Asia overland 2012: Russia to Turkey via Central Asia- any takers?
 

Hi

First post!

I will be travelling across Asia from South Korea to Europe next year. I’m seeking a travelling companion(s) for the most challenging part of the journey, from Vladivostok to Iran. Although I’d be happy to have someone join for the entire route.

I’m still planning details. I’d like to commence travel sometime bewteen late spring and early autumn; from May 2012 to August 2012 would make an ideal starting time. I will arrive in Seoul, and then take the ferry to Vladivostok. At this stage I’m hoping the route will be eastern Russia, Mongolia, western China (Kashi and Taklimakan Desert), Pakistan (Karakorum Highway!), return to China, cross to Kyrgyzstan (via Torugart Pass), Uzbekistan (Samarkand and Bukhara), Turkmenistan, Iran, Turkey, then across Europe to UK. I’m open to alternate options such as the Pamir Highway through Tajikistan. Return shipping from Europe or Turkey.

This is a great opportunity to see a different overland Asia, following the middle Silk Road route. China is gradually making vehicle access easier and Central Asia is a unique destination.

If you are interested please contact me. I have flexibility with dates and am happy to alter the route. Or alternatively if you have planned an Asia overland trip around this time I would be keen to join up.

Regards
Frank

travel through China
 

Am in the process of reading 'The Road Gets Better From Here' by Adrian Scott. China is doable. I very much want to visit the oasis towns/cities like Turpan; ride past Muztagh Ata on the way to the Karakorum Hwy; and see the Taklamakan Desert. If it means having a 'minder' following in a 4WD I think I can live with that.

Interested
 

I'm interested in the route you've chosen. What sort of timeframe do you have in mind in regard to the duration of the trip?

China Motto
 

Hi Frank,
Bought "The Road Gets Better From Here" to read on my Kindle, got a feeling I've read it before or perhaps extracts from it somewhere.
I see from your post that China features twice. I've travelled the Silk Road from Xi-An to Kashi but on public transport, not by bike. Would love to retrace my steps as part of a bigger trip but from my readings taking a bike into China is both expensive and very difficult. Plenty of info to be gleaned from a site called MyChinaMotto.
I'm resident in Japan and can take the ferry from here to South Korea or to Shanghai and other ports for that matter; there are plenty of options.
I'd be interested to discuss possibilities and options with you. One option I have been looking into is going to China to buy a bike (Jialing JH600) and then leaving from China to continue the journey. There are problems associated with this course as well but others have done similar trips.
Cheers

Hi robtho, looking at July to September. Have allowed approximately 9-10 weeks to cover Seoul to Istanbul.

Hi again robtho. The book is a good read. First published in 2008, chronicles the author's journey from the summer of 2005. I'll be uncovering the miles of red tape soon when I contact the Chinese Embassy. All I know is it can be done,other have done it. I want to visit the Silk Road oasis towns like Turpan, and see the Taklamakan Desert...all from the seat of my bike. So I'm prepared to do the initial slog to make it happen. I like your idea of purchasing a local Chinese bike. Could take some of the hassle out initially, could also add later on. Let me know how your plans progress. Cheers. Frank

Yes not a bad read at all, finished it waiting for a flight at Paris Airport. I do have a bit more of a riding background than he did but suffer from more years under the belt.
There is also plenty of good info from this blog Sibirsky Extreme

I've sent you a PM to intro myself.

Gidday Frank. I am definately departing from Vladivostok around May/June 2012.
But Im staying in Russia travelling west of course, bearing south to Georgia. Then either through Turkey or Moldover & Ukraine and on to London. Im riding a Kawasaki ZG1400 Concours. I'll probably go by myself. Most blokes seem to be riding dual purpose bikes. But depending on the dates possibly could arrange one or two rondevu points ? Regards Louie

More leaving from Japan
 

Hi Frank,
I've become aware of more people departing from Japan to Russia around the same time but a little bit earlier than we've been discussing. A couple riding up from the SE Asia area trying to come to Japan via China; which is proving challenging, and a Japanese biker. A bit more traffic and more experiences to tap in to. I'll be back in Japan in a couple of weeks and will start looking at ferry options then, prices have risen considerably from recent accounts and look to be rising again for the coming season for the boat to Vlad at least, might pay you to check the Korea to Vlad ferry prices.
Cheers

Do it to İstanbul and lets have a finish line party in our club garage.Then we can do the crates together and send your bikes back to your home countries same as done here several times..This will be a good chance for Turkish bikers to exchange experiences, develop spirit of adventure riding, etc.
please check photos of ex welcome parties and cratings on our facebook pages..
Lets make our club a meeting point of adventure bikers and civilizations.
Lets keep in touch.

Wish you all the best and safe rides.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/istan...00832336638060

Why not from most eastern point of Asia continent to most western point which is in Turkey and you will be given a certificate as a nice memory saying that you have been to the most western point of Asia continent.

When you watch the see, you will remember that you are at the west end of the greatest continent and % 60 of the world population lives behind you.
I think never done before.

This class certificates are given in 2 places on the world.
1-Turkey-Çanakkale-Babakale..west end of Asia continent.
2-Portugal-Capo da Roca..west end of Europe continent.

Here are the coordinates...:

Most Eastern Point....:
66° 4' 45¨ N, 169° 39' 7¨ W
Chukchi Peninsula-Cape Deschnjow

Most Western Point...:
39° 28' 45" N, 26° 03' 50" E.
Çanakkale-Babakale village.

Here is the photo of the certificate you will be given besides a bottle of champagne from our club...:

Wish you all the best .