Central Asia 2013 : London - China along the silk road back via India/Pakistan & Iran
 

Hi Everybody,

I'm planning a overland 4×4 trip to China and back in 2013 (May - October approx) for 3-4 people. Travelling from London to Turkey the plan is to join the Silk Road and head east to China though the “Stans” north of Afghanistan. The plan is then to head south via Tibet/Nepal to India and head back west via Pakistan and Iran, and finally Europe to London.

We are planning to retrace the steps of players and locations involved in the Great Game. The Great Game - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'm on the lookout for overlanders heading into China in the middle of next year (approx July/August 2013) that want to share China visa entry costs.

Planning to enter at Kashgar and exit Tibet/Nepal. Options are open over the route to take while in China and the length of time. Estimate somewhere between 2-4 weeks.

You can check out my trip plans at Big O's Adventures

Let me know if you think this time might suit your travel plans.

Thanks

Jon

China
 

Hi Jon

We are in Mongolia enroute to Indonesia. Planning to return via Tibet Nepal India-Pakistan-Iran in 2013 maybe we can meet somewhere.

We enter China next week for a 4 week trip through the middle entering Laos early September.

We are now on Face book for up to date information re our around the world Safari, become a friend.
robert.vandenhoven@facebook.com

Website not updated since Norway
www.doubledutchworldsafari.com

Hi Robert,

Thanks for getting in touch. I'm definitely keen to stay in touch. I've sent you a facebook request.

I hope you trip is going well. Good luck with China.

Jon

Hello BigO

I have a new post titled AUS to UK China or vise versa

Like you I am looking for travel partners through China about the same time as your trip. Perhaps we can travel together through China so as to offset costs. I will be on my BMW 1200GS.

I will be travelling back to Australia if my trip starts in UK and I plan to exit into Laos or Vietnam. We would have part company along the way - if interested I will enquire if feasible.

David

Hi David,

I'm definitely open the the idea if the time and direction fits. Happy to try and sort a plan if we can. Different exit points might be a problem though.

Jon

Route selection - flexible.
 

Jon

This trip is something I am going to do - just need to do it in a cost effective way. Also I have travelled solo on other trips but this time would prefer travelling with other travellers.

I sought quotes from three different Chinese tour companies for their services from Kazakhstan border to Laos border. Travelling through China is not cheap - an average quote cost of 80,000 Yuan (8,000 GBP) for 28 days.

Since reading your post I enquired about the possibilty of a combination of self-drive and rail freight for the bike. It can be done but the expense and hassle just is not worth the effort. The companies I have communicated with don't seem interested in helping.

Another option is to do the full trip through China with you and then freight the bike from India/Pakistan to Thailand.

There is also the possibility that a group of Aussies will be travelling the other way but their planning is in the early stages.

I want to commit early to a particular journey, plan and organise logistics. It takes two to three months to get Chinese permits.

Let me know what you think.

David

China
 

Hi Jon we may have change of plans and travel from Europe to Nepal via Tibet we may have purchased new car?? Still in china. Next week in Laos. I will then confirm you on Facebook no Facebook access in china

stay in touch
 

China was great now in Laos also a little gem.
Have not received facebook request
Robert

Hi, we are planning a similar trip right now - also with a 4x4.

Our current thinking (though this changes at quite a rate), is to be entering China in the begninning of June through Kyrgyzstan (I assume at Irkshstan), and take approx 30 days to travel right through to Laos. Originally we had also thought to cross into Nepal via tibet, but the agencies seem to think that Tibetan visas are no longer granted to those with UK passports.

let me know if you think it might be viable to travel ensemble and save on some guide costs!

Cheers, Vaughan

transit China 2013
 

Hi Vaughan, It would be great to share the cost of China. I will be solo on a motorcycle. exiting into Laos in early July would be good timing for me.

Regards Jimmy

Good to hear from you Jimmy, send me an email and we can start getting things sorted.

I'll post another request for guests to join the group in a mo, and hopefully we can bring the cost down to something more acceptable to all.

My address is
vaughan_r_brown
at
yahoo
dot
com.

Cheers,

VB

Nice to see, that we overlanders had many parallels in what we have to decide for a big trip!

I will follow your progress and trip. The silkroad was my favorite of the trips i like to do.

We have decide to favor africa, because we fear that it is soon not possible to do it anymore. Dont know if this looks the same today - but anyway - we will do the silkroad later in our life bier

Surfy

Hi Everybody,

Apologies for quiet lately. Work has dominated trip planning.

I'm still planning to head to India/Pakistan, though it sounds like Tibet might be a challenge. I've emailed Vaughan and will talk to him tomorrow. We'll update the this thread after we have spoken.

On a brighter note I've finally found my vehicle for the trip. 1995 Landcruiser 80 12V Auto. Now for the fun of getting it expedition ready.

Jon

Just had a good chat with Vaughan (VB). The discussion was based on his post above. Looking to enter China from the west around the first half of July for 30 days. Exiting out into Laos. We are both going to do some more research before we look to make a decision.

China July/August 2013
 

Hi guys,

I have already been in direct contact with a few of you and - what a surprise - I am also looking for a reasonable "China-Option".

I do not mind entering China from Kyrgyztan or Mongolia while Mongolia would be my preferred option.

The only thing I can not change is getting somehow into Nepal or India. If this means first going with you to Laos and Thailand and ship the bike back to Kathmandu ... I will think about it and I need to check the logistic part.

However, if anyone is travelling from Mongolia or Kyrgyztan directly to Nepal/India in July/August 2013 just let me know.

Regards - Jens

If you are still in the market for partners in 2014 for the trip back from India then drop me a line using the website in my footer below. We are likely driving home India, Pakistan, Iran after we've completed the Americas in 2013. We should be shipping there this month after spending a year in Africa.

Hi there,

I'm planning to come back through India, Pakistan and Iran in the second half of 2013. Current estimate is approx Sept - Nov 2013.

If you are in India by then let me know. Always happy to catch up with potential travel buddies.

Jon

Gday mate

We are still planning Tibet next year from Kyrgystan, September is the month we plan Tibet (Told the best weather with lots of blue Sky?)

Our plan at this stage Tunesia-Libya-Egypt (subject to political situation in Libya) Jordan-Saudi-UAE-Oman-Iran-Stan countries-Tibet-Nepal towards India.

Cheers
Robert (fearless)

Hi Robert,

Myself and another group were looking at Tibet next year but this seems unrealistic now due to the requirement for groups of 5 from the same country to get visas with vehicles.

I'm in touch with davidsmotorcycletravels which is another thread here. We are planning to enter from Kyrgyzstan, drive thru China (via Xi'an) to Laos. I'm planning to ship the vehicle back to India from Malaysia around the beginning of Sept 2013.

You may wish to reconsider your options.

Jon

I am open for this... will be around that time in Mongolia, and I don't really have a plan yet where to go from there, either it is back home through Russia or going south.... I'll pm you.

So basically, is there already anything concrete?

I will be going to Mongolia and from there to .... ?!
So I am open for the idea to get to Laos, so I can drive to Kuala Lumpur and ship back home from there.

Has anybody done something already for this? Or is it just "an option" as I will not pay that kind of money for just traveling through a country...

Let me know!

Hi All,

UPDATE :

For all those that are following this post or anyone new to the post - Our group is developed but we are still prepared to take on more travellers.

China - we enter on the 20th June.

Duration - 35 days.

Route - enter via Kyrgyzstan, east to Lanzhou, then south to Chengdu, and then south to Laos.

Who is going - four definite bikes so far and two cars.

Guide company - decided.

What next - paying deposit and sending personal details.

I am part of the group with Davidsmotorcyclestravels. Check the link for more info.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...a-vise-65786-7

Hello All,

I thought I'd updated you all on my plans.

They are now firmed up for the whole trip. I'm departing London in early April and heading east to Russia and the The Stans. I'm part of the group above with Davidsmotorcycletravels travelling through China to Loas from June 20th to July 24th. From there I head through Laos, Cambodia, Thailand to Malaysia. After shipping back to India I'll return via Nepal, Pakistan, Iran to Turkey, and finally Europe to London. Estimated travel time is 8 months.

I have a couple of seats available in the car if anybody is interested in joining the trip. The closing date for the first 3 legs is January 14th 2013. Apologies for the late notice.

If you are interest i recommend to check out my website and get in touch by Monday. All the details are at www.bigoadventures.com. Check out the Join the Expedition section.

Cheers

Jon

Hi Jon
Long time no talk.
We are currently in Europe have you finalized your trip to Laos?
We are planning to travel to India either via Tibet or via iran/Pakistan?

Cheers
Robert

Hi Robert,

I'm arriving in Laos on July 24th from China. I've had to give Tibet a miss because its nearly impossible to go there with a car at the moment.

At the end of August I'll be shipping back to Calcutta and then heading for Nepal, Pakistan and Iran between September and November.

How are your plans coming along?

Jon
Big O's Adventures

hello folks;

I'll be passing the other way, Iran - pakistan - India - Nepal around that time so will be keeping an eye on this and would be nice to meet up with folks coming the other way. We can exchange useful notes.

Have fun and see you on the road, I hope
Oli

Hi Oli

You never know if we have no luck with Tibet we may see you there, except we like to include the Stan Countries.

Cheers
Fearless (robert)

Kirgystan --Laos
 

Hi Guys

Kirgystan Irkeshtam pass either Torugart pass it is easy to coming China .

from Kashgar Laos border quite easy .. enter Tibet Via Xinjiang --Tibet high way or other road skip Tibet less cost and less paper works .

Laos border from Torugart pass I estimate 25 days will be enough ..

I,m based in Kashgar , any information needs please feel free I,m 24 hours online ..

May I offer good informations to you that makes for me happy

e-mail : kashgaradvantour@hotmail.com

About to start the India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq section
 

Hi All,

I'm in the process of shipping from KL to Kolkata. Hoping to clear customs by Sept 10th.

Then I head west from Kolkata towards Pakistan, Iran and maybe northern Iraq to Turkey by xmas.

If anybody is in the area drop me a line and say hi. Always great to catch up with another traveller.

Jonny