Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Northern and Central Asia
The Caucases...worth the trouble? The Caucases...worth the trouble?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 17 Mar 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: London
Posts: 249
The Caucases...worth the trouble?
SHIT! I spelt the title wrong. Nice start.

Had my fun on my 'big' trip last year. But i see a two month window this summer and tempted to take another bite at the cherry while im still young and stupid enough. It will be 9 weeks from London driving FAST to Istanbul...like 3/4 days, so i feel i have plenty of time.

I'm looking at driving an old honda civic or even a CG125 through Turkey to Azerbeijan/Georgia/Armenia...exiting through Russia and returning home. Can anyone see any problems with this route? I can't aslong as i have a double entry georgian visa to prevent any armenia/azer entry exit points and avoid Chechnya?

Are they nice countries to visit? What's there to see? What are the people...are they like Turks? More like Iranians? or more like Russians ?

What are road conditions like? Is this worth my while considering the price of gas in Turkey? Whats the damage on petrol in the caucuses?

Did anyone fall in love with the region? I hear very little about it on the hubb; not alot of people seem to visit the region...everyone flys past on the way to the stans or through Iran to India.

Any route tips? Any travel blogs to read?

Enlighten me! I'm getting itchy fingers, and seems about right for a summer jaunt.
__________________
Thanks
Joe
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 17 Mar 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 1,028
Mate. In short. You'll love it. The Georgians are the most hospitable people I've ever met. The Azeri's are nice as well but no-one beats the Georgians in my opinion. Stay away from the trouble zones (Svaneti, Ossetia and Abkhazia) and you'll be fine. Not sure about Armenia. Hear it's super poor and tough due to that. People are probably lovely as well. I reckon the Georgians are more European, where as Azeri's are more Turkic.

Turkey fuel is expensive. More than Western Europe when I was there. Black Sea coast is amazing though. If you like coastal routes. The mountains (Caucasus and Turkish) are great also.

Is that positive enough? May find Georgian roads off the main roads challenging with those vehicles though.

Being polite and hospitable is a matter of personal pride in this part of the world.
__________________
Tacos Tyring Travels.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 17 Mar 2009
farqhuar's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Oztralia
Posts: 646
I can't comment on travelling from Turkey into either Azerbaijan or Georgia (although I don't think it's easy to get in) but I can say that right now you will not be able to cross from Georgia into Russia. As far as Chechnya / North and South Ossettia / Dagestan goes they are off limits even to Russian citizens. I was down in the caucasus a little over 6 months ago and got to arround 50 km from the above countries, including right up to the Russia / Georgian border.

Garry from Oz.
__________________
Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 17 Mar 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: I S T
Posts: 655
You can ride to Georgia from Turkiye without any problem. You will like the area and the people. You can pass to Armenia or Azerbaijan from Georgia and continue to Iran and enter back to Turkiye again. No problem. You can't pass to Russia from Georgia by land.

On the other hand, you can ride to Iran from Dogubeyazit, continue to Azerbaijan and pass to Georgia too.

You will not have a real problem there.

Gas prices are the most expensive in Turkiye. Georgia follows. Azerbaijan and Iran is needless to say, very cheap. You can balance gas expenses between the countries. When we count Azerbaijan and Iran it will be much more cheaper at the balance than in Europe.

Have a nice and safe ride.
__________________
"where the traveller goes, nobody knows ! "
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 17 Mar 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Moscow
Posts: 1,117
You cannot pass into Russia at all unless you are a CIS passport holder (see Commonwealth of Independent States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ) by road/land from the south, between the Black and Caspian Sea.

Georgia land borders are closed to everyone.
Azerbijan land borders are open only to CIS passport holders.

To reach Russia use a Black sea ferry from Turkey, or by land you might be able to go round the Caspian Sea via Iran, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.

The Russian North Caucuses is dramatic, interesting and enchanting (avoiding Chechnia, Dagestan and other wannabe breakaway areas). Petrol is about 23Руб (50pence) litre. Most through roads marked on a road atlas have good sealed surfaces.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 17 Mar 2009
todderz's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 182
Turkey - Georgia, no problem, and no visa required.

Turkey - Armenia not possible.

Armenia - Azerbaijan not possible.

Georgia / Azerbaijan - Russia not possible.

Iran requries a carnet.

Turkmenistan requires a visa. Transit visa requires a visa for the onward country also. Tourist visa requires escorted tour.


For Georgia and Azerbaijan, read the FCO travel advice. There are numerous no-go areas in both countries.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
GS 500 in trouble! gobikergirl Suzuki Tech 4 5 Nov 2008 03:54
k75 trouble J. Maus BMW Tech 13 19 Aug 2008 07:00
Am I getting myself in to trouble? assafdv TRAVEL Hints and Tips 11 14 Sep 2007 04:13
Battery trouble bolla Yamaha Tech 6 30 Jan 2006 18:28
3AJ + 2KF = trouble? POB/London Yamaha Tech 10 24 Jan 2003 22:54

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:58.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top