Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB

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- Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/travellers-advisories-safety-security-road/)

- - Europe to Asia (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/travellers-advisories-safety-security-road/europe-to-asia-104108)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motor Rambler (Post 641925)

Plans for this upcoming epic trip keeps changing. At first the ride was from Europe to Vladistok via Turkey, Caucuses, Central Asia, Mongolia, and Siberia. And ship my bike back home. That was before the invasion of Ukraine. And now since Russia is a no go for many obvious reasons. I was looking at going through Pakistan, India and into SE Asia. But see now the border between India and Burma are closed. So this leaves me with passage through China from Kyrgyzstan (preferably along the Northern slope of the Himalayas through Tibet and then come out of China into Laos. The issue I see with China is its nightmarishly bureaucracy and costs of getting my bike registered into the country. Chinese drivers license, guided escorts, etc. Yes I know even if I was able to take the Pakistan/India route I would still have to go through China for that 1-2 day trip between Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan but taking the Tibetan route although would be an epic route in itself. I'm not sure how do able this is. The only alternative I was thinking was to have my bike shipped by truck from the Kyrgyzstan border all with way through China to the Laos border? Any suggestions?

I did read that some riders are entering Russia from Georgia to get to Kyrgyzstan, and that they were greeted with a friendly no fuss crossing.
Am looking at doing the exact same route in 2026 and the Russian option is my preferred entry point at this early stage of planning.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happyretirement2026 (Post 642849)

You'll need to get a visa, as there are no evisa crossing points between RU and KZ. But yes, it's the way to go. People used to get the ferry from Baku to Aktau but Azerbaijan closed its land and sea borders, with no indication of when they might reopen. You can expect an interview with the FSB at the border but it's all good natured and professional, and you'll find the ordinary Russians are friendly and hospitable folk.

I am partway through going from Paris to Bangkok. US citizen & passport, motorcycle in my own name. Bike is currently parked in Islamabad, I am in the US until mid-September. My route so far has been Europe->Balkans->Turkey-N. Iraq->Iran->Pakistan.

Iran: I signed up for a tour, and had the moto trucked from the Iraqi Kurdistan border to the Pakistan border.

China: Signed up for an 11-day transit tour, Nepal to Laos. Drive-china is the tour provider.

Nepal: My Czechia-issued carnet does not cover Nepal, nor would a US-issued carnet, so I asked the China tour company if they could assist in getting around the carnet requirement for Nepal. It looks like it is possible, through their contacts on the Nepal side. 15 days for USD$80 + visa fees. Of course I haven't gone yet, so as with everything involving overland travel, nothing is certain until it is done. :) I'll know in early October 2024.
Hope this helps. Best of luck with planning and execution!