Overland vs. flying (Iran to Kyrgyzstan)
 

Overland vs. flying (Iran to Kyrgyzstan)

I am visiting Iran in the Spring, and I'm deciding whether to enter Central Asia by

1) overland via Turkmenistan or
2) by airplane to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

On one hand, I can see NO benefit in going overland since I need to arrange a difficult/expensive Turkmen transit visa in Iran, and a tourist visa to Uzbekistan, as "proof of onward travel" .

Honestly, I am more interested in Kyrgystan, and Tajikstan because of the high mountain ranges. It's going to be hot in the late spring/early summer, and Uzbekistan and Turkemistan are pretty flat compared to their mountainous neighbours. Therefore, I prefer Kyrgyz and Tajik

Anyways, that's why I am considering just flying (Iran-Kyrgyzstan) and since I am Canadian, a free visa on arrival (30 days) awaits me at Bishkek airport. Another added bonus compared to going overland.

Does anyone see the benefit of going overland? Of course, I already found an airline flying Mahshad, Iran directly to Bishkek, only a 4 hour flight, and the price is bound to be cheap. In August 2008, and Iran Aseman flight crashed killing everyone on board just 2km outside Bishkek airport.

So I guess now I'm only looking for an excuse NOT to go overland? And no the crash isn't enough, though maybe it should be? Nah, not by me.

Arriving in Bishkek by air is again beneficial because of the free visa on arrival, and the relative ease in getting a Tajik visa in Bishkek, as well as the new Chinese/Tajik border crossing recently opened (2004).

The only concern remaining is where to get a Chinese tourist visa to enter Xinjiang?

Bishkek, or Dushanbe?

Also, I am interested in entering Pakistan, and India after China, via the Karakourom highway (from Kashgar to near Islamabad). Where do I get those visas? Which embassies hand them out easier?

My possibilities are

Bishkek, Dushanbe, Tehran, or Dubai, but I have no idea when I am going to enter China, India, or Pakistan, so I need open entry dates on the visas, thus giving me freedom to travel at my own speed.

Thanks for any insight.

> The only concern remaining is where to get a Chinese tourist visa to enter Xinjiang?

> Bishkek, or Dushanbe?

I have no experience of Dushanbe, but my thought would be neither. Chinese visa availability can be problematic in Central Asia, although Almaty has a better record than Bishkek. Bishkek either refuses foreigners altogether, or will only issue a visa if a telex showing proof of a CITS-arranged pick-up on the other side of the border is presented, or if a visa can be squeezed out any other way stamps is 'not good for the Torugart Pass'.

You typically have 60 days from the date of purchase to enter China when you purchase a visa. Consider buying it somewhere else. This might be an argument for entering Pakistan overland from Iran and buying the visa in Islamabad, then flying from Islamabad to Bishkek (which used to be possible--but check). Perhaps the answer would be to see what visa you can get out of the Chinese in Tehran, and then decide.

> Also, I am interested in entering Pakistan, and India after China, via the Karakourom highway (from Kashgar to near Islamabad). Where do I get those visas? Which embassies hand them out easier?

Presumably Pakistan has a consulate in Tehran. It does have one in Bishkek which was friendly enough when I visited it. Indian visas are presumably available in Islamabad, but probably some of the Central Asian states, too.

If you're not sure of your rate of progress, picking up the visas as you go seems to make sense. But the Chinese one you should almost certainly obtain before reaching Central Asia, and probably just before leaving Tehran.

Peter N-H

Ok its now only the issue of the Chinese visa, because I learned Pakistani tourist visas (30 days) are available at the Chinese Pakistani frontier town of Sost.

As for the Chinese visa, I have to get it in Dubai, or Tehran, or as you suggested in Islamabad.

Since I am interested mostly in the mountains, and scenery of both Kyrgyz/Tajik,, and the Karakourm pass, how should I order the route?

The ultimate plan would be to go

Iran-Kyrgyz-Tajik-China-Pakistan-China-Tibet-Nepal-India

This way I get to see everything in one trip, my goal is to be in Nepal in October, and India in November.

However, this means 2 Chinese visas, and possibly 2 Pakistani visas (depending where I go after Iran). What's the most cost-effective, and practical solution, at least with respect to the order of countries.

If a useful sort of China visa is available in Tehran, then Iran-Kyrgyzstan (by air)-Tajikistan (not easy, I hear)-Kyrgyzstan-China-Pakistan-India-Nepal appears to be the answer.

I'm fairly confident (but I might be out of date) that you will not be permitted to cross by land from Tajikistan into China, but will have to return to Kyrgyzstan and enter via Osh and Irkeshtam. Once you have a visa (from arriving by air) this may be less of a problem, but you may need to organise some paperwork in Kyrgyzstan that allows you to re-enter. The bureaucracy in this part of the world is still stuck in the Soviet era, so you may find it necessary to give up on Tajikistan.

Peter N-H

I cannot give up on Tajikistan, it's going to be a highlight.

have you tried posting this question on the Thorn Tree on Lonely Planet? You'll probably get better answers there.

Sandy: Why did you change your name?

So I can ask questions in peace (without people following my posts like a mouse after cheese and then hijacking them for fun)...

Fair enough.

Why don't you ever post trip reports here? Especially given the locales you claim to visit.

It would help the credibility problem you are having, whether as Sandy456 or Shoeman.

I would like to but it's just a matter of time spent on one thing vs. another.

If you have questions about some of the places I ask about, try contacting me later about them, an I will give you personalized trip report.

Otherwise it's going to take too much time for me to create the reports and post them.

"A nomadic spirit is a busy spirit."

Some pictures would be nice too, especially as you're a photographer. Perhaps you could upload some of Italy where you are now and post the links to them in the Europe forum.