China (Kyrgyzstan to Laos) 2023
 

Originally planned for 2021.
If China becomes passable later this year, I am planning on riding from Kyrgyzstan to Laos (via Xinjiang, Tibet and Yunnan provinces). The group I had interested back in 2021 has largely dissipated as life has moved on. So, anyone interested? This would be in September 2023.
I know China is yet to fully open and things may change over the coming weeks/months. But if it is possible............:scooter:

Kyrgyzstan to Laos, Sept '23
 

I'm interested and to be near there then.

Interest is sparked!
We'll hopefully be in the area around that time, 2 riders, 2 motorcycles, starting in April from Europe.
Let us know about your plans.

Thats a lot of China, especially costly if guides required, but I'd love to return to Laos.

Bump.
I know it is still early days as far as border reopening goes; but.....any interest? Please don't make me resort to the dreaded Facebook. chug beer

I'm in.

Once tourist visas are once again being issued and the tour agencies can confirm a price, I will post an update. I have narrowed it down to 4 possible agents (based on personal recommendations/reliability/reputation, more than cost). A bad experience 10 years ago has taught me that you get what you pay for.

Hey there, I’m planning to start my ride from Europe to Thailand in May, so I would be around this time also in Kyrgyzstan. I already send an email to the Chinese embassy, from now there’s no chance to get a tourist visa.
But I keep fingers crossed that we can do that ;)
So I’ll stay tuned and would love to join this section!

Bump.
Anyone interested?

China and more
 

Thanks for your private message.
Really I am looking for bikers driving Europe to Inkerstam Pass and than Chine to Laos border.
I am in conctat with a Chinese agency but they have a very high costs.
If I will find a biker to share the Stan route I will be happy to share with you the Chinese route.
Stay tuned ciao roberto

I have a Facebook group for anyone with a serious intention of doing this trip.
https://m.facebook.com/groups/785368275528819/

With the reopening of borders/restarting of tourist visas from tomorrow: this trip is on.
30 days (Kyrgyzstan/Irkeshtam to Laos/Mohan, via Xinjiang, Tibet and Yunnan). Entering China around very late August/early September. Will be approx. $3,500 each vehicle/person (factoring in accommodation costs).
Anyone keen to join can contact me here via PM.
Cheers

I will be doing the same route but not until next year. Will you be posting your travels somewhere so I can follow?

Yes, I will post about the trip. Either here or on a blog; I’ll let you know.
Still looking for anyone interested……2, 4 or more wheels welcome. NO unicycles!:D

My challenges are getting past the Caspian Sea, then getting visa for Russia in order to get to Mongolia and back to Kazakhstan and ultimately to hopefully meet up with others travelers to Laos.

Hi Motomon. I think you just joined my FB group for this trip.
Cheers.

Hi ouroboros2015, I am planning a trip to Mongolia starting in Bulgaria mid May. I expect to get to the Kazakhstan/China border mid June. China has fully opened and previously issued visas are valid again. I connected with a travel agent in China specializing in self riding tours and thy assist with getting the temporary driver license and number plates. i am looking for fellow riders for the entire or portions of the trip, especially for the China segment. Happy to provide additional details. Spread the word and ride safe!

Hi gsgypsy. My plans are well advanced, I have an agent in place, a route and a time. I see you will enter via Kazakhstan in June; too early for me. Good luck with your trip; do you have a blog or will you post about your trip on the HUBB?
bier

This a response to Motomon's post

I will be riding along the same route. There are ferries from Azerbaijan to both Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. I'm opting for Kazakhstan because its much easier with visas, etc.

I don't have a blog and frankly am not that much into posting, but will use this platform to share useful tidbits. Good luck with your trip!

Hello,
I´m also planning in Sept. Okt. 2023 starting a longer tour RTW. The Direction at the beginning is still open yet.
What is your preferred routing to china. What is your planed timeframe start in Europe via ??
I´m not a racer, travel on a Honda CRF 300 and like to explore the countries.
If you are interested to share ideas / travel together, lets chat
You can find me at FB Ragnar König ( Cebu City) but i live in Germany
Looking forward for your response

Eddy

Hi Eddy. The route through China is Irkeshtam border from Kyrgyzstan into Xinjiang and then through Tibet and Yunnan provinces to Laos (Mohan border). It will be 29 or 30 days in China entering around the beginning of September 2023. Some of the group are already on the road in various places. For me, I will start in mid August from Kazakhstan (Almaty).
I have a FB group at https://m.facebook.com/groups/785368...bicf_4eP6P2eT0 if you are serious about joining.
Cheers

The problem is getting to the ferries as Azerbaijan land borders are still closed so how to get to Baku to get one of these ferries. I also would prefer to take a ferry to Turkmenbashi, but Turkmenistan is also still closed. ☹️

Azeri land borders
 

According to https://azerbaijan.travel/covid-19-en the current state is in place until May 1. There is at least a theoretical chance that borders may be opened after that. So it’s a wait and see.

In theory, the workaround would be to get to Georgia, find a trucking company to take the bike across the land border as cargo, and fly to Baku to pick it up. Obviously annoying and lots of extra paperwork, but probably doable.

Don't hold your breath they have said and then extended it at least 15 times.

If the land borders are closed, what makes you think a truck could cross it with cargo? I sure hope that Azerbaijan land borders open so I don't have to get another Russian transit visa, since I need 2 to go to & from Mongolia from Kazakhstan. Even better would be if Turkmenistan would open so I could take a ferry to Turkmenbashi.

Freight traffic IS crossing the Georgia/Azerbaijan E/W and W/E. The land border into AZ is only closed for tourists, on foot, or with their own vehicle. Flying into AZ (with an e-visa) is straight forward for all.

This might be of interest if travelling E/W: https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...-across-103601

Get a double entry Russia tourist or business visa? Do Russia transit visas even exist today?

Now I'm even quoting myself :) ... See attached.

This morning, someone on a very useful Facebook group reports they have freighted their vehicle across the Ge/Az land border and are about to join their car from Alat to Kuryk on a ferry.

*Bump*
Everything is in place and this trip is going ahead in September this year. Still space for a few more vehicles. Who's in?bier

*Bump* again......

*Bump*….....any intrepid souls out there who want to ride the "roof of the world"? Kashgar; Mt. Kailash; Mt. Everest; Lhasa; Shangri-la........places of legend!

Hi, I'm very interested if you've still got space for one man and a motorbike.
Looks like this could fit in with my trip perfectly.

Legins Log. Hi, yes! You are more than welcome. I have sent you a DM. What bike are you on?
Cheers

I'm on an old but good BMW 1200gs.

Hi,
I've checked out your info on facebook and done some costings based on the information there and on the internet, and this is definately lookikg like the way to go for me.
Please excuse my ignorance, I'm not very well versed in computer/ social media type stuff so this might sound stupid, but, you said you sent me a DM, i presume this is a message of somekind, but what kind of message and how do i find it?

@legins log,

Check the top page of this forum page and you will see the word "private messages".

Click on it and you should see your messages there.

Hope that helps.

Yes, as 9w6vx said (thanks!). I meant PM (private message), not DM. I'm not great on computers myself!

Hi,
I've checked out your info on facebook and done some costings based on the information there and on the internet, and this is definately lookikg like the way to go for me.
Please excuse my ignorance, I'm not very well versed in computer/ social media type stuff so this might sound stupid, but, you said you sent me a DM, i presume this is a message of somekind, but what kind of message and how do i find it?

Look at the top right corner of this page; below your username, you will see "private messages" (in a blue font), click on that

Or you (or anyone else interested) can email me at:
neilmunro69 at hotmail dot co dot uk
Cheers.bier

Hey Ouro,
PM sent,
I don't manage to see it in my SentBox so please tell me if not received,
Cheers

Alright mate; message received and responded to.
Cheers

Bump.
We have a group coming together nicely for this trip. Entry into China will be on Thursday 31st August and exit into Laos will be the 29/30 September. Still room for a few more people, all vehicles welcome, but those with 4 wheels especially so. Anyone interested for a trip across the roof of the world.....? Kashgar, Mt. Kailash, holy lakes, Mt. Everest, Lhasa, Shangri-la (the list goes on....!)
Cheers.

Bump. Clocks ticking..,.........:D:scooter:

How much is it with a motorcycle?

Hi. I think you just contacted me on FB.
The cost is $3,500 per vehicle/person including accommodation. Ideally we will be a group of 8 vehicles, maybe one or two more depending on demand. We enter China on 31st August so that we are out of China and into Laos before the Chinese "golden week" holidays start. 29 day (+1 day contingency) crossing via Xinjiang, Tibet and Yunnan.
Cheers.

There are only a couple of places left on this trip, if anyone else here is interested to join us.
Cheers.

Hello all.
We are getting close to the deadline for signing up for this trip. Any more bikes or 4 wheelers who want to join the 7 of us already committed?
Cheers.

Hi Gsgypsy,

I've PM'ed you for more details :clap:

Best regards,
Haren

Tagging Along
 

So does that mean that quote mean a motorcyclist on a foreign non-chinese registered bike could ride it in sync while the larger convoy and traverse China on his own bike for $3,500?

journey done?
 

hi
definetly, have done the journey?
if yes, where I can se trp's notices?
if no, would you try again this year 2024?
b.r.

@SeniGreg. That was the all inclusive price we paid; but it was by no means a "convoy". Outside of Xinjiang province, we were free to ride each day as we wished. With others or alone; we had a destination hotel to aim for, but each member of the group were free to choose their own route to get there.

@safadeza. Trip successfully completed; and very enjoyable it was too. Nobody on the trip did a blog (as far as I'm aware), but Olli (who was on the trip) has a YouTube channel (although he hasn't comprehensively covered the China leg of his trip as yet) @ollituomas.
I would do the trip again in a heartbeat. Loved it.

Also Legin's Log on Facebook has posted stuff about the trip.

thanks a lot ouroboros2015
I have put a annonce for looking for same companions for sept 2024 in this forum...
can you write here (I don't know if it s possible) the agency's name?
or sending me a PM?
goods journeys

@safadeza
I used Ride China. Contact Jah (highly recommended).