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-   -   affordable tour organiser for China (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/west-and-south-asia/affordable-tour-organiser-for-china-44770)

Tiffany 29 Sep 2009 04:26

Hi there
although I haven't been to China myself, having spent the last few months in the 'Stans and Mongolia I have met quite a lot of people who have gone that way. if you are still looking for more price quotes then read on

a Swiss truck and Australian van crossed out of here (Mongolia) into China last week- they seemed to have a reasonable price- though the contact email for the guy is not a proper company one- it seems like he does a good job - Mr Wang Lun
nature then underscore then lunwang [*AAT*] the hot place (you know the one)

one thing to be aware of is that many people who are doing the longer routes across China have been finding the travel taking longer than expected due to poor road conditions and major roadworks. They have been riding and driving for very long days to cover the distance and get across in the allotted number of days. So take this into consideration when you are planning your time in China.
Good luck.

saliadarunavuelta 29 Sep 2009 10:05

yeah!!
 
I've contacted Mr. Wang Lun.
I'll keep you informed.

Thanks.

Simon R 29 Sep 2009 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by saliadarunavuelta (Post 258544)
I've contacted Mr. Wang Lun.
I'll keep you informed.

Thanks.

Hi,

I'd be keen to see what Mr. Wang Lun offers. I have had a few quotes from others and they are not worth considering. I noted that one tour operator states in their quote that you now have to leave a substantial deposit on your motor bike at the border that is redeemable when you leave. Though not immediately.
Anybody else out there come across this yet?

Simon

Redboots 29 Sep 2009 19:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by saliadarunavuelta (Post 258505)
My point.
Precisely.
Exactly.
There you have it.

I would also add that if you go on these escorted tours, they want to control everything... even where you eat ffs:nono:

I personally, would not want to do a "tour" with more than 2. You will meet no one and will only see what they want to show you. We had a guide only for the start and end of our trip and they were a pain. When you go to an eating house, the prices go up. Its almost like they tell them that you are rich western tourist and you can pay.

The best guy we found was Abdul Wahab. He just escorts you and does not organise the life out of it.
That said, its still better running free:mchappy:
I have put a little bit of the Chinese KKH on youtube

John

saliadarunavuelta 29 Sep 2009 20:28

Wait A Minute!!!
 
Hey!! Redboots!!!! Wait JUST A SECOND.
I read this from you:

> We had a guide only for the start and end of our trip and they were a pain.

What!? How did you manage to do this? You mean you can pay a guy just to cross the border and then soar freely through China?. Please explain a bit this.

Redboots 29 Sep 2009 21:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by saliadarunavuelta (Post 258611)
Hey!! Redboots!!!! Wait JUST A SECOND.
I read this from you:

> We had a guide only for the start and end of our trip and they were a pain.

What!? How did you manage to do this? You mean you can pay a guy just to cross the border and then soar freely through China?. Please explain a bit this.

That was SUPPOSED to be the deal! Guide to get in and processed and escorted to Urumqi, (Wulumuqi) a and them free to go.
When we got to Urumqi we were met by someone we had never spoken to and told to pay another $3000 for the rest of our trip!!!
The woman that we had dealt with via email and phone was nowhere to be found... strangely:nono:

We did some maint on the bikes the next day and the day after we left town at 6AM before anyone could stop us and legged it. We took a different route to that that we had said we were taking.

We were unable to exit though because the "agent" had the bike import docs.... so we had to pay-up $1500 to be processed out - with a guide.

John

saliadarunavuelta 29 Sep 2009 22:31

anyone?
 
- Anyone has been thorugh this scam?
- Anyone knows of any agency that does this correctly? (escorting tourist through frontiers only)

smoore 30 Sep 2009 05:43

Forget China on a big bike. If you want to ride there just fly to Kunming or Chengdu and buy a joint venture 250 cc (Suzuki) and drive it till it kicks or you do. Then store it or sell it back and go on with your trip. Going with someone who can talk and read is helpful.
Steve Moore lived and worked in Kunming for two years.:clap:

saliadarunavuelta 30 Sep 2009 15:23

Weird reply from Mr. Wang Lun
 
Thanks a lot for your email to me and I personally welcome you to China in 2010.

I know the rout from the pass of Erlianhot in Mongolia to Laos via the pass of Mohan and I have many groups go this rout to cross China every year.

For the motorbike to enter China should be no any problem from any pass, but I have a problem to arrange this tour. you know every motorbike group- or car-driving tour in China must has a guide to go with the group from border to border. If you have a car to offer one seat for the guide, it is no any problem, but if only the motobike, I think there is no seat for the guide and the guide can not drive the motorbike to go with you, this is the big problem for the motorbike group in China.

Do you have any idea to arrange the seat for the guide?

Thanks & Best Regards.

Wang Lun



WTF??!??! What do I answer back to Mr. Wang Lun???!??!

jimmy46 30 Sep 2009 22:08

Ok anyone fancy transiting China in their 4x4?
 
Well I sort of thought this would happen. I have heard of people having to fund a car and driver for the guide!!! ( because of course the guide could not drive) Hmm so all you adventurous 4x4 travellers heres your chance to share a guide...Mr Wang Lun needs a lift...Don't all volunteer at once !!!

Jimmy

Simon R 1 Oct 2009 00:39

WTF??!??! What do I answer back to Mr. Wang Lun???!??!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by saliadarunavuelta (Post 258709)
Thanks a lot for your email to me and I personally welcome you to China in 2010.

I know the rout from the pass of Erlianhot in Mongolia to Laos via the pass of Mohan and I have many groups go this rout to cross China every year.

For the motorbike to enter China should be no any problem from any pass, but I have a problem to arrange this tour. you know every motorbike group- or car-driving tour in China must has a guide to go with the group from border to border. If you have a car to offer one seat for the guide, it is no any problem, but if only the motobike, I think there is no seat for the guide and the guide can not drive the motorbike to go with you, this is the big problem for the motorbike group in China.

Do you have any idea to arrange the seat for the guide?

Thanks & Best Regards.

Wang Lun



WTF??!??! What do I answer back to Mr. Wang Lun???!??!

Gracias pero no gracias. All these tour operators are rip off merchants who are running a cartel buisiness on the back of a government that represses freedoms

saliadarunavuelta 1 Oct 2009 02:29

mhmhmh
 
OK, Simon, as far as I see it, our only solution is shipping the bike down to India and travelling south either on a Chinese bike or on public transportation. Or else trying to smuggle the bike into China in a truck.

I've answered back Wang Lun offering him the possibility of escorting us just in the frontiers, but he doesn't seem to be interested.

Simon R 1 Oct 2009 04:56

From what I have seen so far most people cross in China at Kashgar and then go to Pakistan. This gives the shortest route and seems to be the least expensive.I wouldn't be bothered with the problems associated with anything else

Simon

saliadarunavuelta 1 Oct 2009 08:26

--
 
I've contacted the guy from panomoto.com. He's done just what you're saying.
> We were 2 people, and for 3 days of riding in China we paid US$700 each.
> Good tour operator is Kashgar Newland Travel - they are VERY reliable and
> professional:

> taherbasecamp@hotmail.com

I'm reconsidering my route. I really wanted to visit Mongolia, but it looks rather complicated.

Redboots 1 Oct 2009 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by saliadarunavuelta (Post 258801)
I've answered back Wang Lun offering him the possibility of escorting us just in the frontiers, but he doesn't seem to be interested.

He's not allowed to offer just that service. He would loose his guide license.

One of the things that makes it so expensive for bikers is that the guide has to have a hire car and a driver. Seems most of the guides don't have (reliable?) cars. This also means you pay hotel and food for 2 people... and yourself.

I spoke to a group of Swiss that toured in a mobile home and the guide (Newlands Travel) rode in the camper they dined where they wanted.
As stated by others, Newlands seems to be the most honest and accommodating, but still has to work within the laws/rules that prevail.

On the shipping to India idea, it would be better to ship to Pakistan if you are thinking of trucks. Lots of Chinese trucks ply the KKH to Sost, but I have no idea how you would find out about that.

Best of....
John


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