my research comes up with.

Cheers
David

Cool, yes, I'll do some more research too and we'll see how this turns out. Hopefully south to north then... ;-)

I met a guy a few days ago who drove Tibet-China-Laos, 2 cars, 2 people, 21 days and paid $3000 per person, but he said that he knows the shortest trip through China would be Laos-Mongolia which would take only 10 days. And I guess less days=less money...

So I'll dig some more and see what I find...

Andy

I will keep looking around for the best deal as well. Stay in touch as I reckon there will be several options for us to choose from.

David

The AUS govt. ( like other govts ) is constantly re-assessing and putting out revised 'Travel Advisories'.

For information the advisories currently fall into the following categories (but they need to checked for changes conditions often) -
1.Do Not Travel
2.Reconsider need to travel
3.Exercise high degree of caution
4.Normal safety precautions

At last look most of the countries I propose to travel though have a 'Normal safety precautions" advisory such as Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, China, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Turkmenistan and Europe generally. A couple of countries have an "Exercise High Degree of Caution" advisory such as Turkey, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Travellers "need to pay close attention to personal security"

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????

I don't presume to know better than the advice given so will take it on board when deciding the route. Stay home and be 100% safe? Yes I have to be sensible and take advice of those in the know BUT ....

Europe, Turkey, the Stans, China, South East Asia or vise versa. Borders open, travel advisories reasonable, nothing stopping me so far.

David

David-
A friend of mine rode his motorcycle from Laos to Uzbekistan last year using Tibet Reisen tour company (Tibet Reisen und Tibet Trekking, Selbstfahrt durch Tibet, Kailash Trekking | Greatway). I currently live in Kyrgyzstan and am planning to drive to Singapore in spring 2013, where I will the ship my car (1986 Land Rover Defender) to LA and drive to NY to complete my around the world drive.
Anyway, my friend recommended I get on Horizons to try and meet up with folks like you. As you well know, China is tough and expensive, but it can be done. I would be willing to host the guide in my car saving you the cost of having to rent a car from the guide. They proposed a total price around $9,000 for a 39 day trip from the Tourgat Pass in Kyrgyzstan through Tibet to the Laos border @ Mohan.
If we could get a group of 6 or 8 bikers together, as my friend did, the prices start to become more reasonable. If this is something you are interested in pursing please let me know.
My time constraints mean that I must be in Singapore by mid-July at the absolute latest, but I am free to leave as soon as the snow is cleared.

Grif

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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www.thegreatgallivant.com - video blog of my current year long trip around Europe on the F650GS Twin