Hi fellas,

heading east (on our motorbikes) from Germany next year
and we want to spend as little as possible (and China route with a guide etc sounds expensive), the idea was
to cross Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan and continue to India and onwards.

Balochistan area is notorious for being unstable for a long time now, so although our idea looks good on the map - going to south eastern Iran and continuing to south-west Pakistan alongside the coast - is it in fact reasonable?

Any latest news on the subject? Does this route sound feasable at all?

Since we intend to deal with visas as we apporach each border, we'd be in a big trouble if we had to change the route and head back to Iran, cross the Stans and somehow organize all the paperwork for China while on the road.

Or better plan the (our) second option ...-Turkey-Iran-Stans-China-Laos-... from here?!

So it seems it's best to get some reliable info and tips on this bit rather than to improvize (for THIS part of our rtw).

Thanks for your comments!

Marc

Hi Marc,

I will be going the Iran/Pak//India route towards S-E starting end of August this year. There seem to be no other option in Pakistan as the usual Taftan/Nalbandian/Quetty escorted route. I may share what I have done on preparation

Take contact with MAP (Motorcycle Association Pakistan) on facebook. They can help you answering questions (especially if you are concerned about security), and is always good to set up a network beforehand. There are a really good bunch of bikers, ready to help!

Be careful about VISA: Visa for Pakistan can only be organized in your home country.

Hope that helps a bit. All people I know who crossed Pakistan were absolutely amazed about their hospitality and safety was an issue which is exagerated from stupid common mass media. As for every kind of travel, especially in a group, keep low profile.

Gruss

__________________
*** Travelling is an everyday discovery of our own ignorance ***

Thanks for your comments, Arkean!
I already contacted MAP on Fb.
Got 2 replies so far, both saying "take the China route - is safer and has a nicer landscape"...
Will follow YOUR experience, too (quite curious ;-)!)

[QUOTE=Mad;509192]Thanks for your comments, Arkean!
I already contacted MAP on Fb.
Got 2 replies so far, both saying "take the China route - is safer and has a nicer landscape"...
Will follow YOUR experience, too (quite curious ;-)!)[/QUOTE


Probably MAPPERS suggested China route because it goes through the KKH which just cant be avoided.
Taftan-Quetta route is closer to Afghanistan and needs security. Balochistan is secure only once you are with the law enforcement officials.
I dont remember reading your post on the FB page of MAP, may i your name there?

I crossed Iran/Pakistan/ India route 2012, everyone has different opinion's but if you asked me would I do the same route again I would say no, travellers who cross with no issue then claim its safe are common place, "its only dangerous when the shit hits the fan" I have to say on my RTW trip Quetta was the most dangerous place I ever went and I felt extremely nervous. I have lost count of the bombings in Quetta (Balochistan) since I past through but its only luck that most get away with travelling through here. I certainly don't think it has anything to do with a mass media beat up of Pakistan, the reality is Quetta has many extremists and regular bombings, the police offer no real protection and probably make you more of a target so I wouldn't say you were "Secure" at all and this is just naïve to think so . This is just my opinion but don't be lulled into a false sense of security by others playing down the risks of travelling in this region. Good luck on your trip

There is violence, but luckily tourists aren´t often targeted. Can think of maybe 1-2 occasions in the past 5 years, when that has happened in that region. There is an elevated risk of kidnapping in some areas, though, and this is what the police are probably useful for – they won´t let tourists go into areas, that have too much risk. Moving on a convoy also makes kidnapping a bit more tricky for the people, who plan to do it.

It is a dodgy area, but fact still remains, that most travellers, who go through there, get through there just fine. There are risks in everything, that we do. Riding a motorcycle is a risk in itself.

May I ask, did you have any security-related issues in Quetta, or Balochistan yourself?

Well, let's turn it the other way. The question is not about going or not. It's imho, more about how to cope with fear.

My guess is, we are mainly afraid from things we don't know. So, here some suggestions:

1. Bookmark and follow Iran/Pak/India english version of their online news, aka (few ones listed here)

Iran
Tehran Times Daily NewsPaper

Pakistan
The Express Tribune - Latest Breaking Pakistan News, Business, Life, Style, Cricket, Videos, Comments
Home - DAWN.COM

India
India News, Latest Sports, Bollywood, World, Business & Politics News - Times of India
Latest News, Breaking News Live, Current Headlines, India News Online | The Indian Express

2. Study some basics of their history, such as the pre/post british colonialist era in India/Pak/Bangladesh and how things evolved into current days.

3. Get deeper into the Balochistan Issue. The "extremists" written above are, as far as I got it, Baloch independentists. Foreigners have little to do with that story, except they see any political benefits if harming us. They take big risks as well, as Pakistan authority takes it very seriously when a foreigner is involved into something

4. Don't claim 100% freedom of movement when there are known restrictions. Adjust it accordingly. The two swiss policemen on rwt have been kidnapped while driving north of Quetta on their own (2012?), without paying attention to what local police said. Fortunately, they did escape and returned home safe.

5. Bring relaxing tea

And if $hit hits the fan, then $hit hits the fan. Life is anyway a deadly desease ;-)

__________________
*** Travelling is an everyday discovery of our own ignorance ***