Co-travellers crossing China - Xinjiang and Tibet in August 2013?
 

We are on a journey from UK to India by road (in a '96 Jeep Cherokee)
Planning to go across China in August 2013 entering from Kyrgyzstan (Torugart Pass) into Xinjiang and making our way across Tibet and exit Nepal through Zhangmu pass.
We are in Slovakia at the moment. Heading towards Central Asia soon.

Costs of driving own vehicle across China are very high due to all the permits, duties and above all a guide which is mandatory!

I am in touch with several tour operators who have all quoted a high 4-figure (in Euros) sum for a 20-day trip across Xinjiang and Tibet.
But costs can easily be halved or less if there are more vehicles cars/motorcycles in the party. So the figure per car will reduce significantly per person.

If there's anyone at all planning the same route around the same time (August 2013) please reply!

The rough route is:
Turgart - Kashgar
Kashgar -Yecheng-Kudi
Kudi-Mazha-Dahongliutan
Dahongliutan-Dorma
Dorma-Ritu-Shiquanhe
Shiquanhe-Zhada
Zhada-Mt.Kailash-Lake Manasarovar
Lake Manasarovar-Saga
Saga-Xigartse
Xigartse-Gyangtse
Gyangtse-Lhasa
Lhasa- Tingri
Tingri - Base Camp of Mt. Everet - Tingri
Tingri - Zhangmu Pass
Nepal



cheers
Che
www.infreed.com

is there still the '6 people of the same nationality' restriction in Tibet?

I think if you're willing to part with enough money any rules can be worked around in China.
In fact my girlfriend and I are of different nationalities but the Chinese travel agencies I have spoken to say it won't be a problem.
Also, apparently you must be part of a group but the group size can be 1!

cheers
Che

The travel agent I am currently in contact with quoted EUR 7710 for 2 people and 1 car initially.
There is another biker interested in the very same route on similar dates. His second quote was around EUR 3500 each for car and bike, and the guide travels in our car.
Estimated date of entry from Kyrgyzstan right now is 22nd August (a bit late for us actually)

If there are more people then this we could get it down to a very doable figure.

cheers
Che

Same nationality for groups entering Tibet?
 

No - at least this year having heard of groups entering Tibet without a problem (those properly organised by a Chinese tour company).

If you don't mind doing Mongolia-China-Nepal there is a group here who I hope to be travelling with, give them a shout if you might be interested.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...na-tibet-70042