Istanbul to New Delhi by road | |
| Information | |
| Departure | Istanbul |
|---|---|
| Arrival | New Delhi |
| Location | |
 28 ° 48 ′ 0 ″ N 54 ° 30 ′ 0 ″ E | |
This route describes the road between Istanbul, in Turkey, and New Delhi, in India. It is a legendary route since the 1960s that was traveled by thousands of travelers until the Islamic revolution in Iran and the start of the civil war in Afghanistan in 1979.
Today it is a much less ordinary adventure than before these political events. Depending on the local political situation, this may not even be possible. The land borders (Turkey-Iran, India-Pakistan) are closed from time to time and some destinations are no longer accessible to ordinary travelers without a great risk to their security.
This route is part of the Silk Road which has been used since ancient times to travel from Europe to Asia.
Understand
This route crosses three countries right through, Turkey,Iran and the Pakistan, and part of India. Crossing Afghanistan is possible or not depending on the evolution of the local political situation and your assessment of your personal safety and comfort.
Only specific information on this route is available here. For details on places to visit along the way, see the pages for each stopover.
Avoid taking this trip during Ramadan, unless you want to fast yourself.
Police and customs in eastern Turkey, Iran and Pakistan are susceptible. Keep a low profile when dealing with them.
Avoid reaching a new stage in the middle of the night.
Turkey
Western Turkey is visited by tourists from all over the world. You will therefore find all possible facilities there. But the further east you go, the fewer travelers you will encounter, especially if you stray from major thoroughfares. The inhabitants are less used to tourists, but that should not prevent you from visiting these regions, on the contrary. To see Turkey for more details.
Iran
Despite the images associated with the Islamic Republic, Iran is a particularly interesting country to visit thanks to its cultural richness, its refinement and the particularly friendly welcome of its inhabitants towards Western men and women (single women risk intrigue, nevertheless). The holy cities of Qom and Mashad are very high places of Shiite pilgrimage and require some form of reserve. To see Iran for more details.
Afghanistan
Because of the civil war and the Taliban regime, very few people go to Afghanistan without a good reason. But since the end of the war in Afghanistan, members of NGOs and journalists can obtain visas. NGO members can also invite other people to join them, who are therefore issued without too much difficulty a tourist visa. See Afghanistan for details.
Pakistan
There are always more or less tourists in Pakistan, but a lot less when the country is in the news. Land borders were closed during the war in Afghanistan and when diplomatic relations with India were suspended. To see Pakistan for details.
India
India is a favorite destination for many travelers. You will therefore find in most cities all the facilities you could hope for as a tourist. See India for details.
Program
Plan from 15 days to several months depending on the time you spend at each stage. In theory, by jumping from one coach to another, it is possible to make the trip in 11 or 12 days. Don't take yourself for Phileas Fogg. Take your time. Avoid running from one step to the next. The entire route is 7000 to 8000 kilometers.
The schedule is as follows:
- Istanbul to Tehran: 2 to 3 days
- From Tehran to Kerman: 1 day
- From Kerman to Zahedan: 1 day
- From Zahedan to Quetta: 2 days
- From Quetta to Lahore: 2 days
- From Lahore to New Delhi: 2 days
Cost
In the 1990s, the trip was much cheaper than the plane ticket, including all hotels and food during the trip! It mainly depends on the exchange rate of Turkey, Iran and Pakistan. In 1992, it was possible to make the trip in 5 weeks to 350 dollars US.
Weather
The trip can be done almost in any season. Much of the journey in Turkey, Iran and Pakistan is at an altitude above 1000 meters. The temperature is therefore comfortable even in midsummer and mild in winter. But eastern Turkey can be very cold in winter and the Indus Valley is scorching in summer (May to July).
Read
- The book to read before leaving or better, during the trip, is Danzinger's travels: Beyond Forbidden Frontiers. This is the incredible story of an 18 month road trip from London to Beijing in 1984 by Nick Danziger (ISBN0586087060). No French translation known.
- Use of the world by Nicolas Bouvier (Paris, Petite Bibliothèque Payot, 1992) from Geneva to Kabul in the 1950s with a Fiat Topolino ... Use of the world is the first book by an author, ethnographer and poet, until then known as a photographer. Passionate about travel and discovery, Nicolas Bouvier wrote with Use of the world a book that has become a cult among those of traveling writers. There, he takes the time to mature his impressions of travels and delivers a lively and sensitive account of his feelings and his encounters. The documentation that accompanies his story supports it without ever weighing it down.
- "Long walk. On foot from the Mediterranean to China by the Silk Road". (Editions Phébus, Paris, 2003). In three volumes, the breathtaking itinerary of a walker.
Steps
Istanbul
Istanbul is the largest city of Turkey. There are three modes of transportation to choose from to get to Iran. First you have direct Iranian coaches to Tehran. Straightforward, cheap, hassle-free, but where's the adventure? And spending two days in a coach is not the most comfortable way to travel. Then there are Turkish coaches to Erzurum (in) which are probably more comfortable than Iranian coaches. Finally, you can take the train to Erzurum.
Erzurum
Erzurum (in) is the focal point for visiting Eastern Turkey. If you did not take a direct bus to Teheran, you will need to change your means of transport here. There are coaches for Dogubayazit (in) (5 h of travel).
Dogubayazit
Dogubayazit is the last town before the border. It is mainly a garrison town, but it is also the starting point for the ascent of the Mount Ararat. There are taxis to reach the border. The city is really not welcoming, a lot of trafficking, scams, beware!
Turkey-Iran border
The Turkey-Iran border is at an altitude of 2,600 meters, at the foot of the famous Mount Ararat[1] where, according to the Bible, Noah accosted with his Ark.
A long time ago there were trains to Iran. They seem to have disappeared with history ...
Tehran
Tehran is the capital ofIran. It is a megalopolis of 10 million inhabitants.
To go to Kerman, you have the choice of coach and train. There are coaches twice a day and the journey takes 15 h. The train is certainly more comfortable, but is only available 3 times a week. There are even direct buses to Zahedan if you are looking to break a record (22 h of travel).
If you have time, a detour by Esfahan it's worth it. It is probably the most beautiful city in Iran.
Likewise a visit to the ruins of Persepolis, near the town of Shiraz is an opportunity not to be missed.
Kerman
Kerman is the terminus of the railway line and a focal point for southern Iran. There are seven hours by bus to go to Zahedan. A stop at Bam to visit the citadel is a good idea. Unfortunately, this spectacular construction was almost completely destroyed in an earthquake on .
Zahedan
Zahedan (in) is the last city before Pakistan. [2] Take a taxi to the border. You must bring water and provisions for 2 days. There is no restaurant before Quetta after 700 kilometers of desert.
Iran-Pakistan border
The Iran-Pakistan border post is called Mirjave and is in the Kavir-e Loot desert, which means in the middle of nowhere. This is the real border between the West and the East.
The border closes early in the afternoon and you cannot stay here, there is no accommodation available. You must return to Zahedan if you arrive after closing.
Once you have crossed the border, you have to wait for a Pakistani bus. From here we drive on the left.
Do not look for the bureau de change, there is none. But you can probably change your dollars or the rest of your rials with a few young people sitting on the sand next to the customs post. You will have to haggle. They don't speak English, but they are very good at counting and using a calculator.
The train to Quetta leaves at 16 h, the journey is long and arduous! but beware, there is only one train per week! I had the chance to take it in June 2005, the most memorable trip between Paris and Dehli! be careful, you have to love the sand, because the train is full of it!
Quetta
Quetta is the first Pakistani city you reach when arriving from Iran. There are direct trains to Lahore (to be reserved several days in advance). There are also buses, but avoid taking them, I have very bad memories! the night trip in the mountains at full speed is simply to be avoided if you are at all reasonable!
The city is surrounded by camps for Afghan refugees who fled the war. It is the site of multiple trafficking, from weapons to heroin, including all kinds of contraband products. In the Afghan bazaar, you can find smugglers offering to take you across the border for a few dollars. Don't try if you care about your life.
The population of quetta is young and welcoming.
Lahore
Lahore is the second largest city in Pakistan and the state capital of Punjab.
There are buses and taxis to go to the border. In January 2004, the Lahore-New Delhi train was put back into operation. It's probably more comfortable than the bus, but also slower, because it stops for hours at the border, when customs officers inspect passengers and baggage. Trains are also much less frequent.
Pakistan-India border
The Pakistan-India border has been closed and reopened several times in recent years. Check beforehand. In January 2004, the Lahore-New Delhi train was put back into operation.
Amritsar
Amritsar is the holy city of the Sikhs, where the Golden Temple is located.
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital ofIndia.
Detour through Afghanistan
Mashhad
There are daily trains from Tehran and back. The bus to Tehran puts 14 h of travel. Coaches to Taybad take approx. 4 h.
Taybad
There are minibuses and taxis to the border post, called Eslam Ghale, at 11 km of the.
Iran-Afghanistan border
From the Afghan side, there are coaches to Herat.
Herat
Herat (in) is the first Afghan city from Iran. The city was devastated by city war like almost all cities in Afghanistan.
Kandahar
Kandahar (in) was the stronghold of the Taliban.
Kabul
Kabul (Kabul) is the capital ofAfghanistan.
Afghanistan-Pakistan border
The border crosses a gorge, the Khyber Pass.
Peshawar
Other places worth a visit, but which are not necessarily crossed if you take the shortest route.
Turkey
Iran
- Tabriz
- Esfahan (capital of Persia during the Safavid dynasty)
- Shiraz
- Bam (2,500 year old citadel of the Parthian Empire)
- Persepolis (capital of the Achaemenid Empire)
Pakistan
- Islamabad (capital of Pakistan; all embassies are there)
- Rawalpindi (focal point in northern Pakistan; stay here if you have to / want to go to Islamabad)
- Taxila (in) (Buddhist archaeological site dating from Emperor Ashoka)
India
- Chandigarh (in) (town built according to Le Corbusier's plans)
To go
Formalities
For almost all travelers, a Visa is necessary to visit theIran, the Pakistan and theIndia. You must get it before you go. The embassy ofIran at Ankara and the consulate at Istanbul now refuse to issue visas if you are not a resident of the country. The same applies to Pakistani and Indian embassies and consulates almost everywhere, with a few rare exceptions.
