Turkmenistan - Immediate Border Restrictions
 

Turkmenistan has just announced it's closing its borders to transit travellers due to swine fever (pig flu). Apparently it is probably still possible to go with tourist visas.
this information has just been given to me by the visa company as I am in the process of getting a transit visa. Plans will have to change.

No-one could tell me for sure, but all those already on the road with transit visas should be OK.
However I think other countries might be following suit.

not good news.

Hallo Tiffany, sorry for my english, I'm italian... I'm preparing a trip in Turkmenistan in september (I'd like to go to Samarcanda), really they close the borders?
Do you've any news about it? If you can of course... :thumbup1:

thanks

Gian Mario
home page

I would also like some more information on what you were told as this would cause me problems, l cant seem to find anything on the internet/central Asia news sites.

the info I was given all came from travcour, I haven´t heard anything else - but I am having to apply for a tourist visa for Turkmenistan and have been given the option of having the official guide riding pillion on Thelma (my bike), anyone else done this with the guide on your bike?

Why would anyone want to carry the guide get lumbered?
reading some reports- seems something's could be brewing out there

I might have to try and get a tourist visa for mid September then otherwise its a long way back through Kazakhstan to get a unreliable ferry to Azerbaijan and then onto Iran, just been looking at your website tiffany good to see another R100GS about.

hey Bert
it is a money saving tactic suggested by the company as otherwise I have to follow the guide who will be in a car. I´ve done most of my travels 2 up on Thelma and so it´s not an issue though I´m thinking of giving a weight restriction for my guide!

OR the guide has to keep up with you...:mchappy:
I hope you get a new set of Wilbers or Ohlins then! especially if the guide turn out to be like you say ... of a certain weight! fingers crossed for you - still Germany is THE place for breakdowns for beemers!

I don't think that you can drive through Turkmenistan with the guide back on your bike... and I never heard anyone do it...
That it's really a problem...:(:(

more news
 

Not sure if this is good or bad news, just had this in an email from David Berghoff at Stantours

"ALL visa applications have been put on hold at least for another week.After that while, I guess, transit visa will be subject to similar conditions as
before."

Yes, of course... thanks Tiffany...:thumbup1:

Hi there,

I don't want to hijack the thread but I too am in a similar situation regarding turk visa apps. Was going to apply for a transit and travcour have suggested that this is now not possible.

We have most of our visas, with only turkmenistan and azerbaijan to go. As we are now back to square one with Turk and need to apply for a Letter of Invitation etc etc, can anyone recommend a reputable company/Tell me whether they are still being issued?

I have tried to contact dntours, and although they come 'recommended' by the embassy, i have yet to hear back.....anyone dealt with them before?

If the worst comes to the worst and we have to leave the UK without the visa; presumably as long as we have the LOI we can acquire the visa at any other turk embassy?

Thanks,
Tom

I heard the same thing from another source today... Turkmenistan closing due to flu... Now I'm curious if I can find a crossing to Kazakhstan from Baku y ferry.

Other bad news is that Iran yesterday closed border to Pak.

There's one in Ankara. I think you can do that.