From Delhi to Paris on 2 wheels
 

Hello,

I'm trying to organize for my husband and I, an overland road trip from Delhi to Paris, to bring back our nepalese royal enfield, from June to September 2015, crossing Pakistan - Iran then Turkey.

We are french citizen, looking information mainly regarding visa to Pakistan and Waggah border, then crossing the border to Iran. Do you have any recommendation, regarding route and papers to follow ?

Is it good option to ship the bike directly to Iran as I don't find any recent feed back about french tourist in Pakistan,

Thanks a LOT for your help, I'm happy to join the HU community

So

Hi Sophie!

i will start my Journey from Indonesia to Paris, will start in the end of April. i guess we have the same routes since i will pass India then to Pakistan and Iran also.

since i'm from Indonesia, i just apply 'Carnet de Passage' for my motorbike, and for person i apply visa in Embassy or visa on arrival.

cheers
Mario

I'm hoping to be doing the route in reverse around the same time - leaving Europe mid April and arriving in India at the end of May - via Turkey, Iran and Pakistan. We might pass en route - would be good to say hello.

There aren't' millions of tourists going through Pakistan, but there are some. Some good blogs include:

• garth's africa
• Perth to Perth

Both went through Pakistan and Iran in the last year or so. And both are occasional HUBBers.

This appears to be the pretty standard route for overlanders crossing Pakistan - and is as far as my planning goes so far https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...k.kAFf3sduHVOg

Hope this helps.

Dave

@Dave
Yes,thats the only available route in Pakistan and by free escorts between taftan gate and Multan in very low speed....(sometimes lahore depending on security conditions)
You will have to obey the escorts and stay where they take you to..Generally camping at levis checkpoints is possible...Safe, friendly and adventureous stages of this trip..

@Sophie

1-Carnet is a must for Pakistan and İran.
2-Visa application for Pakistan must be done in your home country.
3-No carnet for Turkey,visa available at all gates,buying a turkish road insurance is needed.As being a french citizen,you can even enter Turkey with your identity card or expired passport...

Good luck and all the best..

Sophie I went from Delhi to Uk a year ago. Paris was my second last halt the last one being Dunkrik from where ai took a ferry to Dover, Uk. Went thro the Silk Route.

Pakistan visa in Nepal ?
 

Hello,

happy to see all your answers today, thanks !!!

@ Mehmet Zeki Avar: I have a big deal now, as we're not in France and we won't be before the big trip ...

Does anyone has some news regarding Pakistan visa for French citizen ? is it possible to make it in Nepal/Sri Lanka or India ?

The only way would be to ship the bike to Iran ?

There's an australian guy making the same kind of trip right now you can follow is adventure here : The answer is always yes...

Thanks for your help !!!

sophie

Your visa question might be answered by the Pakistani embassy in India, rather than here… ;-)

Thanks for the advice Mehmet - any idea how slow the escort is from the border to either Multan or Lahore - how many days?

Dave

Merhaba,
@Dave

Lucky you!
5 Turkish biker and 1 cyclist friends did this route last year. also similar notes were on hubb a few weeks ago..nothing has changed since 1996.. so here goes current information and notes.

will be a long writing...Lets start with İran, as there are some important tips...

Road between tehran and zahedan through kerman bam ok...If you want to take the easter road from mashad to zahedan (parallel to afghan border), you may meet some problems...taking photos on this part is prohibited, and all foreign travellers in this part are questioned by civil army polices, taken to police stations and all photos and luggages also checked very carefully..
If you are lucky,you can meet an english speaking officer, otherwise loss of 1-2 days..

In zahedan iran,ask the hotel guys to telephone to have the early escort to the gate so that you can enter pakistan before 4 pm...most dangerous parts are between taftan gate and multan..definitely obey the escort rules and they will never let you go out alone...

-zahedan ıran/dalbandin pakistan is 404 km.2 days(sometimes 3) and you will spend a night at the levis checkpoint with a prison..
the chief officer gives his room for couples or a prison room free otherwise free camping in the garden or on the roof in the shadows of AK 47.s.(according to weather)
In dalbandin you will be taken to hotel al davood.Beer was 8 usd. in black market.

-dalbandin quetta is 340 km.8 hours and you will be taken to boomstar hotel.15 usd..IMPORTANT..In quetta you have to take the NOC. certificate to continue your trip..you bodyguards will take you there.generally need 1 day...(In Lahore also to continue to ıran gate)

-quetta sukkur is 392 km and 11 hours..worst part of the road..you will be taken to red carpet hotel..14 usd..Till this point, 1 lt gas and 1,5 lt. water was 1 usd in the black market on roadsides..be careful for the water..dont buy the refilled bottles...(same in India)

-sukkur multan is 495 km. on 10 hours..between cities you will change many escorts,your personal inf.will be written on many notebooks,sometimes will have to wait for the following escort in no mans lands to take you to the next change point...If you accept to take the police as a pillion on the back of your bike,with the gun near your ear!!, you can be faster in some stages...

-Multan lahore is 368 km.and best part of the road.
approximately 4-5 nıghts needed on this road.But all depends on the safety conditions while on the road as the escorts act according to daily situations..

Lahore based motocycle clup, MAP. (chapters in all cities) is always helpful for travellers in pakistan..they are great guys, so friendly and helpful that dont hesitate to contact them...In multan, try to meet Muhammed İqbal for the nice hospitality of pakistani friends..they always ride to all parts of the country so all current information,about roads,KKH,paperworks,road permissions, etc. are available with them.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/MAPakistan/

Lahor wagah gate to ındia is 67 km..dont miss the gate closing and flags ceremony in the evening.then 33 km. to amritsar,golden temple..

Hope You will love this natural beautiful country,too..

Wish you always be at the right place, at the right time and with the right road friends..(ı guess thats what we need mainly while on the road)
All written here is for this purpose.

And after you complete your trip,please share your experiences,advices and tips also.Be sure, this will return to you as a good favour at an unexpected time...

All the best..

Visa is only available from your home country, I flew back to mine to get my paki visa, Heading over the Wagah border tomorrow, Ill let you know how it goes Sohie :) Thanks Mehmet great info

Sophie
Any info needed let me know.

Hi Sophie ( My grandmothers name also :) )
Visa : Yes you must apply from your home country . I am American and was on the road at the time also .. While in Turkey , by DHL I sent my passport to the Pakistan consulate in the USA. They ask for a return DHL envelope which I also included with the application .. BUT the return DHL was to my home address in Seattle. When it arrived I had a friend send it again to my location in Turkey ..
I keep my cell phone in the USA active ... and checked messages to see the Pakistan consulate wanted a phone interview .. I called them explaining that I wanted to see the Himalayan mountains, places like Kirimabad ( eagles nest lodge a must stay ) KKH, etc..

I also explained that Pakistan was not at the top of my places in the world to visit, but I had already visited many countries by motorcycle and wanted visit. He could see from my passport many visa's .. asked about a few countries and gathered I was not a a newbe to travel.. We did not discuss the motorcycle much, but I did not hide the fact either.. Hope this helps
Garth , garthsafrica.blogspot.ca

Overland to London
 

Hi Sophie
We are bikers group from India,planning for the same route to London in June,probabely 23 rd june,our dates may be parallel,we are going skip pakistan planning to ship our bikes to Bandar abbas or Tehran,then overland journey for 40 days,i would also like to share this thread,
has anybody shipped bike to Iran from india?please guide us

greetings from Lahore, NZs going great in the cricket btw.

well after going through so much to get my Pakistan visa I assumed the Iran one would be a cake walk. planned early paid, early, waited still waiting Nothing! applied (paid) again with a different company theyve gone home for the weekend Iran is shut thursdays and fridays maybe something will happen next week which I paid a Im still waiting. For some reason I can not get a Iran visa .wondering now what month the first group go through China I think the border opens in early April?

Oh and yeah I feel very safe here in Lahore I do keep my head down I havent seen many other tourists but Im not really lookin. Its funny I read this post again an see Jonathan mentioned above Hope we can ride together for a bit hes on his way soon

'Nowruz' - Persian New Year - March 21st
 

Iran's MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) does not process visa applications for a period of one month, from around March 5th – April 5th each year.

I suggest you re-submit your application after this period.
.

I was told similar last week - although I was told 15 days around Iranian / Zoroastrian New Year. Scuppered my plans to pick up a visa in Dublin before I set off, and I will now (if granted) pick it up en route in Istanbul.

This might be of interest though - 14 day, extendable, visa on arrival for most nationalities Iran Travel Agency | Iran Tour Operator | Iran Tour Packages | Iran Tickets | Iran Flight Tickets Iran visa, Invitation of Iran visa, reference number, visa for Iran, Iran visa, Iranian visa, visa, Iran on arrival visa

Dave

Hi Sohpie... And Shane...

My website you linked lead me here. I tend to avoid the hub but I thought I would jump on with some information. You will struggle to get your bike out of India into Pakistan without a Carnet. Its possible to get one if you are signed off by both your country of origin and India.

I had a German mate who rode home from Chennai. - He had a resident visa for India though so the bike was fully in his name. He also had to send home to get his Pakistan visa (via DHL). Its tricky but like all things it is possible. Just look into getting the carnet for your bike as a resident of Nepal or Chennai. If you are not a resident you will struggle.

I have to disagree, you cannot get a Carnet for any Indian reg vehicle, they have been banned by the FIAA, the agency that oversees the issuing of all International CDP. If the bike is Nepali reg you should apply to your home country Automobile association on the grounds that you cannot get one in Nepal. I did exactly this 2 years ago and the AA in UK issued me one, cost £1000. Your big problem is the Pak visa which is only available in your country of residence.
good luck, UB.

Hi Sophie,
Here are my current experience for a visa to Pakistan. I am in Bangkok to find myself on the return journey by motorcycle to Germany. I just got a 30 day visa for Pakistan after 2 days processing. For the visa I have a recommendation letter from the German embassy needed. This was issued without difficulty. I do not know whether this option for travelers from France also true.
Hartmut

I disagree Uselessbaba
I got a carnet for my Indian Bike in June 2013 valid for a year. You still get them now. I can assit if needed.

hi there :)

thanks a lot for all your answers,
we are currently in Nepal still trying to organize our trip, taking some days off to lower Mustang !
unfortunately we don't meet french citizen to share experience regarding paki visa

keeping you update if we get any reliable information

Thanks again :D

....................................


Interesting, could you tell us who were the issuing agency and for which countries was it valid and for which countries accepted it and allowed you to enter ???
UB.

..................


I seem to remember this guy, didn't he end up air freighting the bike to Bishek and riding back through the Stans ?


If he really did get an Indian CDP and rode the Pak, Iran route, why don't you ask him for the details and post them up here for us ?


Being a resident of Nepal will not get you a CDP for an Indian bike and Chennai is not a country, it is a city in India. It is not about the country of YOUR residence, it is about the country in which the VEHICLE is registered !!
I believe it was in 2002 that the FIA/AIT in Geneva banned the issuing of CDP for Indian reg vehicles.


But I look forward to hearing how your friend achieved this !!


UB.

Wiaa Western India Automobile Association, Mumbai, India, give the Carnet De Passage valid for most countires that honour it, a list which is mentioned behind the Carnet.

Mine was issued March 2013 valid for a year by FIA issued thro WIAA Mumbai.

Hi Kayjay, you're the first person I've heard of thats managed to get one, and I know plenty who've tried. In my experience ( and I've had a few over the years) you have to specify which countries you intend to visit, because the price of the deposit varies depending on the countries. The last one I had was only valid for Iran,Pakistan,India and Nepal. Did you actually use it on your trip ?
UB.

As of now Carnets are easily available in India. Minecwas Stamped first in India then Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan Kazakhsatan Russia and entry into europe ie Finland and finally exit in Dunkrik, France then Dover in UK. Although UK does not recoznise a Carnet I insited for a stamp as I had to send my bike by ship to India for customs sake.

I did not have to mention the countries I was going thro. The Carnet only cost me 170 USD with a deposit of USD 500. The was a grace after pulling strings which work in India. The Carnet has a list of countries printed behind who treat it as a valid document.

My Enfield bike is 1994 manu. An old bike though. Resale value of my bike USD 250 only. But I know her heatbeat and she is a reliable soul.

Hi Kajay, sounds like you had a good trip, but you do realise that none of these countries actually required a CDP and you could have done so without one ? I know of several people who have air-freighted Indian bikes to Bisheck and ridden back to Europe through the 'Stans' without a CDP.
I'm sorry to labour the point, but I'm trying to find out if anyone has actually managed to obtain and then use an Indian CDP to enter a country where it is actually required, like Pakistan or Iran, for example !


Happy travels, UB.

Oh I havent gone thro Pakistan or Iran. I get ur point.