Trip Summary
We've arrived in Iran's second biggest city Mashhad (مشهد) after zooming through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. We made it on November 1st after cycling a further 1150 km. On this route we hitched a ride at two spots: Tajikistan (for 21 km) and Turkmenistan (for 431 km).
We are now in our third segment - the Middle East!
Halfway Hooray!
We set off from Auckland on the 18th of March 2018 and arrived at the halfway point on the 25th of October.
Let's look at some Numbers
It took us 219 days to complete the first 6 countries. We're glad to arrive in Iran before the hard winter hits
Although we spent less time in China overall, you can see in China we spent much more money than in Central Asia combined
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Tajikistan is our favourite so far and if the road along the Pamirs were easier to cycle on, they would've scored 5 stars! We strongly recommend cycling in Central Asia
We got really close to 10,000 km. In Iran we'll reach that number and might celebrate with an ice cream
Luckily from Iran onwards we should have free visa all the way towards Portugal. NZ passport wasn't so good in Central Asia and the Middle East
What are some learning points?
- Buy quality gear for the rough weather. We got drenched in the rain for several months until we decided to invest in quality raincoats.
- Cheap crocs are very good for cycling. They protect your toes, dry quick, light, and squishy. However in winter we will require something warmer and waterproof.
- Trust the strangers. The local people are very kind and honest. They are genuinely interested in your travel and rarely want to scam you.
- Openly plan where you're going next. It is less stressful having no set plans and being flexible with your time.
- Give a little back. We have received so much help from the people we met, and we try to give back in many ways, either through storytelling, playing music, showing photos, cooking and occasionally a gift.
- Expect things to wear and tear. Our tent base is no longer water proof, the cooking pots losing their coatings, and the tyres are losing their grip. The brake pads do not last forever and are most likely to give out in the worst possible location (heading down a mountain).
What's next
Winter is come! The Iranian visa can be extended twice, giving us a total of 90 days stay. We plan to hide around the southern areas of Iran during the cold months and then head up to Turkey when spring comes.
Travel Resources
Recommended by TravelFeed
Flights: We recommend checking Kiwi.com to find the best and cheapest flights .
Accomodation: Find great stays on Booking.com, Agoda and Hostelworld.
Travel Insurance: Medical emergencies abroad can be pricey, but travel health insurance is not. We always use SafetyWing for affordable and reliable coverage.
Car Rental: For hassle-free car hiring, DiscoverCars is our trusted choice with a wide selection of vehicles.
Internet: Got an eSIM compatible phone? Airalo is perfect for reliable internet access during your trip. Just install it before you go, and you're set!
Day Trips & Tours: We recommend GetYourGuide for a variety of well-organized and enjoyable activities.
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