Alternative Routes from Nepal/India to UK avoiding Pakistan & Iran
 

Hi

I'm after a bit of advice on routes from either India or Nepal back to the UK. I'm going to be leaving Australia at the end of this year and head back to the UK via Malaysia, Thailand etc, then fly the bike to Bangladesh. The plan at this stage is to go from Bangladesh through N.E. India to Nepal, then down into India and through Pakistan, Iran etc.

Obviously, will be playing it by ear, but am starting to get a little concerned that things could go downhill in either Pakistan or Iran before I get there - probably May next year. So, thought it would be worthwhile to get an idea of some other options for getting to the UK, just in case.

I'm not too keen on going through Pakistan, China & the Stans for a number of reasons, but thought there could be some other options? Perhaps ride down to the South of India and stick the bike on a boat over to somewhere in Africa/Middle East?

Anyone found any alternative routes back to the UK?

My ideal would be to stick to the original plan, but want to consider the options and then decide at the time depending on whats going on there.

Thanks all

J

Same situation

2 up on an r11gs Oz to UK

China seems like a big hassle with licences taxes etc. We're planning :

east coast OZ
across via Mt Isa to Kakadu
darwin boat to Bali
island hop to singers
Malaysia Thailand (+/_ Loas Cambodia--Viet Nam)
Fly bike to Calcutta
Nepal with side trip to Tibet
Pakistan Iran Turkey
Turkey to UK

We've looked at china but it seems too difficult to ride your own machine
This effectivle eliminates the 'stans which was a draw card.

I think the trick will be which month to start ????

Andrew & Jacqui

Hi

Were going to be two up too - smaller bike though, aprilia pegaso 650 strada.

Have thought a fair bit about timing too - at the moment aiming to leave Sydney at the start of nov and spend about 5 weeks heading up the e coast, accross to broome then up to Darwin. Hopefully shouldn't be too wet by then. Thinking I'll pass on Indonesia - from what I've heard can be v wet at that time and the ferries pretty dodgy. Aiming on Malaysia for Xmas and Bangkok for new year. After that about 2 months for Cambodia, Laos & Thailand, then back to Bangkok to fly to Bangladesh. Hoping it will have warmed up a bit by then for the rest, but be back in the Uk with a bit of summer left.

J & Bec

Hi Jimbo,

We did drive end 2008 from Holland to Nepal and did also have some concurn about Iran an Pakistan. During our trip we did not have any problems at all in Iran and the problems in Pakistan were small.

You can read our story and see some movies on Going East - Home

You can see also movies from Thailand (and Autralia) on Life Is Joy - Home

I came through Pakistan a few months ago I think around July/Aug, other than the odd obligatory police escort, luckily I encountered no problems at all although the situation was not brilliant- I had to pick my route carefully. It's a very interesting country to visit and the KKH was one of the highlights of my trip. I loved having fresh paratha bread and sweet tea for breakfast. And meeting the very inquisitive locals.

And what's the problem with Iran? Having ridden the length of the Americas and also from Australia to the UK, I found nothing but incredibly friendly and helpful people in Iran. People there seriously go out their way to help you and just be nice. I thought the worst before I went to Colombia too, but again found nothing but friendly and helpful people there too, plus very beautiful scenery. You really have to go to Esfahan and see all the locals having picnics by the river at night. And the men who sing folk songs under the arches of the bridges. And have people invite you over to their tables in restaurants just because you're eating alone. Or pay for the grapes you were going to buy from the seller by the side of the country road simply because you're a guest in their country. Or the people who went off all round town in search of spare inner tubes on your behalf just because you asked 'do you know where I can buy an inner tube for this bike?' etc etc.

Don't worry too much what you see on the news. For example I note London had some G20 demonstrations last week and someone died following a beating from the police. I'm certainly never going there again now...Or why not come to Scotland where you might get raped by immigrants or perhaps even get your head and limbs chopped off and then be dumped in the sea for your Pin number...Shitty things happen all over the world unfortunately, but luckily the chances of them actually happening to you are very slim indeed.

Have a look at the video in my signature for an idea of what to expect in India and Pakistan.

I agree... Spent 5 weeks in Pakistan and 4 or so weeks in Iran. Nothing but good thing to say. Once I was trying to get into South Waziristan, a gas attendant told me to not go as it was not safe for me. So I turned around and took the two day detour viw DI Kham and DG Kham. Not much chance escaping the police escorts from Quetta to DI Kham and DG Kham, but they are swift and efficient.

You'll have a blast, don't worry about the news.

Getting the visa for Iran will be the hardest part.

I'm not overly concerned about security, and desperately want to go to Iran/Pakistan yet I still might need a new route, I'm having troubles with the Iranian Visa. Well worryingly, not even the visa itself at this stage but the authorization code to get the visa. I've still got my fingers crossed but its not looking so good. A late change of route is looking likely, though a ground route not possible. I can't afford China so that rules out that way, which so far as I can see doesn't leave me with a great deal of options. Fly over Iran straight to Pakistan, or possibly even over to India. Not impressed.

I think if you can get yourself a visa for Iran, count yourself blessed and go there without fear!

Aprilia Pegaso Strada 06
 

Hi Jimbo,

I am planning to ride from UK to Nepal via what sounds like a similar round about route then head north to Mongolia and cruise back to Moskow via the Trans Siberian Railway on a Aprilia Pegaso Strada 06.

I would be very interested to find out about what mod's you have made to the bike, for example i'm having various issues with tyre choice.

I appologise for contacting you through this forum but i'm a computer numpty and i don't think i can any otherway?!?

Hope to hear from you soon...