Advice for female solo biker in Iran and other places!
 

Hi
Just joined!
I am setting of on a solo world trip on my 39th birthday, 27th March 2014. I have a couple of routes I am considering but the one I would like to do is to go through Eastern Europe, Turkey, Iran, boat to Dubai and then Dhow to India, Bhutan, Burma and then on to Vietnam and Thailand etc.

The other option of course is Mongolia and Russia to miss out China (budget will not allow China which is a shame).

The official government advice is not to travel in Iran and several people have told me it is dangerous especially as a woman travelling on my own.

Can anyone tell me if I have to have a police escort in Iran?

Would love your opinions as there seems to be a lot of scare mongering going on! Should I take notice?

By the way my blog and facebook sites are below if anyone is interested in following my journey (and the planning)
https://www.facebook.com/OneWomanOne...neWorld?ref=hl
http://www.stephmoto-adventurebikeblog.com/

Hi Steph and welcome, I am not in a good position to answer your question about female travellers but am sure somebody who is will be along shortly.
If you use the search facility in the top right hand corner and check out riding in the places you mention you will find out a few things that apply to everybody male and female, Bhutan, Burma and Vietnam are all very difficult at best. But it is still possible to travel something like the route you suggest and women have done something like it before on their own.

Don't rule out the Central Aisa route, you might be able to join a convoy crossing China and share the cost which can bring it down considerably, they sometimes show up here in travellers seeking travellers.

Take a look at Tiffany's site which should give you an idea of what is possible

Home | Tiffany Coates Travels the World

Mark

PS you also might want to tell us something about yourself in your profile such as country of origin, passport, type of bike, it can make a big difference to the answers you get

Cheers Mark. I have now added a few bits to my profile and great advice re China although I am pretty sure now that I want to go through Iran.

Hi Steph

I know you're planning a "solo" trip but maybe you could link up with others for crossing Iran. Just a thought.

Very jealous; enjoy the planning and the trip!

Hello Steph! Nice to read your plan. I am planning a trip to Australia, starting in Belgium in march 2014. So I understand your 'worries'. Maybe we could stay in touch and see if it is possible to join forces for a while?
I have heard (from a couple travelling Iran and Pakistan in june 2012) that there is an escort anyway, bringing you safely from the south of Iran to Pakistan. There is no extra cost for this service.
But you are describing another route.
Can you tell me more about this: "boat to Dubai and then Dhow to India"? It is an option I haven't considered yet.
Anyway, good luck and enjoy!
Heidi

I'd be interested in more info about the dhow to India as well

Hey Heidi
Great to hear you will be going in the same direction. Would love to stay in touch. I believe Charley Boreman did the ferry to UAE and then a boat over to India. I have a solicitor friend in Dubai and I checked with him. He tells me that this is indeed possible. He says Dhows go over all the time. He suggested contacting Inch Cape who are the shipping company that deal with the ferry crossings. I haven't done so yet so if anyone has any further info then please do let us know. I will keep sharing what I find too.

Great! I am going to do some 'research' about this, sounds interesting to me.
Mr Boorman, are you on the hubb? Tell us about this then! :)

Hello,
Thats a quite expensive way of reaching south asia for those who are unable to get Pakistani visa or who wish to avoid Pakistan roads.
Also so many paperwork needed at all sides..

Yes,BandarAbbas,Sharjah then air or sea freight to India possible if you can be so patient.

A few months ago, French couple did it lately on 2 125 bikes on the way to Sydney to avoid Pakistan..

Highly recommend you to get in touch with local biker friend Mr.Salah Jamal Alshariff..Always helpfull to all bikers when he is in Dubai and has time..

When they were here in İstanbul, exchanged a lot of experiences and tips and agreed to be always helpful to the following bikers on the same destination.

So don't hesitate to get in touch with them with a big hello from me..
https://www.facebook.com/vanetro?fre...on=friends_tab

Hopefully they're alive after the komodo dragon attack!!!!

Mr.Salah Jemal available on HUB forums.He travels a lot and all logistic and freight company owners in Dubai are his friends...

Bandarabbas Sharjah ferry lines.
.:: کشتیرانی والفجر-صفحه اصلی ::.
http://www.valfajr.ir/Default.aspx?tabid=159

Wish you all the best...

@Steph jeavons

Highly recommend dont miss local hospitality and natural beauties in Iran and Pakistan..

Yes, there are escort followings in a low speed between Kerman, and Multan
(sometimes Lahore) but this is the most exciting and unforgottable parts of this trip..You will be escorted together with a group of bikers between check points. All is for our safety and happiness.

Just remembered Miss.Daniel Murdoch.
Hope she (still on travel in Africa) will write down her experiences here as a solo biker in the area..Also her experiences available on her blog.
Motomonkey Adventures

You will also meet some other bikers while in Turkey who will be on the same destination with you.Personally meet about 20 bikers each month at our club here in İstanbul..All photos available on my facebook pages and motoadventures group page...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/kuzgunmotor/

So to make it short, dont believe what media says...They just say what they want you to believe in..

Wish you all the best..

Hey Mehmet

Thanks so much for taking the time to advice me. I would love to go through Pakistan as well as Iran so I will certainly consider this as well as contacting the people you advise for Dubai.

I really cant wait. I have read so much about these countries!!!

@Steph jaevons
@tuohtroc

My wife and I are planning to go overland from Germany, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan [...] to Australia. Maybe we can stay in touch? I would prefer the Iran, Pakistan route and the last time I checked it should be possible to get a visa for both countries. :thumbup1:

mongolia ??
 

I was Google earthing last night and got to thinking.... if Pakistan was looking iffy what about Iran , the stans then Mongolia. I''ve liked the look of Mongolia for a while now and it must be worth considering that route. I guess that would mean vlad then ship to se Asia. I so wish I we're planning this for myself !!

mongolia ??
 

I was Google earthing last night and got to thinking.... if Pakistan was looking iffy what about Iran , the stans then Mongolia. I''ve liked the look of Mongolia for a while now and it must be worth considering that route. I guess that would mean vlad then ship to se Asia. I so wish I we're planning this for myself !!

riding
 

Great plan ,

To respond to your question , my experience has been very good around the world and even if sometime some countries seems a bit more difficult to cross you will see that you will be welcome most of the time . As far as Iran and other Muslim destinations if you do respect their tradition you will have no problem . Just cover your hair and address yourself accordingly to their tradition or religion (same everywhere).While riding if you have a riding suit no one will know that you are a woman . In case of needs talk to the older person in the group and you will be most likely help and welcome ( that was my experience) , don t become paranoiac , people are nice everywhere.:mchappy:

Thanks for that. Certainly not worried about the people. In my experience too, most people want to help not hinder. It was just whether to disregard the government official advice which is dont go. I am happy now after much research and discussions with people who live there that I can get through withough issue.

I think I will forget UAE after IRan and go straight through Pakistan. The police escort for part of it doesnt actually sound that bad and it all adds to the tales you can tell on your return!

Leevtr - I considered Mongolia but think I prefer this option.
Megaperlz - Yes please stay in touch. It seems there are at least 3 of us doing this trip around the same time so lets have it!!! : 0 ) He he! Love it when a plan comes together.

If you want to keep in touch on facebook then add me as a friend
https://www.facebook.com/steph.jeavons.3 or just like my page
https://www.facebook.com/OneWomanOne...neWorld?ref=hl

Thanks all for your advice. Its good here isnt it!! : 0 ) xxxx

Hi Mehmet! Thanks for your advice, I would love to see Iran and Pakistan, but considering the situation, it's good to know about different options. (Thanks for the contacts!) But my first idea for this trip included Iran and Pakistan, and usually I end up doing my first idea...

@ Megaperlz, Nice to meet you, it is going to be busy on the way to Australia! :)
When are you planning to start your trip?

@Steph: I heard that the advice from the government has been negative for years now, people are still going. Maybe it does matter for getting (travel/medical) insurance, I am just thinking out loud now, cause I haven't looked into this yet (Insurance).
And another thing, I'm planning to go the Hubb-meeting in Ireland and riding/camping in England/Ireland for 2 or 3 weeks arounf that time, are you going to this meeting maybe?

Very nice here indeed! all the helping and caring and sharing! :)

@Steph
I've just send you a invitation on facebook :-) If I would follow the advice of my goverment (Germany) I could not go anywhere, there are so many travel warnings that I would question the value of them. It could be an insurance thing though.

@tuohtroc
Looks like we are in the "go-to-Australia" rush hour :mchappy: We plan on starting in mid september because of my rather long notice period in the job. My wife will finish her studies by august.

Iran/Pakistan
 

Hi,
I found the discussion interesting because I think that Iran and Pakistan are the safest places for girls. My 18yrs old daughter felt more comfortable going alone in Iran than anywhere in US or Europe
Let me remind my friends that 180 million people like me are living in Pakistan and raising their children quite decently.
Come on Staph, don't miss the worlds best kept secret; Pakistan
Its a strange world, isn't it.
Cheers
Omar

Hi Omar
My point exactly. I'm already there :clap:

No further persuasion needed!

Thanks.

Steph

Hi Steph...

Just returning from Iran. Now in Ankara...

Meet 2 german girls in Iran...roundtrip, like me. They had no probs at all travelling as girls.

Going through Turkey, u gotta take ya self time and visit they guys , Mehmet and the bunch...great guys! Had a lot of fun, good conversations and help from Mehmet and the club.

:-)

Cheers for the advice. I will make a point of visiting Mehmet.

Did you go through Pakistan, Nepal or Burma? I have just been told it is impossible to ride through Burma still but I was lead to believe I could do this.

No, just from Denmark to Iran ..roundtrip..and back!. Leaving Ankara in 1 hour , going for Igoumenitsa, Greece, ..ferry to Ancona, Italy, heading for Munchen, taking the biketrain up to Hamburg...and Denmark. Envie you...could turn around and go to Iran again. Both Turkey and Iran have been great experiences.... :-)

Well that is really good to know. I'm quite excited about Iran in particular. Thanks for sharing. Safe trip home xx

Home now...if there is anything you ..or any reader would like to know, please fell free to ask!
Will answer if I can ! .....;-)

Hi Owe,
Tourism mngr.of İstanbul whom we visited together is asking the exact translation of the message written in St.Sophia in old Viking Alphabet..
Can you send me the story how it happened in the year 950 together with the translation and your full name..It will be printed in the following catalogs...

Wish you all the best...

Sure Mehmet....it would be an honour!
What actually concerns me, is that the runes soon will be to difficult to read, as the are very old and all the touching is not good for them.
Right above the writing ..about 20-25 cm you also see the special look, the stones become when sharpering an axe on stone.

Allready now they are very difficult to read :-(