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Tuva track, and Altay Tuva track, and Altay
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  #1  
Old 15 May 2011
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Tuva track, and Altay
Hi

I've read Colebatch description of this adventurous track and I am planning to try it.
My idea is to do it the other way around - from Kyzil to Kosh Agach.
I know I would need some kind of border zone permit to do this, but I will try without one.
What´s the worst case scenario?

I can´t find any routes to the Altay region coming from east, south of Abakan, so I guess I would have to go back all the way almost to the m53, to get to Altay.
There's a railtrack from Abakan to Novokuznetsk, would that be an option? Kind of BAM road thing?

On another subject:
Going east of the Chuysky Trakt, to Ust-Kan, do one as to go north, or would it would be possible to go east naer the border to the Shemonaika border. On google/osm it seems possible...



Cheers
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  #2  
Old 16 May 2011
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Update: there is a track from Abakan to the Altai ... the routing is thus:

Abakan - Askiz - Vershina Tey - Mezhdurechensk - Novokuznetsk - Tashtagol - Turochak - Gorno Altaisk
Last edited by colebatch; 21 May 2013 at 11:54.
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  #3  
Old 17 May 2011
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Tuva Track
Yes, I plan on the same thing . . . on a KTM 950 Adventure.

Colebatch you made that piece seem especially compelling, thank you.

BTW, the "bridge" on the Tuva track that you had a bit of notable difficulty finding - is it the one here ?

Kurt
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  #4  
Old 17 May 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Genghis9021 View Post

BTW, the "bridge" on the Tuva track that you had a bit of notable difficulty finding - is it the one here ?

Kurt
Yep, thats it ... Thats the bridge ... save it on your GPS and aim for it when you are in the area.

By the way, great choice guys ... this is one of the most beautiful and unique areas you will ever see. Take lots of photos and make sure I get to see them

Here's a couple to whet your appetite for Tuva











Last edited by colebatch; 21 May 2013 at 15:26.
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Old 2 Jun 2011
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Originally Posted by colebatch View Post
Yep, thats it ... Thats the bridge ... save it on your GPS and aim for it when you are in the area.

By the way, great choice guys ... this is one of the most beautiful and unique areas you will ever see. Take lots of photos and make sure I get to see them

Looks a bit light for a 12 ton Unimog camper. But the creek is probably fordable.

Charlie
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  #6  
Old 31 May 2011
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Thanks Colebatch!!
Sorry for my late reply, I am already on the (off) road...

I tried a shakedown on Albanian tracks to see if I can make it in the East... it's been great..., even on a "heavy bike".
Albania Rocks,
great tracks, Great Country

Anyway, thanks for your advices!
I'll study it and maybe I'll get to you again during this trip.


Cheers
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  #7  
Old 2 Jun 2011
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If you are caught in a border zone without a permit:

-5000 Rouble fine
-Deportation from Russia within 10 days
-5 year ban from entering Russia.

I don't advise it. I speak from (very) near experience of the above.

The track from Kosh Agach to Khandagayty is epic, though the people on the Tuvan side could at best be described as hostile. The worst people I have ever met. Even other Tuvans are scared of the area.

The border permit is quite easy to get in Kosh Agach - the snag is you need to be registered there. I, with a Russian friend, registered myself in Kosh Agach at the PVS office in Gorno-Altaisk. The other way to do it is to get the guesthouse manager in Kosh Agach to register you.

Good luck!

Daniel
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Old 2 Jun 2011
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Actually, Colebatch and I never got a written permit.

We were stopped by a Border Guard on the road south of Kosh-Agach just where we intended turning left. He wanted to see Mongolia Visas to justify our continuing along the main road south. C showed his and waffled beautifully - knowing I didn't have one, never intending to go there!
He let us go and a Km or two down the road we cut across country to pick up our intended route!

The off duty border guards in Murg-Aksi, once they had become friendly, directed us to the garrison about 20km west of Murg-Aksi. We intrioduced ourselves to the Commandant who, after sharing tea and biscuits, said we could proceed as long as we remained on the road (now there was one).

We never had a written permit - just verbal consent for half.
(I hope no-one links this post with my RUS Residency Permit application that has been accepted and currently being processed !!!)
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Old 3 Jun 2011
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No worries.
No Country's exchequer or its peoples were denied anything by any fraudulent use.
No attempted boosting of personal gain from any deliberate illegal fraud was being adverted/promoted through HU.
Not on topic!
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Old 4 Jun 2011
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Tuva Track
Hi,

Well, I'm determined to get this thread back on topic . . .

What if you're coming FROM Krasnoyarsk (the East) . . . where is the border permit acquired in that case.

Frankly, the ride sounds so good I think I'd be willing to make it a loop if the eastern entrance isn't possible.

Thanks in advance,

Kurt
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Old 2 Jun 2011
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the people on the Tuvan side could at best be described as hostile. The worst people I have ever met.
Endemic alcoholism.
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  #12  
Old 3 Jun 2011
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Originally Posted by danielsprague View Post

The track from Kosh Agach to Khandagayty is epic, though the people on the Tuvan side could at best be described as hostile.
Pretty much my thoughts too ...

Stunningly beautiful. Challenging roads, and yes the people ... they have a reputation for hostility, and while we werent threatened in any way while we were there, there wasnt the usual openness and friendliness we saw everywhere else in Russia.

I do recall noting while I was there that pretty much every single male was drunk ... at all times .... 10am, 4pm, 11pm.
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Old 6 Nov 2016
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Originally Posted by 8340SU View Post
I've read Colebatch description of this adventurous track

I'm sorry for being dull - but where do I find the description?
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  #14  
Old 12 Apr 2017
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Sent recently my applications for border permits to pu.tuva@fsb.ru and pugornyjaltaj@mail.ru.

I got a reply from Altai office on the same day, confirming that they'd got my letter and it would be processed with an approval or refusal in maximum 60 days after receipt. They didn't ask any passport copies.

Tuva office replied the next day, asking me to send passport, visa, migration card copies. I included to the applications passport scans/pics but I didn't have the visas, I am still waiting for it to be done. So I wrote (in Russian) them explaining the current situation. They replied back that the applications are accepted now, and asked me to send the visas in addition when they will be ready. Most of replies came in their morning time (GMT+7)
Last edited by nqa; 12 Apr 2017 at 13:52.
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  #15  
Old 22 Jun 2017
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I love how this thread stays alive!

A bit off topic, but does anyone have a list of email addresses for the FSB departments issuing border permits?

There are email addresses here but it seems to be for port authorities as they only list marine borders. So somewhere there must be a list of email addresses where people here have found the ones for Tuva and Altai... can anyone share a link?

Would appreciate any help,

Cheers

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