Karakorum Highway, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Summer 2012- sharing guide costs
 

Hello

I am posting to try and gauge any interest in travelling via the Stans, into China and then down into Pakistan.

To get through China, a guide is needed, and I have seen figures posted around about the €/£800 mark, this is very expensive, and I know that last year, a group got together and traveled together, thus sharing the expense.

If you are interested in doing this in 2012, please let me know and post here, as mentioned elsewhere, if the political situation between the US/EU states and Iran becomes more delicate, then this option may prove more popular.

I will be contacting the two state registered travel guide companies that do the route in the mean time and get up to date prices. I know it is necessary to book up several months in advance of travel, in order to get all the paperwork in order, so not to long to sort out.

Fern

Great idea
 

Thanks Fern,

We're planning to ride through the 'Stan's in the summer of 2012 on the way to Vladivostok then circle back to Europe via Japan, SE Asia, India and Iran. With Canada having also increased sanctions against Iran and knowing of at least two Canadians who have had trouble getting their Iranian visas before this trouble began we're looking for alternatives too. This certainly is the most palatable one.

I don't know if we would switch our trip around (a figure 8 instead of a big loop) so that we could share a guide but it is certainly worth considering. What approximate time frame are you looking to do this?

Hi Fern,

I will be interested. I am planning London to Pakistan sometime in June / July 2012.

Thanks,

Khalid

Hi,

I'm new to this site; I was planning on the riding Turkey - Iran - Pakistan - India this summer but with the Iranian situation it maybe that a rethink is required.

Let me know what you find out about the costs involved with overlanding through China as I could quite possible join you for a group crossing.

Regards

John

Possibly joining also this summer. Should know my plans (hopefully) in the coming week.

Hi

I plan the same route for 2012.
My scheduled for 2012 :
Departure from Romania: end of April 2012
Turkey – Georgia – Armenia – Georgia – Azerbaijan
Entering Turkmenistan from Azerbaijan by ferry: mid may 2012
The Stans – 4 to 5 weeks
Entering Mongolia from Russia (Tashanta): end of June 2012
Vladivostok – end of July, ship the bike by boat to Magadan and fly there.
Magadan: beginning of August 2012
Road of Bones maybe Old Summer Road
Yakutsk – mid August 2012
Irkutsk – beginning of September 2012
In beginning of September coming back home from Russia via Transiberian Highway, Volvograd – Kiev – Chisinau – Bucharest.

I guess we can keep contact and exchange information, maybe ride parts of the road together.

My email: asilindean@gmail.com

Adrian

Great idea to split costs.

We are planning on leaving from The Netherlands to SEA in March '12 (2up). Either via Turkey - Iran - Pakistan - India or Turkey - the stans - Mongolia - Japan or like these Honeymooners (Motoventurers: honeymoon world motorcycle adventure) via Turkey - the stans and a passage through China, pref. in April or May.

It all depends on how the situation in Iran will develop over the coming months.

hi Fern,

sounds like a good idea. i'm planning a similar trip for 2012 but for a single person the cost of the china guide are much to high...
maybe we can ride parts of the trip together ?

Hi Fern,

I would be interested although I'd need to peel off into Mongolia at some stage as I've got something to do there. But I'm flexible on the timing.

Belle

Great idea!
 

Hi Fern and the others,

I'm planning to leave from Paris end of May 2012 with a similar plan and would love to include China. Actually, China was my first objective when I first thought of travelling on a bike.

What's your schedule? Is it flexible?

I may also leave from the HU meeting in Germany on June 10th.

Cheers,
Nacho

I am very lucky, my time frame is very flexible, I can hand my notice in at work a month before I go, so time frame is dependent on how much money I get from my personal injury settlement from a car accident I had, the less money I spend, the faster I will do the trip, and the faster I will travel through Europe.

At the moment, my route is looking like:
UK, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, (might nip up to Almaty in Kazakhstan whilst in that neck of the woods) Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, India, Nepal, then into South East Asia.

Looking to leave UK from May to June, so good idea about the german Hubb meeting, but as for passage dates of the KKH, I can be flexible and go when most people can make a larger group if that makes sense.

I will spend some time in Lahore and Islamabad, as I have an offer of accommodation with UK diplomats. The FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office UK) advise against all travel on the road from Gilgit to Islamabad, so dunno whether to risk it or go a long way round.

One concern is hitting the tail end of the monsoon in India (I gather the monsoon is from June to September). I don't want to spend much time in India, but head straight from Pakistan to Nepal, by the shortest distance.

Haven't contacted the two travel companies yet, as have been very busy at work :-(

Hi Fern,

I have quite much similar plans for the route (if Iran is not possible).
Do you know if there is any special permits needed to Turkmenistan?
Still waiting information from my company when I would be free to enjoy my life :thumbup1:

-Marko

On the way home
 

Hi All
I will be leaving the UK the first week August, heading through
France
Germany
Austria
Hungary
Romania
Bulgaria
Turkey
Georgia
Russia
Kazakhstan
Uzbekistan
Kyrgyzstan
China 10th September Kashgar {approx 33 days in China}
China Lhasa
China Mohan
Laos
Home Thailand.

Very flexible with the route but my start date is really fixed within a week.

Eric

Marko,

After the death of Nyazov TM was supposed to open up a bit but it's apparently not changed much - LOI required - you're supposed to have a guide (although there are ways around this if you're on a transit visa). It is a bit of a hassle but a great place to visit. The easiest (logistically) way to get across is probably Russia - Kazakhstan - Kyrg although you can also get a boat to KZ from Azerbaijan. As I'm going to be pushed for time I am heading Ukraine - Russia - KZ - Kyrg - China - Pak - India - Ley.

The best looking route over to Nepal would IMO be to go through Srinigar and up to Ley then down to Manali. It's not the shortest but the Ley - Manali road looks mental.

I will also be heading down to Nepal to get the plane to BKK along with the rest of you - I am setting off June 12th (would have liked to go earlier but my best mate is inconveniently getting married) - watching this space..... In the words of captain planet - Our Powers Combine! (to get a discount on a guide but hey)

How do you mean /define 'mental' Henry?

Just [genuinely] curious.

Thanks

KEITH

.

Some information regarding Turkmenista and transit visa:
Turkmenistan - Visa & LOI
Turkmenistan - Visa & LOI - Detailed Information
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/turkmeni...ormation/visas

Route through Iran
 

Hi folks,

I am planning similar trip in summer 2012. My bike is in teheran already, where i arrived 3 weeks ago (very cold) from Armenia and georgia. travelling in Iran is very easy, provided you have a carnet. The locals are wonderful, petrol cheap, service very good, and no political problems. i plan to leave teheran aug 20 and arrive in china via -stans, then descending from kashgar to islamabad and leave bike there. i have heard that to get a permit for 1 province only is easier and possible, and one has just to pay for 3 days permit and guide. please contact me if you need more info about iran and let me know if you are interested to join forces for the china crossing. if we are many we might splurge and do 2 provinces.

Mark

Respect to you Fern / Fernando

Good luck with the planning. Keep things simple, back up documents by photo within an email (you can email yourself stuff!). You then have access to your documents if they go missing, once you can get to an internet connection.

So embassy's can speed up knowing the numbers/codes they use to produce duplicates.

Anything you take, you must be prepared to lose!!! So don't take a special watch or sentimental shyt.

As I said to you on The Rev Counter - UK Motorbike Forum - UK Motorbike Classfieds - Motorbike Blogs - Motorbike Articles - Motorbike Reviews please get/borrow a 'Spot messenger' (SPOT2) unit. This is a global SOS device.

SPOT SATELLITE MESSENGER :: HOME PAGE

Thanks Gunz,

I will consider a spot if I have the money, but also looking at similar apps on my iphone, trouble is my iphone is battery juicy, but looking at a solar panel, and an extra 12v on my bike,

There is so much you can potentially spend on travel kit!

I scan all my docs, and keep them on google docs, this means my family can access them from home, I can access them anywhere and have the pdfs on my iphone, as well as laminated copies.


----------------------------------------------------------

Back to the thread :-)

There seems lots of interest now, and lots of dates banded around, maybe we can collate peoples names and dates they want to travel?

I am only on a tiny netbook today, so will try and reply tomorrow from work, on my 'big computer'!

G'dauy Fern,
Me mate and I are looking for a similar trip also...a chap named Wuming is doing something similar in September, however he's heading to Laos and for us it would be better to head back through Nepal/Pakistan back to UK...

I ride a super ten and me mate a tenere also a very skilled mechanic (actually he's a bit of a magician...fixes bikes by the roadside with fork etc :))...so quite useful really...(he's also the bloke that went to nordkapp last january by himself there and back :))

Let us know your thoughts on dates/plans etc ...btw we both live in London (well outer edges of)....

By mental I mean a combo of the road - winding and gravel, and the lunar landscape it goes through. A mate of mine rode it on a hired Enfield and seeing the pics and hearing his description definitely whetted my appetite. I don't mean mental as in a highly busy and yet still precarious road like the KKH, apparently traffic to and from Lae is pretty calm

thanks Tomski, do you want to pm me your facebook details?

Hi Eric,

Since I'm planning to go RTW, your route fits me a lot more that Fern's. Enter China and then exit through Laos, it will allow me to skip impossible Myanmar. Is your China plan already fixed? Do you already have the travel agency and prices? How big a group is it?

Maybe we should move this discussion to a separate thread?

Cheers,
Nacho

Hi Fern,

Thanks for the pm, I can't message back yet as I'm such a new member. I look forward to hearing back from you. I have tried newlandtravel.net and xinjiantibetexpiditions.com who were very quick to reply, so might be worth trying for prices..

Thanks Steph

Hi
Sorry been away for Christmas and New Year in Vietnam, back on organising and planning.
China part as i said i booked and deposit is paid, i have 2 definate riders at the present, and 3 maybes, to be truthfull i dont realy want a school outing, the route has many proplems with altitude and its positiion small is sweet.
I agree i will start a new thread, its getting a bit messy with other trips taking place at the same time.

Eric

Hi peeps,

Just contacting you to let you know what quotes I have had back from the Chinese travel agencies r.e crossing from Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan via the KKH.


I have had costs back from two agencies that have been said to be the main folks, rather than the ones who subcontract out.

I am hoping to leave via the HUBB germany meeting in Early June, haven't quite worked out the dates I should hit the region for the crossing, but my dates are open to change depending on what the majority want to do, I don't want to end up crossing by myself as I don't have that much money!

I have based the quotes for now on 6no motorcycles with no passengers, just for simplicity's sake.


This is the rough itinerary I've seen listed and asked for.

Day 1: Arrival to China viaTorugart pass - Kashgar
Day 2: Kashgar
Day 3: Kashgar - Tashkorgan, drive Karakoram Higway over the mountain views of Mt. Mustaghata - Karakul Lake
Day 4: Tashkorgan - Kunjirap Pass - Pakistan


I've PM'd ten people who have posted in this thread, I won't type out the prices or emails, as I think this means the companies who have quoted will see what their competition is, so please pm me and I can forward the emails to you if you are interested.

What I need to do next is work on my budget, and route planning so I can more accurately predict where I will be when, so to speak.

:-)

Hi Fern
Wish you the best with your trip, may cross paths along the way, sounds like you will be 1 month ahead of us, keep intouch just incase there is anything we can help you with along the way.

Eric

Hi Fern, thanks for the pm, think this is my 5th post so I am hoping I will now be able to reply :-)
Thanks Steph

Yay! Fifth post! Hurray for fifth posts!
(Sorry for the nonsense post, it's my fifth too and now I should be able to reply and send PMs)

Anymore interest peoples?

I will email or pm the people that have already been in contact, it looks like we have enough willing people to make the group numbers financially viable.

What we need to decide now is dates?!

I want to pass through early enough to miss bad weather on the KKH, but not to early, as will be in end of monsoon period in Pakistan and Northern India

Can anyone advise best window of opportunity?

Thanks

Fern

Definitely want to be done with the KKH before mid July latest to avoid getting caught in Monsoon Rains.

Hi Fern,

I just wanted to check you got my private message reply?

John.

Hey guys,

i'm going to try Turkey - Iran - Pakistan - India - Nepal - Pakistan - KKH - Kyrgistan - Kazachstan - Russia - Mongolia - Russia - Japan
starting from Germany on Mid April 2012.

Is there any reason why most people do the KKH from North to South?
I mean Iran could get tricky, but is there any other reason for this?

Looks like i might meet some of the guys writing on this thread,
good to see that some are still considering iran. I will try to finalize my visa
in february, hope the political situation won't get worse.

Cheers
Moritz

most blogs i've read, the crossing has been early september, and a few of us are leaving europe in June, which would leave comfortable time to get to Kyrgyzstan for late aug

Were in the planning stage of doing it in early june,south to north to be in europe for late summer

this is what i've pmed to those interested so far, just to give you an idea of where i've/we've got to planning wise...

Hello folks!

At the moment there are 6 of us interested

If we remain 6, then the prices will stand, if less then the price will go up, but some of the prices like the guide is fixed however many pass through, and some are per rider, so i'm thinking there will be a sliding scale. I'm trying to work out what this will be based on different sized groups in case of dropout, so people can decide whether they can still afford it. I would get the two companies to do this but it is Chinese new year today, and they will be shut all week. (This means a quiet week at work for me!). Perhaps if I keep 'bumping' the thread, more people may join the 'interest group' that we are so far.

What we need to now arrange is dates of crossing,

I am suggesting the first week in September. (Although I am easy). This is also the same time as Revenue will be leaving for their epic Tibet trip if I have read correctly, so could mean quite a few of us in Kygyzgstan (can never spell that correctly). Let me know your avaliabilites and see if we can all come to a compromise on dates? I'm thinking this late in the season should miss the tail end of the monsoon in PAK and IND.

I will now ask the two companies (NAVO and Chinaoverland) if they can pencil dates in or check their availability. I'd like to see a better breakdown of costs from chinaoverland, to make a better comparison, and ask around on the Hubb for opinions of the two companies.


Please note if i'm coming across as too bossy, or too clueless let me know. I have no experience of organising overland tours, and i'm not a travel rep, i'm a solo overlander trying to hopefully make this passage cheaper for all and hopefully meet a great group of travellers and have a wonderful time, which is all a big reason why we are taking to the road.

If there is anything you think i'm missing, or need to ask, etc, please let me know. Your input will be muchly appreciated.


Take care


Fern

Hey Fern,

Thanks for all the hard work! I'll reply to your pm, I just need to achieve 5 posts!!

John

Nearly there!

Done :scooter:

hooray! :clap::clap:

Good Luck and Let us know ;)
 

Hi Fern (and all) :scooter:

Sadly we cannot join you this year (Although I wish!) but we have to work for one more year before we can attempt our RTW trip......

In any case the route you are describing looks amazing and I would love to attempt it in 2013 as part of the RTW..... It would be really great if you could keep us updated as to how it goes and maybe I may bug you for some tips in about a year's time?

The best of luck and have a great time!

If anyone want's to join or be joined
 

Hi everyone, this is my first post on HUBB!

I'm also travelling across the same places, I'm still on the planing part, and hope to ride from Lisbon (Portugal) solo, rushing through Western Europe, then take my time across Austria -Croatia - Serbia - Bulgaria - Turkey -Iran - Pakistan, do the Pakistan part of KKH up to the Chinese border, then back again into India, spend a few days in Nepal and shipping back the bike from India or Nepal.

I'll be leaving as soon as i finish my dissertation, witch I'm intending to do by mid July.
So if anyone wishes to join or would appreciate some company along the way here are my contacts (remove all the ~):

Pedro Costa
pedrocosta.fct~@~gmail.com
+351~96~477~20~37
Pedro Homero | Facebook

Cheers bier

Hey Moritz, i was going to send you a PM but this 5 post policie...

Looks like I'll be doing the same route as you (at least half of it), and since you'l be going much sooner than me, and probably end up crossing ways as I'm doing the Pakistani side of the KKH until the Chinese border and turning back before entering India.

Will you be writing any blog or anything alike so i can accompany your trip and know what's worth seeing and what is not?

it's more than likely we'l cross paths somewhere along the way, so in the unlikely scenario you'l need anything in which I'll be able to help, my contacts are in the above post

Cheers bier

If anyone is considering freighting bike/flying into Almaty in SE Kazakhstan to save them the long (and boring?) ride from western Europe and then continue of Fern’s trip through China etc, maybe check out this link: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...zachstan-60688

The final freight cost for (currently) 9 bikes is euro750 per bike from Rotterdam/Netherlands. More bikes will mean a cheaper price per bike.

I will be delivering my bike from West Yorkshire/ England to Ad’s address in Arnhem/NL some time between mid April and late May (and if I put the bike in the back of my van, I’ll have space for 1 more...). The container leaves in early June. Scheduled container opening in Almaty is 16 July. Most people are flying out the weekend before.

Please PM/email me or reply directly to Ad’s post.

Cheers
Chris

Hey Pedro,

just added you on facebook, i guess i will write some stuff there too.
but my travel blog is 1World2Go | 1 World, 2 go..
I'm very curious if everything will work out with my iran and pakistan visas,
on german news things are really getting more serious.
I will let you know..., see you on the road!

Moritz

Hi everybody

we will also be travelling in that area in Summer 2012.

Leaving Europe in April and going through Italy, Greece, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal, and then further on to SEA, Australia, .... we expect to be at KKH in July.

Since the situation in Pakistan seems to be a bit tricky at the moment, it would be great to stay in touch and learn from each other travelling in that area in Summer 2012.

Cheers,
Heike & Filippo

We be taking the very same route (Iran - Pakistan - India - SEA) , starting from the Netherlands in March 2012. We will be 2up - although you guys will be leaving not until April, must be taking us over at some point. You might want to consider going into China to Laos from Nepal? We are looking for people that want to join. Timing June / July.

Hi,
KKH and Pakistan are in a much better shape than the media makes us believe and is welcoming to travellers. I am living here along with another 180 million people :)
Pakistan Bikers Club teams would be on the KKH this summer and you can join them. All chapters of PBC would be glad to facilitate your trip. When in Lahore give me a call and we might arrange a meeting with the local bikers over a cup of tea.
Last year a group of European members of HU did the same sharing cost while crossing China and might be able to advise you with experience.

Cheers
Omar

Thats great news Omie,
Would love to meet your club next year when we travel on the KKH,

Fern,

You asked for opinions on NAVO and Chinaoverland. In response to my emails both companies replied with reasonably comprehensive details on what to expect for my scary amount of money. In an attempt to reduce the quoted price I asked both companies to cut out the additional sightseeing days/excursions. Both were willing to do this but to be honest it didn't bring the cost down all that much.

I've also been dealing with a third company, Xinjiang Tibet Expeditions. They came back with a comparitively cheap quote which certainly got my attention. After several attempts to get more details it turns out that, unlike the other two companies which are offering a fully guided/escorted trip, Xianjiang provide a guide for just the entry/exit crossings, and the necessary paperwork. Any additional use of a guide can be bought on a daily charge basis.

On the face of it this seems a good deal but I've been under the impression that unescorted travel once in China was forbidden. Xinjiang are saying that's it's optional and once clear of the border formalities you're free to go.

If anyone can clarify the situation I'd be most grateful.

Pete

Looking forward to meeting you in Lahore. Have a nice trip.

Hi Omie, it would be nice to meet you in September in Lahore!
Also, all suggestions regarding must see places are more than welcome :thumbup1:

Hi Hemuli,
Let me know the time at hand, the level of adventure you are seeking and your interest in trekking and we can make a detailed program for you. Personally I am as much of a trekker as a biker and Pakistan is a trekkers paradise.

Would be nice to meet you in Lahore.
Cheers
Omar

KKH-unguided
 

My Polish friends Iza&Kamil did this in 2008 on their RTW. It's certainly much cheaper than the "guided" option but I'm not sure this could be done all the way through Tibet to Lhasa.

Their Bog:.....................................

Independent travel using a foreign registered vehicle is prohibited in China. Generally, to bring your own vehicle in, you must hire a guide who will arrange for the appropriate permits, driving licenses and even Chinese registration plates! This was also the way we intended to travel, until the recent unrest in Kashgar brought on temporary closure of borders and the decision by the government to stop all foreigners from riding/driving in China. Our only hope of transiting through to Pakistan, was to ferry the bike over the border on the back of a truck, then ride it (illegally) to Pakistan. Of coarse this still required some ‘arranging’ by our agent…

Approaching Chinese immigration we were happy to see that our ‘declaration’ process was in full swing. All documents were prepared and the only thing left for us to do was present our passports and sign a declaration card, which one of the Chinese border officials had already filled out Customs (which included x-rays and a radiation test!!) was nothing more than a formality and we were soon preparing to load the bike onto the awaiting van. Instead our agent told us to just get on the bike and ride.

We couldn’t believe it! We were actually riding in China!!
The 250km trip from the border to Kashgar was an easy ride on good paved roads.

Omie, It sounds as if anyone approaching Lahore who encounters your kind offers of hospitality will be warmly received!

I have just sent an email off to Xinjiang & Tibet Expeditions asking for two prices, one with guide and one without, for the short route we are planning

You got that right Fern :thumbup1:

Isa and Kamil; What a wonderful couple it is. They spent quite some time in Lahore and Multan also.

I have quotes from Wayne, 1450USD per biker, without guide and 1550USD with guide, so a lot more expensive than the other quotes. Will see If I can negotiate, or maybe something is lost in translation.

Hiya Fern,

Do you mind me asking where you had the cheaper quotes from? I ask because out of the three companies I've been dealing with, Wayne at XTE gave the cheapest price. However, he has been very light on detail and after half a dozen emails I'm still not really sure what I'll be getting for my money.

NAVO on the other hand come across very professionally, with a full day by day breakdown of everything. Appearances can be deceiving I know. They are more expensive as well.

As much as I'd like to see more of China it's just too expensive to spend more than the minimum time there.

Looking at your two quotes Fern, it strikes me as odd that there's only a $100 difference between no guide and guide, for what is at least a three day trip.

Hello, my bike is already in Kyrgystan and I am looking for companions to go through China in summer 2012. regarding time I am flexible but my route is fix: silkroad and then Mongolia. How about going together and share cost of Chinese guide?

I went with one of these offers in 2007. $1500 to get all the permits and a guide to get us processed into the country and the on to Urumqi.

After that we would be free to go. Well, not quite. On arrival in Urumqi, we were told that would be another £3200 for the remainder of the trip!
We told them, politely, to go forth and multiply.

We stayed in Urumqi to do maint on the bikes and then ran away early the following day:clap: and took a completely different route than the one we told them we were taking:mchappy:

The problem was the exit. The guides/agency had all the import docs and we were not able to process ourselves out at Tashkurgan. It was explained that we would be arrested when our visa ran out:( so we had to contact the agency again, return to Kashgar and hand over $1500 to be processed out:nono:

Not happy about it at all but no other options... Do NOT believe the offers of a cheap un-guided tour... wont happen.

The majority of the monies go to the government... its a tourist tax. The guides are paid a pittance.

Cheers,
John

Hi all,

I would also be interested in joining a group for the route thorugh China into Pakistan.

We would be riding two up, our idea was mid august but we are also a little flexible.

Fern, I will PM you with the quote I got from New Land International.

Jose

keeping an eye on the KKH option
 

Hi

I'm keeping an eye on this one as Iran is dodgy and possibly even more so for my riding buddy from USA. KKH is plan C.

(We've already dropped plan A)

Hi

Iran isn't dodgy in terms of personal security, from what i've heard. I'm only doing the KKH because the visa situation is somewhat unpredictable, and I don't want it to scupper my trip.

If Iran visa is possible when I go, I will pop into Iran from Turkey, but still do the Pamir and Karakorum Highways, as it looks awesome. (In the true sense of the meaning!)

One of the questions i'll be asking the two tour operators that look promising is the latest date we can up numbers, so i'll post back soon..

Jose, no PM yet, I haven't accidentally missed it?

Thanks Fern for pm,info really useful
Just signed up for your blog as well
See you out there
Cheers Clive

you are welcome :-)

karakorum highway
 

Hello
I am new on your forum, not a biker , I travel with an iveco 4x4
I am at this moment in sikkim , I crossed iran and pakistan last december with no trouble at all.
If it is possible to cross the lake on the kkw with my truck I will be crossing from pakistan to china september the third to join in kashi a group of 2 bikes and a 4x4 entering china from kirgistan to cross tibet yunan onto laos .
is somebody thinking to cross around this date?
Best wishes to everyone
Jean-claude

Hi Fern,

I sent you an email through hubb since you didn´t get my pm.

Did you get my mail? If not, tell your another email adress to forward it to you.

Jose

Hi Jose

Did get your PM, will reply this week, about to go to sleep

take care

Fern

Hello Fern, we are 2up heading east around your timeframe & are very interested.

Other way around
 

Hi!

We are two riders on an RTW started from Europe (croatia). We are now in South America after finishing North American part of out trip and we are thinking how to continue from here, but if all goes well we'll find some way of transport to India and from there we are thinking of taking KKH around end of may.

As I understood lots of you here are going North-south, but if somebody is willing to go south-north we are very interested in shareing the cost or just enjoying the trip together?

We are also interested in avoiding the whole KKH and just going India-Pakistan-Iran route as long as we have some company to trevel with :).

Irena and Petar
Earth on wheels - Earth on wheels

We want to join
 

Hi Fern,

did you get a quote now?
Wayne seems to be really expensive.
Did you ask travel

Maybe we will be also at the HU Meeting in Germany.

Uli

follow us: alser-on-tour@gmx.de

Have a blast
 

Hi Guys

Sorry we can't make it on your trip, it sounds great. As part of our Australia to UK ride we did the KKH from Islamabad to Kashgar last May. It was fantastic. We searched for pepole to come with us but no one was around at the time.

Enjoy, and have fun getting up and over the lanslide at the lake!!

Cheers

Mongolia - China - The Stans
 

Hi Fern,

I am very interested in how you are going with the quotes. Two of us are heading into China in August in the reverse direction. It would be great to hear more about your dealings with these companies.

Hi Fern, we would definatively would like to join the group for sharing costs.

is there a definitive date?

what are the next steps?

are the costs already fixed?

Thanks

Regards

Jose

Hey Guys,
It might be of interest that they have had a controlled blast on the landslide lake making a new, wider spillway operational. This has reduced the level of lake by 19 feet freeing some part of KKH. It should go down even more, lets keep our fingers crossed.

Cheers
Omar

KKH
 

Hi Fern,

Very interesting to share the costs for KKH from north to south.Our plan is to be KYR/CHN border at around mid July. We are two bulgarian motorbikers ,starting from Sofia;Turkey;Iran;Turkmenistan;Uzbekistan;Tadjikis tan;Kyrgizstan;hopefuly China;Pakistan;Iran;Turkey and finaly back to Bulgaria.

Please,if you are interested,let me receive the quotes you have and to arrange something if our time frame suits your plans!!!

I did PM to you.

Cheers,

Simon

Lohore
 

Hi Omar,

Sounds great...:thumbup1: we could be(we hope) at KKH at around mid July 2012 and to meet up the club would be fantastic.Because Lohore is on our route,once we come there I'll drop you a line for a cup of tea.

Thanks,

Simon

Hi Simon, we're headed East in a week's time. We'll be visiting a friend in Sofia (who doesn't know anything about bikes). Do you perhaps have a tip on getting new tyres there for my Honda Africa Twin? ;-)

Tyre change in Bulgaria
 

Hi Simon, we're headed East in a week's time. We'll be visiting a friend in Sofia (who doesn't know anything about bikes). Do you perhaps have a tip on getting new tyres there for my Honda Africa Twin? ;-)

Looking forward to seeing you Simon.

Have a nice and safe trip.
Omar

Hi bajatwin,

I think you'll need 21" front and 17" rear,am I right?,if yes there are plenty,no worry:welcome:

I will PM you with my phone number,once you are here in Sofia,please give me a call.

ride safe!

Cheers,

Simon

Sounds great Simon, we'll give you a call! And hopefully you have not departed for your trip by then! We'll expect to arrive in Bulgaria end of March.

Tyre sizes are right. Thanks for the complements on the AT!

Cheers,
Roemer

Just for info.... They have started lowering the Attabad lake level by deepening the spillway:

AGU Blogosphere | The Landslide Blog | Falling lake levels at the Attabad landslide dam


John

Just an update on planning,

so far we have accumulated 4 or 5 fairly certains, and a potential total of up to 10, although I don't think a group any larger would work well,

dates: entering China 4 5 or 6th September.

We narrowed the choice down to two agencies and close to finalising, so just investigating the nitty gritty- how we pay, how to sort out paperwork

Please though still pm me if anyone else is interested in case people drop out?


Thanks

Fern


p.s glad to hear about the lake shrinking. :-)

Hi Fern,

I am interested in joining the group yo are arranging. I will be travelling together with my friend (two mtocycles) from Poland to Brasil. We plan to get into China from Kyrgyzstan, then Pakistan KKH north to south and finally get to India from Pakistan.

Further on we would like to make a route from India to Nepal, Tibet to Laos.

We plan to enter China from Kyrgyzstan arround 5th os September.

Let me know if that would be suitable for you.

@Fern : I recently sent you a private message and an email. Since I got no response, I ask you whether you received. I'm also interested to join your group ..
regards,

Haven't got the time to read every post in this thread, but I'm looking at going from pakistan thru china to Kyrgyzstan in mid May 2012 and then west into the stans.

Anyone else looking to go in this direction at this time give me a hoy!

Cheers,
Drew

Rone and Jastrap you should have Pm :-)

Hi fern, would I be right in thinking that for your planned route you can get all the visas on the road? Are there any you have to get in your own country?
Cheers
Dayne

Here is the thread about getting Pakistan Visas at border. It is usually a big no no, only issued in UK, but situation changes.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-info-re-60011

Otherwise, not sure, I think the stans are all ok on the hoof, dunno about China as I've got a multi entry business one through work

Hi Drewsome,

Just saw your Visitor Message (from Dec 2011) the other day. Have sent a reply.

I am leaving Australia on 16th May. Will be in Islamabad in early June. Travelling up KKH late June and entering China in early July. Then on to KYR, TAJ, UZB, TKM and Iran.

Might see you on the road somewhere.

Cheers,
Brian

Hi Omar,

I will be in Lahore and Islamabad in early June and travelling up KKH to Khunjerab Pass in late June and on to Kashgar in early July.

Maybe will see you and PBC on the road sometime.

Cheers,
Brian

Hi Brian,

We have to enter Tourugart pass to Kashgar at around 15/16th of July 2012 heading to Khunjerab pass,so,if you are still there during these dates let's meet up for a tee let say(bier better).

Regards,

Simon

Dates might just suit me too.
 

Those dates look good for me. I suspect a few may drop out but 10 people would get costs down.

I'm still unsure about Iran so I will have to make decision soon or miss the boat.

Hi Brian,
Meeting in Lahore would be fine for me. :) Looking forward to have you in Lahore.

Regards
Omar

Hi Simon,
bier
Would love to have a beerwith you but it looks like I will just miss you. I am entering China via the Khunjerab Pass on 3rd July and exiting via Irkeshtam Pass into KYR on 9th July.

I see you are from Sofia. I will be heading through Bulgaria in late August/early September. Any suggestions or recommendations?

Keep in touch.
Cheers,
Brian

Hi Omar,

Thanks. That would be great. I plan to be in Lahore about 2/3 June. What is the best way to contact you or PBC when I get there?

Cheers,
Brian

Hi Brian,

Late August,early September I suppose we'll be back in Bulgaria,so:welcome: for a bier

Please PM me with your plans and dates and I'll try to organise good staying for you here in Sofia.

Cheers,

Simon

Hi Brian,
You can email or PM me and I get it on my BB. You can visit the PBC website too.
Cheers
Omar

Hi Omar,
Thanks for that. I will PM you when I get to Lahore.
Just saw the ""Places to Stay" page on the PBC website. Can you recommend any hotel in particular? You can PM me if you prefer.
Cheers,
Brian