Overland Russia, Asia, Africa

Submitted: Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 09:03
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Anyone interested in discussing the possibilities and practicalities of taking a 4WD non-escorted expedition overland through Asia, Russia, Mongolia or Africa?

Love to hear from you if you are interested.

Chris
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Reply By: Willem - Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 09:25

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 09:25
That is something I would love to do.

But what will the costs be? Probably need $20,000 at least.

I had a quick look again at Geoff Kingsmill's site but could not see what the trips have cost them. www.geocities.com/gkingsmill/

Compatibility of travellers, if there is more than one vehicle, is also a major issue. This is probably why most overlanders travel alone...:-)

Anyway talk to me. You never know. Contact through my website below.

Cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - Chris D (Newcastle) - Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 10:33

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 10:33
Willem,

Thanks for the comments. You have previously sent me to Hoizons Unlimited and I have gained so much info from there as well as communicating with other travellers and even met a couple face to face. Thanks for your help.

The post from taz earlier in the month stired my imagination again to see if there is any interest from Aussies. Plently of interesting people in UK and USA in overland travel.

Yes, I guess the kitty would need to be at least $20k if not $50k depending on where and for how long. Amy and Mark from Hectorsadventure.com spent about $50k in 12 months from UK to Sydney through middle east and India last year.

I hear Geoff Kingsmill is going to South America later this year, just a great planner and doer I suppose.

They all seem to go solo though.
Chris
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Follow Up By: Member - Chris D (Newcastle) - Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 10:46

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 10:46
Sorry fat fingers again, that was :
horizonsunlimited.com
A site mainly for motorcycles but there is a 4WD section for those interested.

Chris
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Reply By: V8Diesel - Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 09:43

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 09:43
Did the 'Long Way Round' grab you by the short and curlies too by any chance?

Russia and Mongolia look like the go to me.

Love to join you Chris but we're mortgaged up to the eyeballs (hopefully so we CAN do thing like this later on)
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Follow Up By: Member - Chris D (Newcastle) - Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 10:37

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 10:37
Thanks for the comments, let me know if you always travel alone or in group. This part interests me in the trip planning. When do you think "later on" may be?

Chris
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Follow Up By: V8Diesel - Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 11:04

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 11:04
The limit of my overseas trans-continetal 4x4 travel experience is watching the tele.

Chris, I've never done it, would love to, but 'later' will be many years away unless I win lotto.

Have you seen 'The Long Way Round' TV documantary with Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman? If not, it is simply a must see. ABC shop may sell the DVD. There is also a coffe table book of the same journey which touches more on the group dynamic, but is still lacking in the nitty gritty details.

I sincerely wish you all the best if you can do it. It would be the trip of a lifetime.

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Reply By: Member - Toytruck (SA) - Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 10:31

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 10:31
This would have to be the trip of a lifetime. I rekon the costs of shipping/driving a vehicle around the world would be pretty damaging to the most dedicated though.

Toytruck
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Follow Up By: Member - Chris D (Newcastle) - Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 10:43

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 10:43
Toytruck, yes even though Australia is a big place, looking beyond the coastline there is an even bigger World out there and plenty of people are driving it today. The financial damage would not be much more than the normal living expenses here in Australia.

My idea of a trip is 12 moinths. If you can save $50k and afford a year of not working, it can be done. Geoff Kingsmill, mentioned by Willem above, does it in smaller and cheaper chunks.

In my view the money is just one of the ostacles and they can all be overcome with planning and forethought. Let me know if you want to continue in thought. Even a PM would be okay.

Chris
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Follow Up By: Member - Toytruck (SA) - Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 11:00

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 11:00
Chris D,
I would love to take something like this on however, it will be out of my reach for a while, not so much from a $$ point of view, but being able to take the time off....just would not be possible for sometime for me.

Not sure what you mean by PM???

Toytruck
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Follow Up By: Member - Chris D (Newcastle) - Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 13:24

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 13:24
Toytruck,

By PM I mean members can post a person message to each other rather than here on the Forum.

Chris
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Follow Up By: Member - Toytruck (SA) - Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 20:57

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 20:57
Chris D,
I'm with you now. Bit slow on the uptake today.

Toytruck
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Reply By: Member - Michael J (SA) - Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 12:16

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 12:16
Chris D,

Just love the sound of this.

Our business is for sale but who knows when, could be next week or could be next year.

We are retiring this time for sure, have retired twice already..lol

Are planning for a longish trip around the block but.........

Will have a long talk to SWMBO.

MM me with any other info or thoughts you have.

Cheers
Michael
AnswerID: 221386

Reply By: Glenn WA - Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 13:21

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 13:21
Chris D,
You mentioned Africa as a non escorted overland expedition.
I have been working for the last 3 years in West Africa (Nigeria), and there is no way that you would find me driving through the major centres, cities unescorted. We move through these areas with an armed escort at the rear.
Westerners are targets as they have plenty to steal from.
Work collegues of mine were kidnapped at gun point, robbed of ALL possetions and dumped somewhere in the back steets of Lagos. They were shaken and stirred.
Life is cheap in some of these countries and you will require a fist full of $U.S. to hire an escort and bribe officials as you travel around. $10- 20 US will get you a fair way in most places.
IMHO steer clear of West Africa as a holiday destination. (too much trouble).
Hope this helps in choosing your destination.
Cheers Glenn
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Follow Up By: Member - Chris D (Newcastle) - Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 13:27

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 13:27
Thanks Glen. Africa is not my first choice of destination. There are a lot of people posting on horizonsunlimited.com that go through Africa, but all countries have their trouble spots eh??.

Your comments are well received and appreciated.

Chris
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Reply By: peterll - Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 14:24

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 14:24
Hi Chris D... we have been planning the round the world meander for some time..

Over the years I have made several good friends in Khabarovsk and Magadan in Siberia and they are crazy Toyota nuts. Timing is one of the most important factors as the "roads" between Vladivostok and say Irkutsk are little more than swamp land in spring and so the northern summer is the time to traverse that section.

Once you get to the Ural mountains all is "normal" dirt roads and then obviously paved into Europe. The alternative to driving to Irkutsk is to load the vehicle(s) onto the train not all that expensive and a great ride.

Knowing the mechanics of your vehicle can save thousands as while some locals say they can fix whatever, they can be somewhat unreliable until "they" have agreed on how much you should pay :)

Transport the vehicle via container across oceans as deck cargo is open to teh seawater quite often ..about $6000 plus duty, taxes, "slush fund" permits etc. from noth america to Australia..takes about 6 weeks.

Surprisingly you wont need much more than you would take on a long trek around Australia... a few extra parts is about it and a good first aid kit and the knowledge on how to use it comes in handy.

Steer well clear of Khazakstan, Iran, even if it means heading further north. I know some friends who have done the circumnavigation alone but even they would not recommend it these days.

Be prepared to become a local celebrity and spend time with the village folks.. many will welcome you in to stay a few days if you just smile and try to speak the local language... ones to have the dictionary for might be German, French, Russian.. and then keep notes of how to say..hi I am travelling around the world and need some assistance..could you help me please.. and a few other phrases.. in Arabic, Urdu and Manadrin..

ok so now you have me all fired up to throw a swag in the back and head off.. when are you thinking of going ?

Good luck

Peterll
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Follow Up By: Member - Chris D (Newcastle) - Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 19:32

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 19:32
Thanks for your comments Peter II, I understand that mid to later summer is best for the Far East, few water problems and insects. Planning and visas will probably take 12 months so Aug Sept 2008 is the earliest that seems logical for a Russian trip. The later on start the colder it is in Europe though, a trip across 14,000 km would take some months the way I drive and gawk about at all the new things to see and places to stop.....

Chris
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Reply By: Member - extfilm (NSW) - Wednesday, Feb 14, 2007 at 00:05

Wednesday, Feb 14, 2007 at 00:05
Sounds bloody good to me..... I have dreamt of doing the same trip many times over........ Just haven't had th excuse yet...... I will do it one day.
I have a little mechanical knowledge. (Completed a 4 year mechanics apprenticship) am a published photographer (Over 30 covers worldwide), a pubished writer (Had feature articles in magazines), and the best thing an earthmoving business I want to get out of asap........
In other words yes I am interested
Peter
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Follow Up By: Richard Kovac - Wednesday, Feb 14, 2007 at 00:19

Wednesday, Feb 14, 2007 at 00:19
Pete

Nike it
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