China end of May 2009
 

Hi

My friends and I are going around the world starting from Kuwait, Iran, Pakistan, India, Bhutan, Nepal, and then China then fly to Alaska, Canada, US to New York, then fly to London, France, Switzerland, Italy, then take the ferry to Tunis, Libya, Egypt, then another ferry to Jordan, KSA, then back to Kuwait.

We are looking for some one to share the cost of the China part, starting in Tibet, and ending in Beijing. travel time = 18 days.

We don't mind any one tagging along for any other part of the trip also. Push off is begging of May 2009, total days expected for the whole trip is 110 days.

The website is not done yet but my blog is still running.:mchappy:

Kuwaiti Biker:

This sounds like an adventure of a life time. A friend of mine tried to enter China last year on a trip that started in the UK and worked east. He found out through the Chineese Embassy in the UK that there was a 14,000 Euro fee to bring his bike into the country. According to the Chineese the fee was refundable when you leave the country. My friend didn't trust that he'd receive a refund and decided not to go. I'd like to hear from you if you find out anything different. I've been to Kuwait many times. I wish you the best of luck. Have you calculated an estimate or your trip cost yet?

Cheers

Wayne

Well Wayne as you probably know China does not allow independent travel on a foreign registered bike, so through the HUBB I managed to fined two tour agencies that will handle the red tape of importing the bike, registering it in China, and then exporting it when we leave. They also have a guide that we will have to follow , and that the route needs to be approved by the Chinese Authority with no deviations.

Most of the information I received from the agents were similar but a few were different. For instance one agent stated that I have to pay a deposit when the bike is imported, and that it would depend on the price of the bike. The higher the price the higher the deposit, and yes you would get it back once you export the bike, I believe it is some sort of insurance that you don't sell the bike or leave it there. However I was told that the refund would take a month to process.

The quotes I received fro the agents services were also different ranging from 8,000 US$ to 10,000 US $ per person for a group of three traveling for 18 days inclusive of hotels and meals.

One agent stated that the visa given from the Chinese embassy here in Kuwait will not get me into Tibet from Nepal. He stated that all entry into Tibet from Nepal requires the visa to be issued form the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu.

I agree that it is expensive to travel on your own bike through China, but It is the trip of a lifetime, we believe that visiting China will be worth the cost.