missing iran WITHOUT
 

Guys is there a doable route missing Iran on route from the UK to India ?
The big problem is that I don't fly, as in the Mr T from the A Team, I don't fly !!!
Going north includes Afganistan or China or south is Syria,Jordan,Saudi and then ship to Pakistan.
If we get to Iran and they let us in ( assuming our visas don't get revoked before then ) we're happy to travel through but I feel we need an alternative route at least half heartly planned just in case.


Pete & Caf

Hi McGiggle, I remember speaking to you the day my pakistan visa was refused in London, I am now replying again the day it got granted in Tehran! We looked a lot at different routes to India and the only one that seems to actually be possible is through stans and china. There seems a lot of talk about a boat from UAE to Pakistan/India but nothing more, but boat from Iran to UAE is certianly possible. China way definitley possible but costly. You can get into Afganistan if you wish. You will get let into Iran, we came just a few days ago and everyone at the border super-friendly. Hearing lots of bad things about the British but they come from government only. Border police very nice, you will probably have to get fingerprinted though, we did. Hope this helps.

If you consider going through China, there are two ways to circumvent Iran: Georgia -> Azerbaijan -> Ferry -> Turkmenistan etc ... Make sure you don't have an Armenian stamp in your passport, the Azeris don't like that, and have fun organizing the Turkem transit visa. If you aren't near the Mediterranean yet, Ukraine -> Russia -> Stans is the other classic.

Saoudi remains the best option. If you really, really have to avoid Iran, the stans lead you directly either to China (which demands lots of preparation) or to afghanistan (Kabul, Jalalabad, Peshawar).
You certainly have boats going to karachi from Saoudi, the only problem is to find them. If you go there in the summer, you're going to burn - and your motorcycle will too...
Good luck!

Nice one guys, we really want to go through Iran, so as long as we are aloud in, happy days.
But with my flying problem i'm sure you can see the issue ?
Having not flown for 15 years this is keeping me awake but not too much !!!!
Looking like I may have to toughen up but the thought of it is one more hassle I could do without :blushing:

Pete

Hi,

I've just been rejected an Iranian visa (why did I have to apply on the eve of the elections?) I'm looking for an alternative route too. The Stans sound fantastic but expensive and complicated.

I'm just starting to do some research on Syria, Jorden and Saudi now as alternatives otherwise I may have to fly from Turkey.
Feel free to get in touch and we can scratch our heads and make a plan together, traveling buddies would be more than welcome.


Duncan

I wouldn't worry about the stans being complecated or expensive. China on the other hand....is both.

Pakistan Visa
 

Hey Guys and Gals,
I plan an Indian Trip too: Turkey-Iran-Pakistan-India.
Then return via China, Stans, Russia etc.

Have just applied for Iran visa.
I got the agency details from HUBB, seem pretty good people, but say will be slower than initially indicated.

Any pointers on the Pakistan Visa?
I wasn't thinking it would be difficult, compared to Iran.
I have a choice of passports: UK, Canadian and South African.

I live in The Hague, Netherlands.

Thanks,
Alan

Got my Pakistan visa in just a few hours by going to the consulate here in Yorkshire. All they wanted was the name, address and telephone number of the hotel I would be using - so I just looked on the web and picked one in Quetta. No problems at all. I had the Iranian visa stamped into my passport too - that arrived back with me last Friday. August 1st YIPEEEEEEEE on mi bike!

Good to hear they are still stamping passports for Iran, going into London next week for Pakistan visa and will take my Iranian number with me I think.

Pete

There is another option.........

It is do-able but quite a detour. Once in Turkey turn south, Syria, jordan Egypt, sudan, eithopia, yeman oman Dubai fly to india/pakistan.
Or slightly longer carry on from Eithopia to Kenya and take the ro-ro ferrie from Mombassa to Mumbai India.
From turkey you could get to Eithopia in 3 weeks quite happly(but not much sight seeing!

I know of several bikers who have done this route.

Its an idea and one I will proably to if Iran became impossable, something I dont really expect.

we (2 of us) are leaving on the 26th July overland to Oz

George

Hi George,

I plan on leaving the UK on the same date - Dover -> Dunkirk then through France to Italy, Austria, Romania, etc. to Turkey. I'm planning to get across Europe to Turkey in about 2 weeks with a buddy and would be most keen to meet up (the rents keep nagging constantly) if our paths entwine.

Drop me an email @ duncancartwright at googlemail.com

Duncan

My insurance covers me for Europe and most countries adjacent to it. It does however exclude Iran..... so I assume you buy it at the border.

Just organised shipping from Jordan to Mumbai after not getting through Iran (twice!).Landcruiser went in a container yesterday and sails from Aqaba on the 5th. $800 excluding clearing in Mumbai. If anyone needs shippers details let me know.

youngtrippers dot blogspot dot com

e-mail youngtrippers at yahoo dot co dot uk