Comments for Caravanistan

Comment on Horse riding in Mongolia by Keith Swenson

Keith Swenson — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:06:21 +0000

A working horse is not cheaper than a bicycle. A horse is a living breathing animal with its own individuality. To prepare it for long treks it needs food, preferably oats and bran mix, and it should be de-wormed with ivermectin. Traveling with a horse will also require decent equipment, like a good saddle, saddle pads,saddlebags, bridle, halter, lead line, and hobbles. One should also carry a steel picket and long line for keeping the horse close at night while it grazes. If you have a pack horse, you’ll need some kind of pack saddle as well to hold your gear in place. All this equipment needs to be placed on both the saddle horse and pack horse in a manner that does not cause sores and hurt the horse. It’s also advisable to make up and carry a horse first aid kit, just as we humans carry for ourselves. Horses do get hurt along the way.

During a trek the horse must have access to good food and water to stay strong, just as humans need. Planning a trip therefore must take into account where the best grazing is for horses. Unlike bicycles, when you end the days travel, they cannot just be left. They must be taken care of, cleaned off, hobbled, let out to graze, then picketed for the night and let out to graze in the morning before the days travel begins. They need breakfast, lunch and dinner too.

It’s great traveling with horses. I live and work in Mongolia and own a herd of horses we use for horse treks. But, one should learn as much about horses and traveling with horses before they come to Mongolia if they want to commit to buying a horse, taking care of it properly and enjoying horse travel across this great landscape.

They’re not bicycles, they’re living, breathing spirits that you will come to rely on for your well being if you want to trek by horse across Mongolia.

Comment on Kazakhstan border crossings by steven

steven — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:26:49 +0000

I don’t know about driving in China, but driving in Central Asia should pose no problems other than the ones listed on the transport/driving pages. Check those out and Good luck!

Comment on Kyrgyzstan visa by steven

steven — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:25:07 +0000

As I see it, 60 days per entry. AFAIK, no restrictions on how many times you can re-enter KG.

Comment on Horse riding in Mongolia by Jamie

Jamie — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:50:44 +0000

This is such a great idea. Thanks for sharing the information. I am heading across Asia on land and never even though tof buying a horse. Instead, I am taking bicycle. But it looks that a working horse might be cheaper than a working bicycle!!

Comment on Kazakhstan border crossings by Eric

Eric — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:14:59 +0000

The time given are Chinese time zone. Sorry forgot to specify.

For the Khorgos – Khorgas border, it is closed on Sunday but open on Saturday (unless some official figures are crossing)

Comment on Kyrgyzstan visa by Eric

Eric — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:11:58 +0000

How is the 60 days visa-free applied? Could I go to Kyrgyzstan for 30 days, leave the country (go to Kazakhstan) for a few days and come back for another 60 days? or is it 60 days within a year?

Comment on Kazakhstan border crossings by Steven

Steven — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:08:55 +0000

Hi, I’d like to drive my Chinese registered car to Europe, crossing from China into Kazakhstan at Korghos. I’ve got a car and a Chinese as well as international driving licence; and China and KZ visa. Would that be possible, and if so, would I need additional documents?
Thank you for any input that can help my better prepare my trip.
Steven

Comment on Kazakhstan border crossings by steven

steven — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:36:48 +0000

Thanks, will add that to the article!

Comment on Kazakhstan border crossings by Eric

Eric — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:35:26 +0000

Maikapchagai-Jeminay is definetly closed on Saturday and Sunday. We just called there. During the week open from 10:30 to 14:00 and from 15:00 to 19:30.

Comment on Caspian sea ferry by steven

steven — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:35:03 +0000

Thanks for the reply, will update the article soon!