I am planning on riding from London to India. Have looked at all the routes / political situations and it seems to indicate a route taking in Europe to Russia, through to Irkutz then Mongolia, China, Myanamar and on to India. Circuitous I know but what the hell.

My questions are how easy is it to
enter Mongolia from Russia (Khyagt)?
Enter China at Erenhot?
Exit China at Ruili
Enter Myanamar at Muse
Exit Myanamar at Pansau

I realise there is a lot of info on the HUBB but would like to know if anyone has any up to date experience of this, or any tips. I don't plan on using any agents and will be riding solo or possibly two up - only if I can convince my better half to come out of the comfort zone.

I understand about the Carnet, can sort out visas and insurance, but don't want to get caught at a border and not be able to continue

Hi,

Well my wife and I completed the first part of your journey last August so our experience is pretty up to date.

We did not need a Carnett anywhere at all and we crossed 27 borders up to and including the following Western Europe, Eastern Europe incl Russia then Mongolia, China, Laos and Thailand.
Your Questions.
1. The border crossing from Russia in to Mongolia, both sides of the border everyone was so helpful to the point on the Mongolian side the customs department assigned a designated officer that spoke good English to stay with us all the time, (amazing service).
2. Enter China at Erenhot? on the Mongolian side it is a bit mad as the Mongolians in there 4x4's crossing are all trying and do push in front of everybody, so you have got to be firm and hold your place.
We had an amazing guide on the Chinese side that did all the paper work prior to us getting to the border.
On the point of guides in China or traveling without, I think that it is great that some travelers are attempting China without a guide, but from my experience of traveling north to south over 30 days I don't think it would be easy on your own, ie how would you explain to the police when they stop you, when you arrive at the very many auto toll booths and when entering one of the national parks that also have tolls that you have got to pay for, to mention just a few points.
Anyway I hope this helps a little and I hope you have a great time on your travels and if I can be any more help please contact me

Dave

there´s still the slight problem of costs to be kept in mind.. or did you get the guide and crossings to/from China for free?

There have been some claims, to be able to ride China without a guide, but let´s just say it does not seem very common at all, and I don´t think it would happen without very good contacts and meticulous planning. Also the OP would need a guide to get into Burma, and pay for that as well.

For travelling "freely", like you would in, say, Europe, or the US, this is not the best direction to go to. China and Burma are the main reasons for that, if you leave them out, then it already gets easier, although Pakistan & India would require the carnet, but generally no guides (possible police escorts in parts of Pakistan).

Ali & Julian Travels (this is a clickable link) is a very complete blog of a couple who travelled from Australia to Europe and back. The return trip involved similar countries to what you plan. Way down towards the bottom is a post giving the visas and requirements and that might give you some ideas.

I know they spent a lot of days in Turkey trying to sort out visas for subsequent parts of the trip. Sometimes you just can't arrange visas on the road and must get friends in home country to send in the applications and that means sending passports in too and that sometimes means you have to stay put in the country you are in or have two passports. Then comes the somtimes crazy restrictions on validity of visas and allowable length of stay or transit.

All part of the journey of course, but would be good if it wasn't needed. (South America is much more convenient)

__________________
Tony
Click here for Travel Photos & Travel Map

Although some think independent travel is the only way .. Do you think that you had a better experience by taking the guide ?

When I first came to Thailand, I knew nothing, and its only through learning the language do I get to discover new places, new adventures and have an amazing time ever time i set out on the bike. If you have a guide, surely he / she helps you discover the regions culture instead of viewing it as a bystander ?