KKH heading north - August 2015
 

Hi all,

Still planning my trip Sydney to London. Next area to plan is from Pakistan - China - Kyrgyzstan via the Karakorum Hwy around mid-August 2015. All the other threads so far have been in the other direction!

Khunjerab Pass - Tashkurgan - Kashgar - Irkeshtam Pass

I have contacted Navo and am awaiting a quote / details, but I'm hoping to join with other travellers to share the guide costs etc.

Thanks,

David

Kyrg-Europe
 

Hi David, how are you planning to get from Kyrg to London? Would be interested to join in September.
best Horst

Once I make it into Kyrgyzstan I'll be doing a short loop through souther Kazakhstan, around Lake Issyk-Kul, then heading south into Tajikistan along the M41 / Pamir Hwy, into Uzbek checking out Samarkand and Bukhara, get a transit visa across Turkmen into Iran, then spending a few weeks touring Iran - being Aussie I shouldn't need a guide for Iran.

Still awaiting details from Navo but hoping to be able to share the costs across this part of China.

I have now had the reply from Navo.

For a 5 day / 4 night crossing (100-200km per day with a rest day in Kashgar), it is:

21000 yuan (~$3400USD today) for a solo rider
13450 yuan (~$2200USD) each for 2 riders / 2 bikes
11266 yuan (~$1800USD) each for 3 riders / 3 bikes
10175 yuan (~$1600USD) each for 4 riders / 4 bikes

I think with a 4WD along the price would be somewhat cheaper as the guide can ride shotgun with the car, but for bikes only there needs to be a car for the guide too. Also, this price includes all permits etc but does NOT include accomodation or food (estimated at 300 yuan per person per day).

Just for me going across solo that's a very high cost that I'm not keen on, but if I could find just one other person / vehicle to share it with it'd be much closer to my budget.

If anyone else is thinking of heading North along the KKH around August please make contact with me via PM. Navo need 2-3 months notice to arrange the permits etc.

Never accept the first price :wink3:
Take a look at this list: Kashgar Travel Services: Kashgar Travel Agency & Kashgar Tour Operator List

Then drop a line to New Lands Travel. They have done lots of trips for bikes.

Thanks for the info.

I have made contact with a few other companies off that list, I'll see what other groups say.

Still looking for people to split the costs...?

Got replies back, Kashgar New Land seems to be the go, only a 4 day / 3 night crossing but prices are literally half of Navo:

1 person / 1 bike: $1600USD
2 pers / 2 bikes: $1900USD ($950 ea)
3 pers / 3 bikes: $2200USD ($733 ea)
4 pers / 4 bikes: $2500USD ($625 ea)

Just need to sort my Pakistan visa out first, then lock in the China guide.

For what it whort, may i suggest to get a deal with Newland.
i've managed a group to get into china on 2010 (8 people, 7 bikes), and i'm on about to do the same next year b.t.w., and i/we had a good feedback about it, plus the cheapest option of course.
burocracy to get chinese permits is a time consumer, be prepared to deal with it.

KKH Pak via Kashgar into Kyrgyzstan -- Mid June 2015
 

6 of us, on 6 bikes are planning KKH route (into Kashgar and exit China into Kyrgyzstan), around mid June 2015. Gotten 2 quotes so far, both quoted around US$1000 each for this 4-5 days leg. That's too much for us !!!

Have been searching but not able to get a single info whether :--

1) Is is possible to exit Pakistan via KKH, travel along G314 (China) up to Tajikistan crossing, completely bypass Kashgar ? Do Chinese guide still needed? Is Tajikistan boarder open for crossing? Estimating distance using google map is about 250km from Sost, which is do-able within a day...... Anyone done this before?

2) Is it possible to truck our bikes across China from Sost into Osh, Kyrgyzstan? Bikers will then take buses into Osh to re-unite with bikes, via Kashgar. Any recommendation of contacts for cargo trucking company in Sost for this route?

3) Is it possible to fly (both bikes and bikers) from Sost to Osh?

So sorry that my first post are full of questions. We are now quite desperate in deciding on our route and timing so that we are into the Stans not later than end June. Thanks in advance for all feedbacks.....

When you cross the border and start down into China, there is a military checkpoint half a km or so down the road. They only check you have a visa as far as I know. You have to remember there are some sensitive borders in this area - Afghanistan is one although there is no road link to it.
Next is Tashkurgan. This is where the passport control and vehicle import is done. No guide and you will be turned back. The next road you can turn off on is not until Karasul. If I remember correctly, there is a checkpoint there. Its in a narrow gorge with no way round it. The map I have shows a road there that goes to Tajikistan. No idea if its a road or track or goat trail. Others may know.

I have a KKH map in jpeg format if you want it. When you click in the image it zooms in. Its about 1.7meg.PM me if you want it.

John