Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Northern and Central Asia
Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
Photo by Stephan Hahnel, Kradwanderer, in Northern Argentina

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Stephan Hahnel,
www.krad-wanderer.de,
in Northern Argentina



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 1 Mar 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 170
Mongolia/Stans - July to Sept 2017

Hi all,

I have come up with a route and some dates for my upcoming trip.

While I tried to keep my dates as open as possible, i have a set date on 26th September for a China crossing into Pakistan and also need to provide some dates for an Uzbek and Turkmen visa

Appreciate any advice on the below route.

Special considerations to keep in mind would be a 350km fuel range and low ground clearance on my bike

1. Seoul (22/6) to Vlad Port (26/6) - Bonded Truck & Ferry

2. Vladivostok (28/6) to Ereentsav (7/7) - Approx 3000km over 10 days

4. Ereentsav (8/7) to Tsaganuur Border (29/7) - Via UB > Uliastai (Central Route) > Altai (South) and back up to the border. Approx 3000km over 21 days

5. Tsaganuur (30/7) to Shemonaika (1/8) - Approx 1000km in 3 days

6. Shemonaika (2/8) to Almaty/Karkara Border (6/8) - Approx 1500km in 5 days

From here, the next 4 weeks or so are Pamirs down through Kyrgyzstan to Tajikistan and back up towards Uzbenistak (route map shown below for Pamirs)

7. Karkara Border to Sary Tash

8. Sary Tash to Khujand

9. Khujand (5/9) to Khiva (13/9) - Approx 1200km in 9 days on the first of my 15 day UZ 2-part visa

10. Khiva (14/9) to Turkmenabat (18/9) - Approx 1300km over 5 days on a guided tour as I cannot get a transit visa for Turkmenistan but want to see the Darvaza Crater

11. Turkmenabat (19/9) to Irketsham (25/9) - Approx 1300km over 7 days on the 2nd 15 days of my UZ visa

12. 26th September - Group crossing into China towards Pakistan

As you can see, I have pretty much all open dates prior to getting into UZ on 6th August.

A lot of time allocated to Pamirs of which a week or so may be used up earlier through Russia or Kazakhstan.

3 weeks in Mongolia seems plentiful too taking into account I may travel slower than more well suited bikes.

Thanks in advance!!

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2 Mar 2017
maria41's Avatar
The franglais-riders
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,185
Hi, look sgood.


5. Tsaganuur (30/7) to Shemonaika (1/8) - Approx 1000km in 3 days

Yes it can be done in 3 days. The roads are in good condition if you stay on the main roads. Although, the Altai on the Russian side is absolutely stunning. I went back in 2015 and spent 10 days exploring it with local friends in 2015 and it was well worth it. It would be a shame to rush through. (you can see photos on my trip reports – see links via my website below)

6. Shemonaika (2/8) to Almaty/Karkara Border (6/8) - Approx 1500km in 5 days
Yes can be done in 5 days, if you stick to the main road.
Although it is well worth it to deviate a bit.

Also, instead of going to the main border crossing near Almaty, I would recommend the very small one on the East side: i.e. Kegen on Kazakh side, to Karakol on Kyrgyz side. Magnificent rides to do there. And also Karakol (the one near lake Issyk Kul!) is a very pleasant town, with plenty of tourists and nice food, to rest a bit! Also the border crossing is tiny and very fast.


9. Khujand (5/9) to Khiva (13/9) - Approx 1200km in 9 days on the first of my 15 day UZ 2-part visa

I presume you will go via Samarkand and Bukhara to Khiva? All worth a couple of days each I would think. Make sure you have plenty of cash (USD) with you in Uzbekistan. Not many cash points at all.

3 weeks in Mongolia: depends where you want to go and what to visit. It is a big country.

4 weeks for the Pamirs: depends what you want to do (hiking? exploring further?) . If you stick to the main road (M41 and the wakhan corridor) it should be fine . Many guided tours do that in 2 weeks! check out Muztoo.ch schedule for an idea !

3 months in total is plenty of time to explore the region.
__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 4 Mar 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 170
Thanks so much for your feedback Maria

Most of my dates leading upto my Uzbekistan entry are flexible as this is the only visa I had to specify a date for

The Tsaaganuur to Shemonaika route can easily have a couple more days added to appreciate the Altai region. Is there a route you would suggest? I'll check your website also

I had thought from the reports I'd read that KAZ wasn't that interesting hence the short time but I definitely plan on going around Laka Karakol form the samller multilateral border to the East

You're correct on my UZ route up to Khiva but here I had set myself another time constraint of going into Turkmenistan

I'm wondering if I should really bother with Turkmenistan as it will mean I have a fixed date and also will cost me around USD1500 for 5 days just so I can see the Darvaza Crater

Pamirs, I really don't know. I would like the idea of spending time in the small villages on homestays and taking my time

I may not be able to explore offroad tracks too much due to my bike but lets see

Will check the MuzToo schedule too

Thanks again !
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Mongolia & Stans - July - Sept 2017 7days1shower Route Planning 0 1 Mar 2017 13:54
2017 West Fest - Steamboat Springs, CO - July 20-23 Big_John North America 1 31 Jan 2017 14:29
Mongolia to Laos July 2017 M4NUEL Travellers Seeking Travellers 11 9 Jan 2017 07:01
Thailand guide share mid july 2017 johngaby Travellers Seeking Travellers 5 4 Jan 2017 09:06

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

  • California: April 18-21
  • Virginia: April 25-28
  • Germany Summer: May 9-12
  • Québec: May 17-19
  • Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
  • CanWest: July 11-14
  • Switzerland: August 15-18
  • Ecuador: August 23-25
  • Romania: August 30-Sept 1
  • Austria: September 12-15
  • France: September 20-22
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3

2025:

  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025!
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • France: September 19-21 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:08.