London-China 2019
 

Early planning and flexible dates. 2019 start year North Africa and onto southern route for Central Asia, Turkey, Iran,"the Stans", Tibet, China, to include the Korkoram and the Pamir. Male rider lives in London. Looking to share the ride and costs for guiding in China etc etc.

Hi Londonbiker, you have a PM. Planning a ride to lhasa and forward to India from the UK - may 2019. I am sure there will be more people travelling around that time.

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Hi Londonbiker

I am from the UK (Scotland) but currently living in Spain. I plan to start my RTW trip in May 2019, probably from the UK as I need to change bike before I start my trip, and apart from the N Africa part this was a route I was planning to take. Get in touch to see if our schedules etc. are compatible.

What month are you planning on leaving and how long do you think the trip will take?
Robert.

Hi Madbiker,

I am from the UK and currently living in Spain (Barcelona). I´m planning a trip down the Silk Road in 2019. How far are you concerning your preparation?

I'm also planning a china crossing early 2019. I'm based in London. My Current plan is to ride from the UK to Turkey, get a ferry from Baku to Central Asia and then explore for a bit. My end goal is to get to Thailand via India and so need to pass through China, would love to find a group to split the guide costs with. Give me a shout :)

So you route is..

India,China,Laos,Thailand.
OR
India, Bangladesh, Burma,Thailand.

I'm just curious: why not India, Burma, Thailand?

No reason why you cant do that route.

The southern route: [India] -> [Bangladesh] -> [Burma] -> [Thailand]. I need to cross China to get from the Stans to India to start that leg of the journey.

My original plan was [Central Asia] -> [West China] -> [India]. But I hear there are some complications regarding the Chinese-Indian border. So ideally I'd like to find a group travelling [Kyrgyzstan/Kazakhstan] -> [China] -> [Nepal]. I've not actually seen it offered anywhere yet, guessing there might be a reason why. So [Kyrgyzstan/Kazakhstan] -> [China] -> [Laos/ Burma] would also work for me. I'd just hit Thailand before India.

Ok, IMO you best plan should be Stan, Kazakhstan, China, Laos and then Thailand.
Now, new laws in Laos for overland travellers ( need a Guild)
Thailand the same but with both some people are getting in if you have an ATA Carnet.

China you are fully aware of what is needed but stay out of Tibet.

Times are not good for overland travellers in these areas.
Except for China its all about MONEY now and how we can get your money in our hands.
Why not China? there don't need the money, just don't want or need overland travellers roaming about China.

P.S. Not border crossing between Laos and Burma, well one that is open to you?

Awesome, thanks for the advice :) That does make sense.

I've heard the Tibet thing before. Probably why I haven't seen any tours offering transit to Nepal. Guess I'm doing the Thailand -> India way round then.

If it's necessary to pass that far over, I'd also be happy to join a [Mongolia] -> [China] -> [anywhere in SE Asia] group if anyone is trying that. I would run [Kazakhstan] -> [Russia] -> [Mongolia] to reach you. I'm still at the early stages of planning so super flexible, crossing china appears to be the biggest obstacle so happy to let that dictate what route I take.

Don't want to hijack this thread (any more than we already have...sorry) But if anyone needs an additional member for a tour in any of these areas, feel free to give me a pm.

Hi PatateBcn

I live near Tarragona and I will leave Spain in May 2019, I am in the early stages of my planning, I am looking at different routes, times etc. I am pretty flexible and open to ideas and suggestions. if you want a chat about this just message me.

Thanks.

Potential meet up to discuss
 

Hi I've been travelling and off the thread. Have been in contact with Kurien and trying to arrange a meet up on Saturday 12th May, at the Ace cafe , Kurien lives Newbury way , I have also suggested Beaconsfield services on the M40 just west of London. Can you make it to discuss routes, dates, etc etc. Adrian

Meet up saturday 12th May
 

Kurien and I are meeting up at Beaconsfield services on the M40 at 0930 Saturday 12th May to discuss London - China 2019 all interested are welcome to join in. Adrian

Awesome! I'll tag along :) See you Saturday

Myself, Starfox and Kurien met at Beaconsfield this morning to discuss London China 2019.

To summarise; it was agreed that as we were all coming from different directions initially that we would meet up enroute (May/June 2019) to do the more challenging parts of the trip, i.e. "the Stans", Tibet and China where we would pool resources, costs for visas, guides, fixers etc etc, and onward into Pakistan, India.

Some of the things we discussed;

http://adventurebiketraining.co.uk - Kevin Hammond, ex globebuster tour leader now running his own business ( I have signed up for a rider course and mechanical know how course)

Travcour - Home, - help with visas permissions etc

http://navo-tour.com - (Abby) help with visas for China, permissions, guides etc

http://overlandingassociation.org - for all things overland

https://www.carseurope.net/carnet-de...n-douanes-cpd/, - CPDs for Brits

We have agreed to meet up in June at : http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/events/hubbuk-2018

Hubb uk
 

Starfox , kurien and I have just returned from an excellent Hubb UK . Well done to the volunteers and organisers , great presentations and information freely shared to all, what a great community.
We are still looking for travellers to join us to share costs and adventures as we cross into China in 2019.

Hi. Not a hijack i promise. I’ve met kuiren earlier this year with the aim of possibly traveling together. I’ve ridden London Bangkok 3 times now. Through Russia, stans, China, laos, thailand. 3 different routes through china. Last year via Everest base camp. IMO do Tibet. Its one of the most amazing places on earth. Not easy or cheap by absolutely worth it. I’m looking at running another trip next summer. I run my trips at cost plus me so i get a free trip:). Happy to help/advise if you’re going your own way or join me for sections. Take a look at my www.overlander.bike site to look at some of the places on the way. Enjoy whatever you do and good luck


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Thank you Jason, Kurien did mention your convo, and I've read your blog which is hilarious, I will be sure to ask you for info as and when needed as a long distance "newbie" if you don't mind please.

Of course. Always happy to help. I’m away across Russia from 25th July till mid Sept so response may not be instant in that period.


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Starting to book and roughly plan the route
 

I have booked the ferry to Santander from Portsmouth 02/02/2019. (£160)

I will ride through Spain to probably Algeciras - Tangier-Med port

3 weeks riding Morocco, then ferry Tangier-Genova 02/03/2019 9(€150) to start the SE Europe/Balkan leg and East from there.

Hi,

the things is the bridge between China and Nepal was broken by flood, the only land way from Tibet to Nepal was closed， the Rasuwa port.

Thank you Brenda, maybe the bridge will be fixed by June 2019

Hi all - Anyone here looking to go through China into Pakistan in 2019?

Ideally late-September

Open to the idea of a crossing from Kyrgyzstan but also very interested in the newly opened border from Tajikistan which is a shorter time in China and hence should cost less

Not on my itinerary at the moment, but you know how things could change, its still a ways off.

Looking for travellers
 

I am now receiving initial quotations from Kygystan-China -Nepal Torugart/Irkshtam pass to Gyirong from tour operators, looking for more travellers to join the group that I'm forming for June 2019.

So far there are 3 of us, ideally a group size of 6 to 8 would be more economical for all.

I concider going to China in next year, maybe together with 1-2 other bikers from Poland, but the date is not fixed, and the route also. Do you know which day approximately you'll start your journey from London and when you are aim to be on the China boarder? How many days you plan for the road in China? If you could send me informations about the cost in China from the agency I would greatfull:thumbup1:

I am Leaving London for Morocco on 1/2/19 and return by ferry to Genoa 1/3/19.
My route( subject to change because of politics) Balkans,Turkey,Iran,"The Stans" then enter China Torugart or Irkshtam pass Early June , Kashgar to Tibet into
China I am working on 4-5 weeks to Beijing.
Costs, I am getting quotations now. The more travellers the cheaper the quotation

Thanks Londonbiker. I think early june is too early for me. But if you could send me the quotation for China (on priv, or how you like), it would be great. I really start to plan and search for any information about cost etc. How you will go back from Being to London?

Hi Hilda, sure will send quotes when I have them finalised. At Beijing, I will decide depending on personal circumstances whether to continue with the trip, Korea,Japan, Aus, or airfreight back to LHR with @MotoFreight.

What do you think about Transport by a train from Beijing to Russia (transsiberian rally)?

Hilda, I now have a quote from Kyrgyzstan to Nepal, if you are still interested please direct message me with your email address.

Not looked into that Hilda

Itinerary update
 

I now have several quotes from the Kyrgyzstan border to the Gyirong border exit with Nepal.
I am still awaiting quotes for the second half of the trip from Tibet to Beijing, passing through Lhasa, Chengdu, Xian, Beijing.

Intended crossing date is now looking like July 2019 but still flexible at this time.

I am looking for folks to join our party and share the costs accordingly.

Carnet De Passages
 

I thought I would try ADAC as an alternative issuer/quote for a CDP to CARS UK.
er, no, unfortunately for a UK registered m/c its only CARS; worth a try I thought:nono:

Dear

Thank you for your e-mail.
As your motorcycle is registered in UK, we can't assist you.
There is another issuing organization which is responsible for UK registered vehicles. It's called Cars UK.
Please get in touch with them.

Kind regards,

Nina Hinterwimmer
Tourism
Customs Affairs/ Carnet de Passages

ADAC e.V., Hansastr. 19, 80686 Muenchen, Germany
T +49 89 76 76 63 38
cdp@adac.de
www.adac.de/cdp-en

China Crossing near final - 15 July Torugart pass/port
 

Folks who are following this thread - China Crossing near final - 15 July Torugart pass/port >> 15 days through China, Everest Base camp (EBC) and into Nepal. If you are interested, message @londonbiker or me.

Other routes include EBC and further on to:
A ( to Nepal)
B (to Laos )
C (to Beijing Tianjin)

Thanks
Kurien

15th July 2019 Kyrgyzstan- Kashkar-Nepal-Beijing
 

We are still looking for riders/drivers looking to cross into China and share the costs.
I am riding to Beijing, my fellow riding partners are going to Nepal and onward to India, so lots of options available.
We have negotiated favourable rates, which can be improved upon with further numbers.

Please PM me for further info.

Adrian

I have replied today to riders/drivers from Belgium and Germany, giving details and costs.

Just to confirm our intended date of crossing is 15/7/19. BUT

We can be slightly flexible until the end of July for crossing , if you are ready to commit to a date and pay your deposit to the tour company quickly.

Thank you and Happy Christmas
Adrian

Hi StarFox,
the only port open to public in Tibet is Gyirong port between China and Nepal. it is possible to cross China from Kyrgyzstan to Nepal via G219, but one thing should be noted is you can not travel in Tiebt in March.

Curious Aussie
 

Hi all,

I am curious. I am planning a RTW 2020 trip and had ruled out China due to requiring guide ($$). But having read the thread I am still in the dark as to how much it costs. I appreciate that costs can be shared, so I have two questions:

1. How difficult has it been to find others to share your cost for your 2019 trip?

2. What are the costs involved total (before you share)?

Thanks

Bruce

Guided Costings
 

Hello Bruce,
1. Its difficult in the sense that, all the stars have to align for everyone, dates, meet location, destination, costs, etc etc, so yes its difficult.

2. Cost involved before sharing;
Kashkar to Nepal- based on 7 riders $2600USD. 12 Days. If riders drop out cost increases .

Kaskar to Beijing $11200USD. 35Days. Total cost before sharing, so cost is immediately halved with just 1 extra rider.

Adrian

Thanks Adrian,

That gives me a better picture. Too rich for me I'm afraid and my dates will be very flexible so as you say, difficult to organise. I appreciate the reply.

Bruce

Hi

Do you have any updates as to costs, timing etc.on this.trip?

Am considering something like this.

Dan