Silk Road Expedition - Bangkok to Britain

This itinerary is for 100 days, covering around 13,000 miles (21,000 kms). It starts in Bangkok, Thailand and finishes at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, UK.

Week 1 – Thailand

Arrive in bustling Bangkok, where we collect our motorcycles from freight.  You have some time to explore vibrant markets and majestic wats. We start our ride heading to the UNESCO-listed ancient ruins of Sukhothai, the first capital of Siam – let’s get our photo at the Elephant Temple! We’ll cruise our way along the Burmese border to Mae Hong Son. Then, tackle some of the famous Road of 1,864 bends, through Doi Inthanon National Park.

Week 2 – Thailand & Laos

On our final day in Thailand, we cross Doi Phu Kha National Park and stop by the Sapan Waterfall. The next day, we arrive at the mighty Mekong for crossing into Laos and our first night in Laos at Pak Beng.  Our main destination is the UNESCO listed city of Luang Prabang for a day off to wander through its magnificent temples.  Depart for Boten, the Laos/Chinese border town – it’s a bit rough & ready with loads of construction going on, but we are here to prepare to cross into China tomorrow!

Week 3 – Yunnan Province, China

After completing the formalities, we go to the famous tea capital of China, Pu-er.  Then we wind our way to the famous Hongye Hani Rice Terraces for a day’s R&R in breath-taking surroundings. A short day’s ride brings us to Jianshui, with the afternoon to explore one of the best preserved Confucius Temple in China.  Continuing north we skirt Kunming to reach Dali Ancient Town.

Week 4 – Yunnan & Sichuan, China

We follow the way of the ancient Tea Horse Route. Ride through paddy field landscapes on rural roads to UNESCO listed Lijiang, with its cobbled streets and canals set in beautiful Naxi architecture. We explore Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest canyons in the world, nestled between Jade Dragon and Haba Snow Mountains. As we ride north, we enter Sichuan and what was historic Tibet and ride roads that exceed 4,000m en route to Danba County, where ancient Tibetan watchtowers dot the landscapes.

Week 5 – Sichuan & Shaanxi, China

Sichuan province is renowned for its spicy cuisine and home to the Giant Panda, where you can visit the Wolong Giant Panda Reserve.  It’s onward to Xi’an, the start of the Silk Road! Walk around the Ancient City Walls and visit the Bell and Drum Tower.  We think trying a dumpling banquet in Xi’an is a must – utterly delicious!  There is time off the bike to visit one of the most famous archaeological finds in the world, The Terracotta Army.

Week 6 – Qinghai & Gansu, China

We enter the Hexi Corridor, once the only western passage to and from Eastern China. On this traditional Silk Road route, we ride to Xining and onto Zhangye, where Marco Polo spent over a year – there is even a statue in his honour. You can also see the largest reclining Giant Buddha statue in the world here. Jiayugan is a defining point of the Silk Road, with an impressive Ming dynasty fort and marks the symbolic end of the Great Wall. We continue to follow the Silk Road from here to the remote town of Dunhuang, nestled near the Mingsha Sand Dunes, & time to visit the 1,000 year old Buddhist art at Mogao Caves.

Week 7 – Xinjiang, China

It’s our final week in China and we have to enter Xinjiang Province, the gateway to Central Asia and our only viable route west. We stopover in the town of Hami, famous for its melons, before descending to Turpan, the second lowest place on the planet and on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert. Then it’s onto Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, based in the foothills of the Tian Shan. The frontier town of Khorgos signals our last night in China.

Week 8 – Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan

The ninth largest country on the planet, with vast open lands known as the Kazak Steppe. Almaty is the most populated city in Kazakhstan, surrounded by 4,000m peaks on the edge of the Tian Shan mountain range.  Here we get the bikes serviced, before we cross the border to Kyrgyzstan.  We have two nights in yurts – along the Chinese border and then next to the lake of Issyk Kul.

Week 9 – Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan

More mountain roads lead us to the capital city of Bishkek, before we head back into the Tian Shan Range to Jalal Abad and onto the border with Uzbekistan.  We ride through the Fergana Valley to the great Silk Road city of Samarkand, with the breath-taking Registan Square. Break bread with the locals and enjoy fresh kebabs and tea.

Week 10 – Uzbekistan & Kazakhstan

Reach the ancient walled city of Khiva where you can wander through the narrow alleys to see the mosques, minarets and madrasahs. Head along a vast desert route via the ship graveyard at what was once the Aral Sea. The road is rough and we have a camp night along this stretch, as facilities are almost non-existent. We cross back to Kazakhstan to Aktau, a port city on the Caspian Sea and where the bikes will be shipped to Azerbaijan.

Week 11 – Azerbaijan & Georgia

Fly to Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan to collect our motorcycles and head into Georgia.  We have flexibility in the itinerary here due to the motorcycle shipping, but if all goes to schedule, we’ll head to the old city of Telavi, with its city walls and 17^th century fortress.  This region is the heart of Georgia’s wine production and still uses ancient winemaking methods.  We’ve scheduled a day off to sample the wines or weather permitting, a ride up the Abano Pass in the Caucasus at 2,826m.

Week 12 – Georgia & Turkey

Time to explore the capital city Tbilisi and enjoy the local wines and cuisine.  We cross into Turkey.  Nestled in the Çoruh River valley, we overnight in Artvin.  There’s a fantastic ride on quiet rural roads to Erzincan, followed by a great adventure route taking in the old Stone Road en route to Malatya, a city is famed for its apricots.  When we arrive in Cappadocia, we stay at a unique cave hotel and there’s the option to take a hot air balloon flight (not included) among the weird rock formations.

Week 13 – Turkey & Greece

Istanbul straddles two continents in a spectacular fusion of cultures.  We reach the city by taking the Yalova Ferry, offering incredible views from the Sea of Marmara. There’s a day to explore the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar and more. Then it’s goodbye to Asia and enter the European Union, and the spectacular mountain roads of Greece.  Meteora and the sky-high monasteries is one of our favourite spots on this route.

Week 14 – Europe

Albania provides an exciting ride alongside Lake Ohrid to Pogradec and then fighting the chaotic traffic in Tirana!  After, relax and enjoy stunning twists and turns on the Croatian coastline with a night in Dubrovnik. Lake Bled is a perfect overnight stop in Slovenia, before we head through Austria to Bavaria and the Black Forest. We sweep through the beautiful roads of the Vosges and onto the magnificent Château de Fontainebleau. Our final stop in France is in Caen, ready for the morning ferry to Portsmouth and our final destination – National Motor Museum in Beaulieu.  There’ll be an afternoon outdoor arrival party in the grounds of Beaulieu, followed by a celebratory evening dinner in the National Motor Museum that evening.

There is a wide variety of accommodation.

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 start our trip in Bangkok, at the famous Shangri-La Hotel on the banks of the Chao Phraya River.

Once we cross into China, hotel standards are good, with en suite rooms, and normally TV (only expect English speaking in major tourist destinations) and wifi access*.  In Yunnan, the standard of accommodation is very good, en suite rooms, with television and Wifi (subject to the restrictions outlined below).  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 around one week.

For Central Asia, we generally use 3* and 4* hotels, and standards are very good in the major cities such as Almaty and Bishkek, and along the main Silk Road cities, but outside of these main towns, hotels can be more basic.  There are some areas where tourism facilities are almost non-existent and it will involve one night of camping. We also have a couple of nights scheduled in yurt camps with shared bathroom facilities.

In Europe and Turkey, we use fabulous 3* and 4* hotels.  In Cappadocia, we even stay in an utterly unique cave hotel!

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

* 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/

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 (road book) with GPS co-ordinates and information about the hotels, the roads and the sights.
• Loan SD Card with open source GPS mapping for countries outside of Europe, suitable for Garmin units.
• GPS routes supplied via .GPX file suitable for importing into GPS units and/or some phone navigation apps.
• 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)
• Local overnight hotel parking charges
• Foreign Vehicle Permits for your motorcycle to enter Thailand
• Chinese Driving Licence & Chinese Bike Licence Plate for your motorcycle, required for travel in China
• Cargo freight of your motorcycle across the Caspian Sea between Aktau and Baku
• Ticket for you (and passenger) and your bike from Yalova to Istanbul on ido Ferries
• Ticket for you (and passenger) and your bike from Caen to Portsmouth on Brittany Ferries
• Entry tickets for National Motor Museum at Beaulieu for you and a guest for the arrival event. Extra tickets available on request.
• Celebration dinner in the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu for you and a guest. Extra tickets available on request.

Support Crew

• GlobeBusters Expedition Manager to accompany the group, either in a Support Vehicle or on a Motorcycle depending on numbers.
• Local Support Vehicle(s) with a local driver to accompany the group across all countries, equipped with satellite phone, spare fuel, water, tools, selected spare parts and emergency first aid kit, acting as a sweeper vehicle
• GlobeBusters Assistant Manager, with motorcycle mechanical experience and first aid qualifications travelling with the Support Vehicle.
• Local fixers/translators that travel with the group in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, China, Laos and Thailand.
• If the group is more than 12 riders, an additional GlobeBusters Assistant Manager will be part of the GlobeBusters Team.

Motorcycle Freight & Servicing

We will facilitate the air freight and assist you in making arrangements, but you need to make your own booking with the freight agent and pay them directly for your motorcycle freight.  We will also be on hand to assist you at the airport to clear your motorcycle in Bangkok.  However, we do NOT include the cost of motorcycle air freight to Bangkok in your tour price and you must pay the Thailand destination charges on arrival of your motorcycle  (items such as storage, airline release fees, handling fees, customs etc) direct to the airline or local agent.

We will facilitate motorcycle servicing and tyre changes when we are in Almaty.  If requested by you, we can make an appointment for you at an available dealership for servicing and tyre changing.  You will drop off and collect your motorcycle from the dealership, instruct them for any work you want doing and you pay them directly for any work done on your motorcycle.

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 (Aktau to Baku) or other travel costs required during the expedition.
• Freight costs, in-transit insurance and destination charges for the motorcycle freight from your home country to Bangkok
• Personal travel, accident and medical insurance (covering matters such as medical expenses, repatriation, cancellation, curtailment, loss or damage to property)
• Search & Rescue policy / membership
• 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 from your tour price, and you must make arrangements directly with the local operator.
• Lunches, snacks or evening meals (except where stated).
• 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 in case of repatriation of the rider due to illness or injury.
• 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 any 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, Bangkok, Thailand to arrive no later than 10am on Tuesday 1 April 2026.  Our scheduled arrival to the UK is Wednesday 8 July 2026 with the final official night being 8 July, for departure on 9 July.  For any riders who require motorcycle freight back to your home country, we can recommend good UK freight agents to use.

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 this Silk Road 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.  The GlobeBusters Team normally ride the Triumph Tiger 900 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?
Your motorcycle needs to be freighted from your home country to the start point which is Bangkok, Thailand. We no longer include the cost of motorcycle freight as part of your tour price. Your contract for air freight rests between you and your chosen freight agent and you pay them directly.   You also pay the destination charges in Bangkok for the motorcycle (items such as airline handling fees, storage, customs fee etc).  As guidance, in 2024, pricing was around £1,700 plus destination charges.

However, we do facilitate making freight arrangements and in Bangkok, we accompany you to the airport to collect your motorcycle.  We also organise the Thai Foreign Vehicle Permit (FVP), which is compulsory for the import of your motorcycle into Thailand.

What about servicing & tyres?
The planned distance for this trip is approximately 13,000 miles (21,000 kms).  All motorcycles must arrive at the start fully serviced and with new tyres.  There are motorcycle dealerships as we travel through China, but once in Central Asia, sourcing motorcycle parts and tyres is more difficult.  We plan to service the bikes and have new tyres once we have reached Almaty in Kazakhstan (at around 6,000 miles), where there are main dealerships. We will not plan any other servicing for this trip.

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 local support vehicle also carries spare fuel for emergencies.

What is the average group size?
Our groups are normally between 12 – 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 and the EU. Groups are predominantly solo male riders, but on every trip we have had couples who ride two-up.

Is this ride suitable for a passenger?
We have had riders successfully complete this ride with a pillion passenger in the past.  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.  Also note that 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?
We will operate local support vehicle(s), which will change as we cross countries.  As well as a local driver, there will also be a GlobeBusters team member travelling in the support vehicle to ensure that in the case of any incident, we can deal with any emergency efficiently. Depending on the size of the group, we may also take a second support vehicle.  We will always have an additional local support vehicle in Xinjiang.

The local support vehicle carries a satellite phone, mobile phone, medical kit, spare fuel, water, tools, some spare parts, some spare tyres.  The local support vehicle provides temporary assistance to you if you have a mechanical problem or an accident and are injured.

These are not a luggage vehicles – you must carry your own luggage on your motorcycle.

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, GPS routes 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 may have to ride together or where it is advisable in remote locations or on unpaved roads.  In China, 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 3^rd Party Motorcycle Liability Insurance(s) (see below), Travel/Medical 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 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.  UK / EU insurers will not offer 3^rd party insurance once you are outside Europe, although some may agree to offer cover in Turkey.

From Thailand through to Turkey, there is 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 the statutory minimum protection and can be as low as US$5,000.  It is important that you understand that you have sole responsibility for financial amounts above that provided for in these local insurance policies should you have a motorcycle accident and cause injury to third parties.

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.  At time of writing, they will offer cover up to €500,000.  Please check level of cover directly with them at time of purchase.

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 in advance for Azerbaijan (e-visa), China (our time there is scheduled for 35 days) and Laos (standard visa due to land border we will use).  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 Mohan.  Our exit point is Khorgos.  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.

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 Expedition 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. Your named emergency contact must be prepared to fly out and assist you in the event of a serious medical 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 (even if you have a prescription).  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 or up-to-date medical standards that you may be used to at home.  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.  You must accept the risk of this in case of injuries or illness, along with the adverse consequences that it may present.

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, having first aid skills may make a significant difference to an injured party.

Altitude

You will be travelling to some areas of altitude between 2,500m and 4,500m, as we travel in mountain regions and ride over high passes, and there are 4 nights where you will be sleeping above 2,500m. 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 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 tour cancellation or 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.

Search & Rescue (SAR) Insurance
You may wish to put in place a search & rescue policy, in addition to travel/medical insurance. Such policies are commonly linked with satellite emergency messenger devices such as Garmin inReach or SPOT X.  We recommend that you research these options as they provide an extra safety net for you in case of any injury in a remote location and getting medical help. Standalone options such as Global Rescue also exist.

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 20 years of operating as well as the FCDO advice.

As at March 2025, there are no travel warnings in place for the regions that we are travelling through.  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 do not want to leave much later than the current start date, as the rainy season becomes more heavy in South China and Thailand and we would encounter high temperatures in the deserts in Central Asia.  We cannot leave much earlier as the mountain regions in Sichuan and Kyrgyzstan may not be passable.  It is a fine balancing act.

The bottom line is that on this trip, it is possible to experience every weather condition – from freezing mountain passes to above 40 degrees centigrade heat with high humidity, 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, 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.

China is now a dominant non-cash economy, with the use of WeChat Pay and Alipay being the two main apps for payment.  The best for foreigners (as on now), is Alipay as it has translation facilities available.  You must link Alipay to your international credit or debit card so you can use the app to pay for items in China.  Even the smallest of kiosks and remotely located cafes take electronic payment and many will not have cash for change if you try and use Yuan.

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.