Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > West and South Asia
West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree8Likes
  • 7 Post By Kiki
  • 1 Post By Kiki

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 14 Oct 2019
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 29
Iran to India via Pakistan (Mirjaveh-Taftan-Wagah)

I did a bit of research on this subject before going so I figured it could be useful to some people : we just crossed Pakistan (early October 2019 - 2 Swiss guys with tigers 800). To put it simply, it all went well, perfectly safe, no problem at all.

We slept in Zahedan and headed to Mirjaveh early on a Monday.

Had a bit of a hard time getting fuel in Zahedan (that card thing they have in Iran, not a problem anywhere else in the country but there....), we finally found a pump where we could get fuel and they actually offer it to foreign tourists. Here's where : 29°24'36.28''N 60°49'30.77'' E).

The formalities are easy at the border, takes about 2 hours total. Of course, visas and Carnet required.

Entered Pakistan at around 11. The escort had already left so we slept one night in Taftan. The Levies took us into town to buy food.

Next day, Tuesday, we went to Dalbandin, no problem to get gas in Taftan, just asked the Levies. It was bottle benzine but it worked fine.

Slept in the only hotel in Dalbandin and had a meal there, didn't cost much.

Next day, Wednesday, we went to Quetta, again no problem to get gas, food and water in Dalbandin.

We got into the Bloom star hotel in Quetta, paid 2'500 rupees per night per person. It wasn't as bad as we excepted but a bit pricey. Wifi worked fine there by the way.

Next morning, Thursday, we waited until around 10 for the escort to arrive to do the NOC. We tried to get moving the same day to Sukkur, it's a waste of time from what I understood, you have to spend 2 nights in Quetta. The office is still closed from Friday at noon until Monday. We got lucky, two Turkish riders didn't and probably got stuck in Quetta for the weekend.

So the next day, Friday, we moved to Sukkur, still had the escorts.

The night after that, Saturday, we went to Multan, same thing, still got escorted and we arrived in Lahore the day after that so on Sunday.

We weren't allowed to exit the hotels in Sukkur in Multan.

So in total, it took us one week to cross Pakistan. It's not a lot but we had to wait quite some time for some of the escorts. We had to choose between visiting India or Pakistan so that's why we went kind of fast. I suppose if you go on the smaller roads you can shake the escorts after Sukkur or Multan. Looks worthwhile scenery was amazing. The people we met were great and we didn't have any problem.

Sometimes the escorts were driving stupidly slow so we ended up overtaking them to get them to move faster. Didn't cause any problem and we had a few laughs with them.

There's a big motorways being built that will go pretty much from Sukkur to Lahore but as of now, it's not available for motorcycles. Some dudes at a toll let us on that motorway to get around Lahore but we got stopped by the cops 20 kils later and asked to exit so don't try, waste of time.

We had good roads all along Pakistan and from Sukkur there are plenty of gas stations.

We teamed up with a backpacker from Belgium in Taftan and travelled with him, he also had to sleep 2 nights in Quetta and than took a 27 hrs train ride to Lahore. It also went fine for him.

As for Wagah to get into India, it was a piece of cake. Got there at around 09h30 Pak time and there was no one. Still took us two hours to get through because of the paperwork. Visas and Carnet required naturally.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 21 Oct 2019
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 96
Yes unfortunately no bikes on the Motorway, which would make life so much easier. You can try, like a certain arrogant Polish female biker did recently, but you will only end up being arrested and sent back to where you came from.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 4 Nov 2019
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Lahore
Posts: 13
Hello KIKI thanks for pure information. what you did just cross border and don't try riding in North Pakistan. Did you had short time ??? I experience lot of over-landers just cross Pakistan from Taftan to Wagha and don't touch north. is it because of difficult and annoyed time with POLICE ESCORTS ??
THANKS
SHAH
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 4 Nov 2019
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 29
I just did not have enough time to go to north Pakistan. I met people who went there and did not have any problems and were able to go around whitout the police escorts.

Great country, great people even if we just stayed one week we enjoyed it
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 26 Jan 2020
Martin_Brons's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 5
Additional costs

Hello Kiki,

I was wondering: you were talking about paperwork at the Indian border. Do you also need to get insurance or anything when you get into India?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 27 Jan 2020
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 29
Hi,

No I did not have to contract any kind in insurance in India, it's regular border crossing paperwork : customs, immigration, they search your bike and you go on.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11 Feb 2020
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 27
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiki View Post
I did a bit of research on this subject before going so I figured it could be useful to some people : we just crossed Pakistan (early October 2019 - 2 Swiss guys with tigers 800). To put it simply, it all went well, perfectly safe, no problem at all.

We slept in Zahedan and headed to Mirjaveh early on a Monday.

Had a bit of a hard time getting fuel in Zahedan (that card thing they have in Iran, not a problem anywhere else in the country but there....), we finally found a pump where we could get fuel and they actually offer it to foreign tourists. Here's where : 29°24'36.28''N 60°49'30.77'' E).

The formalities are easy at the border, takes about 2 hours total. Of course, visas and Carnet required.

Entered Pakistan at around 11. The escort had already left so we slept one night in Taftan. The Levies took us into town to buy food.

Next day, Tuesday, we went to Dalbandin, no problem to get gas in Taftan, just asked the Levies. It was bottle benzine but it worked fine.

Slept in the only hotel in Dalbandin and had a meal there, didn't cost much.

Next day, Wednesday, we went to Quetta, again no problem to get gas, food and water in Dalbandin.

We got into the Bloom star hotel in Quetta, paid 2'500 rupees per night per person. It wasn't as bad as we excepted but a bit pricey. Wifi worked fine there by the way.

Next morning, Thursday, we waited until around 10 for the escort to arrive to do the NOC. We tried to get moving the same day to Sukkur, it's a waste of time from what I understood, you have to spend 2 nights in Quetta. The office is still closed from Friday at noon until Monday. We got lucky, two Turkish riders didn't and probably got stuck in Quetta for the weekend.

So the next day, Friday, we moved to Sukkur, still had the escorts.

The night after that, Saturday, we went to Multan, same thing, still got escorted and we arrived in Lahore the day after that so on Sunday.

We weren't allowed to exit the hotels in Sukkur in Multan.

So in total, it took us one week to cross Pakistan. It's not a lot but we had to wait quite some time for some of the escorts. We had to choose between visiting India or Pakistan so that's why we went kind of fast. I suppose if you go on the smaller roads you can shake the escorts after Sukkur or Multan. Looks worthwhile scenery was amazing. The people we met were great and we didn't have any problem.

Sometimes the escorts were driving stupidly slow so we ended up overtaking them to get them to move faster. Didn't cause any problem and we had a few laughs with them.

There's a big motorways being built that will go pretty much from Sukkur to Lahore but as of now, it's not available for motorcycles. Some dudes at a toll let us on that motorway to get around Lahore but we got stopped by the cops 20 kils later and asked to exit so don't try, waste of time.

We had good roads all along Pakistan and from Sukkur there are plenty of gas stations.

We teamed up with a backpacker from Belgium in Taftan and travelled with him, he also had to sleep 2 nights in Quetta and than took a 27 hrs train ride to Lahore. It also went fine for him.

As for Wagah to get into India, it was a piece of cake. Got there at around 09h30 Pak time and there was no one. Still took us two hours to get through because of the paperwork. Visas and Carnet required naturally.

Hi Kiki.. Thanks for that info, as i am also considering this route this year..
Is it required to have the guides during your trip or is there a way around it?
cheers..
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 14 Feb 2020
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 29
Hello,

From what I understood, having to have a guide for Iran depends from the country you're from. Not 100% sure though.

The agency through which I took my visas for Iran also told me that I needed a guide for Iran. I didn't agree and went with it and it was not required or even mentioned at the border in Mirjaveh. I'm from Switzerland by the way.

I have heard from other travelers that it's getting harder to actually get a visa for Iran now, because of the situation there of course. Not sure if it's true or not and we've been hearing stuff like that for a few years I believe.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Armed escort Iran - Pakistan (Mirjaveh - Taftan) & across to Lahore, October 2016 Stewart newsome Ride Tales 0 5 Nov 2016 08:36
Border Crossing - Wagah (Pakistan / India) on a motorcycle SaigonBlaze West and South Asia 15 27 Oct 2016 06:41
2015 - Heading east from Europe, add your itinerary / plans kim Travellers Seeking Travellers 190 5 Mar 2016 08:38
Traveling through Pakistan (Iran > Pakistan > India) Helge Jacobsen West and South Asia 27 8 Oct 2014 13:56
Looking for a place to sleep in Nepal, India, Pakistan and Iran chrisvw West and South Asia 5 20 Jun 2013 01:17

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 21:38.