Hi,
I used Newland Travel in July 07 and know somebody that used them in Aug 08.
See here for details of how things work:
China Guide
I had booked them through Caravan Cafe, who I understand to be agents. I beleive that the guy who ran Caravan had certain political views that he liked to voice and that the Chinese shut him down. I may be wrong but this was the word on the street when I was there (Caravan shut up shop around a month before I entered but still sorted out the arrangements as you have to book 3 months in advance).
Charles
p.s. good place to stay in Kashgar is Quini Bagh (not sure how that's spelt!)

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UK to Australia 2007
www.planitearth.co.uk

just having caught up with this thread....I have some questions.
How is the planning coming CornishDeity - which company did you decide to use in the end . Are your dates still fixed for Aug 25th?

My husband and I are traveling on 2 motorbikes and are trying to figure out the best way through from KYZ to Pakistan. Our route was going to be through Afghanistan when we originally started our trip - but things are way too volatile there at the moment. So we are having to research new ways round. At the moment it looks like we will be heading off to Uzbek - Turkmen - Iran -Pakistan.....

any information on any other route will gladly be considered.
regards

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Lisa
www.2ridetheworld.com

Hi,

I'm the guy Dotcaf mentioned. Me & my travel partner crossed through China. Originally booked via July Xie / Wayne, but because of political problems (borders closed after the bomb attacks in Kashgar prior to the Olympic Games, paper work frozen) he couldn't get us through. Newland Travel was able to help very(!) last minte and got us through perfectly fine.

Contact at Newland Travel was a guy called Taher. Perfect service. Unfortunately I can't tell you the price as it was a little 'off the radar', but perfectly fine. (The MD of Newland Travel knows someone at immigration in Urumqui, and so made the impossible possible for us).

You'll need 1 day from Torugart to Kashgar. Then 2 days from Kashgar via Tashkorgan to the pass into Sost.
By the way: Apparently they do a visa on arrival for Pakistan at the Sost border station. (I specifically asked them, because at the time of travel planning, I had difficulties getting the Pakistan visa in London. EVentually I got it though...)

I don't think you'll need a guide for your time in Kashgar. Just grab a taxi to go & see the Animal Market/Sunday Market. Bikes are very safe in Quiny Bagh hotel. And as long as you don't use the bikes, you can stay in Kashgar without having to pay a guide.

If it hadn't been for political/border problems, I'm sure Wayne would have been fine and I know a few other people who went with him, all OK. But as soon as China closed the borders to Kyrgyzstan, things got very difficult and the only ones who could help us were Newland Travel. (It's all described in-detail on my blog).

Hope this helps
Bjorn

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http://www.panomoto.com

I am also considering in taking that route (Iran - Turkmenistan - Uzbekistan - Kyrgyzstan - China - Pakistan), however the 25th of Aug is also too early for me. I have no final dates yet, but it looks like entering China around mid/late Sept (2009). Is there anyone else planning on crossing China around that time, so the costs for guides and information could be shared? If so, please get in touch via PM/email. I already tried contacting some of you in this thread, but haven't gotten a reply yet.