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I am planning for year-end, early 2014 to make my first RTW (Round The World) by road low cost, without ever taking airplanes; the only means of which will definetly use my legs, steps fortune by local bus, bicycles , and cargo with which will cross the oceans; sleeping in a tent, on the street, in the fields, on beaches, by my host thanks to "couchsurfing" and in case of necessity in some hostel.

The trip will start from Florence, Italy, as you can see from the map in the link below, until you get to the Strait of Gibraltar (where I will try to get without spending one euro, riding a bike and thanks to my legs), before diving into the dark continent, I will visit from north to south, then going from the east, coming later in the Middle East, then freeing the vast expanse Asia. The trip will then continue to Australia, where he would later with the aid of a cargo ship, I will come in the North American territory, and then down to Tierra del Fuego. The last part of the journey, it will continue going up the South America, on the side opposite to the drop-down list, and then set sail for Europe from Brazil or Argentina. Before returning home, I'll take advantage for a full tour of Europe.

Map round the world without planes

I have no time limit, the only limit will assume my money (about $ 23k).

I have some questions to ask, given that few of the travelers I asked I was advised not to go around I have in mind:
 
- As you can see from the map I'm going to cross the whole of Africa, but there are some points that are considered by many critics: in the eastern part (Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameron, Equatorial Guinea, Congo, DRC and Angola), and then from the west (Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt). Many have told me that it is impossible to cross these countries by land, and very dangerous. Those of you who know the current situation of these states?

  • While in Asia (Iraq, Iran, Armenia), you can make the passage I have in mind quietly?

These are the main critical points. I'm going to take visas along the way.

While regarding vaccines, I was advised to do this before leaving, what do you think?

diphtheria - tetanus (DTA) I have to redo because ten years have passed since the last time;
hepatitis A
Typhoid fever
yellow fever
Japanese encephalitis
tick-borne encephalitis
Meningococcal meningitis
tuberculosis

And for all these vaccines have asked me almost € 500.

I also intend to bring with me a camera with two lenses (I am a passionate about photography). About what countries are riskier to use the camera? I was told that a bit 'all over africa, use the tool of photography to earn money.

I hope to receive your useful information.

Regards,
Massimo

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1

Sorry, but it appears you've no idea of the logistical challenges of actually doing this, and the fact that you even ask about safety in countries like Ghana, Armenia, and Iran shows how little you know about the places you intend to visit. Even looking at your map it's apparent that you haven't even done the most basic research and learned that you won't be able to take many of the routes that you intend to, like going from Jordan to Iraq, Tajikistan to China, Pakistani Kashmir to Indian Kashmir, and India's NE States to China. These are places where legal border crossings simply do not exist. There aren't even roads between where you suggest crossing from Alaska to Canada! It also doesn't even seem to have entered your mind about the massive struggle you will go through obtaining visas to so many of the places you intend to visit, or how you plan on finding boats to magically take you where you want to go. I'd suggest you delay your trip until you can actually research it. Otherwise your grandiose RTW trip will end a few months in with you sitting in Kinshasa waiting for an Angolan visa that might never come.

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I spoke with many adventurers and they have advised me to take this trip especially on the African continent. Why given the current conditions seems to be unlikely to be able to cross areas like Nigeria, Cameron, Equatorial Guinea, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (mainly because besides the danger is very difficult to get a visa in areas like DRC).
The fact that you can not get into Alaska from Russia are familiar with, because I know one of the few people who managed it and was arrested for doing so.

So many have advised me to avoid the African continent and to immediately go to Asia.

If I had not doubts, I would not have definitely asked for your opinion, no?

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3

I'd advise you to attempt a modified version this trip as well, but that doesn't change the fact that to attempt something of this magnitude you'll actually have to learn about the places you intend to go and the logistical and bureaucratic challenges regarding a visit to each country.

I also believe you have a skewed view of travel in Africa. You can safely travel your intended route through Africa. Getting a few key visas is the challenge.

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All have a twisted view of Africa. As well as in countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan, but it is often a matter of luck too.
Precisely for this reason they are in contact with some people, of various states, so that I can lend a hand to pass some of the most hot.

If you have any advice on this, it is logical that they are welcome. Otherwise it is useless always feel the usual speeches that Africa is dangerous.

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5

You do realise that cargo ships are an extremely expensive way of crossing oceans these days, don't you? How long do you anticipate this trip taking? Even with the inevitable amendments to the itinerary you will end up making, I can't see your budget or your enthusiasm lasting past two continents.

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Regarding your Africa route:

You could need to get your visa for Ghana in your home country (ask in the African branch for the most updated info available; ask about visas for Ivory Coast too). Visa requirements for African countries (can) change frequently and without previous notice so stay tunned once on the ground as perhaps, it becomes easier to get a visa for Ghana on the route but more difficult to get, let's say, a visa for Gabon.

Regarding Equatorial Guinea, this recent thread and this other recent thread can give you an idea of how's traveling on the continental part of the country. Be also aware the only report I read of someone who tried to get an Equatorial Guinea visa in Cameroon wasn't able to get it. And be aware too the border between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon is closed from time to time... You could easily skip Equatorial Guinea by going directly from Cameroon to Gabon though.

The DRC requires to get your visa in your home country. You could skip the DRC going from the Republic of Congo to Cabinda (Angola) and look in Cabinda for a ferry/freighter from the exclave of Cabinda to some Angolan place out of the exclave. No idea how likely you would be to find such transport though. BTW, verify the safety situation of Cabinda by the time you go there.

Not sure how easy/difficult would be to go by sea from Mozambique to Madagascar (and back).

Other than that, your African route is fine but stay tunned to the news as security conditions can change at any moment in some countries making them unsafe. Some borders could be closed too so verify your exit border from a country is opened by the time you reach that country and stay tunned just in case it could be closed during your stay.

Regarding your Asian route:

AFAIK, it's almost impossible to get a visa for Iraq.

The border between Armenia and Turkey is fully closed so you can't cross it. You would need pass through Georgia in order to go from Armenia to Turkey overland.

You have to think once again all your route from Tajikistan to India. BTW, Pakistan is requiring now to get your Pakistan visa in your home country.

The only way to go from India to China overland is through Nepal and Tibet (if foreigners are allowed to visit Tibet by the time you reach it) or though Pakistan (if you aren't there when the road is closed due to bad weather, several months each year).

I could make more comments but I think those are more than enough for now.

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As has been noted above a number of the places you plan on crossing borders are simply not possible and you're going to have to do a lot more research. You'll also need a few years and a lot of money. That said, others have done something similar - not many, but some.

Regarding AFrica, whoever you've been talking to knows very little. Your route is fine. A number of the countries you're planning on crossing do have some areas which are best avoided but you can do so. Some places like Ghana, Togo, Benin, Sierra Leone... are absolutely fine.

Getting from Mozambique to Madagascar is not easy - you'll have to look for a private yacht going that way. Getting to Antarctica on a budget is just not a possibility and crossing from Siberia to Alaska is all but impossible.

Regarding Iraq - you can visit the Kurdish part - becoming an increasingly popular place to visit - and this is best done from Turkey.

All in all, keep dreaming and start planning. Your plans may change drastically but it's great to dream.

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I'm aware of the costs of the cargo. And I know that they have become more expensive of the aircraft. But I want to do the whole route without ever taking flight. No one is forcing me to go home, in case I missed the excitement. But it will be very difficult. ;)

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Thanks Anillos , finally someone who does no more than criticize.

So it's so difficult to obtain a visa to Ghana? For the Ivory Coast, I was aware of the problems (in fact I'm in contact with an Italian guy who works there, to which I asked for help).
With regard to the security situation in the eastern states, there are special problems?

In case of genuine inability to obtain visas, certainly will change itinerary, as thou hast suggested jumping Equatorial Guinea and to going from Cameron to Gabon.

Now I can tell if can go from Cabinda to Angola by sea.

The Ethiopia-Sudan-Egypt way, you can do it without any problems?

For the discourse of Asia, if impossible to get into Iraq, should necessarily pass from Syria to go to Turkey. Or from Tel Aviv to take a ship / ferry and go to Turkey. And then go to Iran (given the problems on the border between Turkey and Armenia).

If I remember correctly you can not enter China from Tajikistan, right?

Appearance your further reports.

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