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From Russia to Georgia and back by motorbike From Russia to Georgia and back by motorbike
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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 Jun 2017
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From Russia to Georgia and back by motorbike
I'm planning a trip to mount Kazbek in Georgia this summer. The plan is to ride from Russia via the E117 military highway from Vladikavkaz to Stepantsminda.
Leaving the bike at a high, safe place and start the hike to the basecamp and eventually climb the mountain.

Now in the diplomatic travel advice section about Georgia I have read it's illegal to enter Georgia from Russia through South Ossetia or Abchasia. Mount Kazbek is in North Ossetia so I assume my route would be fine to enter, maybe a bit rough. I wonder if the same goes the other way.

To leave the country, I see two options. Either go back the same route into Russia, which I assume should be fine too. Or go further South and eventually West explore the country towards the Black Sea. From there I would ride north alogn Sokhumi, Adler to Sochi.
This would be through Abchasia, I am not sure if it's possible to enter Russia from this side? I wonder if someone has done or tried this way?

Many thanks in advance!
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Old 8 Jun 2017
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OK, a bit mixed up here.

The only legal entry or exit point from Russia into Georgia (excluding South Ossetia / Abkhazia) is at Verkhny Lars / Kazbegi on the Georgian Military Highway. No problem to enter and leave here.

Assuming you climb Kazbegi from Stepantsminda, you will not be crossing South Ossetia.

Georgia to Abkhazia to Russia is illegal from the Georgian perspective. I made the trip in 2010 without an issue, I have heard other people have done it, but i have also heard of some people getting turned back at the Russian border, or not being given entry clearance for Abkhazia.

Abkhazia is stunningly beautiful and well worth visiting, but if you leave Georgia this way and enter Russia, you will not have a Georgian exit stamp and will not be able to return to Georgia without replacing your passport (or risking arrest / fines etc if you do).

Georgia to South Ossetia is impossible at present as far as I know. You can only enter South Ossetia from Russia, and cannot proceed into Georgia from South Ossetia.

You can enter Abkhazia from Russia but you cannot proceed further into Georgia.

Hope this makes things clear.
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  #3  
Old 9 Jun 2017
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The last post is exactly correct. Stay out of South Ossetia and Abkhazia if you wish to use either as a corridor route. The only connecting route is via Vladikavkaz.

As to your plan to leave your bike and climb Kazbegi mountain, the safe option is to leave it in the village of Kazbegi at the hotel or guest house. If you leave it on the mountain, there is a big risk you will be walking or hitch-hiking back to Russia.
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  #4  
Old 29 Mar 2018
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Georgia to Moscow
Hello there

Please could you help me with advice on self driving a Land Tover from Georgia through to Moscow?
We would like to drive this route.
I would be most grateful
Jill
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Old 29 Mar 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jill Back View Post
Hello there

Please could you help me with advice on self driving a Land Tover from Georgia through to Moscow?
We would like to drive this route.
I would be most grateful
Jill

What would you like to know?

No problem driving from Tbilisi to Moscow via Stepantsminda - Verkny Lars - Vladikavkaz - Rostov No Donu - Voronej
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Old 31 May 2018
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Sounds good
Quote:
Originally Posted by Samy View Post
What would you like to know?

No problem driving from Tbilisi to Moscow via Stepantsminda - Verkny Lars - Vladikavkaz - Rostov No Donu - Voronej
I plan to leave in July to tour the Black Sea, route Finland-Russia,Moscow, Volgograd-Georgia,Tbilisi-Turkey-Greece- Makedonia- Montenegro-Serbia and so on back to Finland.

I don’t why, but The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs does not recommend traveling to the Caucasus in the Russian region for example to northern Ossetia.

Do you know why, or is this typical ”It is forbidden for all to be sure”
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Old 1 Jun 2018
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Some friends of mine have been there.

It was no problem, but there is a high amount of special police around and I would avoid camping in this areas, should be safe driving around during daytime and in places with people around but nighttime is different.

Still in this area there are IS members around.
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  #8  
Old 1 Jun 2018
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We did a similar route in 2016 from Georgia to St. Petersburg, but with a detour via Astrakhan/Elista/Volgograd. You could certainly take a more direct route from Vladikavkaz to Rostov.
Crossing Ingushetia, Chechnya and Dagestan to visit the cities mentioned above was not a problem. Lots of police and military checkpoints, but we were never stopped. Locals were very friendly and interested. We did camp wild one night on the border between Chechnya and Dagestan, after asking a farmer for permission to set up our tent on a patch of grass next to his field.
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Old 5 Jun 2018
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Originally Posted by JuhaY View Post
I plan to leave in July to tour the Black Sea, route Finland-Russia,Moscow, Volgograd-Georgia,Tbilisi-Turkey-Greece- Makedonia- Montenegro-Serbia and so on back to Finland.

I don’t why, but The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs does not recommend traveling to the Caucasus in the Russian region for example to northern Ossetia.

Do you know why, or is this typical ”It is forbidden for all to be sure”
Hello Juha,

Sometimes some incidents happens but not a big issue.
You can ride in whole Caucasus region without problem. Try to obey the rules. Do not make suspicious things, be a low profile rider. That's all.

When you want to pass to Georgia from Caucasus be aware that:
You are not allowed to pass Sochi-Adler-Sukhumi route. It is for locals and Russian passport holders only.

You can use the route Vladikavkaz-Stepantsminda ...

If you will pass by Cappadoccia area give me a shout. Would be happy to meet. I live close to the area... (Kayseri)

Safe rides

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  #10  
Old 25 Mar 2019
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Georgian military highway
Is the road any good these days?
My last time on this road was dreadful. Loose stone and mud. I'd it any better now. I will be on a goldwing. John
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  #11  
Old 25 Mar 2019
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Black top all the way last time I rode it .
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