UK-India motorcycle ride
 

Hi All,
Here to introduce myself. This is Felix Stanley from UK. Have been riding for many years, now ready to venture out on intercontinental road journey's on my motorcycle :mchappy:

Planning to do UK-India by road in 2023. Went solo to the Himalays on a Kawasaki Versys 650 in Nov-Dec 2020, a round trip of close to 10,000kms.

Hoping in the days to come, I can get necessary help/advise from all those who have been there and done it before.

Thanks and regards,
Felix

Welcome to the HUBB. A very general question so I'll give very general suggestions. I assume the round trip to the Himalayas was starting elsewhere in India as 10,000 km would barely cover one way to the Himalayas from the UK.

Who knows what the world will look like in 2023, but I imagine you will still need a carnet for Pakistan and India.

If you are travelling on a UK passport you will likely need to jump through some hoops to get an Iranian visa (before Iran closed due to covid you would have needed to book yourself on an escorted tour).

Don't be scared of Pakistan, in my opinion it is the highlight of the whole trip and far nicer to spend time in than India (though India has some great parts too).

Spend as much time as you can and take every opportunity to spend time with local people rather than gravitating towards other foreigners.

Don't pass through Iran in the middle of summer, it's the worst time to visit. Spring is the nicest. Autumn is fine. Winters are cold and snowy in the highlands of the west.

Don't rush through Turkey thinking it's boring because it's so close to Europe, there are a huge amount of things to see in the country, particularly if you like ancient history.

If you've not been to Iran before, ditch your preconceptions.

Just some thoughts.

EO

Welcome on board Felix. Lots on information on here to read on to help you plan. Will share some plans with you. First decision is on the route - there are three
a) northern / top route - Europe (Poland >Lithuania > LAtvia) then into Russia and right across to Omsk to drop down into Kazahkstan > China > Nepal/Pakistan and into India
b) Middle route - Europe, but enter Asia via Turkey ... and then Georgia > Russia> Kazhakhstan > Uzbekistan > Tajikistan > China > Nepal/Pakistan > India
c) Southern Route - Europe > Turkey, and as EO above says, IRan, Pakistan and then into India.

The middle route is the most exciting and interesting.

Once you've decided upon the route, then the planning starts.

On the middle route, a UK passport ensures that you only need visa for
a) Turkey (online)
b) Russia (visit the embassy)
c) China (visit the embassy), and a bit of a tedious and expensive process, you also need a China approved travel agency)
d) Nepal (visit the UK embassy)

The rest is - just ride :)

Enjoy the planning and then the trip. bier

Thanks for the advice and tips Kurien

Yes, it was from the South of India to the Himalays and back

Hi. I did UK to India in August 1995. Was a bit short of time, hence, did the journey in 24 days!!. Still had a blast though.

Pretty much what has been said however, you can probably count china out for the foreseeable future and Iran is going to be very difficult for you if you hold a UK passport. You will require an escort at considerable cost which will severely restrict your time in an amazing country.