Black Sea Coast Road: Georgia to Ukraine
 

Has anyone ridden this road? Any observations such as can someone on a European passport get through, is it safe, etc? I maintain a Russian multi-entry visa in my passport for work.

Planning a trip for next year.

Ta

Crossing between Russia and Georgia was covered in this thread.
Conclusion: You need to go through a third country as R & G are not on speaking terms.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...a-please-35655

Thanks Chris, :thumbup1:

I might see if there are ferries that go from Georgia to Ukraine.

Cheers,

UKRFERRY SHIPPING COMPANY thats the thing Il'ichevsk(odessa)-Poti 2 days in the sea.
but mind it's easy to go from Odessa to Poti 'cos ukrainian side try to act european way. to get on board in Poti is difficult as hell. one must book a place a month and a half beforehand and it will be a miracle if you manage to make a deal with georgian representative. we didn't sucseed last year and had to go to stambul and took a vessel from there to sevastopol. the office tel in Poti is +995(393)219-98 the directors name is Malkhaz Pochkhua his mobile is +995-77406617.
month ago being in odessa we dropped in UKRFERRY headquarters and were told georgian side is fully "independent" in all means and ukrferry itself takes no responsibility for timetable and passenger list in Poti. in odessa the man in command is Andrey do not remember surname :) i belive he speaks fair english.

Just go long way around the Caucasus by the other coast road ... the Caspian sea coast road.

From Georgia, head East on the southern side of the caucasus thru Azerbaijan till you to get to the Caspian, turn north, cross into Russia and then cross back west to the Black Sea in Russia, North of the Caucasus

Have you ridden through Dagestan? I didn't think it was safe?

That's why I was thinking about getting the ferry.

I havent ridden through there but know a number of people from there. I do plan to ride thru there next year.

The information I have is Dagestan is not as bad as its made out to be. The coastal road is a long way from Chechnya (have been advised not to get too close to the Chechen border).

There is no such thing as a Dagestani, its a province made up of over 30 nationalities (predominantly Islamic along with the Christian Russians and Ukranians and Jewish Hill Tribes), 9 printed languages, and all get along OK without killing each other or trying to dominate each other. In general, the religion in Dagestan is a lot less fervent than in neighbouring Chechnya. The capital, Makhachkala, which is a mix of all of the nationalities is said to be a little on the "adventurous" side after dark, so make sure you are not lost there by nightfall, but apart from that, its said to be very hospitable - a bit like the wild west 130 years ago - only with internet ;-)

did that route round Black sea less then a year ago. Dagestan is safe if you find a place to sleep before dark. be ready to stop at every traffik police point. be ready to show all the documents six times in 200 km, to show the map of your trip and to give "a souvenir".
stay in Derbent in the center of the city or in Mahachkala. in mahachkala i can recommend a hotel wich is situated right near military depertament ("komendatura") on the backstreet of Governement building. it has really secure parking, all officials and buisnessmen stay there.

Thanks motobelka and colebatch. Dagestan might be an option then! :thumbup1:

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

via azery:
Baku-Mahachkala-Kochubey-Neftekumsk-Stavropol-Krasnodar- Kerch' (entering ukr by 10 min ferry)

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

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.

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.

Bob ... not sure if that means the Baku - Makhachkala ferry is also closed to foreigners. It is still possibly an option

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