London to Bangkok via China

Embark on an extraordinary 13-week motorcycle ride across continents and cultures on this epic Trans-Asia ride from London to Bangkok!

London to Bangkok Motorcycle Expedition Tour

Leaving the Ace Cafe London, we ride across the heart of Europe, through the magnificent Vosges Mountains and Black Forest to Bavaria. We reach Croatia and what we vote as the best costal riding in Europe! Greece’s mountain roads are deserted and glorious, with old stone bridges and small villages lost in time. We also have time to explore unique rocky landscapes of the UNESCO listed Monasteries of Meteora, before crossing into Turkey.

Where East meets West

Let’s kick back in the vibrant city of Istanbul, with its bustling bazaars, spice markets and the magnificent Blue Mosque. Our journey takes us to the Gallipoli Peninsula and the fairy tale landscapes of Cappadocia. We ride high to see the giant carved heads of Mount Nemrut and explore the lost ruined city of Ani.  Then Georgia with its crumbling beauty and ancient castles, a region steeped in history and folklore. Let’s try wine in Vardzia and explore the capital Tbilisi.

From here we head to Baku to take a ship across the Caspian Sea to Turkmenistan. The Karakum Desert is endless vistas of shifting sands and where we spend a night under the stars. It’s here where the Door to Hell burns brightly in the night sky.  As we reach Uzbekistan, the historic Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva will transport you back in time. Mosques, minarets and madrasahs line our route.

China Awaits!

Be patient with the bureaucracy at the borders because it will be worth it! The Northern Silk Road reveals the rugged charm of the Gobi Desert, Buddhist art deep in the Mogao Caves for centuries and the Great Wall of China! We’ll experience old Tibet within the provinces of Qinghai and Sichuan, with a visit to one of the great Buddhist monasteries, Ta-er Si, in Xining.  After, remote roads await in western Sichuan, a journey rarely travelled by foreigners.  This ride takes us to the great Tibet-Sichuan Highway, before turning south on the ancient Tea & Horses route. This takes us to Yunnan Province, a land of terraced rice fields, mist-draped mountains and ancient towns. We’ll explore UNESCO listed Lijiang, the old town of Dali and the little visited Jianshui with one of the biggest Confucius Temples in China.

An air of calm descends as we reach Laos. Our journey meanders through rural backroads, with vistas of stilted houses, glistening paddy fields, lofty green mountains and ancient red-roofed temples. UNESCO listed Luang Prabang is not to be missed. Crossing the Thai Laos Friendship Bridge over the Mekong, our final weeks are spent exploring Northern Thailand, the Golden Triangle, the Road of 1864 Bends, Bridge over the River Kwai and Sukhothai, before our ultimate destination, Bangkok, a great place to celebrate our incredible Asian motorcycle ride!

Travel with the Experts

Our travel record in China is second to none and we’ve been leading motorcycle groups on long distance rides across China since 2009. There’s no substitute for this type of experience, so rest assured leave all the planning and logistics to us, leaving you to embrace the challenge of this Asia motorcycle adventure of a lifetime!

IMPORTANT NOTE: We must submit all individual and vehicle details / documents to Chinese authorities three months prior to our start date. Therefore, no bookings can be taken for this tour at short notice. Last date for booking is no later than 31 January 2024.

At a glance

91

Duration (days)

13000

Miles Covered

Moderate

Riding difficulty

5%

Unpaved Roads

Large

Culture Shock

At a glance

Duration (days): 91
Miles Covered: 13000
Riding difficulty: Moderate
Unpaved Roads: 5%
Culture Shock: Large

Dates & Prices

The Rider Price shown is based on the rider using their own motorcycle. For tours less than four weeks, you will need motorcycle rental if you do not have your own motorcycle available at the start destination of the tour.

DateRider
Shared Room
Single SupplementPassenger
Shared Room
Bike Rental
Apr 19 – Jul 18, 2024£34,995£7,495£19,995

Dates & Prices

The Rider Price shown is based on the rider using their own motorcycle. For tours less than four weeks, you will need motorcycle rental if you do not have your own motorcycle available at the start destination of the tour.
Date:Apr 19 – Jul 18, 2024
Rider Shared Room: £34,995
Single Supplement:£7,495
Passenger Shared Room:£19,995
Bike Rental:
  • Here are some of the amazing sights that you will see on this 91 day motorcycle expedition:

    • The old imperial capital, Istanbul where Europe meets Asia. Visit the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia & Topkapi Palace or maybe just bargain in the Grand Bazaar!
    • Wander the tiny streets of the perfectly preserved Ottoman village, Safranbolu and overnight in a caravanserai
    • Explore the unique moon-like landscape, underground cities, cave churches and houses carved in the rocks in Cappadocia and overnight in a cave hotel.
    • The UNESCO site of Mount Nemrut and the large stone head carvings and the ruined medieval Armenian capital, Ani.
    • Gori, the birthplace of Stalin and a place of old churches and castles.
    • Desert roads in Turkmenistan to the marble white capital city of Ashgabat.
    • North through the Karakum Desert. Stopover in a teahouse and head for a night viewing of the Darvaza Gas Crater, known locally as “The Door to Hell”!
    • Follow in the tracks of Genghis Khan, as we head into Uzbekistan and continue to follow the Silk Road to the ancient walled city of Khiva, where you can wander through the narrow alleys to see the mosques, minarets and madrasahs.
    • Samarkand, with the UNESCO listed Registan and its three madrasahs. Break bread with the locals and enjoy fresh kebabs cooked over coals.
    • Almaty, the most populated city in Kazakhstan, surrounded by 4,000m peaks on the edge of the Tian Shan mountain range.
    • Turpan and riding at 30m below sea level, the Emin Minaret and the Flaming Mountains
    • Dunhuang, nestled near the Mingsha Sand Dunes and a visit to the UNESCO site of the Mogao Caves
    • Jiayugan with its impressive Ming dynasty fort marks the symbolic end of the Great Wall.
    • Xining is close to the birth place of the current Dalai Lama and a visit the Tibetan Ta Er Si Monastery
    • The mythical city of Shangri-la and stroll around the UNESCO Ancient City of Lijiang.
    • Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest canyons in the world where the Yangtze River carves its way through the high rock walls.
    • Tea & Horse Route, twisty roads in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas crossing mountain passes over 4,000m high!
    • Luang Prabang, UNESCO listed town filled with 33 gilded temples, saffron-clad monks and crumbling Indochinese villas
    • Golden Triangle, where Laos, Myanmar & Thailand meet on the banks of the Mekong, former hotspot for the opium trade. Visit the Opium Museum.
    • Riding the Road of 1864 Bends has to be some of the best twisty motorcycling in the world!
    • Sukhothai, a UNESCO World Heritage City, as the first capital of Siam, this was the cradle of Thai civilisation. Get your photo at the elephant temple!
    • Bangkok crammed with temples, buddhas, traffic, markets and nightlife! The best place to celebrate our epic motorcycle journey!

    ROUTE

    This map is for illustrative purposes only

  • This itinerary is for 91 days, covering around 13,000 miles (21,000 kms). It starts in London, UK and finishes in Bangkok, Thailand.

    Week 1 – Europe

    A grand send off from the Ace Café in London sees the riders start the greatest and longest motorcycle tour ever attempted. We take the Euro Tunnel to France and sweep through the Ardennes and to the Vosges. Crossing the Rhine, we’ll head through the Black Forest and onto Bavaria. In Slovenia, we’ll overnight in Bled and then head along the stunning Croatian coastline staying at Trogir and Dubrovnik.

    Week 2 – Greece & Turkey

    After riding through Albania, we’ll have a couple of nights in Kastoria to explore the extraordinary landscapes of UNESCO listed Meteora. Leave Europe behind, we cross into Turkey to the Gallipoli Peninsula, with time to explore the ancient city of Troy, before hopping on a ferry across the Sea of Marmara to Istanbul.  There are two days to explore this incredible city, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar and more.

    Week 3 – Turkey

    The UNESCO listed Ottoman town of Safranbolu. Option to take a hot air balloon flight among the weird volcanic rock formations of Cappadocia. The back roads of Central Turkey, heading east. Explore the UNESCO site of Mount Nemrut and the ruined medieval Armenian capital, Ani.

    Week 4 – Georgia & Azerbaijan

    Onto Georgia, the birthplace of Stalin and a place of old churches and castles. The wine region of Vardzia.  Time to explore the capital Tbilisi and enjoy the local wines and cuisine. Azerbaijan awaits and is our staging post for crossing the Caspian Sea, but not before overnighting in an old Silk Road caravanserai. In Baku, we locate our overnight ferry and complete documentation for our entry into Central Asia.

    Week 5 – Turkmenistan

    Cross the Caspian Sea to reach Turkmenbashi.  Desert roads in Turkmenistan to the marble white capital city of Ashgabat. North through the Karakum Desert. Stopover in a teahouse and head for a night viewing of the Darvaza Gas Crater. Follow in the tracks of Genghis Khan, as we head into Uzbekistan along the Silk Road.

    Week 6 – Uzbekistan

    Our first stop is the ancient walled city of Khiva where you can wander through the narrow alleys to see the mosques, minarets and madrasahs. The great Silk Road cities of Bhukara and Samarkand, with the breath-taking Registan. Break bread with the locals and enjoy fresh kebabs and tea. Tashkent, with its odd mix of Muslim and ex-Soviet architecture, is the capital of Uzbekistan and home to the areas “plov” centre, Uzbek`s national food.

    Week 7 – Kazakhstan & China, Xinjiang Province

    The ninth largest country on the planet, with vast open lands known as the Kazak Steppe. The south of the country is where traders travelled the ancient Silk Road between Asia and China. We continue to Taraz and onto Almaty, the most populated city in Kazakhstan, surrounded by 4,000m peaks on the edge of the Tian Shan mountain range. Almaty is a rest point, where we get the bikes serviced, ready for entering China. The frontier town of Horgas is our first stop in China. It rarely sees Westerners, so you’ll be of the object of curiousity, especially on motorcycles! We receive our Chinese driving licences and number plates.

    Week 8 – China, Hexi Corridor & Qinghai Province

    Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, based in the foothills of the Tian Shan. Turpan and riding at 30m below sea level, the Emin Minaret and the Flaming Mountains. A stopover in the town of Hami, famous for its melons! The Hexi Corridor was once the only western passage to and from Eastern China. Follow the Silk Road from here to the remote town of Dunhuang, nestled near the Mingsha Sand Dunes. Visit the UNESCO site of the Mogao Caves. Jiayugan with its impressive Ming dynasty fort marks the symbolic end of the Great Wall. We take a ride out to the Great Wall for that picture!

    Week 9 – China, Gansu & Sichuan Province

    We continue our Silk Road journey to Zhangye, where Marco Polo spent over a year. Qinghai Province will give you a flavour of Tibet. Xining is close to the birth place of the current Dalai Lama and a visit the Tibetan Ta Er Si Monastery. From here, we take a remote mountain route in the far west of Sichuan.  This is way off the tourist trail, though many small towns and villages and accommodation will be more basic.

    Week 10 – China, Sichuan & Yunnan Province

    We reach to mighty Sichuan Tibet Highway, and cross huge mountain passes over 4,000m high, before turning south to Yunnan Province and the mythical city of Shangri-la.  Time to see Tiger Leaping Gorge and stroll around the UNESCO Ancient City of Lijiang.

    Week 11 – China, Yunnan Province & Laos

    Dali traditional old town.  Stroll around Green Park in Yunnan’s capital, Kunming. Then we’ll take the twisty mountain roads on the traditional “Tea & Horses” route.  The ancient town of Jianshui is our next stop, rarely visited by foreigners, it has the second largest Confuscious Temple, reserved city walls and traditional buildings.  Ride through the UNESCO listed rice terrace regions.  On to the border with Laos. Relax in peaceful Luang Nam Tha.  Enjoy the tranquility of the beautiful colonial city and UNESCO World Listed Site, Luang Prabang.

    Week 12 – Laos & Thailand

    Discover the mix of Southeast Asian and French culture in the capital, Vientiane.  Kick back with a cold Beerlao – the Lao national beer – and watch the sun set over the Mekong. Into Thailand and some of the best motorcycling roads in the world! Breath-taking scenery to the Golden Triangle.

    Week 13 – Thailand

    Ride the road of 1,864 bends. If you’re bored of your bike, ride an elephant! Travel through the rainforest and tiny mountain villages, close to the Burmese border. UNESCO listed Sukhothai and Kanchanaburi, famous for “Bridge over the River Kwai” South to Bangkok. It’s freight time back home, but there is time in Bangkok to experience the wonders of the city’s wats and palaces or take a Tuk-tuk to one of the many markets.

  • There is a wide variety of accommodation.  In Europe and Turkey we use good 3* and 4* hotels.  For Central Asia, we also use 3* and 4* hotels, but as we push east, standards are not the equivalent of Europe and North America. In Central Asia, all room have en suite bathrooms and hot water.  However, wifi use may be restricted and not freely available.

    Once we cross into northern China, hotel standards are good, with en suite rooms, and normally TV (only expect English speaking in major tourist destinations) and wifi access.  However, there may not be full access to the internet, or its use may be restricted, not freely available or just very slow.  Common social media platforms are blocked in China (FaceBook, YouTube). So, think about getting a private VPN.  The most common is ExpressVPN https://www.expressvpn.com/

    We do ride a remote route in the western part of Sichuan, where there are only small towns and villages and you need to expect more basic accommodation for a around one week.  Once we reach Yunnan, the standard of accommodation is very good, en suite rooms, with television and Wifi (subject to the restrictions outlined above).

    In Laos and Thailand, many places are delightful boutique hotels and guest houses, which are en suite, with bars & a restaurant and normally good wifi access.  We finish our trip in Bangkok, at the famous Lebua Hotel – the view from the Sky Bar is the best in town (if you’ve seen Hangover 2, it may be familiar).

    All of the above reflects the nature of the adventure that you are undertaking – some parts of this trip are very remote where tourism does not exist and you will need to cope with the same facilities as the locals.

  • You have the benefit of booking your motorcycle tour with a tour operator with Financial Payment Protection Insurance with Towergate Travel and your money paid to us in advance is protected in accordance with The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.

    Before you go

    • The assurance of booking with a fully bonded and insured UK operator, acting in accordance with The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, ensuring your money paid in advance is protected.
    • GlobeBusters Guidance Handbook with all pre-trip information
    • Pre-departure expedition briefing and ongoing access to the GlobeBusters team for any questions you may have, via additional one-to-one meetings
    • Assistance with the procurement of visas for each country and provision of Letters of Invitation, if required.
    • Daily hard copy route notes with GPS co-ordinates and information about the hotels, the roads and the sights
    • Loan SD Card with open source GPS mapping for the region, suitable for Garmin units.
    • Expedition Tour Shirt

    En Route

    • All hotel rooms on shared basis (or a single room, if booked)
    • All breakfasts, in keeping with local traditions
    • 20 group dinners, with water or soft drink (no alcohol)
    • Euro Tunnel Train for you and your bike, Folkestone to Calais
    • Local overnight hotel parking charges.
    • Chinese Driving Licence & Chinese Bike Licence Plate for your motorcycle, required for travel in China
    • Vehicle Permits to enter Thailand

    Motorcycle Freight

    • Group freight of your motorcycle (including crating, where required, and Customs Clearance) from Bangkok back to the UK or to other destinations, if additional charges are paid. (You must ride your motorcycle to the appointed freight forwarder in Bangkok.)
    • In transit insurance for your motorcycle, during freight, subject to an excess of £500.

    Support Crew

    • Motorcycle Expedition Manager to accompany the group, either in a Support Vehicle or on a Motorcycle depending on numbers.
    • Motorcycle Support Rider, where the group is more than 12 riders
    • Support Vehicle, equipped with satellite phone, spare fuel, water, tools, selected spare parts and emergency first aid kit, acting as a sweeper vehicle
    • Support Driver, with motorcycle mechanical experience and first aid qualifications
    • Local fixers/translators that travel with the group in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, China, Laos and Thailand.

    Not Included

    • Return passenger airline flights or any other travel costs to get to the start and from the finish point of the expedition or any internal flights or other travel costs required during the expedition.
    • Personal travel, accident and medical insurance (covering matters such as medical expenses, repatriation, cancellation, curtailment, loss or damage to property)
    • Third party liability motorcycle insurance cover (or any other type of motorcycle insurance), motorcycle breakdown cover or recovery costs
    • Entrance fees to sights and parks, optional local excursions or local activities, (except where stated)
    • The hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia is specifically excluded, and you must make arrangements directly with the local operator.
    • Lunches, snacks or evening meals (except where stated). Any meals whilst on board ferries.
    • Personal spending money, tips, souvenirs or other extras.
    • Personal documentation (eg visas, passport), vaccinations, personal taxes, border crossing fees, motorcycle documentation (including carnet de passage)
    • We do not supply riding gear; you must bring a minimum of your own helmet, jacket, trousers, boots and gloves.
    • Costs of motorcycle servicing, motorcycle repair (parts, labour or other related costs), spares, transportation of your bike to the workshop
    • Fuel, oil & other motorcycle consumables, toll road fees, traffic fines or other charges relating to breach of the law
    • Any travel, subsistence & hotel costs to and from the freight depot when you drop off or collect your motorcycle, and to and from any UK briefing meetings.
    • Freight of the Participant’s motorcycle back to their home county from a place that is not the official end point.
    • Additional transportation of you or your motorcycle en route where you or your motorcycle cannot continue beyond the short and temporary assistance offered by GlobeBusters Support Vehicle.
    • Transfers to / from the airport at the start and end of the expedition.
    • Any other item not specifically included in the price.
    Please also refer to our Booking Conditions

    Flights

    For clarity, we do not include your passenger flights.  Once we have confirmed that this tour is a guaranteed departure, it is your responsibility to organise your own flights to the start point (if needed) and from the end point.

    For riders not based in the UK, you should book an outward flight to our start point, London, UK to arrive no later than 10am on 17 April 2024.  The earliest leave date is any time on 20 July 2024 from Bangkok.

    Only book your flights once we have confirmed that your motorcycle expedition is a guaranteed departure.  We do not refund flight costs if you have booked flights for a tour that has not been notified as a guaranteed departure.

  • We understand that booking a motorcycle expedition is a big commitment both financially and in terms of time and preparation.  Here are some of the most common questions we are asked before riders make a booking.  If you wish to meet with us prior to booking to ask more questions, do not hesitate to contact us and we can set up a one-to-one meeting.  In addition, we hold a Pre-Expedition Meeting for the group at our premises around 6 months prior to the start of the expedition.

    What type of bike do I need?
    Our expeditions are designed so that you can use your own motorcycle.  We recommend that you use a dual purpose / adventure style bike.  We support any make and model.  Our Support Crew normally ride the Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro or Tiger 1200 Rally Pro.  We also have extensive experience with the BMW GS motorcycle range, having ridden them for over 15 years and many riders chose a BMW GS bike.  The smallest capacity bike that has been used on this type of trip previously has been the Honda CB500X.  What is important is that you have a reliable and robust bike that you are comfortable riding and that it has been properly prepared and fully serviced prior to the start and has new tyres.

    What riding experience do I need?
    We generally recommend that you are an experienced motorcyclist, who has ridden overseas before and is used to touring.  You will enjoy the experience more if your riding is of an advanced standard and by that we mean you have a good command of slow control (eg you don’t dangle your feet or paddle at slow speeds and can U-turn your bike), you are assertive on the road and have good forward planning and hazard perception, you are able to perform safe and precise overtakes and are able ride to the legal speed limits.

    You also need to have experience of riding your motorcycle on unpaved surfaces such as gravel, and dirt as some of the expedition routes are on these types of roads.  In addition, if there any roadworks on our route, normally diversions will be on temporary dirt roads.

    Please note that our route is primarily on paved roads, although some will be rough, with broken surfaces and potholed, and there may be up to 5% of dirt and gravel roads (up to 600 miles), although as the infrastructure develops, this may reduce in future years.

    If you need to improve your off road riding skills, attending a training school such as Adventure Bike Training www.adventurebiketraining.co.uk, Triumph Adventure Experience https://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk/adventure-experience or BMW Off Road Skills is highly recommended.

    It is your responsibility to ensure your motorcycling skills are up to the requirements for this Expedition.

    How does motorcycle freight work?
    We start the expedition from the Ace Café, London, so UK and some EU riders can ride to the start point.

    If you are a non-UK resident, you are responsible for organising your own freight to the start.  We are able to provide you with details of our UK freight agent, Motofreight, who can organise the freight of your motorcycle to the UK from your own country.  They can customs clear your motorcycle in the UK and you simply need to collect it from the freight agent’s depot and ride to London or they can deliver your bike to the start point in London.   This is an additional cost to you.  You are free to organise your own freight through your own freight agent, at your own cost.

    At the end of the trip, all bikes are sea freighted from Bangkok back to the UK.  This is included in your expedition price.  From the UK, if required, you can request our preferred UK freight agent Motofreight to onward freight your motorcycle to your home country.  This onward freight is a separate arrangement, at your own cost.  You are free to organise your own freight through your own freight agent.

    At the end of the expedition, if we have at least 3 riders from the same non-UK destination, we can do a separate sea freight arrangement direct to that country, as part of your expedition price.

    Your motorcycle is insured in-transit with an excess of £500, which is your risk.  Please note that cosmetic damage to bikes such as scratches, scuffs, marks are only compensated on a refurbishment basis and not based on the supply of new parts.

    What about servicing & tyres?
    All motorcycles must arrive at the start fully serviced and with new tyres.  There are no authorised motorcycle dealers for Triumph, BMW, KTM once we leave Istanbul and before China.  A minor service is then done around 6000 miles into the trip (Samarkand / Tashkent).  This is done by you with assistance from the Support Crew if requested.  All riders need to supply a minor service kit and change of tyres, which we will carry in our support vehicle.

    Is it difficult to get fuel?
    We have never had any issue with finding fuel. In certain regions, once en route, we will warn you in advance of any possible fuel shortages or if there is a route with a key fuel stop, where everyone must fill up with fuel to get to the next destination. Sometimes we need to fill up from barrels or by hand and have to filter the fuel. It is not necessary to fit any after-market large fuel tank or carry fuel bottles, although some riders choose to do so. Our support vehicle also carries spare fuel for emergencies.

    What is the average group size?
    Our groups are normally between 10 – 16 riders (some have passengers). Our groups are often very international and whilst the majority of riders come from the UK, we also get riders from USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Spain, France, Germany, Italy and so on. Groups are predominantly solo male riders, but every trip we have had couples who ride two-up and successfully complete the trip.

    Is this ride suitable for a passenger?
    We have had riders successfully complete this ride with a pillion passenger.  Your passenger needs to also be an experienced tourer, used to long distance riding and riding on unpaved roads. Your passenger must ride the motorcycle each touring day – there is no option to sit in the support vehicle.  Travelling in the support vehicle is only for participants who are ill or injured, or unless the road conditions are too difficult for a rider and passenger to attempt two-up.  In some end destinations, there is accommodation where, as a couple, you will not get privacy and bathroom facilities can be very primitive.

    Is there a support vehicle?
    All our expeditions have a dedicated GlobeBusters Support Vehicle, driven by a GlobeBusters Support Driver.  It is capable of carrying two motorcycle and two passengers.  Our support vehicles carry a satellite phone, mobile phone, medical bag and spinal board, spare fuel, water, tools, some spare parts, some spare tyres.  Our support vehicle provides temporary assistance to you if you have a mechanical problem or an accident and are injured. Depending on the size of the group, we may also take a second support vehicle and if not, we will have an additional local support vehicle in Xinjiang.

    These are not a luggage vehicles – you must carry your own luggage on your motorcycle.  For more information, please see our Support Vehicle section.

    Do I have to ride in a group?
    No!  We do not make you ride in convoy.  We offer you the freedom to decide how you would like to ride.  We give you a road book, GPS co-ordinates and hotel information.  You can use this to self-navigate.  If you prefer to ride with our Expedition Manager, then you can do this.  However, there are some politically sensitive places where we must ride together.  In China and Turkmenistan, whilst we don’t have to ride in strict convoy, we need to make sure that we are travelling relatively close together.  We will also ask you to ride in a group when we are crossing a border or if there is a security issue.

    What documents do I need?
    You will need your original documents as follows:  Passport, Motorcycle Registration Document or Title, Driving Licence from the country of your residence, International Driving Permit (1949 & 1968), minimum 3rd Party Motorcycle Liability Insurance (see below), Travel Insurance Certificate (see below).

    You should note that we need to request copies of the above documentation, which we have to send to suppliers who are outside the EU and who do not have the safeguards in place with regard to data protection as we have within the EU. These suppliers are for services such as motorcycle freight, overseas agents, hotels, motorcycle customs clearance, ferry services as well as the Chinese and Turkmen authorities.  Please refer to our Privacy Policy.

    Tell me more about 3rd party Motorcycle Liability Insurance
    It is your responsibility to put in place 3rd party insurance where you are legally required to do so.  It is a legal requirement to have minimum 3rd party insurance in place for the UK & EU. For non-UK/EU riders, you can buy 3rd party motorcycle insurance for riding in UK/EU from third party providers such as Alessie or TourInsure .   These companies can also offer insurance for Turkey for all nationalities.  Once you are beyond Turkey, you have no option but to rely on local 3rd party insurance policies which can be bought at the border crossings, where available.  Local policies only provide minimum legal protection, as low as US$10,000, and you have to be prepared to take responsibility for the financial consequences of the excess liability risk.

    Do I need any Visas?
    As visa requirements are dependent on your nationality and a complex with constantly changing requirements, we recommend using a visa agency to assist you and check the requirements.  Most nationalities will require visas for Azerbaijan (e-visa), Turkmenistan, China and Laos (e-visa).  Other Asian countries on the itinerary allow visa free travel for 30-60 days for UK, US and most EU citizens. At our pre-departure meeting, we cover this in detail to ensure you have all the information to enable you to apply for the visas you need.  Note that the Chinese visa MUST be obtained by you in person at the Chinese Visa Centre in your own country of residence.  At our pre-departure meeting, we cover this in detail to ensure you have all the information to enable you to apply for the visas you need.

    Special note about logistics for entry and exit of China
    Your price includes entry and exit of China, as part of the group arrangement.  Our entry point is at Horgos.  Our exit point is Mohan.  This is agreed as part of the permissions given for our group to ride overland across China and is done well in advance of travel.  You are not able to change your exit point after 31 January 2024.  Should you wish to have a different exit point to the main group, you must inform us on booking and additional charges will apply, depending on the exit arrangement that you want.

    What about my health when I am abroad?
    You need to be physically fit and healthy and also take the necessary health precautions.  It is essential for you to consult your doctor or travel clinic for up-to-date medical travel information prior of travel, particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition. For up-to-date medical advice you may wish to use the Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad “MASTA”  https://www.masta-travel-health.com/ , the NHS website  http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home.aspx   or NaTHNaC https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/ .

    You will be obliged to disclose any medical condition or medication that you are taking to GlobeBusters in advance and to your Tour Manager at the start of your Tour, for health and safety purposes. We provide you with our Emergency Details Form for this purpose and to collect information about who to contact for you back home in the event of an emergency.

    You must not bring any medicines that contain tramadol, codeine, temazepam, morphine or opiates to Central Asia. These are illegal in all circumstances in most of Central Asia.  You could be arrested for possession.  If you are not sure about a particular medicine, then please do not bring it.

    Please note that many countries on this route do not have the same level of medical infrastructure nor consistent medical standards that you may be used to.  In particular, emergency services often may be a long distance away, with no co-ordinated response, or sometimes no medical response available within reasonable times. Please do not book this trip if this unduly concerns you.

    First Aid Training

    We strongly recommend that you consider doing a motorcycle first aid course.  Some sections of this trip are remote and hundreds of miles away from medical treatment.  If you, or a rider you are with, are involved in any accident, whilst not riding with or not close to the support team, having first aid skills may make a significant difference to an injured party.

    Altitude

    You will be travelling to some areas of altitude up to 4,500m. You must inform your Expedition Manager of any altitude danger signs, so that you can reports these as soon as possible.

    Disease from Mosquitos

    According to Travel Heath Pro, there is a very low risk of malaria in mainland China, Laos and Thailand and they indicate that you are aware of the risk and bite avoidance techniques are recommended. It is essential that you seek medical advice prior to travel. Whilst travelling there are several simple measures you can take to reduce your risk of infections spread by mosquitoes: wear suitable clothing and cover up at times of day when mosquitoes are active, use insect repellent on exposed skin.

    Travel / Medical Insurance
    It is a condition of you travelling with us that you are adequately insured.  Your insurance policy must cover you for the costs of any medical expenses, medical treatment or repatriation needed, due to injury or illness on this trip, including those that occur whilst motorcycle touring, either as the rider or a passenger.  It is important that your insurance company understands that the MAIN PURPOSE of your trip is motorcycle touring, using your own large capacity cc motorcycle or a rental motorcycle.  Your insurance must cover you for the full duration of the trip and for all countries we travel through.

    In addition, we strongly recommend that your insurance policy has cover for loss or damage to your personal belongings, delay at your outward or homeward point of departure, personal liability, overseas legal expenses and cancellation and curtailment.  We also strongly recommend that you take out your travel insurance at the time of paying the deposit for your trip as cover will commence for pre-departure cancellation from the policy issue date. This will therefore provide cover should you have to cancel your trip for an insured reason such as illness or serious injury. We do not refund your deposit simply because you failed to take out insurance in sufficient time.

    Are these countries safe?
    The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) monitors overseas destinations and provides destination travel advice for UK nationals. GlobeBusters monitors the advice from the FCDO and any decisions taken regarding a Tour’s safety and security will use the vast experience of the company’s 19 years of operating as well as the FCDO advice. As at May 2023, there are no travel warnings in place.  However, in the interests of your safety and security, changes may be made to your Expedition based on any FCDO warnings given.

    It is your responsibility to check on your own government’s website for travel advice and to read the information about the country you are planning to visit to be fully informed – each country has a summary and general information as well as advice on safety & security, local laws & customs, entry requirements and health, and road conditions.

    If you are not a UK national please make sure you have checked your own country’s travel advice for your destination/s: The US Department of State: http://travel.state.gov Canadian Foreign Affairs: www.voyage.gc.ca Australian Government Travel Advice: www.smartraveller.gov.au NZ Government Travel Advice: www.safetravel.govt.nz.

    What will the weather be like?
    This motorcycle expedition is run at the most optimum time for the best weather possible. We have to have a start date that is not too early or the weather in the mountains in Turkey and Central Asia may be too cold with snow.  Nor do we want to leave much later than the current start date, as we want to avoid the peak rains and monsoon season in South China and Thailand and very high temperatures in the deserts in Central Asia.  It is a fine balancing act.  Clearly riding in Europe in mid-April, the weather could be cold and rainy or fine and sunny.

    The bottom line is that on this trip, it is possible to experience every weather condition – from below freezing to above 45 degrees centigrade heat, from baked searing deserts to flooded Chinese streets. So be prepared!

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather
    http://www.worldclimate.com/

    What about local currency?
    For Europe, Turkey, Georgia, the EURO is used / readily exchangeable.  Once in Central Asia, China, Laos and Thailand, the base currency for this trip is the US Dollar. The US Dollar is readily exchangeable for the local currencies. When you bring US Dollars, it must be in MINT condition or locals will not readily exchange the notes.  The websites below will give you the current rates of exchange.

    http://www.oanda.com/
    http://www.travelex.co.uk/

    Minimum Numbers
    We require a minimum number of 10 riders on this tour.  If we do not have this number of bookings, then we reserve the right to cancel the tour. If we have to cancel the tour we will provide you a minimum of 84 days notice prior to departure.