We have now looked at every possible way and we need to let it all settle and see how it pans out over the next few months.
Proposed Routes

Our route is somewhat uncertain at this period in time. Political restraints and our safety are the largest considerations. Not being allowed through Burma (Myanmar) in your own car and transiting through China are also major factors, the latter mainly due to the exorbitant cost they demand.

It may end up that we have to ship from India, although we would ideally like to make Singapore and then ship to Australia.

We are considering a few options and they all have advantages and disadvantages.

Down through France, Spain, Morocco, Aligeria, Libya (taking the transit route to avoid having an official guide) Transit route or not, this one is now a complet no no. Egypt (unfortunately due to the high costs), Then ship across to Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Blarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, now we have three options: (But only two are realistic)

China, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore.
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Pakistan, India. Then either through China as option one. Or find a ferry or boat to take you around Burma (Myanmar) into Thailand and then once more as option one.
Or, if you feel lucky, Tajikistan, through the tip of Afghanistan, Top of Pakistan and into India. We don’t much fancy this one somehow. Or you could try to sneak around the Chinese boarder into India, but once more unless we could get a transit visa for China, not worth the risk. So we are back to sanity and common sense has to rule. (So why drive??) OK only a rhetorical question.

Or, from Switzerland, Austria, Hungry, Serbia, Fryo Macedonia, Greece, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Ship to Iran and then as option one.

Which ever we decide upon we will come back to parts of the route that cannot be avoided and some that we have no choice but to avoid. Principally Myanmar, unless we can find a way through. But so far no one has managed it so we are not getting over excited that this will be the way forward although it would be preferable.

19-3-11

Another option has thrown itself at us. Through Russia and into Tibet, down China into Laos and on to Thailand. This may be the only route open to us. With the recent happenings in the Arab states it looks like all routes are fraught with uprisings and revolutions at this moment in time.

Down the west side of Africa to Cape Town and ship to Aus now beckons and as a last resort ship from England. We don’t want to do that but it may be the only way.

We have now looked at evey possible way and we need to let it all settle and see how it pans out over the next few months.

20/07/11

We are still no closer to a final decision on route. What we do know is that according to our preliminary calculations China will cost close to £6500.00 for us to travel through as a single car by the time we have paid for the guide, hotels, fuel, food and attractions. True if we share costs with another car this will come down but only by about £1500.00 which is better than a poke in the eye with a blunt stick. But not really enough to make it viable unfortunately.

To Transit China $

Permit 600

Licence plate 80

Isurance 100

Customs 230

Mohan Pass 150

D Licences x2 160

Guide $120 per day (inc hotel & food) x 30day (he must

be on a good salary for China) 3600

Erenhot, guide transport /accommodation to meet you. 230

Mohen Pass, Guide transport to return (must be by

chuffer driven Rolls Royce car) 350

Total USD 5500

Convert to pounds, = $1=£0.61 (today) 3355

Diesel at 6.46y = 15 to the £= 50p ppl. Estimated mls 4150 x

22mpg, = 850ltr,(ouch) £426. Say 500

Hotel for us, 30 x £40 (maybe a little high but not sure if they

include evening meals) 1200

Additional food (lunch, Jackie’s chocolate etc) and essential

items, beer etc £20 per day x 30 600

Entry to attractions etc (Poss a bit OTT but better high

than low) 500

ESTIMATED SPEND TO TRAVEL THROUGH CHINA £6155

So the way is not straight forward. We can have a long long drive through Russia, or Iran, Pakistan and India this but is not sensible. Iran are not the most helpful to westerners, Pakistan is quite dangerous with all the attacks, and India, the driving is, well how do you describe it, Biggest has right of way!!!! is probably best.

So we are looking at the west coast of Africa and ship from Durban or Cape Town.

All fun and games but somehow, someway it will be sorted.

Now through Russia is looking quite viable, dropping into Mongolia and back into Russia through to Vladivostok. A ferry to South Korea and on to Aus, or a ferry to Japan and once more onward to Aus. Looks like tossing a coin may be the way in the end.

Did you ever wonder what was over the hill?

The only one way to find out for sure.

GO AND HAVE A LOOK!

Some hills are just a bit closer than others.

We have now looked at every possible way and we need to let it all settle and see how it pans out over the next few months. Proposed Routes

GO AND HAVE A LOOK!

We have now looked at every possible way and we need to let it all settle and see how it pans out over the next few months.
Proposed Routes