Hi,

I am starting to speak to Chinese travel agencies about riding from Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan via China (Torugart Pass & Karakoram Highway) in September 2014.

Yes it's a long way off and yes it's going to cost ££££ but I was wondering if any one else interested in forming a group to help get the price down a bit?

I have found a few travel agencies who can arrange it but can anyone who has done this route recommend one.

Hello,

I used the services of Taher.
taherbasecamp@hotmail.com

Straightforward and professional.

I also formed a group, we met in Kyrgyzstan in a beautiful place, Tash-Rabat caravasar. You get to sleep in yurtas, you drink water from a nearby brook and the food is delicious. Spend there a couple of days resting, since the roads all the way down to Islamabad are quite difficult.

Hi Kim,

so how much are you talking to do the short crossing of China? I read on another thread that I would cost around 2500 USD for a 5 day crossing in 1 car... Sounds a bit crazy :-s Maybe a bike is cheaper?
Did you get a better price estimation?

Hi,

We are interested in doing the same crossing in a 4x4. We are planning for March 2014 though. Either way I would like to know how you go with your planning so we have an idea of what we will be looking at too.
There is a new border that is open to foreigners between Tajikistan and china. This is only about 250km from where you enter china from Pakistan on the Karakoram. I doubt that any of the guides would be interested in accompanying you for such a short distance in such a remote area but it may be worth looking into.

Check out caravinistan it had a lot of info about this area an the associated borders.

As the planing progress I have a clearer idea of dates, and costs.

I am still looking for people to join up with to bring the cost down but if not I will do it solo.

The plan is to enter china in September 2014, the crossing to Pakistan takes 5 days. The date means getting over the pass before it gets too cold and getting into PK after the monsoon season.

The cost is $2661 for the guide and paper work, if I can get anyone to join me this would go down a bit as we only need one guide but I understand the guide is only about 30% of that cost and the rest is permits and vehicle reregistration. (this dose not include accommodation, food, etc..)

The other big cost is transporting the guide as I am on a motorcycle, it is an extra $816 to pay for a car and a driver!!! If someone driving a 4x4 was able to join us and had a spare seat then then this cost would be saved.

Rough idea of costs (worked out my me)

1 x motorcycle $3477 each
2 x motorcycles $2669 each
1 x bike + 1 x car $2261 each
2 x bikes + 1 x car $2128

If any one is interested then I can get a more accurate quote from the travel agent.

Kim

Hi again,

I just saw this other thread... I post it here too to have all the information in the same place.

These two guys, were quoted USD1650 for one bike in February this year... Not sure if they managed to do it at this cost, but the budget they were provided was itemized... I will cross from Pakistan to Kyrgyzstan (preferable Irkeshtram) in June 2014.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...n-augost-69186

Hi Kim,

I am looking at also crossing from Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan in September 2014 so this is of interest to me.

I am currently still trying to fix my departure dates so that I can get optimal weather in Mongolia/Stans.

What is your route/dates before Pakistan if you don't mind me asking?

Also I understand that KKH is in decent condition but should just note a disclaimer that I will probably be slower than what most adventure bikes can manage.

If you'd like to discuss further please contact me at ar@7d1s.com or www.facebook.com/7days1shower

Hi 7days

Sounds like our dates could have matched up but unfortunately I have recently decided to postpone my trip till 2015.

It was a tricky decision but I believe the correct one. There were two key factors... My original plan was to take the Turkey, Iran, Pakistan rout to India but after I decided to take the northern rout I realised I needed extra time to improve my riding level and extra time to save up for the additional cost involved in riding through China. The second factor was I really love my job at the moment and am not ready to give it up yet, leaving next year would have also damaged my ability to get a job in the same field when I return, where as leaving in 2015 will not.

Timing it with the weather is hard, a lot of people say it is best to go before the monsoons but that means traveling through Europe in the winter and then being hit by the monsoons when I reach India / nepal.

My current plan is to leave London in July so that I hit the KKH in September / October. This should mean fairly decent weather through Europe, Russia, Stans and then getting to the KHH after they have repaired any land slide damage but before anything closed down due to snow.

I have liked your face book page so I can keep up to date with your crossing. You mention in you post that you may be slower than most on the KKH, having looked at your facebook page and blog it looks like you have been tackling some pretty mental roads already, I don't think you will be any slower than me...

Hola ktmtobcn!!!

We are to Catalans planing an overland trip from South India to Catalunya next year. The idea is to start on March from Pondicherry to reach Cat on September, riding on Nepal, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, etc... in Pakistan our idea is to cross straight to Iran, but we are considering the north route (KKH) as well. It will be very interesting to be in contact and know more about your itineraries and dates and may be share some of them.

Please contact me if you are interested!!!

Cheers,

Eric

Hey Kim,

Looks like we have similar plans indeed. Pity to hear you have postponed though.

I too am in a job which I really love and will be a bit sad to leave but as they declined my request for 1yr leave/career break I have taken this decision.

Looks like we have similar ideas about the month. I'm looking at starting in Eastern Russia in June/July which would allow me to pass through Mongolia and the Stans in hopefully the drier days while the monsoon is going on in India/Pak and hopefully get into the KKH and northern India riding in mid/late Sept to get the tail end of the riding season in the mountains there also

Thanks for the like, I need to post a lot more content on there but just need to find the time.

Yes my most recent ride was quite challenging, however I will be doing my RTW on a GSXR which Im sure will put me behind in terms of speed with some of the adventure big bikes.

Hi 7days,

just liked your FB site too.

I am looking to do the same crossing at around the same time you mentioned.
There are some people who posted in here:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...2014-a-70846-3

Showing the same interest.

Let's keep in touch.

Cheers

Thanks mate, i have posted in that thread too

there's a bit of talk across multiple threads, I'll see if I can make a bit of a consolidated list at work tomorrow

Kim that's a great route.
travelled the route till China border during this July. I am just curious to know the reason for crossing into Pakistan in Sept/Oct! thats a season when it's really getting cold. my suggestion, basing on experience, Aug/Sept are better .
keep us posted
drop by wen u r in Pak
best o luck

Thanks for the info Blitzboy, I will be sure to drop by.

Can you expand a bit on your suggestion that Aug/Sept are better than Sept/Oct. From what I have read the monsoon season finished this year in northern Pakistan on the 16th of September. Surely I want to pass through a little after that so I a) don't get caught in the middle of it and b) they have had a bit of time to fix an damage caused by the rains.

What ever date I pick it's going to be a compromise though never going to get perfect riding weather across Europe, the Stan's and India.

<throws hat in the ring>

There is a fair bit of cross thread stuff going on - would be good join them all up..

__________________
Mark
http://chasingdreams2014.blogspot.co.uk/