Forget Nepal and India?!?
 

Looking for general advice about a travel decision.

Im buying a bike in SE Asia and heading west. I have to ship at one point and was considering SKIPPING Nepal and India and shipping the bike from Bangkok to The Stans (Either Tajikistan or Kyrgyzstan) directly for the following reasons:

1) Ive already spent some time backpacking in Nepal and India. Although I LOVED it and want to go back, I feel it can wait.

2)NO CARNET NECESSARY! Major headache and COST reducer (1-2k)

3)No Indian or Pakistani visa necessary (Some $$$ savings but also stress saving)

4)No complications getting to Tajikistan via either China (1-2k cost), or Afghanistan (dangerish as an American)

5)No crazy Indian or Nepali traffic (Im new to riding, but not adventure ;-))

6) More time to really get to so some new places in the world. I'll have months to explore Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia, places that are highlights for me as I've never been to any place like them.


Firstly, general thoughts on excising two of the worlds most amazing countries from my itinerary for $$ saving and time extending? (Note: I've been traveling for years, so the initial intrigue has changed. In general, I'm not particular about places. I like the process and the revelations travel yields. Therefore, the fact that India is indeed amazing does not mean I have much desire to see India in particular).

Second, is it possible to ship from Bangkok to Tajikistan?

Thanks for your insights awesome people,

Andrew :D

I'm not quite sure what point you are making here Andrew. But hey, it's beer o'clock where I am right now .. and I'm slightly the worse for it!

But isn’t it all about getting overland from east to west (or vice versa) .. with the minimum amount of shipping possible? Taking the rough with the smooth - and accepting the stress as part of the journey. Remember one of Ted Simon's muses: "The interruptions ARE the journey".

And surely it’s the bike’s journey too. Bikes don’t fly .. or float!

Now I'm going back to my near finished glass of beer- soon to be followed by a vodka & coke. :yes:
[hic]

:biggrin:

Also when i would also try to drive as much as possible - i don't think this sentence make sense.

I like to rest - where i like to do it - not where bureaucracy stops me :rolleyes2:

It probably is possible somehow, but what I fear is that it´s gonna end up so expensive, that it´ll get rid of all the other possible savings you mentioned (like carnet). It could also turn out to be a major headache. The Stans seem a bit “out of the way”, when it comes to shipping. Haven´t shipped to/from there myself, though.

It is usually cheapest to ship from one transport 'hub' to another 'hub'.

Bangkok is a major sea and air 'hub'.

The stans will be limited to air .. and I don't think they will be 'hubs'.

Think Seoul (then by land through Russia), Istanbul... talk to the shipping agents in Bangkok for their ideas?

hello
not stan but a little bit further : mongolia to thaïland
From Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia to Bangkok, Thailand - October, 2012 | Horizons Unlimited
or ship from Almaty to Dubaï (i know somebody on HU dit it but can't find the post) then by sea to Malaysia or Thaïland, at least a month (time to wait to India)
drive safe
cheers