To ship or drive through the middle east? - Horizons Unlimited

**marc and judy** · #1 26 Feb 2006

Hi, We're planning to leave Dublin in September, to drive and work our way around the world. We'll drive Europe, but were then thinking of shipping the bikes to India from Turkey or somewhere near there, to avoid the middle east, due to instability. However, a lot of what I have read here is very positive. So I would simply like your opinion, based on your experience. Which way is cheaper? Is there a safe route through the middle east? And if not, is it hard to ship into India? I heard there was a lot of red tape, especially because we will be staying a while and working. Any advice you can give would be great! Thanks!

**AnderZen** · #2 26 Feb 2006

This is a hard one. I have only experience from Iran and this is one the most fascinating countries I have been to. People are very nice and welcoming to a degree that will sometimes embares you because it´s hard to return. People are very interested in the west and many are well educated and in a sense very modern. I think you will meet nothing but friendlines from the average citicen in Iran.

That said it is an extremely restrictive and repressive seciety where much is forbidden. With the present conservative government and the tensions over the neuclear programme sanctions or even military intervention from the west can not be excluded.

Pakistan has also seen alot of violent tension lately between moslem fundamentalists and the government.

**seanh** · #3 26 Feb 2006

DRIVE!

**Frank Warner** · #4 27 Feb 2006

THe cheapest way is to say home and watch videos.

Drive it and you'll have the experience. Stay away from large mobs, big cities and you'll be fine.

Go around it and you'll never know.

**tobiasmauz** · #5 27 Feb 2006

Hi,

we went through Iran and Pakistan from october till december 05.
The people were in both countries amazingly friendly and helpful. We had no problems in these countries. The roads in Iran were very good, in Pakistan sometimes crap but driving was always possible.

But check the latest political situation.

Have fun in riding through these countries,

Reni & Tobi (www.transasiatour.de)