Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Some of the 'Stans 2016 Some of the 'Stans 2016
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

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


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Like Tree2Likes
  • 1 Post By eurasiaoverland
  • 1 Post By Habi

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 25 Aug 2015
Beatnik Bedouin's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Aotearoa
Posts: 15
Some of the 'Stans 2016
Hi, All:
I'm planning a decently long trip for the middle of next year, with the idea of flying one of my bikes to Central Europe (I have friends to visit there) and then riding across though Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan - then the ferry trip across to Kazakhstan, then riding through Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan (where I also have friends, as mentioned on another thread), back via Iran and Turkey and returning to the port where I started, to ship the hopefully surviving rider and machine back to NZ.

Any comments and/or suggestions regarding the above itinerary would be appreciated. I might use one of my two-smokes, so any advice on availability of good two-stroke oil would especially be appreciated. Many thanks!
__________________
"Life is a daring adventure or nothing..." - Helen Keller
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 25 Aug 2015
Wildman's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: The Garden of England
Posts: 478
What's the plan to get from Tajikistan to Pakistan?
__________________
Paul "Every county of England, every country of Europe and every (part of every inhabited) continent of the Earth" 94% done! What's left? Central America, East, Central and West Africa, Australia & New Zealand
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 Aug 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Brunei
Posts: 935
I realise you're in the early planning stage but you need to have a closer look at a map, and make some geopolitical considerations.

Turkey - Armenia = border sealed since 1993
Armenia - Azerbaijan = war in 1990-93, border sealed since... have you never heard of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict?
Pakistan - Tajikistan = these countries don't even touch.

Armenia has to be visited either from Georgia or Iran, no big problem though I would highly recommend a visit, even if it's only the capital and a couple of touristy sites nearby.

Getting from Central Asia (e.g. Tajikistan) to Pakistan requires going through China, which is expensive and needs a lot of planning (needs to be arranged through a tour agent). You might make it through Afghanistan, if you deem the risk manageable (I did it the other way in 2009), but you would have to be prepared to get turned back at the Pakistani border and have another option to get out of the country.

My website has a lot of photos and stories from these countries, but for practical advice I would recommend searching this site, and browsing Caravanistan - The Silk Road Travel Guide

EO
__________________
EurasiaOverland a memoir of one quarter of a million kilometres by road through all of the Former USSR, Western and Southern Asia.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Aug 2015
Beatnik Bedouin's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Aotearoa
Posts: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by eurasiaoverland View Post
I realise you're in the early planning stage but you need to have a closer look at a map, and make some geopolitical considerations.

Turkey - Armenia = border sealed since 1993
Armenia - Azerbaijan = war in 1990-93, border sealed since... have you never heard of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict?
Pakistan - Tajikistan = these countries don't even touch.

Armenia has to be visited either from Georgia or Iran, no big problem though I would highly recommend a visit, even if it's only the capital and a couple of touristy sites nearby.

Getting from Central Asia (e.g. Tajikistan) to Pakistan requires going through China, which is expensive and needs a lot of planning (needs to be arranged through a tour agent). You might make it through Afghanistan, if you deem the risk manageable (I did it the other way in 2009), but you would have to be prepared to get turned back at the Pakistani border and have another option to get out of the country.

My website has a lot of photos and stories from these countries, but for practical advice I would recommend searching this site, and browsing Caravanistan - The Silk Road Travel Guide

EO
Hi, I already have had your site bookmarked for months, and wanted to see what others had to say. I appreciate your insights, and will ultimately finalise my plans to meet both the practicality and geopolitical requirements of the trip.

BTW, geopolitics is a hobby of mine which usually gets me into trouble with the less-informed...
__________________
"Life is a daring adventure or nothing..." - Helen Keller
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 27 Aug 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 31
Hi!

When we entered Azerbaijan from Georgia this summer, they searched for any kind of proof that we did visit or will visit Armenia - they even checked if we have a map of Armenia. I see that as a strong indication that they might make a problem, even if you have not been to the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

If you still want to visit both countries, you could either go Turkey - Georgia - Azerbaijan and visit Armenia from Iran on the way back to Europe or you go Turkey - Armenia - Georgia - Azerbaijan - Ferry.

Concerning the Tajikistan - Pakistan issue, maybe it is an idea to take the route Tajikistan - back to Uzbekistan - Turkmenistan - Iran - Pakistan? On first sight that seems better/easier to me than organizing some route through China or Afghanistan.

Finally I would like to recommend also visiting Kyrgyzstan if it fits in your timeframe, because you are very close anyways and it is a very beautiful country
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 31 Aug 2015
Beatnik Bedouin's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Aotearoa
Posts: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by Habi View Post
Hi!

When we entered Azerbaijan from Georgia this summer, they searched for any kind of proof that we did visit or will visit Armenia - they even checked if we have a map of Armenia. I see that as a strong indication that they might make a problem, even if you have not been to the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

If you still want to visit both countries, you could either go Turkey - Georgia - Azerbaijan and visit Armenia from Iran on the way back to Europe or you go Turkey - Armenia - Georgia - Azerbaijan - Ferry.

Concerning the Tajikistan - Pakistan issue, maybe it is an idea to take the route Tajikistan - back to Uzbekistan - Turkmenistan - Iran - Pakistan? On first sight that seems better/easier to me than organizing some route through China or Afghanistan.

Finally I would like to recommend also visiting Kyrgyzstan if it fits in your timeframe, because you are very close anyways and it is a very beautiful country
Thank you, so much, for your advice and insights. It is very much appreciated.
__________________
"Life is a daring adventure or nothing..." - Helen Keller
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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

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
2016 Russia & Canada USA leaving from England Lowrider1263 Travellers Seeking Travellers 62 4 May 2016 06:08
2015 - Heading east from Europe, add your itinerary / plans kim Travellers Seeking Travellers 190 5 Mar 2016 07:38
My trip 2016 - silk road avril mai 2016 Leguiguet Travellers Seeking Travellers 1 18 Jul 2015 06:57
UK - Siberia via 'The Stans' and Mongolia 2016 - Who's around ? *Touring Ted* Travellers Seeking Travellers 9 14 Jul 2015 18:15
Going East help wanted with Visa's for the Stans FireGB Northern and Central Asia 3 2 Jul 2015 16:11

 
 

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

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

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...

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 09:56.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top