Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > West and South Asia
No Iran Visa - Alternative Route – Turkey to India No Iran Visa - Alternative Route – Turkey to India
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
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



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 4 Sep 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Dorset, United Kingdom
Posts: 126
No Iran Visa - Alternative Route – Turkey to India
Hi We are currently in Turkey, and are trying to figure out the best route to India, I have been denied a visa 3 times for Iran, so will have to go round,

1) Georgia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, India
Or
2) Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia (not sure we would even get a visa) Oman then ship to India
Has anyone tried these routes or could recommend another ?


Many thanks

Martin
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 4 Sep 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lahore, Pakistan
Posts: 329
Another visa
Hi Martin,
There is no working border between Tajikistan and Pakistan. You will have to go to China first and then cross the Khanjerab Pass to enter Pakistan.
It would be a bit longer but wonderful.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 4 Sep 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 1,731
Sad to hear about politics messing up with travellers plans.

1) I´m no expert, but I think it is either Afganistan or China that you´d first need to get into. And also I´m not sure Tajikistan has international crossings with China (others will probably be able to give better information on this). Also the Karakoram Highway goes through a very high mountain area, so it´s not a year-round route.

2) This might be a complicated route (but entering Egypt won´t be necessary I think), I´d advice to do some research on Saudi-Arabia, there you may also find some big obstacles with visas and permits. Doesnt seem to be a very common route (compared to Iran anyway). And do not expect to find many ferries between the Arabian peninsula and India, at least 3 years ago there weren´t any.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 5 Sep 2010
MEZ MEZ is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Gateshead N/E
Posts: 328
Iran visa
Hi Martin, I read with interest here on Your refusal for a visa into Iran, I am one of a four strong group intending to travel to India next Sept and havnt started to apply for visa's yet. Was You given an answer as to why You were refused..?? We are a few months off applying for our many visa's but would appreciate uptodate info with regard to Our intended route. Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, the most obvious route really. All advise and info welcomed..!!

Good luck Martin, and keep posting.

Mez
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 5 Sep 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: UAE
Posts: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mart456 View Post
Hi We are currently in Turkey, and are trying to figure out the best route to India, I have been denied a visa 3 times for Iran, so will have to go round,

1) Georgia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, India
Or
2) Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia (not sure we would even get a visa) Oman then ship to India
Has anyone tried these routes or could recommend another ?


Many thanks

Martin
Syria needs a visa should be easy. but Saudi is ni on impossible. took me weeks and medicals spaecial applications route identifying, list of hostels, membership of youth hostel ( I am 60) and then inshallah 4-5 weeks.
best option to have bilkes trucked thru and fly to Abu dhabi and pick up in UAE cost 600-1000usd
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 6 Sep 2010
beddhist's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whangarei, NZ
Posts: 2,214
The Khunjerab Pass is probably not an option right now. The KKH has been impassable since a landslide earlier this year and I don't think the current flood disaster has made things any better. To cross China you need a guide/organised tour.

My advice: fly from Turkey to either Kathmandu or Dhacca.
__________________
Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 6 Sep 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Dorset, United Kingdom
Posts: 126
Quote:
Originally Posted by MEZ View Post
Hi Martin, I read with interest here on Your refusal for a visa into Iran, I am one of a four strong group intending to travel to India next Sept and havnt started to apply for visa's yet. Was You given an answer as to why You were refused..?? We are a few months off applying for our many visa's but would appreciate uptodate info with regard to Our intended route. Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, the most obvious route really. All advise and info welcomed..!!

Good luck Martin, and keep posting.

Mez
Hi, no I have not been given a reason, both myself and my GF, applied at the same time she got hers, i did not get mine (i had been to Iran before in 2003, not sure if this had anything to do with), I have now applied three times with no luck, and have been told i have to wait two months before applying again which we just can not do. I will try again maybe in Ankara for a Transit Visa, if no luck then i will be travelling around.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 6 Sep 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: on the road since mai 2009
Posts: 23
hey Mart456
i applied last year in ankara without any problems. i had no invitation but i needed a letter of recommendation from my embassy. definitely, you should try it in ankara again. good luck and greets from nepal

bernhard


bernhards.reiseblog
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 6 Sep 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: New York
Posts: 72
From Oman you will need to ship your bike to India in a container. Same thing from Dubai but there's a little bit more traffic, and if you don't mind spending time on a dhow, you should be able to board with your bikes.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 7 Sep 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lahore, Pakistan
Posts: 329
Quote:
Originally Posted by beddhist View Post
The Khunjerab Pass is probably not an option right now. The KKH has been impassable since a landslide earlier this year and I don't think the current flood disaster has made things any better. To cross China you need a guide/organised tour.

My advice: fly from Turkey to either Kathmandu or Dhacca.
Let me correct, KKH is open for traffic and people are going both ways. Its a bit challenging though but not much for bikers.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 11 Sep 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Dorset, United Kingdom
Posts: 126
Hi all,

Thanks for the replies, we have decided to go north round Iran:

Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, China then Pakistan

We are arranging a guide for Turkmenistan (second Week Oct) & China start of Nov).

If any one is interested in sharing the guide for Turkmenistan or China please let me know as we are finalising the prep next week,

Martin
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 11 Sep 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: On the road ...
Posts: 262
Bear in mind that guides for both Turkmenistan and China will be very expensive. For Turkmenistan there is an alternative however, ie crossing on a transit visa. The downside is that it's valid for only 4-5 days (but can be extended in Ashgabat), and that it's bound to fixed dates, so you need to be on time. On the plus side it's a LOT cheaper, and you have some sort of freedom ...
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 12 Sep 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lahore, Pakistan
Posts: 329
Cold in November
Mart,
November can be cold on the upper parts of KKH specially between Khanjerab Pass and Sost. Carry good jackets.
Omar
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 2 Oct 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Kumargram tea garden West bengal india
Posts: 1
Passage into india
Cant u go thru turkmenistan, kryghztan,china(down to Lhasa then onto india via sikkim or onto Katmandu)?
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 31 Oct 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 45
Quote:
Originally Posted by nicolasrapp View Post
From Oman you will need to ship your bike to India in a container. Same thing from Dubai but there's a little bit more traffic, and if you don't mind spending time on a dhow, you should be able to board with your bikes.
Hi,

we are looking into the possibility of shipping our small motorbike from Oman to India. If we could go with it as well that could even be better. You mentioned being on a dhow...was this a serious consideration if so did you do it yourself, or know someone who has?

thanks!
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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
India-Pakistan-Iran-Turkey-Europe route. Suggestions? balis Route Planning 17 11 Aug 2010 16:03
Alternative Routes from Nepal/India to UK avoiding Pakistan & Iran J1mbo Route Planning 7 18 May 2009 13:32
Turkey-Iran-Pakistan-India Tom-Traveller West and South Asia 10 7 Apr 2007 14:23
in turkey,heading iran pak india. futronix Travellers Seeking Travellers 9 20 Oct 2004 17:18
Alternative route to India? - Afghanistan? Spud Route Planning 10 16 Apr 2004 03:19

 
 

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 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 13:24.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top