Some decisions made
 

So, thanks to everyone for their advice, we have made 2/3rd the decisions we need to.

We did consider coming down through Russia and looking at catching the Socci/Trabzan ferry (I think it was that one). Thus we would be able to enter Iran after getting the visa from the UK. But this would mean that we would have to route through China and back down the KKH, which is fine, but we would stuggle to get down the KKH by closing time.

So, instead we have decided to miss out Russia (do it another time) and come down through Bulgaria and follow this route:

Turkey - Iran - Turkmenistan - Uzbekistan - Tajikistan - Kyrgyzstan.

The last bit is what we are undecided on. I was thinking that we should head from Kyrgyzstan down the Torugart Pass into China and then down the KKH.

My wife (who remember is not going to Russia as she desired) thinks it will be a shame to miss out the SE corner of Kazakhstan, and would like to enter there.

Does anyone know if this is worth the hassle and if so, should we look at a double entry visa in Kyrgyzstan or perhaps push across the Chinese border at Khorgos? I think she is excited by the gorge and mountains, but i have a feeling we will see plenty along the pamir etc.

Any thougths welcome, and thanks for the help.

Cheers

Have the journey through China agreed and arranged well ahead
 

Once in CA it will take you anything up to a month or longer to arrange. I've heard of people who managed to arrange it a lot faster. Usually they pay top price for that. Lots of people have been rejected at the Tougar pass, it is well known for it.
Have a great adventure.
dd

Cant see any reason why Khorgos would be more difficult than Torugart Pass. The other way if anything, but you will have a guide etc... yes? Then its just more money for a longer trip through China.
I would have thought SE Kaz was well worth it for the canyon but to make sure, go to Almaty and Lake Balqash as well!

Remember, you will probably only go once!

Pic is the lake reflected in the clouds... nothing to do with lens reflections.

Cheers,
John

Stantours
 

Great thanks John, probably enough encouragement there to make me want to do it :)

We are using Stantours to sort our guide, and also visa/LOIs. Will drop him another email on Monday and see what difference it makes to the price.

thanks

Crossed the torugart last summer with a group of cars. Was very complicated and you will need to pre-arange everything. We had all the hotels and route lined up all the way to Beijing, no deviation possible. We arrived during the Olympics, which made it even more difficult. Spent 4 days with various testing/paperwork to get all the permits sorted while we were in China, despite all the work that had gone into it beforehand.

Torugart border crossing is in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, makes it more difficult as well.

You could go up to Kazach, loop Siberia into Mongolia and cross at Ehenhot, could be less of a hassle. Keep in mind the permit needed to enter China is NOT cheap.

We are hoping that sorting everythign out in advance via Stantours will cut a bit of the hassle. David will hopefully sort the guide, visas etc etc needed.

Where is Ehenhot? I cannot find it anywhere ....

Hi,

As you can see from the replies, there's various ways & routes for the Stans. Here's my 2 cents worth...

I was there from July to October this year. Route: Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan

I had all my visas in advance apart from the Chinese one (which I got in Tashkent). Details for how I got my visa are on my website. The only difficult visa was Turkmenistan – those guys really like to mess you around. Turkmenistan Embassy in London: useless. The one in Belgium was OK, but told me the visa would only be valid for 3 months. The one in Vienna (ask for Mr Madela) was good: no 3 month limit, very friendly. I don't think it's a problem if you're NOT Austrian (worked OK for me and my travel partner: 1x German, 1x British). But I've got to say: they did mess me about quite a bit, asking for a LOI for a Transit-Visa... something that doesn't exist.

Kyrgyzstan (Embassy in Berlin): easy. No time limit. Tajikistan (Embassy in Berlin): easy, including GBAO permit. No time limit. Uzbekistan (Embassy in London): not the friendliest fella when I went there, but once he heard 'motorcycle' he got a bit more enthusiastic/friendly. No time limit as far as I remember.

Visa en-route: my travel-partner got his Kyrgyzstan Visa in Tashkent (1 day express). And we both got our China visa in Tashkent (get airplane ticket, get online hotel booking confirmation, show those to embassy, get visa, cancel plane ticket... but I think this was just because of the Olympic Games and the Chinese government getting overly concerned after the Olympic torch demonstrations).

I met a lot of people who got various visa in either Tashkent or Bishkek. But: Turkmenistan was ALWAYS a problem... wrong route, delayed processing time,...
I'm not sure, but I seem to remember a Swiss guy who got his Iran visa in Bishkek without too much hazzle.

If you can afford it, why not give China a go? The KKH in China is an absolute DREAM to ride. We had our problems getting in, but that was because of the Olympic Games. And once we changed from a 'problem agent' to a 'proper agent' (Newland Travel from Kashgar were absolutely superb!), we got things moving within 3 days. But it should be MUCH easier for 2009, now those dreaded Olympic Games are over.... cost for 2 bikes: $700 each. And you can stay in Kashgar or elsewhere for no extra money - as long as you don't move the bike.

Afghanistan: Because China closed its borders to Kyrgyzstan unexpectedly, we considered going from Tajikistan through Afghanistan. Until I contacted the HU community there (1 guy only), who made it crystal clear that Afghanistan on a motorcycle is not a good idea. (Kidnappings, bombings,...)

Hope this helps - Good luck with the planning!
Bjorn