we're planning on leaving end of April 2013 if all goes to plan. Here's the proposed route..however it may change depending on mood, war, illness or following a monkey attack...

UK - Holland - Germany - Schweiz or Osterreich - Italy - Slovenia - Croatia - Montenegro - Albania - Greece - Turkey - Georgia - Armenia - Iran - Pakistan - India - Nepal - Thailand - Laos/Cambodia/Vietnam (backpack Vietnam) - Malaysia - Singapore (might not take bike in.. need to research this) - Indonesia - East Timor - Darwin

Again giving ourselves a year with plenty of chilling out involved in bits we like, rough milestones.. get to the mountains by October (north Pakistan and north India) and Nepal by November - December-ish.

We got snowed out of Ladakh this year around early/mid October. And the roads do close there. Leaving in April and going via iran should give you good time to make the mountains well before the snows. I'm finding the cutoff times are more west to east. We've been able to enjoy the mountains well into December in this direction.

Perfect,a new thread I can follow.
Starting to research the Ireland to Oz trip,in the very early stages.
I have all the gear,bike is good to go,just need route and visa info,plus best departure times.

hmm. I better get on wiring those heated grips then. It's probably hit and miss with the snow (year to year). I guess mid to end of Sept for mountains in Pak, then October - Dec is prime time for Nepal (more mountains yey). I think it'll work out OK... if it snows we'll just go elsewhere, thanks for the info :D

How many of you will be riding? And what bikes will you be riding do you think?

It's just me and the pillion-wife (well she will be wife in Feb unless one of us bails out :P ) on the Africa Twin and a tent. Tried to get her to learn but she started too late... otherwise would've taken a drz400 with a big tank.More details here (the last post has most up-to-date route idea): http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...a-2013-a-66811

Now thinking of doing this trip in reverse as in Oz to the UK....

Im asking for people's opinion on this?

Im thinking a disadvantage would be that bikes cost alot more over there, but I wouldn't have to ship one back if I drove one over there.

Opinions?

Hi Rfothy

My wife and I are planning the exact same as you. Oz to UK, shipping bikes to Oz first. We're thinking Jan 14 and back in UK by July. Would like to do Iran route but not sure if its even possible to get visas as UK citizens just now. That leaves Chinese KKH but money might be an issue. We're hoping to do the trip for £10,000 after shipping bikes to Oz. Can't believe it's cheaper than buying bikes in Oz but there you go, so that's what I'm doing. About £1000 per bike to ship.

hi dear travelrs
hope you are doing well
there is no problem with iranian visa you can get it i hosted many of bikers from uk in 2012
about iran visa:Iran Visa Application Form & Travel Information | London UK

and pay attention you should get pakistan visa in your homecountry not anywhere else if you want cross pakistan

BTW we have place for staying travelers with safe parking,bed,breakfast,lunch,showing city and so on.if you want contact us when you cross our city.

you can get in touch with me ,my contacs is on my blog

Overlanders,Meeting Mr.Hossein

cheers

Thanks Degsy thats a good help.

Just finished Wollongong to woolwich. Good book about this route. £3 on kindle. Give it a look

just thought I would revive this thread, I have got myself one step further on my plans.. By getting the bike (xt600e).

The reason I am here is to ask how the cost of a carnet Is worked out? Is it the value of the bike? or the countries visited etc?

Also looking for anyone with any advice on proposed dates to leave, the plan at the moment is to head south taking in turkey, Iran. Then heading through india nepal and planning to head through Burma....is this possible?

I think the simple answer to that is still “no”.

Some sort of change may be happening in Burma, but veeeeeeeeryyyy sloooowlyyyy... for example, just lately, a few groups have been able to arrange entry with their bikes from Thailand (at a cost, and not before taking months to negotiate the whole thing with the government/travel agency).

But even that is still pretty far away from being able to cross Burma overland from Thailand to India, or vice versa. And while I´ve never been to eastern parts of India, it is my understanding, that you would also need special permits to even enter the Indian states, that share border with Burma.

Oh I see so it seems like I will have to take in a bit of china to miss this part, or I guess ship the bike and myself over the top of it.