Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
UK to India and back (help) UK to India and back (help)
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5 Aug 2008
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bucks, UK
Posts: 642
UK to India and back (help)
I seem to be chasing my tail about when we should leave for this trip ?
Planning to do it in 6 months, probably 2 months to get there, 2 months there and then 2 months back.
We have looked at countless sites to try and find the best time to leave but can't make our mind up, our problem is eastern Turkey onwards as we have no experience from there on. Does anybody have any local knowledge that will help ?
Many Thanx
Pete & Caf
__________________
Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand 2016
Buenos Aires to NYC 2012-2013: www.facebook.com/curryhunt
India and back 2009-2010:
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 5 Aug 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Nantes, France
Posts: 391
Thumbs up
The time of departure is much discussed on these pages - generally late summer, early autumn. On your sort of trip that would work well. March is still cold in Turkey and Iran for the return. Late March should be okay with warm gear. Just about. This would put you a bit over your six months however.

Eight would be perfect, leaving early September, coming back in April-ish through Turkey. Any deviation from this at either end, will mean proper cold riding.

The BBC site has lots of helpful charts etc
BBC - Weather Centre - World Weather - Average Conditions - Ankara

Remember that the India section is the cheapest, so if it is a question of budget, then a small extension like this would not hurt much. You can live for next to nothing in India. And it is a big place.

Most people do each leg in less than two months. You might want to look at this part of your plan again - particularly the return, as few people choose to dawdle when homeward bound.

Good luck,

Simon
__________________
Simon Kennedy
Around the world 2000-2004, on a 1993 Honda Transalp
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 Aug 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
Try to avoid eastern turkey and North Iran in teh winter. It does really get cold, expect to be riding on ice and hard packed snow if on used roads, deep snow if not and I think you would be foolish to ride on tracks and little used routes. You might want to consider having electrically heated gloves and vest, ( test the electics to be able to supply the power) but always it is teh extremities that really suffer in the cold.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 6 Aug 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 1,731
The chilliest part will no doubt be eastern Turkey (Erzurum-Dogubayazit-Bazargan border), as the whole area is mountain plateau, +1000 meters above sea level, and roads often go even higher than that. It is not for bikes, when it gets snowed in.

We went through at the end of October last year. Wouldnt have left it any later than that. After Turkey, it got much warmer after getting away from the mountains in Iran. Later I saw some newsflash about big snowstorms in Teheran, but that must´ve been in December or January.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 7 Aug 2008
DaveSmith's Avatar
Slacker supreme
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Sacramento, California
Posts: 410
What's your route? I'm in India and plan on being here for a while (thinking about re-producing vintage Ducati and British tanks here). But when I leave, I'm not sure how to get to Europe. Many possibilities but no plans. Hopefully things will lighten up after the US elections.
__________________
Not Ted Simon since 1970!
http://nokilli.com/rtw
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 7 Aug 2008
beddhist's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whangarei, NZ
Posts: 2,214
If you leave in Spring and arrive in India in about June it will be very hot, but it's the only time you can visit Ladakh and Zanskar. Spend the summer/monsoon there (it will be mostly dry there), then ride back after the monsoon.

Just an idea.
__________________
Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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

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
Want to buy in India and ride back to UK injunonabike West and South Asia 5 19 Apr 2008 03:43
4 wheels - India back to UK? Huey Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 10 Jan 2008 23:41
Nepal or India back to the uk Biggles Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 21 Apr 2004 20:24
NL to India and back sep/oct 2004 peerke Travellers Seeking Travellers 6 9 Feb 2004 01:07
Driving back or flying back from India to NL? peerke Route Planning 4 2 Oct 2003 00:49

 
 

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 04:51.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top