Hi
We are planning a RTW trip in our VW Syncro starting from the UK next April 15. We want to head east and plans so far are -
Uk -across Europe -Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan - then either Kazakhstan or we could nip into Krygyzstan first any tips on this would help.
after Kazakhstan, Russia then Mongolia and then this is where our big dilemma comes in.
We would love to go to China but it does seem very expensive to take your vehicle and you really do need to find others to travel with which looking on this site we could probably hook up with someone, however we eventually want to get to the US and we have been told it is difficult to ship out of south east asia??? If we can where would be the best place to ship from to get to north America - we will want a container not roro.
Another option would be to drive from mongolia through sibera to valdivostok and ship the van and while it is sailing off to the US do China backpacking - we have to spend 5weeks somewhere while our vehicle is being shipped.
Any info on any of the above would be amazing at the moment I am going round in circles and need someone to give me a slap and get me back on track!!!
Cheers guys I know someone out there will be able to put us back on track

Hi.. Will watch with interest as the route you mention out to Vladivostok is exactly what I'm intending, leaving the UK last weekend in April.
I'm still undecided about where to ship to from there but planning to get to Australia and NZ before USA.

Cheers
Mark

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Mark
http://chasingdreams2014.blogspot.co.uk/

Yes we should keep in touch as we may be able to help each other out - have you sorted visas yet?

Roll on April

try enq here

CSCA Home

htsh

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Current : 2007 Mowag Bucher Duro 6x6 Motorhome , 2006 Sedici 4x4, 2007 Range Rover supercharged

Not sorted out visas yet.. I would like to sort some on the road if I can so I'm not tied to specific dates, but I need to do some more investigations into what I HAVE to sorry out in advance..

__________________
Mark
http://chasingdreams2014.blogspot.co.uk/

We have been in touch with David from Stantours and I think he can help sort them for you on route. - you just have to firm up your route which we haven't yet!

You can ship to the US from Vlad through Links Ltd. Speak to Yuri:

Links Ltd
Yuri Melnikov
89, Svetlanskaya str, suite 312
690078 Vladivostok, Russia
Links Ltd | professional packing and moving services provider in Vladivostok, Russia
TEL +7 (423) 2220 887
FAX +7 (423) 2221 578
Mobile +7 (902) 5243 447

This would be your cheapest and easiest option.

If you really want to cross China then its best to put a post in the travellers seeking travellers section. Groups tend to form each year combining bikes with 4x4s and trucks. Just be aware that every story I have heard, people have been rushed and not enjoyed their experience. I did see a post recently of a man in China who can get you in and travel independently without a guide. I have been searching for it again for you but cannot find it.

We considered shipping the truck and then taking the trans Mongolian train through Mongolia and into China. This wouldn't be a bad option. In the end we had little money so had to hide out in Indonesia while we waited for the truck to reach Australia

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www.Siroccoverland.com | Follow us on Facebook

Hi
Yes we have been in touch with Yuri and he has been very helpful. We now have two bikers to go through China with organised by NAVO. However am still in two minds what to do even taking a mth to go through China is going to be pushing it and could be hassle shipping out of SE Asia. We have to be somewhere while the vehicle is being shipped, so in theory if we get visas we could still do China backpacking or failing that go lie on a beach somewhere for a few wks!!
We would really love to "do" China but think it will have to wait for the next adventure as we do want to travel down through the states into South America - so much to do, too little time (and money!)

Yes someone sent me the link - I think it is on one of the other threads, I'll try and find it. To be honest when I read it, it all seemed a bit daunting and at the moment we are still dealing with renting the house, sorting work etc, ect and as newbie Overlanders I'm not sure I feel up to taking it on - however may feel different after we have made the break and are on the road.
What appeals most about this overlanding lark is the freedom and all of a sudden I feel tied up with - having to do things at certain times because of visa restrictions etc
no doubt will all be better once we are out on the road
roll on April

Yes there are quite a lot of visa restrictions but once you have a plan it all flows freely. Overlap your visas by a a few days or even a week where you can as this gives you the option to hang around or 'get out' of that great/crap country. Also don't be tight with your visas, pay a few extra $$$ to extend them. You never know whats going to happen, you may want to stay in one spot for weeks (ie the Pamirs) or have a breakdown requiring parts to be flown in. You wont want the stress of visas once that happens!

Also know the protocol for extending your visas incase the poop hits the fan. You will be better prepared to deal with it on the ground then.

Don't let this all worry you though, its far easier once you are on the road! You will be surprised how many people are out there travelling in remote areas and don't have a clue what they are doing!

G

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Land Rover D90
www.Siroccoverland.com | Follow us on Facebook

Hello,
Sure it'not easy to decide considering the difficulties from each part !
In my opinion, crossing China, even on a "pushy rythm" and not on the best conditions stays a very good way to combine in one trip Mongolia AND south east asia (i can not choose between those two...).
We are 2 vehicules confirmed to cross China in september (30 days), from Mongolia to Laos. We have other informal contacts ongoings.
Price gets "lower" if we are several vehicules traveling altogether.

Please let me know if your?re interested !
Cheers

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Untouracinq.over-blog.com

Hi just a quick reply. I crossed China, Tibet and Mongolia then into Russia and on to Europe in 2009/2010. We used NAVO who were VERY good. Yes expensive but if you want to go that is the cost! Details of our trip are on my site toyotadreamingv1 there is a link to the Rottnest to Rotterdam trip there. You can ship from Russia or drive down into Laos then Thailand and ship from there. Remember that over landing does require spending lots of time doing visa " stuff" in fact it seems like that occupies you most of the time on some days, and other countries have other processes some easy some infuriating but heck it is their country and their process do just roll with it. Just decide to go, that is the hard part the rest is just process. Enjoy it all and if I can help in any way contact me on micko@mickoobyrne.com Cheers.

Oops my website should read toyotadreaming.com

Hi just a quick reply. I crossed China, Tibet and Mongolia then into Russia and on to Europe in 2009/2010. We used NAVO who were VERY good. Yes expensive but if you want to go that is the cost! Details of our trip are on my site toyotadreamingv1 there is a link to the Rottnest to Rotterdam trip there. You can ship from Russia or drive down into Laos then Thailand and ship from there. Remember that over landing does require spending lots of time doing visa " stuff" in fact it seems like that occupies you most of the time on some days, and other countries have other processes some easy some infuriating but heck it is their country and their process do just roll with it. Just decide to go, that is the hard part the rest is just process. Enjoy it all and if I can help in any way contact me on micko@mickoobyrne.com Cheers.

I can identify with that feeling !

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Mark
http://chasingdreams2014.blogspot.co.uk/