China and Tibet 2012

Hello all. I am new here and must confess to being a biker rather than a 4X4er (for now at least!).

Next year I am planning to ride my motorbike from London to Kuala Lumpur. As part of this, I am going to cross China and Tibet (from Kyrgystan into Xinjiang and leaving from Yunnan into Laos). As you may know, taking your own vehicle into China requires the use of a Chinese travel agency to get the necessary permits and documentation as well as providing an obligatory guide. This isn't cheap; so I have organized a group of about 6 bikers interested in joining me for the Chinese leg of the trip. However, we would like to find a 4X4er to join the group as this will avoid the additional expense of renting a 4X4 in China (with driver) to transport the guide. The proportion of the cost of the trip to anyone interested will reflect this arrangement.

The trip through China and Tibet will last around 30 days and will be in September 2012 (exact date and route to be confirmed by group consensus). Some of the riders I have interested so far intend to head south into Nepal from Lhasa, while the rest of us will carry on to Laos.

If anyone is intersted, or would like further information, please reply to this thread or drop me a PM.

Cheers all.

If only!

Don't know how long you intend staying in Malaysia once there, but if you're around at the start of December, make sure you check out the Rainforest Challenge of Malaysia 3-12 December 2011. There is a Prologue Stage open to spectators on the 3rd, so if you're around ... www.rainforest-challenge.com

Also, if you need a friendly face in KL, you can no better than contacting the Land Rover Owners Club of Malaysia. You can email them via a young lady called Alyna Tai - Alynatai@gmail.com - she'll answer any questions you have. Say Tom McGuigan put you in touch. Complete petrol heads, so whether Land Rovers, bikes or most other forms of transports, as long as it has an engine, they will help!

Hello again everybody. To update since my last post: I have now got the final prices back and a Chinese tourist agency lined up. It took a fair bit of research and negotiation to find the right company at an affordable price. The trip will be 35 days in September 2012 from the Kyrgystan border to the border with Laos via Tibet; the idea of different entry and exit points for different members of the group proved to be too complicated and expensive; so it is now a fixed entry and exit point for everybody.
The price (including all the necessary paperwork and obligatory "guide"; excluding accomodation, food):
Based on 6 motorbikes and 1 4WD (with 2 people) it is USD 11572 for the group. That is £7545 divided by 7 vehicles is £1077 per person or about £30 per day. Although the 4WD would have 2 paying customers, as they would have to carry the guide, I have counted it as 1 person. If you see what I mean?!
Based on 8 people with 8 motorbikes and 1 4WD (with 2 people; same route, duration, conditions): it is USD 13225. That is £8618 divided by 9 vehicles is £957 each or about £27 per day.
So, not a huge difference in price between 6 or 8 bikes.
Sorry about the mixed currencies; the quotes were given in US$, but I think in GB£!
If anyone is interested or would like more information, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Cheers.

If only ...

That's one part of the world I've been longing to visit, one day.

yes me also, one day to drive to China to see the great wall, and the tercota army,

Hello Tom and roamingman. Thanks for the replies.
Carpe diem!

wuming wrote:

Carpe diem!

Mmmm, fine in theory, not so easy to put into practice. Even if we lived to be a thousand years old, we still wouldn't be able to visit all the places on our wish lists. Such is life.

Hi

What are the latest news of the trip? Is it still on?

We plan a similar trip but the aim is to go from Kyrgisistan to Nepal after China. Route in China: Torugart-Pass, Kashgar, Karakul Lake, small tour of the Taklamaklan, Route 219, Mazha, Rutok, Kailash, Shigatse, Lhasa, few days in and around Lhasa, Everest BC, Zhangmu. Preliminary timing: Start Torugart-Pass on 28.08. ends Zhangmu on 06.10.2012, 40 days.
We are 2 persons in an Iveco 4x4 Campervan.

Cheers
Werner

Details here: rowefidibus.ch

Welcome to the forum!

A couple of things ...

I am running an event called ADVENTURE OVERLAND ( www.adventureoverlandshow.com ) and an owner has just booked in his Iveco 4x4 campervan -



I believe it is the same as yours, nice vehicle as a base for a camper!

And for Wuming/Werner - I will probably be in Kyrgisistan in July 2013, for after the "Snow Leopard Expedition" ( www.overlandtravel.org.uk/snow-leopard-expedition ) I want to continue down into Mongolia. Although I will be there brfore you, I can certainly relay back any relevant up-to-date information that you need to know.

Hi Tom

Interesting business / events you are doing. Yes, the Iveco 4x4 must be the same type. This 2nd generation was built from 1990 to 1998. Mine is a 1994 ex Firebrigade truck / people carrier. More details on: rowefidibus.ch

You will be in Kyrgisistan and Mongolia in 2013? By that time we will hopefully be south of the Himalaya already

Cheers
Werner

Hello werner. You have a PM!

Hi Neil,

Do you know if the guide is actually a guide or just a military style escort to stop you going to places the Chinese don't want you to go.

I ask as this may cause problems with where he/she sits in the 4x4. In a Land Rover (or similar) he can at least look through from the back to the road ahead but in camper type vehicle (like the Iveco above) that would prove difficult and may end up with one of the vehicle owners having to sit inside the vehicle body.

I am just being nosey and picking your brains as I have a LR 110 van (and a new Super Tenere too I PX'd my 08 XT660Z for it - both great bikes).

Ray (in Hoddesdon Herts)

Hello Ray. How's it going? I have seen your posts on XT.660.com (I have a 660 Tenere). As for the guide: they are supposed to be trained and certified (they have courses and exams!) That said, no doubt the main reason for their presence is to keep an eye on what you are up to. Daft really as if you turn up in China without a vehicle, you can go pretty much where you want (Tibet being an exception). Fortunately, we have a Range Rover with us on this trip, so the Iveco/seat issue shouldn't arise. I will report back on my "guide" experience when I get back. Cheers.

Thanks, I had seen your bike on your blog which is why I put it in.

Have fun and ignore my jealousy....

Keep safe

Ray