Hi David

I am curious as to which travel agency you ended up going with, as you did not mention them?


Just a quick note on your itinerary, ours was supposed to be exactly the same as yours, Kyrg - China into Laos with a side tour of Tibet, 35 days. The modified route turned into 45 days and extra cost for all involved

FYI

The Tibet section was canned by China after some of us had already committed(this was due to a lot of Tibetan monks setting themselves on fire). Then when everyone was getting close to Kyrgystzan from different directions, the tour was further corrupted by China once again changing the rules. We could not enter Xianjing province and go into the next province, we had to ride north, exit China then ride through Mongolia to Ulan Batar and purchase new China visas then supposedly enter China again via Erenhot. We were then told our tour was cancelled and were left with the only option of flying all our bikes into Bangkok, the 4wd owner had to drive back to the UK.

We had major issues with the tour company, so I just thought I would find out which one you were using, in case you need to modify your planning.



Cheers
TravellingStrom

__________________
www.travellingstrom.com

Hello! I've been reading this thread with growing suspense... Is it still possible to join in? I would like to go from Belgium to Australia... I've contacted Charlemagne to, so I have another change a few months later, but this fits a little better in my original 'plans'. Please let me now!
Anyways, Enjoy!

We are using Xinjiang Sun Times International Travel Company LTD. Contact person is Wang Lun. Keen to hear if that is the company causing all the problems.

Hello

I would hate to see anyone miss out on what is perhaps a once in a lifetime opportunity. My email address is - dsta3028@gmail.com Please contact me and we will discuss if you like.

We currently have -
1 X BMW and 1 X Welshman - starting UK ( passing through Belgium )
1 X BMW and 1 X Brazilian - starting Germany
1 X BMW and 1 X German - starting Turkey
1 X BMW and 1 X Australian - starting UK

We are joined in Kyrgyzstan by -
1 X BMW and another Welshman
1 X four wheel drive 1 X Englishman and his wife
1 X four wheel drive 1 X New Zealander

We have decided on a tour company through China for a period of thirty five days. We have all paid a $936 USD deposit - you would need to pay that immediately. The balance of $624 USD is payable upon entering the country.

I am required to get visas for the following countries -
Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, China and Vietnam. I need Letters of Invitation for Azerbaijan, China and Vietnam.

You would need to very organised and get passport, licence, vehicle details to us very quickly. It is not my decision alone - I'll discuss with the other riders.

Cheers
David

Hi David!
I've send you an e-mail!
Thanks!

Hello Heidi

There are several companies that offer a guide service through China. NAVO is probably the best known of these companies. I have included below a excerpt from their correspondence to me. This excerpt shows what is usually included in the costs.


NAVO do not suggest solo rider to do such trip, since it is too costly, you have to bare the cost for permits, guide and guide vehicle solo. Take the program of Nave-D113 or 311 for example, if there is only one motor, then the cost will be around CNY80,000/group, (9,667 euro).




Terms and conditions




Includes


1、All the Permits needed ( National ones, provincial ones, Customs ones, wireless equipment permit etc.)

2、Cost for vehicle ( Temporary driving license for vehicle, temporary license plate, insurance for vehicles.)

3、Cost for drivers ( Temporary driving license for driver)

4、The process fee in the Custom when enter into China.

5、The process fee in the Custom when exit China

6. English speaking guide

7. Guide vehicle

8. Transport for guide and guide vehicle before meet guests and after end of the tour. Normally it need at least 1 week for guide to leave in advance (prepare other documents before your coming) and back

9. NAVO’s service charge




Excludes


1、 Meals and accommodations

2、 The fuel, road toll, traffic accident compensation, repairing cost, spare part and parking.

3、Camping

4、 Cost for emergency if the clients enter China in advance or leave China before the end of the tour.

5、 Other personal charge.

6、The group vehicle deposit in the Custom (we can talk it later).




If there will be a 4 wheels vehicle with 1 driver to join in, then the quote will be around CNY50,000/group, that is CNY25,000/person. The Terms and conditions is the same with above one except guide vehicle, which you do not need any more if you travel together with other 4 wheels vehicle.

Hope the above can give you a rough idea about the quote.

Best regards

Lisa

The above excerpt gives you a good idea of what is available and the cost involved. That is why we organised such a large group - dividing the cost between eight persons is cheaper than bearing the costs alone. We found another guide company who is prepared to allow us to camp for ten of the thirty five days it takes to cross China.


We had a large number of people interested in the trip but in the end we had get them to commit to the trip by paying deposits. As you can imagine many then dropped away leaving just a group of eight. The total guide cost for our group is $1,560 (1,172 euro) which does not include our accommodation, meals etc. Still a lot cheaper than 6,667 euro going by myself.


Hope that helps

David

Navo are the most expensive.

I haven't heard all that many good things about them either.

vette

When I was investigating travel through China a couple of years ago with Navo, they advised me that a new regulation allowed the guide to travel as a pillion on a motorcycle.

This removes the cost of vehicle hire for the guide from the total cost.

However it is dependent on the guide being willing to travel as a pillion and I gather the majority are not.

If I recall properly, the shortest practical route from Laos to Nepal was $5,000 for a solo traveller, but that was based on the conventional guide-in-a car arrangement.

__________________
www.motoindo.com
One-way and multi-island rentals ex Bali

haven't a clue about relative cost but I can tell you good things about Navo. We traveled solo 4wd motorhome, 2 people, 60+ days, Laos to Mongolia, 2011. Currently planning Kyrgistan to Nepal, September, with Navo.