Belgium-India

[gerd gabriels]

We're planning a trip (???) from Brussels to the Indian Himalaya next year from june-september. In july doing some trekking in the mountains and then back, mayby if there is still time left we'll visit some more to the south...
We planned to ride through Turkey, Iran, Pakistan.
The idea is still young so every information is welcome... routeplanning, visa, places and road to avoid...
Gerd&Thomas

[llanelli]

Going through iran and pakistan in the middle of summer may be a bit of a problem. very hot!!

[bijsterbosch]

Indeed, presuming you are doing this trip for fun I would suggest to avoid travelling in summer.
Did Netherlands - Nepal myself a few years ago and I can highly recommend the Turkey - Iran - Pakistan route. Nice people, beautifull l;andscape and almost no hassles with law enforcement and/or bordercrossings.
I departed late august to arrive in autum the East turkey planes wich can be unbearable hot in summer. Same goes for the Iranian desserts.On this website you can find almost all the informatiob you'll need since this silk route is a populair one.
After a lot of reading it is always possible to post more specific questions on your desired topic.

Great route!

Guido

[Owentesch]

Hello I am from Belgium too and I m planning to do the silk road next summer. It would be a pleasure to get in touch with you to share some information. This my Email Owentesch@hotmail.com

[insureguy]

Just browsing your notes here and I had a question, so I'll see if any of you know. Would a route through Iran/Pakistan be just as easy/safe if you were carrying an American Passport?

[Dirkdxb]

Hi there,

Iran on an american passport is possible but immigration procedures are more difficult than for any other nation. But don't let that put you off!

bye

Dirk

[insureguy]

OK Dirk, so precedurally it's more difficult, but would it be safe? Thanks for your response.

[Dirkdxb]

I have spoken to an Iranian during an exibition in Dubai and I told him about a trip I am planning to do which includes travelling through Iran. He told me that Iran is very safe and the people are very friendly and helpful. This matches with info I get from other sources like people that have been there or books which also claim that there is no reason for concern.

Good thing to do would be to contact the American Embassy in Iran and let them give you their perspective. It might be good enough to check their website and see if there are any warnings or restrictions.

Bye

Dirk

[zafeer iqbal]

Originally Posted by gerd gabriels

We're planning a trip (???) from Brussels to the Indian Himalaya next year from june-september. In july doing some trekking in the mountains and then back, mayby if there is still time left we'll visit some more to the south...
We planned to ride through Turkey, Iran, Pakistan.
The idea is still young so every information is welcome... routeplanning, visa, places and road to avoid...
Gerd&Thomas

hi there me and ray are also planing to go from the uk to morrocco and then to turey and iran and pakistan and if we could meet you hhalfwayy thhatll be good but any iinformation that you can give me i will APPRECIATE

[Prash]

Just back from a trip across central India [Mumbai to Bhuwaneswar]. See fishcurryrice.blogspot.com when you get a change.

East India gets left out of most biker's routes in India. However, It has a good mix of wildlife [Forests], people contact [remote tribes] and decent roads.

Would highly recommend it!

Prash

[Lalli]

Hi All,

I was planning a trip by motorbike from Germany via Turkey, Iran, Pakistan to India. I recently read the security advices on the homepage of the German Foreign Office. It was said that in the South towards the boarder Iran-Pakistan and Pakistan there are a lot of bandits and a high risk of robbery. Anybody any personal experience?

Thank you in advance,

Lalli

[Dirkdxb]

In general I find that the German Foreign Office tends to be very quick with warnings and travel restrictions but in this case I think they are right. I have read a report in a local paper about shootings between gangs / smugglers and police. I have not been there myself but maybe you should try an alternative route.

Regards

Dirk

[pecha72]

From Europe to India, Pakistan stands nicely on the way, not easily avoided going there. And I would rather go there than Afghanistan!! Through the Stans & China could be possible, but the amount of paperwork involved will skyrocket.

I have heard some comments from travelers who have been to Pakistan recently, that its not as bad as the news may have you believe. Like if you travel only on daytime, follow the main roads, use normal precautions, etc., its very rare to have any trouble. There may be police escorts in some areas. Im still planning to go thru there in a couple of months, unless the whole country now plummets into chaos, hopefully not.

[Bossit]

Hi Gerd & Thomas,

About 7 months ago i came back to Belgium from a bikeride of 5,5 years. Anyway i did the Belgium-India route. So if i can help you with some information please feel free to contact me!
Travelbossit@yahoo.com

Greetings from Jurgen!

[Redboots]

Originally Posted by pecha72

There may be police escorts in some areas. Im still planning to go thru there in a couple of months, unless the whole country now plummets into chaos, hopefully not.

We recently travelled from Kunjerap to Wagga. The trip from Gilgit, south to Islamabad did not have a "nice" feeling. Our return trip to France means we must again go through Pakistan. The problem in Pakistan is that the elections are coming up in November and very jumped-up tribesman is trying to have is way and at the same time, get rid of the General.
Little incursions by US forces is not helping. A convoy of Chinese workers was ambushed about 10 days ago. Some of the escort (police) were killed, but not the Chinese. None the less, I bet they needed a change of underwear!

Just keep watching the news and if you can get some of the Pakistani, English language satellite channels, even better.

We are looking into shipping the bikes to Iran by boat to save the hassle... and have a very lazy week or two

John