Absolutely nothing is easy when dealing with the Middle East, especially with Trump in office. USA citizens are once again forbidden from entering Iran. My original proposed route from Greece to India, was Greece, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and into India. As the map depicts below, finding an alternate route to India is not that easy.
Unfortunately, five active war zones and the Himalayan mountain range pose some obstacles that are not easily overcome. The only alternative route, the northern route through Russia and China, then into the Far East, and circling around to Delhi, assuming the visas are obtainable, is inaccessible 'till spring, and would require a very expensive government minder to tag along. Further, Google is unable to find a route through China, so I am not sure this route is even doable. Interestingly enough, with the exception of Saudi Arabia, the rest of the map can be done visa free, and often without a border stop.
So what to do. At this point I am not sure. The bail out option is to fly from eastern Turkey to Delhi, but that would be lame. The only ground option is to wait and see if Iran and the US can work out their issues. Seems like a long shot, but US citizens being barred from Iran, and vice-versa, has flipped and flopped many times in the past few years. Then, there maybe an option I have not thought of yet. I have enlisted the assistance of a friend who has made it around the world, and through this part of the world. If he can not figure it out, I am pretty sure it can not be done,
More to come....
Unfortunately, five active war zones and the Himalayan mountain range pose some obstacles that are not easily overcome. The only alternative route, the northern route through Russia and China, then into the Far East, and circling around to Delhi, assuming the visas are obtainable, is inaccessible 'till spring, and would require a very expensive government minder to tag along. Further, Google is unable to find a route through China, so I am not sure this route is even doable. Interestingly enough, with the exception of Saudi Arabia, the rest of the map can be done visa free, and often without a border stop.
So what to do. At this point I am not sure. The bail out option is to fly from eastern Turkey to Delhi, but that would be lame. The only ground option is to wait and see if Iran and the US can work out their issues. Seems like a long shot, but US citizens being barred from Iran, and vice-versa, has flipped and flopped many times in the past few years. Then, there maybe an option I have not thought of yet. I have enlisted the assistance of a friend who has made it around the world, and through this part of the world. If he can not figure it out, I am pretty sure it can not be done,
More to come....
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