Get all your visas before you leave. Each embassy requires around a month to process requests, and they have to be done in series (because they want your passport the whole time).
Photos = # photos required for visa
Stay = maximum allowed stay
Expiration = from date issued
Invitation = written invitation from a native
| Country | Phone | Cost | Photos | Stay | Expiration | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | ||||||
| Turkey | 213 937-0118 | $20 | 0 | 3 mo | *6 | |
| India | 415 668-0683 | $45 | 2 | 6 mo | *1 | |
| Nepal | 202 667-4550 | $15 | 1 | 15 days | 6 mo | |
| Pakistan | 310 441-5114 | $20 | 1 | 3 mo | 1 yr | *1,*2 |
| No invitation required | ||||||
| Kirgystan | 202 628-0433 | $30 | 2 | 60 days | ||
| Turkmenistan | 202 737-4800 | $20 | 1 | 20 days | 60 days | |
| Invation required | ||||||
| Mongolia | 202 333-7117 | $65 | 1 | 6 mo | *2,*3 | |
| Russia | 415 929-0862 | $60 | 3 | *7 | 1 yr | |
| Ukraine | 202 333-7507 | $60 | 1 | 3 mo | ||
| Uzbekistan | 202 638-4266 | $60 | 2 | 1 mo | *4 | |
| Very difficult | ||||||
| China | 213 380-2507 | 2 | *8 | |||
1. need "Evidence of onward transportation"
2. need "certificate of financial ability from your bank" - letter from bank confiming assets >$1500 US
3. need letter stating won't stay longer than visa allows
4. 60 days from first entry
5. Do not date this form
6. Automatic approval at airport for US and Canadian
7. As long as requested and approved on visa
8. China requires every region you wish to travel through to be on your visa.
Torugart Pass - we got an explicit invitation to cross at Torugart from "Chi" at Sitara Travel in Vancouver, B.C. (604) 264-8747. (604) 264-7774 fax.
The rest of these are tour operators who have contacted me as a result of this web site. We have not dealt with any of them. They may be able to help get you visas.
The Mongolian Travel company Eden tours organizes adventure tours.Travel & Culture Services Pakistan
Top-Asia-Tourist-Company charges $300 for two persons for the trip Torugart-Kashgar.
Tibet Foreign Trade Travel Service Beijing Office
No.131 the North 4th Ring East Road Beijing, China
(Room 426, China Center of Tibetain Studies)
Tel: 0086-10-64937949 Fax:0086-10-64937903
Mobile-Phone:0086-0-1391370515 BP:0086-10-68335588-1255
Our business time is from 9 to 5."Silk Road Adventures" Tourist Company
480012, Kazakhstan, Almaty
Adi Sharipova str. 117-44
Tel/Fax (7+3272) 6714 07 (temporary); 67 63 19
e-mail: [email protected]