Thanx a lot for this information. I looked at your post re. Chinese agents. I have already talked with Stan Tours (they cannot do Tibet). Is the full name of China Exporation - as you mentioned, China Exploration Tours? If it is so - I am in touch with them. I havent spoken with the remaining ones: ZZ Tours and Julie Xie/Wayne (who used to do the tours for Caravan Cafe). Would you be so kind and can send me e-mail addresses / webside adressess to them. My e-mail is: jurekiola.info@gmail.com

As I saw, you will be crossing Xinijang only. We want to go from Kyrgyzstan to Nepal, crossing Tibet. Tibet complicates paperwork a lot... and not all Chinese companies agree to do this.

Regards,
Aleskandra

Hi Aleskandra, I havent got a feel for the Chinese situation yet. I dont know if they are as 'slippery' as other places where it takes some experience to decode or filter what is being said/claimed.

What can be so hard or different about geting a permit for a bike or campervan?

If we cannot do our planned transit from the top down to Lhasa and over to Kashgar then nothing else is really worth the expense. An escort is tedious enough. Out back up plan to just truck my/our bikes from KYR to PAK borders. A two day drive. Plenty to see in northern Pakistan.

Did I say already, I am pretty sure they won't let you out of Tibet into Nepal (with a vehicle); you have to cross back in 'China'. You can maybe come into Tibet from Nepal and back out again. No vehicle transit from China across Tibet to Nepal, India, etc, AFAIK.

Chris

email
 

Email sent Aleksanddra.

Update the thread if you get any decent info.

Cheers

Ollie

Chris,

what do you mean by this? Is this restriction Chinese or Nepalee one? Is this something "new"?

Cheers
Aleksandra

It is a Chinese restriction and I dont think it is anything new.

I have never heard of anyone crossing from Tibet to Nepal (with vehicle).
This is why everyone goes out via KKH.

Has you agent said it is possible?

Maybe someone else knows better.

Another thing. I do wonder if this being 50 years since the DL's exile that protests etc in Tibet may put it off limits again like last year. I am getting quotes to truck the bikes from Irkestan (Kyr) to Khunjerbab just in case ...

Ch

I raised up the Nepal border crossing issue with the Chinese agent. He said from Chinese paperwork perspective they can do it. He does not know, however, the details of Neaple's side. But you mentione that this is Chinese and not Nepalee restirction.

In general they maintain that they are able to organize for bike riding ex Krgyzstan via Tibet to Nepal. The only thing is that they do not want to decrease the price: USD 5,500 per bike is the final offer :-(

The problem is that we have to decide what to do by the end of this month... So I am still thinking. I would ride through KKH to India is the situation was like in last years. But now, even the people knowing Pakistan, who were there many times, discourage me from this option.

Cheers
Aleksandra

But you mentione that this is Chinese and not Nepalee restirction...

So I thought but I am not an expert. Maybe your agent can do it. Have they done it before or know of any one who has?


Google Tib-Nepal crossing with vehicle. Maybe it is normal? With bicycle no probs. Anyway, I don't imagine Nepal will turn you away.

USD 5,500 per bike is the final offer :-(
In the UK that is nearly £4000 now - crazy!

I must say I am not worried by Pak. You just have to do research and know where not to go, like any country. The Northern Areas - the real heart of KKH - is not at all like NWFP or other tribal areas. You will see. Ismaili has a lot to do with it. For me it will be a highlight.
From Gilgit down to ISB and out you can do in 3 or 4 days. They may escort you to make it even quicker.
I was in ISB in Sept (just after Marriot) and talked to a moto guy who was escorted fast from Quetta, more to get him out of their hair.

Ch

[quote=Chris Scott;231761]I must say I am not worried by Pak. You just have to do research and know where not to go, like any country. The Northern Areas - the real heart of KKH - is not at all like NWFP or other tribal areas. You will see. Ismaili has a lot to do with it. For me it will be a highlight.
From Gilgit down to ISB and out you can do in 3 or 4 days./quote]

Gilgit was the first place I felt "uncomfortable". Everything north of that is geared to tourism and was fine and friendly but they are suffering for the lack of visitors. Then headed for Skardu and again its geared for tourists... (by that I mean climbers/walkers).
After that, Dasu was THE most "uncomfortable" place in Pakistan for us. Once past Abbotabad you are well out of the tribal lands.
Blatant plug: BikerBytes.com: Chilas to.. :mchappy:

This was at the time of the Red Mosque incident of 2007.
Now its just "not cricket":innocent:

John

Tibet closed till July
 

(that should be 'question mark')

Just heard this from a mate planning a recce for an upmarket bike tour to Tibet: my hunch about the DL was not so far off:

... The agency has informed us that no foriegners will be let into Tibet before July this year. Next year should be ok but there is some important anniversary this year [DL x 50] and they want to keep out trouble-makers.

Good story John, what a sad ending...

After reading other stuff I'm slightly less blasé about Pak but it's been like that for years, on and off. Lately more 'on'.

Ch

I did this crossing in Junly 2007. Full details are here:
China Guide
Newland Travel seem to be the guides that most other booking agents end up using. I booked through Caravan Cafe when they were still going.
Regarding the size of the group, that shouldn't change things too much as the basis upon which you are let in is that you're doing an expedition. What your guide will basically do is to book an expedition for 10-12 people and then cancel the other people off.
Hope that this helps.
Charles

Hi all,

So in the end, I have agreed with Wayne (July xie) for a passage from Torugarth pass to Tashkurgan. I have still have to send him the docs by email but the final cost should be 550 euros for the bike. I have to take care of the visa and don't know yet wether I should get a transit or a tourist visa... As to the organisation, a guide is supposed to meet me at the border to help me to declare the customs and send me off at Tashkurgan. Fingers crossed...

Alex

Ps: I am about to start a new thread on the garage met by riders along the silkroad... If you have already experienced some, thanks to share it :thumbup1:

Hi Alex (not Aleskandra), sorry we stole your thread for a while.

Is that 550e to ride to Tash with a car following? That seems pretty good. We have been quoted the same for a truck from Irk to Khunjerab (with 2 hotels). Riding would be more fun.

Ch

I expect to be riding - the deal is that he gets all the permits (temporary licence plates, driving licence, etc...). But I should probably request to have it written down... I'll let you know. No hotel included though.