Scotland to China
This 13-thousand-mile trip includes riding to Everest base camp, across 20 countries, over a 3 month period with a temperature range from 46 degrees to -18degrees, leaving Friday 19th April 2019, returning some time in July!
The trip and following information has been organised with GlobeBusters.
The trip and following information has been organised with GlobeBusters.
The Route
During this exceptional 12 week motorcycle expedition starting officially at the Ace Cafe London (although we leave from Scotland) and finishing at Ace Cafe Beijing – we ride across Asia, traversing the fabled Silk Road across a formidable expanse of territory, with a rich tapestry of cultures to uncover and extraordinary roads to ride. We take the road less travelled, through countries where tourism is only in its infancy. From the far east of Turkey, through Iran and into Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan – heart of the Silk Road – and Kyrgyzstan.
The Pamir Highway in Tajikistan, the Tibetan Plateau and the route to Everest are just some of the extraordinary roads to ride on what is an extremely challenging and unpredictable journey, testing your abilities both on and off the bike, before you reach Lhasa, Tibet. Once you’ve arrived in the east of the country, your will take you alongside the Giant Pandas, Terracotta Army and Great Wall! Then a huge welcome in Beijing from the Ace Cafe Beijing – this is our #ScotlandToChina journey!
The Itinerary
Week 1: Europe
Depart Scotland and head for Ace cafe London. Onwards to France, the Alps, Bavaria – Germany. Bled, Slovenia. Croatia & the Adriatic Coast and a night in Dubrovnik. Montenegro, Albania and Lake Ohrid. Greece – Mount Olympus and Meteora.
Week 2: Turkey
Enter Turkey. East meets West in Istanbul. (Istanbul is also an official start Point for this Expedition). Two full days to explore the Blue Mosque, Tokapi Palance and Hagi Sophia. Ottoman preserved village Safranbolu. Caves, rock formations and underground dwellings in Cappadoccia.
Week 3: Turkey & Iran
See the stone heads of Mount Nemrut. Erzurum and Mount Ararat. Enter Iran. UNESCO listed city of Tabriz and the historic bazaar.
Week 4: Iran & Turkmenistan
Iran’s capital city, Tehran, with Golestan Palance & Azadi Tower. The Caspian Sea and Gorgan. Marble white capital city of Ashgabat.
Week 5: Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan
North through the Karakum Desert. A night viewing of the Darvaza Gas Crater – “The Door to Hell”! Enter Uzbekistan. Desert terrain to the Ancient Silk Road Cities. The ancient walled city of Khiva & UNESCO listed Itchen Kala. Bhukara and then Samarkand, with the UNESCO listed Registan. Minarets, mosques and madrasahs abound.
Week 6: Tajikistan
The capital city, Dushanbe. Dirt roads of The Pamir Highway and Wakhan Valley, on the Afghanistan border. Khorog, the regional capital. 3rd century Yamchun Fortress. Experiencing home stays with the local villagers.
Week 7: Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan
Enter Kyrgyzstan. Overnight yurt camp at Sary Tash. Osh. The Tien Shan Mountains. Enter Kazakhstan. Almaty (Official Departure Point / Official Arrival Point)
Week 8: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Xinjiang Province, China
Charyn Canyon. Enter Kyrgyzstan. Izzyk-Kul Lake. Naryn. Ride over the Torugart Pass to Xinjiang Province, China. The ancient city of Kashgar. We've had to get our Chinese Driving Licence and Registration Plate for our bikes!
Week 9: Tibet
Enter Tibet, the ‘Roof of the World’. Ride at over 5,000 metres high. Remote settlements. Mount Kailash & the holy Lake Manasarovar. Mount Everest Base Camp & Rongbuk Monastery.
Week 10: Tibet
Lhasa – two full days to explore the Potala Palace and the Buddhist temples of Jokhang and Barkhor. Tibet is not over yet! The Tibet-Sichuan Highway – more 5,000m passes. The small villages of Linzhi, Bomi, Zuogong to Kangding.
Week 11: China – Sichuan Province
Sichuan Province. Descend from the Tibetan Plateau to the Buddhist temples of Mount Emie. Chengdu and the Giant Pandas. Foping.
Week 12: China
The ancient walled city of Xi’an, the start point of the Silk Road. Two full days to explore the Old Bell Tower and visit the Terracotta Army. Continue north to the capital
Week 13: China
Arrive Beijing and celebration party of the Ace Cafe, Beijing. See The Great Wall, Ti’anamen Square & Forbidden City. Take bikes to Tianjin for freight home.
Depart Scotland and head for Ace cafe London. Onwards to France, the Alps, Bavaria – Germany. Bled, Slovenia. Croatia & the Adriatic Coast and a night in Dubrovnik. Montenegro, Albania and Lake Ohrid. Greece – Mount Olympus and Meteora.
Week 2: Turkey
Enter Turkey. East meets West in Istanbul. (Istanbul is also an official start Point for this Expedition). Two full days to explore the Blue Mosque, Tokapi Palance and Hagi Sophia. Ottoman preserved village Safranbolu. Caves, rock formations and underground dwellings in Cappadoccia.
Week 3: Turkey & Iran
See the stone heads of Mount Nemrut. Erzurum and Mount Ararat. Enter Iran. UNESCO listed city of Tabriz and the historic bazaar.
Week 4: Iran & Turkmenistan
Iran’s capital city, Tehran, with Golestan Palance & Azadi Tower. The Caspian Sea and Gorgan. Marble white capital city of Ashgabat.
Week 5: Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan
North through the Karakum Desert. A night viewing of the Darvaza Gas Crater – “The Door to Hell”! Enter Uzbekistan. Desert terrain to the Ancient Silk Road Cities. The ancient walled city of Khiva & UNESCO listed Itchen Kala. Bhukara and then Samarkand, with the UNESCO listed Registan. Minarets, mosques and madrasahs abound.
Week 6: Tajikistan
The capital city, Dushanbe. Dirt roads of The Pamir Highway and Wakhan Valley, on the Afghanistan border. Khorog, the regional capital. 3rd century Yamchun Fortress. Experiencing home stays with the local villagers.
Week 7: Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan
Enter Kyrgyzstan. Overnight yurt camp at Sary Tash. Osh. The Tien Shan Mountains. Enter Kazakhstan. Almaty (Official Departure Point / Official Arrival Point)
Week 8: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Xinjiang Province, China
Charyn Canyon. Enter Kyrgyzstan. Izzyk-Kul Lake. Naryn. Ride over the Torugart Pass to Xinjiang Province, China. The ancient city of Kashgar. We've had to get our Chinese Driving Licence and Registration Plate for our bikes!
Week 9: Tibet
Enter Tibet, the ‘Roof of the World’. Ride at over 5,000 metres high. Remote settlements. Mount Kailash & the holy Lake Manasarovar. Mount Everest Base Camp & Rongbuk Monastery.
Week 10: Tibet
Lhasa – two full days to explore the Potala Palace and the Buddhist temples of Jokhang and Barkhor. Tibet is not over yet! The Tibet-Sichuan Highway – more 5,000m passes. The small villages of Linzhi, Bomi, Zuogong to Kangding.
Week 11: China – Sichuan Province
Sichuan Province. Descend from the Tibetan Plateau to the Buddhist temples of Mount Emie. Chengdu and the Giant Pandas. Foping.
Week 12: China
The ancient walled city of Xi’an, the start point of the Silk Road. Two full days to explore the Old Bell Tower and visit the Terracotta Army. Continue north to the capital
Week 13: China
Arrive Beijing and celebration party of the Ace Cafe, Beijing. See The Great Wall, Ti’anamen Square & Forbidden City. Take bikes to Tianjin for freight home.
Highlights
Here are some of the amazing sights that we'll see on this 90 day motorcycle expedition:
- The old imperial capital, Istanbul where Europe meets Asia. Visit the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia & Topkapi Palace or maybe just bargain in the Grand Bazaar!
- Wander the tiny streets of the perfectly preserved Ottoman village, Safranbolu and overnight in a caravanserai
- Explore the unique moon-like landscape, underground cities, cave churches and houses carved in the rocks in Cappadocia and overnight in a cave hotel
- The UNESCO listed historic bazaar in Tabriz, Iran and time to explore Iran’s capital, Tehran
- The marble white city of Ashgabat, capital of Turkmenistan
- North through the Karakum Desert. Stopover in a teahouse and head for a night viewing of the Darvaza Gas Crater, known locally as “The Door to Hell”!
- Experience a yurt home-stay in the south to try the culinary delights of plov, manti or lahgman! Great back roads through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan
- Follow in the tracks of Genghis Khan, as we head into Uzbekistan and continue to follow the Silk Road to the ancient walled city of Khiva, where you can wander through the narrow alleys to see the mosques, minarets and madrasahs.
- Samarkand, with the UNESCO listed Registan and its three madrasahs. Break bread with the locals and enjoy fresh kebabs cooked over coals.
- Desert roads in Turkmenistan to the marble white capital city of Ashgabat.
- Ride the Pamir Highway through the sparsely populated mountain regions of Tajikistan. With its peak at 4,655m, this is the second highest altitude international highway in the world.
- The Wakhan Valley, bordering Afghanistan & the 2nd century Yamchun Fortress, with magnificent views of the Hindu Kush. Stay with local families in home-stays and try yak with onions.
- Unique experience spending the night in a yurt camp in Kyrgyzstan
- The very leafy, almost European style city of Almaty, Kazahkstan and a ride through the rugged Charyn Canyon
- Over the Khitai Davan Pass at 5,300m. Enter Tibet, the ‘Roof of the World’. High altitude riding continues past the sacred Mount Kailash.
- The holy Lake Manasarovar and explore the tiny Buddhist monastery.
- The Himalayas and take the spectacular road to Mount Everest Base Camp & Rongbuk Monastery and spin the golden prayer wheels.
- Lhasa! Visit the Potala Palace and the Buddhist temples of Jokhang and Barkhor.
- Often called one of the most dangerous roads in the world! The Tibet-Sichaun Highway and another three 5,000 metre passes.
- Mount Emie is littered with Buddhist temples, and you can explore the lush green mountains, feed the monkeys and burn incense.
- Xi’an to view the warrior figurines of the Terracotta Army, take a walk around the ancient city walls and to the Bell & Drum Tower.
- Chengdu, where you can visit the Giant Panda Research Base. Feast on a dumpling banquet, whilst you gasp at the Chinese acrobatics.
- Beijing. A spectacular welcome by Ace Cafe Beijing. Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City. There’s time to walk the Great Wall of China, before we have a final celebration meal of roast Peking Duck.
Accommodation
There is a wide variety of hotel and home-stay accommodation and we have one camping night in the desert. In Europe and Turkey, we will primarily use 4* hotels and have some characterful hotels, such as an old caravanserai and a cave hotel! Iran’s hotels are 3* – 4* but standards are generally lower than the equivalent in Europe, with the exception of the 5* hotel we use in Tehran.
For Central Asia, we will also use 3* and 4* hotels, but as we push east, standards are not the equivalent of Europe and North America. In Iran and Central Asia, most rooms have en suite bathrooms and hot water. However wifi use may be restricted and not freely available.
There are a number of days across Xinjiang Province and Western Tibet, where we are very remote and accommodation is extremely basic, with no bathrooms, no hot water, no electricity. We are prepared to use communal outside toilets and there will be no showers for a few days in this area.
Good hotels are then available close to Lhasa and our hotel in Lhasa is good 4* standard. On the Tibet Sichuan Highway, the hotels remain basic, but with en suite bathrooms. Once in Eastern China, hotels standards are 4* standard and we finish at old The Raffles Hotel, Beijing to celebrate an incredible journey.
For Central Asia, we will also use 3* and 4* hotels, but as we push east, standards are not the equivalent of Europe and North America. In Iran and Central Asia, most rooms have en suite bathrooms and hot water. However wifi use may be restricted and not freely available.
There are a number of days across Xinjiang Province and Western Tibet, where we are very remote and accommodation is extremely basic, with no bathrooms, no hot water, no electricity. We are prepared to use communal outside toilets and there will be no showers for a few days in this area.
Good hotels are then available close to Lhasa and our hotel in Lhasa is good 4* standard. On the Tibet Sichuan Highway, the hotels remain basic, but with en suite bathrooms. Once in Eastern China, hotels standards are 4* standard and we finish at old The Raffles Hotel, Beijing to celebrate an incredible journey.
Support
With special thanks to GlobeBusters, these guys provide:
- Motorcycle Expedition Leader on bike to accompany the group.
- Motorcycle Support Rider, where the group is more than 12 riders
- Support Vehicle, equipped with satellite phone, spare fuel, water, tools, selected spare parts and emergency first aid kit.
- Support Driver, with motorcycle mechanical experience and first aid qualifications
- Second local Support Vehicle in Xinjiang and Tibet, with two National Chinese Guides, acting as fixers / translators
- Local fixers/translators that travel with the group in Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan