Beginners from the UK!

Hi all,

We are two complete beginner overlanders with big plans! We currently live and work in England but have got bored of working and want to blow all our savings on an adventure.

We are currently planning an overland trip from the UK to Vietnam (or vice versa) starting at the end of this year. As I said, we are complete beginners so we are seeking ANY advice we can get for our travels, everything is welcome be it advice on vehicles, getting around, equipment, countries, attractions, safety etc. We are starting from scratch having only ever done back packing before so any advice from those who've done it is absolutely invaluable, I feel we have a steep learning curve ahead!

Our current idea is to head through Europe up to Lativia/Estonia then across to St. Petersburg, down to Moscow, down to Kazakhstan, through North Kazakhstan, a loop around Mongolia, back through South Kazakhstan, then somehow (?) get to Nepal, then across to Vietnam/Cambodia/Thailand. As we are looking at leaving in the British winter we are considering shipping the car to Thailand and doing it in reverse too!

Please let me know what you think!

Hi and welcome, their is a lot of info on the forum, look under all the headings, as for a motor you will find quite a few different people who prefer one make over another, you must have a look at them all, then try the ones you like and pick one, we have done Europe and Morocco, always wished to go to China.
I think to get to Nepal it might be easier to come from the east, but which ever way I believe you will have to go though China, as you will see from the posts it is quite expensive, in Nepal there are a lot of high mountains and plains to cross beware of altitude sickness.

Try and read Peter and Eileen Crichton's books they have been around the world three times in a V8 Discovery 1.

We have a Discovery 200tdi 1.

wish you all the best,

Hello, welcome to the forum!

Two suggestions:-

1. Contact Marcin who runs www.4x4zone.co.uk A very helpful guy who ran a trip down to Mongolia. Don't think he runs these any longer, just Central and Eastern Europe, but will obviously know a thing or two about the best route to Mongolia and that part of the world.

2. Just in case you aren't aware, there is a specialist event in September that will be perfect for you. Called the Adventure Overland Show it's held at Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse 26-27 September 2015. For what you're planning it is a must! See www.adventureoverlandshow.com

Like roamingam says, reading up on what Peter and Eileen Crichton have done is a great start. Plus there is some useful info within this forum about China. Good luck, you've a lot of reading to go though!

Thanks for the help guys, there is indeed a lot of reading to do! I will be sure to make that show too, sounds perfect.

I've been coming to the conclusion that China is unavoidable, based on what I've read so far it seems to be a good idea to minimise time there to keep costs down!

I want to get the vehicle as soon as I can to make sure it's prepared in time. We have had a few suggestions from various people. One overland company was suggesting an ex-MOD Defender, which sounds like a sensible option as it will be well looked after and easy to fix but I can't help think it may be quite uncomfortable and they demand such a high price! The other suggestions we've had are to do up a basic as possible Discovery 1, which goes for much less money and I think would be more comfortable. I see you're a Discovery man roamingman, would you weigh in on this?

Yes had both defender and now a Discovery 1, the D1 is more comfortable, the Discovery 2 has a bit more room inside but has a 300dti engine or to get td5 but that has more electricity, it is best to have a rooftop tent or a quick erect tent, On are last trip going to Morocco I made beds in the back but a bit cramped in the back has it is a 2 door model, you need to carry extra water and diesel.
A Defender 110n has more room in the back,
some on here will tell you Land Rovers are not that good has I said before make your own mind up.

Hi another place to get info from is http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/  it is mainly for bikers but their is a section for 4x4's also a lot of info for China,
one more thing once you start to read you will see their is a lot of planing to do for documents also items you need not what you want, may be a short trip to Europe to get a feel of your motor and a daily routine, like me and Dilys we each have things to to make it easier and quicker to set up.
I do not wish to put you of but their is a lot to take in,

as a foot note you will see Peter and Eileen have a Discovery 1 V8