Nepal to Germany on a Royal Enfield

[frequentfighter]

Hi everyone,

I live in China and I'm planning to leave the country next year and go back home overland. First by train/bus from Shanghai to Nepal – and from there on a Royal Enfield Bullet to Germany. I'm want to arrive in Nepal between April and June 2018, buy the Enfield, do the paperwork, wait for the Carnet from ADAC in Germany and then start via India – Pakistan – Iran...

I'm more the 'why not' and 'just do it' type of guy – but I think a trip like this needs a bit of preparation
That's why I have a few questions, and I'm very curious about any kind of tips from experienced bikers.

1. What's the best time to start from Nepal?
2. Which is the best (safest) route? And where can I get detailed route maps?
3. Might sound naive but I only have a history of Enduro & MX and didn't do many tours: Is GPS Navigation mandatory or will I get along with oldschool maps and asking locals?
4. Can I get gear (saddle bags/tent/tools etc.) easily in Nepal or is it better to buy it in advance?
5. What's a realistic duration for such a trip, respectively will my mom see me on Xmas? )))


Thank you,
Flo

[mark manley]

Hi Flo and welcome,
I can answer a few of your questions, firstly start your ride home as soon as possible in the months you have given, it will be getting warm on the sub-continent and you want to be away before the monsoon starts.

The two popular routes are India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and onwards or India, Pakistan, cut the corner of China to Taikistan or Kyrgystan I am not sure which then on through Central Asia, this will require you to have a guide through the small part of China which can be expensive and best shared with others going the same way.

You will be fine with paper maps and asking locals, this is my prefered method but most now use GPS.

You will be able to get gear for the bike in Nepal but it would be best to bring your own helmet and riding gear bought in Europe, what you get there is often poor quality and not to any safety standard.

No problem being home for Christmas, in fact you will want to be as it will be getting very cold en-route by then. It is possible to do this trip in two months but taking 3 or 4 you will see much more.

[Vaufi]

G'day mate,
like Mark says: monsoon. It starts in Nepal end of May/beginning of June. Very wet ;o)
Dunno about the Pakistan and Iran, but watch your speedo in Turkey. The speed limit for bikes is 80 kmh. Police are seen mostly on the main roads, but the secondary roads are more interesting anyway. The European countries are no problem, even in Greece has 30 kay signs nearly everywhere, but nobody cares
Enjoy your trip

[frequentfighter]

Wow! Thank you guys, that's a lot info. Very helpful!

As I wanna be free and ride without guides, I want to avoid China. So, the route will be Nepal-India-Pakistan-Iran...and from there on I don't know yet.

If you have any tips where I can get detailed routes & roadmaps, I'd be very happy

[mark manley]

Nelles make maps of most or all of the countries you will be passing through. Landkarten Nelles Map - Titelprogramm
Some of the route such as in Pakistan will be dictated by the police and there is only one road to Iran. From there you can work it out for yourself depending what if any places of interest you wish to visit, check other's ride reports for more information.

[frequentfighter]

Thank you so much, Mark.

[mika]

Hi Flo, welcome to the Hubb. Very good advise from Mark, he answered all your questions. I am not sure if the ADAC will issue a carnet for your bike registered in Nepal, so pls contact them in advance so you know its possible. Than you should not have any problems with bike docs along the way. All the best mika

[frequentfighter]

Hi Mika, thanks for your reply. Already contacted the ADAC and they're ok with it.

Is there a rough estimate how much such a trip costs (per month)? The combination of fuel, food, guesthouses, hotels, fees, fines, police escort etc.

[mika]

Hello Flo,

good that you can get the carnet from the ADAC.

costs? your highest costs will be the bike (buy also spare parts with it) and the carnet deposit (that you should get back).

do your own calculation: fuel consumption at 5 l/100km, a liter of fuel around 1,00 Euros, hotel 20 Euros, guesthouse 10 Euros, food at 15 Euros a day.

what kind of fees are you expecting to pay? police fines can be very high in Turkey, so ride slow there. dont know how much they charge now for police escorts, when I went in 1999 I did not have any.

one more thing. try to arrange your visas for Pakistan and Iran beforehand.

all the best and pls write a little ride report here on the Hubb after you have done it.

mika

[Warin]

I use a GPS these days ... A Garmin mapping colour GPS with OSM maps has a lot of usefull stuff ... it saves buying a map, trying to find your location on a paper map and then finding what you want on the map. I'd not travel without a GPS. And a paper map.

Paper maps are usefull to show others and ask questions, write notes. Most people you come across won't be comfortable using your GPS .. so a paper map is better there.

[frequentfighter]

Thank you! That helps managing the trip. And I'll definitely write a report here

With costs I've meant the daily traveling expenses. Enfield ($5000'ish as far as I know) and deposit for the Carnet (€3000) will definitely be the highest factors.

@Warin can you recommend a GPS?

[Wauschi]

Great endevour!

Please help me to get some details sorted out.

When saying "I go back home" can you please define "home"?
Let's assume you have plans to take the bike "home" to Germany.
Sure the German ADAC will issue a CDP.

What do you plan to do with the bike once in Germany?
My understanding is the CDP will make sure your Bike will be returned to Nepal.
Is there any way to get the bike registered in Germany and claim your deposit back?

Enjoy your trip!
Wauschi

[frequentfighter]

Hey Wauschi, after a few conversations with the ADAC I got the information that I can claim the deposit back. What I need is a so called Zollunbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung (a written confirmation that the vehicle has passed customs) from a EU country.

[Wauschi]

Dear Flo,

please apologize my (stupid) questions.
I'm not Germain, I don't know your laws!
I try to be constructive.

Will they issue the Zollunbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung for free?
It could well be you have to pay import tax and VAT in order to get your bike out of customs and claim your deposit back.
Can you post if there is a fee and how much it is?

Once you have paid all tax, will you be able to get your bike registered?
It could well be you have to pay tax to get your bike out of customs and than you can scrap it because it will not comply w. emission regulations.

What are the steps needed to get a bike registered onto your name in Nepal?

Please post your findings.
I am convinced many others are also interested in the steps it takes to bring a bike from Nepal onto the streets of Europe.

Greetings,
Wauschi

[frequentfighter]

I will come back to you as soon as I know more @Wauschi

I'm just not sure, how to handle the Pakistan visa as I've read that you can only apply in your home country respectively your country of residence. I would prefer to get it on my way in Nepal or India.

Are there any visa services or ways, which make life easier?