Vietnam to England, need info on no go areas, HELP
 

Hi, in Novemeber next year me and my girlfriend are planning on riding my trusty C90 from Vietnam overland back to England. I'm after some advice on what countries/areas are a bad idea. I dont read the Daily Mail so am very open minded but am finding up to date information hard to come by.

The initial plan is, Vietnam, Cambodia or Loas, Thailand, Burma, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and then just back through Europe.

My main questions are:

Burma - can this be travelled through overland? and if so any tips? i know its in a year's time but any info now is usefull.

Iran - ive heard from travellers that its fine and the locals are very friendly but was just wondering about the border with turkey.

thanks in advance for any infomation, I've searched and searched but cant find any real info on Burma and if i can then it's over 5 years old.

even if you just reply with a URL then it's all appreciated.

many thanks

Ed and Laura

Burma = Impossible
 

Burma was initially on my route for a planned RTW slated to start the summer of 2012, but after much investigation, I have positively concluded that it is NOT possible to ride your personal motorcycle through Burma. Many people have suggested air freighting the bike from Bangkok to an airport in India. Otherwise, travel through China is an option. Good luck with your information search, but if I were you, I'd plan on finding a way around Burma, because you aren't going to get through... Legallu....


--Alex

Burma - I´d say you have a better chance to win a couple of millions in any lottery, than being allowed to cross the entire country. Youre free to try, but I wouldn´t count on it.

That leaves China, that you can do, if you really really want, but still complicated (and VERY expensive!) and probably not a year-round option either...... or freighting across the Bay of Bengal, which is possible. No ferries between India and SE Asia.

Iran is a great experience, but the problem may be getting your visa, depending on your nationality.

+1

What Pecha72 said.

Although if your bike is registered in Vietnam, then maybe you might be able to get into china... China has some exceptions for it's border countries and allows some vehicles into border regions although if they see you are white that might all change very quickly... see earlier statement about it being VERY expensive, not to mention a pain in the proverbial.

Matey,
I rode through South East Asia and shipped my bike from Bankok to Dakka in 2008. No problems anywhere. The Iranians are really great to deal with.

Thanks for the replies and sorry for the wait, I've just completed another expedition on my C90 around Europe (Adventures of a C90) and now need to get into full planning mode for this major C90 trip.

So far the plan is:
Vietnam: visa on arrival with letter of approval

Cambodia: overland @ Moc Bai with e-visa

Thailand: arrive overland. get 30 dayTourist Visa applied for in UK. (not sure if i need a return plane ticket to get visa). then air freight bike to Kathmandu in Nepal.

Nepal: Visa on arrival @ airport

India:get tourist visa in Kathmandu. arrive overland

from there I want to find a way to get to the UAE (my sister lives in Abu Dhabi). In theory a ferry is the easiest option but I'm not sure if i can get into Iran or Pakistan. any help on the best way from India to UAE is greatly appricated.

many thanks

...And you will have the carnet, that´ll be required to get the bike into Nepal & India?

Probably a very tiny chance to find any international ferries from India (but there are many Indians working in the Gulf region, so who knows - I wouldn´t hold my breath, though).

Shipping out of India is possible, but I can almost guarantee it will eat your nerves.

Going thru Pakistan & Iran, and then taking the ferry from Bandar Abbas to Sharjah might be easiest to sort out in the end. To me, seeing those 2 countries along the way would be a big plus. But you´ll need carnet for Pakistan, too.

Yeah I'm planning on getting a Carnet but can't work out the best way to do it; either buy a brand new or second hand C90 and have it Vietnam Registered, or buy a second hand red C90 and "accidently" put the UK number plate and vin plate on it.
The second option is the easiest but not too "honest". How does a carnet work for a vietnam bike?

Many thanks

I suggest you try the Malaysian AA. Contact details on the HU carnet page. Failing that the RAC may issue a carnet for your Viet reg'd bike. Ask them.