august 09 trip
 

Hi
is there anybody willing to share a trip from Europo to Africa or Asia leaving august the first or so ?
Ciao

I'm planning a 4-5 week trip 3rd week of July or start of August. I'd prefer West Africa but am happy to discuss your ideas.

I'm on an XT600E.

Mike

mstarrsolicitor@hotmail.com:mchappy:

Ireland to Oz Aug 09
 

Hi I am going to be leaving Ireland on the 1st Aug or just before to travel to India via Iran, Pakistan...I would be happy to meet up along the way.

HI LRy,
sounds interesting!
Wich way are you coming down ?
Iran is one of my preferences, I have already been in Siria and Turkey.
What bike are you driving ? Have you already started with visas etc..

Ciao
At
xrv750

Hi Mike,
did you get my mail ?

HI AT

Well I am going to be on 4 wheels not 2 like you. I hope to cut through Europe fairly fast then down along the coast of Turkey into Iran......etc. Exact border crossing haven’t really decided but it looks as if there isn’t much choice for foreigners when going in and out of Iran. I have begain look into Visa and carnet with the visa's being a bit of a last minute problem for me as I dont work in my home country (Ireland). But it should all work out :eek3:.
Anyways take it easy, if your on the road in August and sept, if you want let me know and we can try and meet up for a while along the way.

Happy Travels

Liam

Liam,
Were off that way to India, booked the ferry for the 15 August, if you pop by this way on route you could grab all our luggage and we will follow along behind :eek3::D

mcgiggle
Id be happy to help you out but I dont plan to go through the UK. But im sure we could work something out along the way.

Liam

I see..might be we can meet up some where, but I guess we will travel at very different speed...
I will keep you posted by the way:thumbup1:

Hi all,

Thought I'd join in this thread to say I'm in the middle of planning a trip to Kathmandu starting early/mid August so I guess meeting up on the way is a distinct possibility.

Peter.

[quote=petcul;232613]Hi all,

Hi Peter,

I have always been travelling on my own and, to be honest, I do not get how it is possible to arrange to meet people around, especially as bikers are usually quite impredictable and bad at planning. (Before getting married I used to leave the phone at home as well......) but sure it would be very nice to share part of the road if it comes possible, actually the idea some people might share the way not caring about "distance, where from and where to" makes life look mutch better than what it looks reeding any newspaper...
I guess I shoul keep track of peoples on the hubb and simply check back before departure!? How did you organise meeting points in the past ?

PS
As you can see I'm still wondering about my summer trip; changing the topic: do you think it is possible, and "reasonable" , to cross southern Morocco and Mauritania in August ?

ciao
At

[quote=AT.it;232692]At Hi,

Last year found having four of us travelling sometimes together and other times in any combination a great way to go. Kept in touch by mobile and internet.

Southern Morocco and Mauritania will be hot in August. high 80s and further south still in the rainy season.

Keep in touch.

Peter

Travels with a Dakar - West Africa 2008 - a set on Flickr

Hey guys,

Me and my girlfriend (2up) are leaving for Kathmandu late July or the beginning of August. We would love to meet up along the way!

We were thinking to go along the coast (Croatia, Albania, Greece...) to Turkey and than on to Iran.

Petcul,

I got your PM last month but I couldn't reply until I post 8 messages on the HUBB, thats why you didn't get an answer. Sorry...

Nice to see there some people planning the same journey!

hi all,

i just came across this post and i am also planning a trip from europe to nepal, mid august to end of october (i will fly back to new zealand from there). i somehow lost track who is going when...:confused1: but would be great if we could ride together for some parts of the journey.

duesi

Ilost track too :oops2:
I guess is too early to really finalize any schedule, I will check again for travel mates in may/june, of course anybody willing to share trip preparation is welcome

My plan status is the following:
Destination Iran
departure from Italy august the 1st
return within september 1st
route: ferry from Ancona to Izmir
I might stop to pick up my wife from an Airport along the way
I just called a travel agency for Visa papers yesterday...

ciao
At

Hi all,

Just for my own benefit and maybe others I thought I'd try to see who'd heading east and when and check out visa information.

Start Destination

Self early to mid August Kathmandu and return approx 3 mos
LRyder 01.08 India 4x4
mcgiggle 15.08 India
AT.it 01.08 Iran and return 4-5 weeks
Gert84 Late July early August
duesi Mid August India? travelling onwards
Discoenduro Late July early August

Anybody else? I've seen a few threads on travel to Turkey.

Am I right in thinking the following is accurate? Visas for Pakistan, India and, for me, Nepal are fairly easy to get and have a quick turnaround.

Nepal - valid 6 months 15 Days £20 30 Days £35
Pakistan - valid 6 months Single entry £55 Double Entry £78
India - valid 6 months (tbc) Single entry £30 Multiple entry (tbc)

Iran - valid 3 months Single Tourist £95 Double £105 or
Multiple £125 (valid for 6 months) and may take 3 weeks
to issue.

Hope all your plans are going well.

Peter

That's pretty much it, still sorting the bikes at present, looking to start visa work in approx 4 weeks.

Cheers
Pete

hi,

thanks for this summary!

about visa...
nepal is the only one that you can get at the border for 30usd, right?
is anyone trying Iran Internet Visa Application to facilitate the iranian visa, or is there an easier way to do it?

and
anyone planning to do the karakoram highway in pakistan? or is there a potential security risk with the current situation?

cheers
duesi

From the Nepalese Embassy London

"Visitors may also obtain tourist visa at major arrival points in Nepal including Tribhubhan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu. Requirements at arrival: 2 PP size photos, complete prescribed visa form available at entry point and visa fees ($25, $40 and $100 for 15, 30 and 90 days multiple-enty visit visas respectively)."

I guess a main border crossing would count as a main arrival point though don't know for definite.

I'll go direct to the Iranian Consulate for a multi entry visa. I'm not quite sure what these agencies actually do!

I had originally planned to do a bit of the KKH but the situation in Pakistan will need watching. I'm more concerned at the moment about the overall situation there rather than the KKH specifically. It'll be a a right bummer if Pakistan becomes difficult. End of trip and plan B I guess.

:

We are going to do the KKH, that's if we get visas OK ! I've been worried about getting Iran visas, now Pakistan is not being so forward in giving them out. It will be a long swim from Turkey to India.
I just assumed the agencies gave you a better chance of getting your visa rather than doing it yourself ?

Pete

Hi all,

I am planning on heading in the general direction of Oz via Iran, Pakistan and India. I will be leaving Glasgow on 17th August, around the time others are going.

I will keep an eye on this thread, contribute where I can, and will hopefully meet up somewhere along the road :thumbup1:

Cheers
Trev

Hi Chancer
I'm planning the same trip more or less the same time. In the process of visa's at the moment. Maybe we can share info and possibly meet up to discuss at sometime if you're up for it.
I'm sourcing a new XT660Z for this trip.

Hi R.Send,

Sounds good to me. I am def no pro at this but been working on it for a year or so and its all coming together nicely. Bike should be ready for testing in the next 4 or 5 weeks, arranging my carnet and insurance at the mo then visas in the next 5 or 6 weeks.

Would be more than happy to catch up to share info - have PM'd you my details.

Cheers
Trev

DOn't keep the info to yourselves :thumbup1:

Pete

More than happy to share any info with anyone else following roughly the same route.

Are you guys going to the HU meeting in Ripley in June?? Could be a good opportunity to catch up for a beer and a chat there

Trev

CHANCER, got the PM thanks, not upto the 8 posts yet but will definitely be up for a meet and the HU meeting could b the ideal opportunity. I will keep you informed in the meantime.
As saidbefore just traded in the GS for a new Yam Tenere. I will be getting a few miles on the bike as soon as poss so may have a trip to Scotland in the next few weeks. May be a good chance for a quick intro, will let you know.
Cheers ...Gary

Just booked up for Ripley so would be good to trade info :thumbup1:

Pete & Caf

Good stuff. Will look forward to catching up.

Gary -just let me know if you are heading up to Scotland and we can catch up and get out for a spin. I finish up at my work in the 3rd week in May so will be pretty much free right through the summer.

Cheers
Trev

Hi Guys,

Just though I'ld throw myself into the fray here and mention that I'm planning a trip from the UK to Oz leaving provisionally 1st August or sooner if possible on a KTM 640 Adventure.
I'm sure I've met a coupled of you in other threads.
I'm planning Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India for the first leg and will be applying for visas towards the end of May - that seems to be a logical timeframe to apply given the validity of them.

I'm thinking of going to the Ripley meet too, not booked a place yet. It would be good to steal/swap/merge planning ideas with others in the same boat. It seems as though the biggest challenge is not deserts or war but paperwork!

Duncan

Booked on for Ripley so that's a definite meet to make and exchange a few plans. I will be organising the visas next month, early June. What are you guys doing re carnet's if anything?

Trev, made a note of your mail address and will send you an e-mail in the next day or so re Scotland once I've made a plan. I've already finished work and so it would be good maybe sometime just prior to the Ripley meet then we can possibly ride down together.

I was planning to get my Carnet from the RAC towards the end of May at the same time as visas. They need about a month to issue it and I've calculated it will cost about £1500 with approx 50% refundable.

Where are people planning on sourcing their visas from?

I was planning on using Iran Internet Visa Application together with the Pakistani and Indian embassies.

Any tips Re: visas?

august_09+
 

Hi all!
i've been following your thread these last few days - I'm also planning to leave central europe early august - final destination Thailand, following the route you have been discussing...

Which bikes will you be on??? I'm actually considering a honda blackbird, not sure how much off road there will be in India...

Hi coy,
We're going on X Challenge and F650GS, we are hoping to find as much off road as possible on route !

Cheers
Pete & Caf

1200GS. Tourances as far as Iran then TKC 80s to Nepal and back to Iran.:scooter:

Hi everybody
 

Following recent events we decided we can't be bodered to pay for Iranian visas with such a high chance of not using it or not having it accepted. We made reservation for the ferry yesterday and we plan to detour to Armenia. We will touch lend in Izmir 03/08/2009 23:30 anybody on the same ferry ???
As my wife will probably fly back a couple of weeks before my return, I would be very happy to find any biker willing to experiment some free offroad in Turkey/Greece on the way back. (I need to be back to Igoumenitza Greece by last week end of august)

ciao
At

are you still in?
 

hi,

hm, there were no messages in a while here.
i am still planning to depart on 17 august from helsinki and make my journey through russia (down south), then ferry to turkey, iran, pakistan, india and nepal. i am planning to be in kathmandu early to mid october.

it would be really great if we could meet up along the way (possibly east turkey end of august) :scooter:

cheers
duesi

Hi duesi,
following recent events we could not be bodered to make Iranian Visa, so we decided to go for Armenia:smartass:
I have to take my wife to Istambul Airport on the 23rd.
Unfortunately our schedule is not very elastic and nether organised.
If you think to go down Turkey during the first week of august there is a chance we can share some road...
Tell me more about your plans
PS (Is there any chance to get Iranian Visa at the Border ?)
ciao
At

Its still on
 

Hi,

Departure for me is still next Saturday. 2 weeks to turkey. I'm re-applying for an Iranian visa and hope to enter Iran at the beginning of September. If no joy I will go up and over and organise visas on the road. Hope to meet up with you on the road.

Duncan

Duesi Hi,

Just as I was about to start applying for visas and a carnet the problems in Pakistan hit the headlines so I waited for a bit and then the aftermath of the election in Iran hit the headlines so I decided against the Nepal trip this year and instead am heading east across Russia and down into the Stans to do the Pamir Highway and visit the Silk Road cities.

Good luck with your travels:thumbup1:

hi there,

i also was (am) a bit concerned about what is happening down there, but i guess things will settle down a bit. visa wise i have the india and pakistan visa, my passport currently is at the russian consulate (should get it this week) and i submitted my request for irania vsa support through Iran Internet Visa Application (did the fast track and they told me that i should get my invitation july 25 - let's hpoe the best). i am not sure if you can get the iranian visa at the border (most likely not) - but i met a german dude in new zealand who did the same trip; he obviously got a transit visa (valid for 7 days) somewhere in turkey.

abut my plans - i'll leave finland on august 17 and then make my way south trough russia. i hope to catch the freey from sochi to trabzon (north eastern turkey) on the 27th (it obviously only runs on thurdsays and sundays). so i also would like to enter iran beginning of september (so Duncan i hope you get your visa to iran sorted :thumbup1:). after that it's not planned though yet; roughly 2 weeks for iran, 2-3 weeks for pakistan, dash through india - and then nepal. i'd like to finish up around mid october (and ship my bike from there to nz).