Caravanistan

Reconfirming it's not possible for tourist visa to China in Almaty.
They will only issue visa for residents and foreign residents and foreign students.

They lady we spoke with at Almaty China embassy confirmed visas are being issued in Astana.

My 2 cents done

Re-confirming you still cannot get China visa in Bishkek. You're not even allowed through the gate to the embassy. The guard mimed a suicide bomber to us..

It's cold anyhow, so why go to China,Meh!

We just encountered this new law today. Luckily we decided to stay at a hostel while we sorted out our visas. the tourism industry are petitioning against registration due to the hassle and costs involved. Pour hostel contact is currently helping us with the processor which even she is confused. We ...

Okay so we got (10 day personal vehicle) transit visas for Russia. It was simple and the young guy serving us was welcoming and even gave us options for our varied purposes. Dutch visa: 46 British visa: 63 http://www.mongolia.mid.ru/en/cons.html http://www.mongolia.mid.ru/en/cons_visa.html Applicati...

The Mongolian consulate in Bishkek are issuing visas. Very easy, we rocked in at 15:30 hot and flustered from our drive across town. 20 mins later all practicalities taken care of. No fuss. 3 working days later we had our visas ( it was a Thursday afternoon so we picked them up Monday afternoon). Al...

Hey Steve, Thought I'd do a quick update. We drove the military highway from Georgia to Russia on the 21 July . Whether it's normal or just the 2 week closure and road repairs it took us 13hrs from leavin Georgia to getting to the border of Russia. This also included 4hrs in a 40 degree holding cell...

So far the only information I have found through tour companies is that they will organize a permit if I purchase a trekking tour. Applications take up to 2 months. Real Russia conveniently ignore the questions as they removed the region from my LOI Application ( guess they didn't want to deal with ...

Ronnie 79, I assume you have since travelled through the Altai region? How was it in regards to the 'Border Permit rule? I was planning on driving through to Ust Kan then along the p/r373 rather than going to Gorno altaysk then south on the Chuyskiy trakt p/256. I have heard a permit is need south o...

Great story Damian, very jealous of your journey. Your years of soul-destroying London work will not be in vain, as you will be able to suck up life all the more vigourously now. Enjoy it! Ha Ha, Cheers Steve. I will be wearing the shit out of my cowboy hat on this mountain spotting venture. Regards,

Hi all I am Damian, and i have been stalking the Caravanistan web site since January. I was a Musician then ended up a data jockey for a major law firm . So, like the spoiled teenager I was, I want my soul back. My Wife and I are leaving London and heading towards the south pacific - overland. (We a...