hi ekke

afraid that i can't get your webpage to load.

great news that the two of you are interested - if we can find another couple of bikes, then the 3 week trip becomes viable price wise. sty in touch with how your plans progress - and we'd love to hear about your experience with the company regardless of whether you are able to join our trip.

flick me a PM if you need any more info

pete

Strange, I click on the link and it works fine. Try typing "ekke-audrey.ca" into your web browser.

Yes, let's keep in touch as I think this could be a great opportunity for such an epic ride.

Ekke

__________________
Ekke Kok

'84 R100RT 141,000 km (Dad's!)
'89 R100GS 250,000 km (and ready for another continent)
'07 R1200GS Adventure 100,000 km (just finished Circumnavigating Asia)
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

www.ekke-audrey.ca

i may just be may dodge internet connection - i'm online through mobile internet, in a caravan at a crocodile park, in heavy rain, 16Km from a small town in rural australia, with a tropical cyclone a day off the coast i.e not ideal connection speeds

haha, yes Australia has some blackspots - can I ask where you are Sanpedro??.. Im in Adelaide.. if your in the area over the next month drop by!
Drop me a PM if your around!

The prices here look very high. I was quoted 1500 sharing with another guy a quick transit ride from north pakistan to Kashgar and on to the border to Kyrgyzstan. I'm guessing it was a 3-5 day dash.

I'm still looking at other cheap, and (sadly) quick options.

Drew

For our ride from Mongolia to Shanghai in September we are paying on the order of RMB 29,000 for two bikes. The other couple we are joining is in a car so we don't need to rent a car/driver for the guide. The length of the tour is about 19 days. So while this is lower than what you are being quoted it isn't totally out of whack. Also, I believe Tibet needs a few more permits as well so that could also be driving up the cost.

We just found out that the cost of our trip does not include the cost of food/accommodation for the guide. So that means we'll have to split that cost every day as well in addition to the total cost. Apparently the guide can stay in "budget" accommodation at 100 - 150 RMB per night. Perhaps your quote includes that cost built in?

Since there are fixed costs (such as the salary of the guide) and marginal costs (such as the permits for each bike) the total quoted prices won't go down in direct proportion to the number of vehicles.

__________________
Ekke Kok

'84 R100RT 141,000 km (Dad's!)
'89 R100GS 250,000 km (and ready for another continent)
'07 R1200GS Adventure 100,000 km (just finished Circumnavigating Asia)
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

www.ekke-audrey.ca

@Drew - these costs are for a much longer trip. If we can't find enough people, that w intend to do the quick dash across as you've descried, taking around 4 days. I'd have to go bac and check through my quotes, but I think the cheapest we were quoted was US$1400 per bike, I think for 2 bikes. If it would be useful, I can send you which companies were cheapest - this would have to wait until I go in to town net week (not planning on riding today, as gale force winds are showing up at some point, which sounds bit too exciting for the bike)

I'v just moved up to Broome for work - my partner and I will be here until Oct-Nov of this year, at which point we hit the road

@Ekke - that cost does cover driver and guide accommodation, plus their food. It seems that there is an expectation of guide tips (another company suggested RMB20-30 per person per day, which won't drastically increase costs)

the need to have a car and driver with us is what is pushing the cost up - we will look for a 4WD that is going overland that is willing to take the guide, but I suspect that finding this person might be harder than finding more bikes

My understanding is that China doesn't use carnets, but instead requires a deposit to customs, returned when you exit. Some companies provide a guarantee to customs, so you don't need to pay the deposit yourself. The company I've had most contact with provides this service