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