Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Like Tree5Likes
  • 1 Post By AzzaClazza
  • 2 Post By niello8
  • 1 Post By Omie
  • 1 Post By niello8

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 15 Mar 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 68
India -> Pakistan -> Tajikistan -> Problems?

Has anyone made their way north out of India into Pakistan? How is the situation for an American traveling alone? Any paperwork issues?

Additionally, as anyone continued north into Tajikistan? How did you get there, via Afghanistan or China? How much did China cost etc.

Thanks y'all,

Yankee Andrew
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 17 Mar 2013
AzzaClazza's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Posts: 10
Throught China

Hi Andrew
I'm crossing China from Pakistan to Krgygstan on June16th (2013). There are 5 people travelling on 4 bikes and I believe it's costing about $1000.

I'm in the process of researching the india pakistan issue too. There are northern crossings but I think they are closed to foreigners so I'm trying to work out where I can cross at the moment. Not that it matters much to know now but after Delhi I'm heading to Northern India but it looks like I have to head south again to cross into Pakistan.

If you're worried about being American in Pakistan, chuck a couple of canadian flags on you. Good luck with the Visa though, that might be a pain.
__________________
I'd rather die regretting what I did, than what I did not do.
http://arransadventures.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 17 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 276
We did it in reverse last September & our bike has Washington, D.C. Plates. Everyone was really fantastic in Pakistan. There are many checkpoints and police escorts. We did travel with others which was a great experience The only border you can cross from India to Pak is Amritsar. Then up the KKH into Hunza, across lake Attabad and up into china out of Sost via the khunjerab pass. China you need to join a group and the tour companies that arrange the guides and licenses require 3 months lead time (though we were able to add one more person inside of this timeframe). China to Kyrgyzstan via the torugart pass. Then over to Tajikistan via Osh. This way is to go around Afghanistan. Kyrgyzstan & northern Pakistan are just amazing.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 17 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 1,731
Quote:
Originally Posted by AzzaClazza View Post

I'm in the process of researching the india pakistan issue too. There are northern crossings but I think they are closed to foreigners so I'm trying to work out where I can cross at the moment. Not that it matters much to know now but after Delhi I'm heading to Northern India but it looks like I have to head south again to cross into Pakistan.
There is only one international border crossing between India and Pakistan, that foreigners with vehicles can use, and that is the Wagah/Attari border between Lahore and Amritsar.

And India and China do not have any border crossing options for foreigners, you can only go North Pakistan <-> China, or Nepal <-> Tibet.

(At least a few years ago this was the situation... and I´m about 95% certain, that there have been no major changes since my visit.)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 17 Mar 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 68
Quote:
Originally Posted by niello8 View Post
We did it in reverse last September & our bike has Washington, D.C. Plates. Everyone was really fantastic in Pakistan. There are many checkpoints and police escorts. We did travel with others which was a great experience The only border you can cross from India to Pak is Amritsar. Then up the KKH into Hunza, across lake Attabad and up into china out of Sost via the khunjerab pass. China you need to join a group and the tour companies that arrange the guides and licenses require 3 months lead time (though we were able to add one more person inside of this timeframe). China to Kyrgyzstan via the torugart pass. Then over to Tajikistan via Osh. This way is to go around Afghanistan. Kyrgyzstan & northern Pakistan are just amazing.
Awesome information. Very helpful.

How much did the China trip cost? Sounds like you went straight into Kyrgyzstan. Is this the fastest possible route? Did you check out Tajikistan? Im on a bit of a budget, and wanna burn through China as fast as possible (ride 16 hrs a day ). China sounds like a bit of an issue.

I was considering shipping straight into to Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan from Thailand for this reason. Plus I wouldn't need a carnet or Pakistan visa hassles, if any.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 18 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 276
We did the reverse, west to east. So we came from Tajikistan through Dushanbe (pamir was closed so we took the other road) into Kyrgyzstan. Met up with the others in Tash Rabat then down to the Chinese border. China was 5 days and our share was around 900usd 2up including lodging. The logistics were a mixed bag, we had some inexplicable waiting outside of the DMV all day long...the riding distance in china is very short. Then down into Pakistan at Sost.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 18 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lahore, Pakistan
Posts: 327
Crossing Pakistan

There are only 3 working borders for tourists with vehicles apart from Afghanistan which is practically a no go area. Atari/Wagha with India, Taftan for Iran and Sost for China.

If you can get the paperwork and visa sorted out Pakistan would be easy and welcoming.

It might be world's best kept secret; explore it for yourself.

All the best.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 22 Mar 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 18
Ive been reading about the KHK highway between Pakistan and China. Apparently there was a big land slide back in 2010 that wiped out a big section of the road. An artificial dam has welled up at the base of the land slide which is 20 odd Km long. They were using small boats to move the cargo etc across to trucks waiting on opposite sides. This wont be a prob for a motor bike but we are planing on doing it in a 4x4.

I read a blog about a bloke who traveled this route only a few months back. He got a small boat across to the China side from Pakistan where a bus was waiting. He also mentioned that he saw a British couple that had managed to get their 4x4 across somehow which was encouraging.

We are planing on travelling the stans from south east Asia which makes for some difficult border crossings, this being one. We are not too interested in China and only plan to use this route because Afghanistan is a no go. After the crossing from Pakistan to China on the KHK Hwy there is only a 200km approx journey through China to the Tajikistan border crossing which is where we want to cross.

Is any one familiar with this crossing and if they allow foreigners to cross at this point. Also for such a short journey through China is it still necessary to go through all the red tape of booking group tours, guides etc?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 22 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 1,731
Quote:
Originally Posted by Handy man View Post
Is any one familiar with this crossing and if they allow foreigners to cross at this point. Also for such a short journey through China is it still necessary to go through all the red tape of booking group tours, guides etc?
I have not personally taken my vehicle into China. But several travellers have reported using the Stans-China-Pakistan route, so yes it seems possible to do. I´ve seen some photos of cars loaded on top of rather small boats on that lake, and it does look a bit hairy. Could be your only option, unless they´ve managed to set up some bigger vessel to operate there, but I doubt it.

I don´t think it´ll make any difference, whether you plan to make shorter or longer distance inside China, the paperwork to get your vehicle into the country would still be the same.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 22 Mar 2013
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: RTW
Posts: 517
Last fall we transferred 10 bikes on one boat. Loading and unloading was quite hairy...
On our way we saw one 4x4 on a small boat (or in two boats) on that lake.
They do not have bigger boats over there (at least I did not see any).

That nature dam is huge! Did not realize it until I saw it my own eyes...

-Hemuli
__________________
www.whereishemuli.eu
Riding round the World

Facebook:WhereIsHemuli
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 23 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lahore, Pakistan
Posts: 327
Quote:
Originally Posted by Handy man View Post
Ive been reading about the KHK highway between Pakistan and China. Apparently there was a big land slide back in 2010 that wiped out a big section of the road. An artificial dam has welled up at the base of the land slide which is 20 odd Km long. They were using small boats to move the cargo etc across to trucks waiting on opposite sides. This wont be a prob for a motor bike but we are planing on doing it in a 4x4.

I read a blog about a bloke who traveled this route only a few months back. He got a small boat across to the China side from Pakistan where a bus was waiting. He also mentioned that he saw a British couple that had managed to get their 4x4 across somehow which was encouraging.

We are planing on travelling the stans from south east Asia which makes for some difficult border crossings, this being one. We are not too interested in China and only plan to use this route because Afghanistan is a no go. After the crossing from Pakistan to China on the KHK Hwy there is only a 200km approx journey through China to the Tajikistan border crossing which is where we want to cross.

Is any one familiar with this crossing and if they allow foreigners to cross at this point. Also for such a short journey through China is it still necessary to go through all the red tape of booking group tours, guides etc?
Jeeps, vans and trucks are being routinely carried accross the lake. There are confirmed reports of bigger boats and crafts too which operate on fixed timings basically transporting Chinese machinary and military stuff.
Though it appears hairy but works. There hasnt been any reported mishap.

Omar
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 23 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 276
Those 10 bikes were on a pretty small boat normal loading spot on the north end is very steep, on the south end where the slide is-even steeper. They use big wooden planks to get between the boats and the loose rock & dirt that makes up the land. Then there is a tiny switchback track up the slide over to the other side. And its very crowded. You see it, your mouth drops and then the amazingly industrious pak people make it all work. Biggest vehicle we saw crossing lake Attabad was a medium truck or lorry. They probably fixed a platform across 2 boats. It's all incredible and the lake itself lined with massive sheer granite cliffs is unspeakably beautiful.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 24 Mar 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 18
So once you've crossed the lake and are heading into china what are the formalities? I'm a little confused because I've read that you need to book a guided group tour with several vehicles. But there's mention of people with single 4x4's crossing the lake. As mentioned we only want to do a 200km run through china to the first crossing into Tajikistan. It seems a bit over the top to have to arrange all that for such a short period.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 24 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 1,731
Quote:
Originally Posted by Handy man View Post
heading into china what are the formalities? I'm a little confused because I've read that you need to book a guided group tour with several vehicles.
No offence, but there must be at least 50 not-so-old threads about this subject at the HUBB. I´d advice you to read through them.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 14 Apr 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 3
Quote:
Originally Posted by AzzaClazza View Post
Hi Andrew
I'm crossing China from Pakistan to Krgygstan on June16th (2013). There are 5 people travelling on 4 bikes and I believe it's costing about $1000.

I'm in the process of researching the india pakistan issue too. There are northern crossings but I think they are closed to foreigners so I'm trying to work out where I can cross at the moment. Not that it matters much to know now but after Delhi I'm heading to Northern India but it looks like I have to head south again to cross into Pakistan.

If you're worried about being American in Pakistan, chuck a couple of canadian flags on you. Good luck with the Visa though, that might be a pain.
Hey Arran, my husband and I are Americans of Indian origin. We are traveling on one motorcycle. We would like to get to Europe through the same route you are intending to do ( Pakistan, China etc). We are currently in Punjab right now. Email me or PM me if you can. Our website is Ride Overland With Kanchan & Nick where you can find our contact details under "Contact Us".
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Karakorum Highway, Pakistan -> China -> kyrgyzstan -> Tajikistan tobbas75 Travellers Seeking Travellers 3 20 May 2013 09:43
from india to pakistan and iran worldtourps Route Planning 9 5 Apr 2013 22:04
Karakorum Highway, Pakistan -> China -> Tajikistan Apr/May sharing guide costs Drewsome Travellers Seeking Travellers 8 2 May 2012 05:39
Pakistan -> China -> Stans Drewsome Route Planning 2 5 Mar 2012 12:58
Pakistan -> China -> Tajikistan (apr/may 2012) Drewsome Route Planning 0 27 Jan 2012 04:41

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 23:55.