Grozny, Chechnya (Russia-Azerbaijan Border now open)
 

Since I am occasionally in Grozny, I have updated my blog with a brief

Update: Travel Guide Grozny, Chechnya (2014) - Gentleman Adventurer

This may be of importance for overlanders who intend to cross the border between Russia and Azerbaijan - which is now open.

Only Dagestan remains a bit problematic for security reasons.

Hi,

Do you mean that it's now possible to enter in Azerbaidjian from Russio with my own car?

RR.

It is and the other way around. But the maximum stay is 3 days transit in Azerbeidjan or 2 weeks if you return by the same border crossing. Having a visum for longer period doesn't change that.

GRTZ,

JP

Thank you. That is a very valuable info.

Thanks for your reply,

So, do you think it's possible to cross Azerbaidjian from Russian border to Georgian border in only 3 days?

RR.

Any experience about crossing Az. from Russia to Georgia with a car?
I didn't have any reply to my question about the limit of 3 days for this crossing.
RR.

I know of 2 Europeans who crossed the border by a combination of taxis. I cannot give an example of crossing in own car, but offically this is now ok. Timewise you will be fine with the 3-day-rule. You can transit the 700km to Georgia (or 500km to Iran) in a day's drive.

Yes, on this forum there are some travellers who had to deal with these rules.

We communicated with the customs in Azebeidjan in Russian by mail a few weeks ago, they answered accurate.

1) You can transit with your own vehicle in 3 days from any to any bordercrossing.

2) You can enter and leave by the same bordercrossing within 14 days leaving your Original documents at that bordercrossing

3) You can pay a deposit at any bordercrossing and leave by any other bordercrossing within 14 days, but the deposit will be transferred back by bank and the amount is around the actual value of your car/bike. Not very attractive.

GRTZ,

JP

Thanks a lot to Jervig and Travelbug:thumbup1::thumbup1:

RR.

Found this interesting blog GROZNY GOSSIP | "Giving You Something To Talk About" by Chrystal Callahan, a Canadian girl that lived in Grozny for some time and became a celebrity.