Border Crossing Point GEO -RUS at Verkhniy Lars is open for non-CSI citizens too; I crossed it this morning with a valid russian visa. No more then 30' to wait.


Beside 20 km. from Gadauri (GEO) to north, the road is good.

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www.AdventureVagabond.com Mongolia & Siberia 2012: Adventure Moto Madness

This is proving it is a regular crossing sooner than where an Official made a mistake.

Great news - thanks.

Is there any information on non CIS passport holders crossing the other way (ie. entering Georgia from RUS)?

In recent times some Georgia borders have been one way only.

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Vitim Bridge Clubwww.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=533442
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We crossed at the Kazbegi crossing, Georgia into Russian, on 1st June. No problems, the Russian guards had a look in our box but didn't have to take anything out. There doesn't appear to be anywhere to get insurance at this crossing so keep this in mind.

No info regarding Russia into Georgia as such other than the day before we crossed, we talked to Klaus from Germany who had entered Georgia from Russia so it appears to be both ways.

That's excellent news. Georgia is sounding better and better: the Kazbegi border is open and getting through them is easy. Really looking forward to getting into Georgia.

Bit off topic... but for you folks that have been through Georgia, is there anywhere to draw out cash on or near the border? If not will there be someone lingering on the border to change some currency and what do they prefer to change? Will they take Euros, Dollars or Roubles in Georgia.

Sorry for the repeat post...

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www.AdventureVagabond.com Mongolia & Siberia 2012: Adventure Moto Madness

Georgia is a wonderful country - dont do the Georgia in two days routine! Suggest that you take a little time to explore... slow down and enjoy georgian hospitality and wine.
"Nick and George" | PAN Parks recommended stop - and you can trade the bike for a horse and get up into the hills!! excellent food!!

Do you need a visa for Georgia and Armenia
I am thinking of coming through from Russia to Turkey
Azerbijan requires visa and is expensive or should I try to go here too?
Thanks

No visa required for Georgia .

Dazzer

No visa required for British nationals in Georgia. Don't know about other nationalities.

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www.AdventureVagabond.com Mongolia & Siberia 2012: Adventure Moto Madness

Seems I posted my last trip report in the wrong section (Northern Asia): Crossing the Caucasus from Ossetia to Adjaria - Gentleman Adventurer

It answers some of the above questions:

* yes, it is possible to cross from Russia to Georgia at Kazbegi / Verkhny Lars (we just did so in June 2012 on German and Austrian passports)

* no visa is required for Georgia (but make sure your passport has no stamps of Abkhazia or South Ossetia)

* visiting South Ossetia is only possible from the Russian side (Vladikavkaz - North Ossetia) but definitely not from Georgia at Gori / Tsinkhvali, contrary to Wikitravel etc. I tried very hard and got a tough grilling by the Georgian military and later security service.

* the Russian Caucasus is much safer than one would expect from the FCO travel warnings. Chechnya is fantastically rebuilt and pretty safe. Even two good hotels there. Ingushetia is still a bit crazy (borderguards), but only a very short ride. Kabardino-Balkaria also looks & feels a little rougher, but crossing by day shouldn't be a problem. Dagestan seems to be the current dangerzone, but it is doable nevertheless (we went from Grozny through Machackala to Kalmykia and Astrakhan.) The risk is to be caught in a political shoot-out, but probably not any more the kidnapping of foreigners or unusual street criminality.

I successfully crossed the Kazbegi border on the 1 August 2012,it's quick, easy and very efficient. I even got a photo of one of the border guards posing with the bike before I was told "NO PICTURES!" Don't bother with the expensive and time consuming Trabzon-Sochi Ferry. Kazbegi is beautiful, don't bother booking accommodation, just turn up in the square and someone will off you a homestay.

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www.AdventureVagabond.com Mongolia & Siberia 2012: Adventure Moto Madness

I crossed the same border on 3rd of August.
Crossing was easy, stayed couple of nights in Stepandsminda (Georgia).
Now need to wait couple of days in Astrakhan to cross Kazakhstan border.

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www.whereishemuli.eu
Riding round the World

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Rode through Dagestan yesterday without any problems.
In police checkpoints they just said something about Dagestan (did not understood what they said).
People were really nice everywhere. From one car someone waved big knife towards me, but I just waved my hand at him and got handwave back.

Passed also Grozny, without even noticing whole place (except lot of police checkpoints in that area).

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Riding round the World

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Hi Hemuli,

you have a cool travel blog. I have included it in my list of Best Danger Travel Websites - Gentleman Adventurer

Yes, the road from Machackala to Astrakhan is unexpectedly bad in some places

Good luck for your onward journey!

double posting