Which Stans and Why?

[CornishDaddy]

Hi There,

I'm still planning my route to get to Oz from UK and the biggest area where I don't really know much about is through the Stans. From what I've seen it looks superb and I really fancy it. But I don't know much about the area, and which areas should be top of my list.

So I thought I'd ask here for any recommendations that people have.

I have plenty of time to get from Moscow to Indian border with Pakistan, and would like to criss cross through all the good places in Central Asia.

What are peoples thoughts?

I've had a look at stantours.com, and that seems to be the most recommended of agencies for that area.

[Rurider]

Now it's too cold there already, I' ve just came from that erea. In the morning it was -3 from time to time. By the way, I do recomend you southern Ural, it's amazing!!

[CornishDaddy]

Hi There Rurider,

I'm reckoning on getting to St Pertersburg mid May time, and then crossing into China, via Nepal and Tibet, about September time. All this is very rough idea as I'm not going until 2009!!!

Thamks for the update

PS I'm going via 4x4 rather than bike ...

[KenButler]

Unless you know something that i don't I don't like your chances of getting into China. Some people get to ride out of China, if they start in China however very few ever get to ride into China.

Good luck with your planning

Ken

[CornishDaddy]

Hi Ken,

From what I have found out if you are prepared to pay for a guide and visa then its possible. Having spoken to some people who did it in a Forward Control 101 you can get it all sorted for about $4000 for a six week trip. Its a lot of money I know, but also, in the great scheme of things not that much! I really want to see China as it is currently, and although I'd prefer not to do it with a guide, if this is the price that needs to be paid, it is one I am prepared for.

If you know otherwise though, obviously I'd like ot be forwarned

Cheers

Ollie

[fernweh]

Hello!

We just drove through the Stans this summer. This was our route:

Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazahkstan, Russia, Mongolia, Russia, Kazahkstan, Kyrgyzstan, Torugat Pass, China, Kunjerab Pass, Pakistan

Don't miss:
Mongolia
Kyrgyzstan
Kashgar-Kunjerab
Northern Pakistan
Georgia

Would have liked to do also:
Tadjikistan-Pamir Highway or Wachan Corridor

Skip:
Kazahkstan (really boring driving and in the South-East terrible roads!)

David Berghof at Stantours is very helpful in organizing visas and helping out in anyway he can. Also don't let people talk you out of skipping China it is definately worth it. Although the price you quoted seems a little high. If you need other contacts for China drop me an e-mail or search for one of my earlier postings on the subject.

Have fun

Cecilia

[CornishDaddy]

Thanks Thanks Thanks! Great reply and just the info I wante.

Kazakhstan sort of looked inevitable, but having read your post I've looked at heading down through Georgia and Azerbaijan. This was something that I hadn't contemplated until now (don't know why), and this route could be jsut perfect.

As we still have two years to go I'm sure out route will change another 100 times, but each time it does it's a refinement rather than a whim.

So the route I'm going to look at now is: Russia, Geargia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China.

I've only sketched this out at work, so please excuse me if any of these borders don't exist or are closed

Also had a quick look at your blog and website, and that has really whetted my appitite. I want to be doing it now!

I'll drop you a mail once I've read your blog some more.

Thanks again. Really great

Cheers

[CornishDaddy]

OK so this new route takes me through Chechnya?

Now, without much research all I see about this place is the horror stories. Is it possible to get down there without meeting the 'baddies'? What are peoples views?

[Rurider]

10 of my friends from Moscow went there last year. This was made after official invitation by the government. They always had few guard cars with Kalashnikovs looking from the windows. There was now war on the streets, but many people told them that they are first Russians (except military) they see during last 10 years. People are friendly, but there is still a possibility to get some problems. I would recomend you to wait couple of years, then it would be more clear!