RTW at short notice!!
 

Hi
Got the opportunity to take ayear off work and want to take my Xt660 at least as far as Aus/NZ (fromUK).You`ve probably heard this a million times by now, but which is the best route,best time to go ,what about carnets(which countries require them)what about Iran and Pakistan?any alternatives?Shipping from india/Nepal to Thailand(is it poss?)What about insurance?And anything else you might think may be useful in helping me get this together.Thanks in anticipation

Sparky

Best thing you can do is put the coffee on...

it is going to be a long weekend.

All the answers are on this board. You're in the right place. Now go look for yourself lazyboy.

Joking, okay... JOKING.

Popular route is overland to Nepal (Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India) and then ship (ie fly) yourself and the bike to Bangkok. Tour a bit in SE Asia, then make your way south, before taking another flight to Australia. It is what I did.

A carnet is necessary.

The alternative is to go through "the stans", as we call the central asian republics, into western China briefly, then drop down into Pakistan. This is a more troublesome and expensive route, but those who have done it seem to have enjoyed the trip just fine.

Most leave Europe around summer/late summer to avoid the summertime Indian heat and rain. Arriving Goa for Christmas is favourite. On this schedule you get good weather all the way to Thailand.

But this is your adventure - do it how you want. Every option and combination of the above has been discussed at length herein. I suggest you track down the talk and see what grabs your fancy.

You'll get loads of help here.

Now, it really is time for that coffee... :)

I'm doing that same trip myself this year, drop me an email if you want a chat.

... or you could take the 'northern route' through kazakhstan then down through China into Pakistan and India.

see www.planitearth.co.uk - UK to Australia 2007 - Home Page for my route

Charles