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Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
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  #1  
Old 8 Jul 2008
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Thanks motobelka and colebatch. Dagestan might be an option then!

I do have friends the Ukraine which I would like to visit. One more question if you don't mind? How far north should I travel before heading west towards the Ukraine? Clearly I want to give Chechnya a wide berth.

Ta, Bob
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  #2  
Old 8 Jul 2008
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via azery:
Baku-Mahachkala-Kochubey-Neftekumsk-Stavropol-Krasnodar- Kerch' (entering ukr by 10 min ferry)
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  #3  
Old 9 Jul 2008
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TOne more question if you don't mind? How far north should I travel before heading west towards the Ukraine? Clearly I want to give Chechnya a wide berth.

Ta, Bob
As mentioned by motobelka,

or if having ridden the south edge of the Caucasus you are ready for some variety, head north to Elista, on the Steppe ... and check out the only Buddhist state in Europe ... the Kalmyk Republic, and then back to Stavropol.

If you take the route suggested by motobelka, you will pass not far from the town of Terekli-Mekteb ... which is kinda the main town / cultural centre for the Nogai people (I know a lot of Nogai people for some strange reason - possibly co-incidence). It would give you the chance to learn about the hundreds of nationalities living within Russia. That area, the north side of a caucasus is very very dense with nationalities.

The steppe area there is very hot in summer ... July / August expect 40+ degree type heat in places like Elista or Terekli-Mekteb in those months. Better to be there either side of midsummer

Last edited by colebatch; 9 Jul 2008 at 18:05.
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Old 19 Aug 2008
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New Border Limitations - Russia / Azerbaijan

Russia's border with Georgia as well as Azerbaijan closed today and will remain closed for all those who are not citizens of the CIS, a Russian-led grouping of ex-Soviet states, said a decree signed by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and published on Tuesday.
The temporary measure is aimed at preventing weapons smuggling and "members of foreign terrorist organisations" from entering Russia, said the decree published in the official Rossiiskaya Gazeta daily.

So unless / until this "temporary measure" is lifted, there is no way to cross the Caucasus for us foreigners. The Azerbaijan - Dagestan route is now out of the question.

Last edited by colebatch; 19 Aug 2008 at 13:05.
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Old 19 Aug 2008
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Thanks for that, with all the recent troubles I assumed something like this would happen.

Hopefully things will be different in a years time but if not I will modify the route.

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Russia's border with Georgia as well as Azerbaijan closed today and will remain closed for all those who are not citizens of the CIS, a Russian-led grouping of ex-Soviet states, said a decree signed by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and published on Tuesday.
The temporary measure is aimed at preventing weapons smuggling and "members of foreign terrorist organisations" from entering Russia, said the decree published in the official Rossiiskaya Gazeta daily.

So unless / until this "temporary measure" is lifted, there is no way to cross the Caucasus for us foreigners. The Azerbaijan - Dagestan route is now out of the question.
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Old 19 Aug 2008
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Bob ... not sure if that means the Baku - Makhachkala ferry is also closed to foreigners. It is still possibly an option
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  #7  
Old 29 Jan 2010
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bringing this topic back from the dead.....

i have heard that the borders are going to open at 1/3/2010
is that true?

planing to do a black sea round trip this year and i am searching my option...

tnx in advance
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Old 30 Jan 2010
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bringing this topic back from the dead.....

i have heard that the borders are going to open at 1/3/2010
is that true?
forget about it
coast road from georgia to russia (via Abkhazia) is closed
The unpassable border is georgia to abkhazia. This border will not be opened in nearest 10 years at least.

You can go around Caspian sea
Europe - Turkey - Iran - Turkmenistan - Kazahstan - Russia - Azerbaijan - Georgia - Turkey (south coast of Black sea from Rize to Istambul) - back to Europe
This is passable. But be ready to 200-500km legs without fuel stations on east Caspian coast.
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Old 30 Jan 2010
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bringing this topic back from the dead.....

i have heard that the borders are going to open at 1/3/2010
is that true?

planing to do a black sea round trip this year and i am searching my option...

tnx in advance
Well yes, kind of, but no ... not really.

The plan was to open the Verkhny Lars border crossing between Russia (North Ossetia) and Georgia (in the middle of the Caucasus mountains) ... that was the plan. What happens in reality is another matter. Whether that border is then open to CIS citizens only, or becomes a full international border is yet another question. The only reason they are opening it (or planning to open it) is to help Armenia, which is Russias main ally in the South Caucasus, so it probably will be a border for CIS (plus Georgia) citizens only.

As for the Black Sea coast road, as Dean says, there now is no coast road joining Russian and Georgia. Abkhazia is now in the way. And you cant cross into Abkhazia from Georgia. Until Georgia recognises Abkhazia's independence (and that may take some time) there can obviously never be an open border there.

So I wouldnt plan anything just yet until we see what is the nature of the Verkhny Lars border. And I would be sceptical of it becoming some sort of open season for general travellers. That whole area is VERY militarised.
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  #10  
Old 6 Mar 2010
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open again !

As I read in local newspapers in BAKU (and also Turkiye), border is going to open this week.

Better to check officially and in a certain way by Georgia Community befor departure...



Quote:
Originally Posted by Stelao View Post
bringing this topic back from the dead.....

i have heard that the borders are going to open at 1/3/2010
is that true?

planing to do a black sea round trip this year and i am searching my option...

tnx in advance
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