Hi, have you done this trip in 2016?

I'm specially interested by crossing border AZ/RUSSIA then driving across Daghestan to Astrakhan.

Thanks for by our reply.

RR.

Yes, I done my trip in Caucasus in June 2016.
No problem in the border from Azerb. to Russia; no problem in Daghestan, no problem in Cecenia (for me).

We went from Georgia to Astrakhan in July 2016. No problems at all. In fact North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Chechnya and Dagestan were all quite pleasant. People were friendly and helpful everywhere we went.
There were a lot of police checkpoints along the way, but they seemed to only stop local trucks and busses. They never bothered us.

Thanks a lot for these quick reply.

I'm happy to know you have crossed Az/RUSSIA, then Daghestan without any problem.
I'm planning to do that trip with my own car spring 2017, I suppose you've done it with your bikes.
Have you made bivouacs or sleep in hôtels.

RR.

With my motorbike, Honda Gold Wing 1500.
I always slept in the hotel.

Thanks again,

RR.

We wild camped.
So you have options :thumbup1:

Hi DuibceK,

Thanks for your reply, happy to know that.
Can you tell me when you do wild camping? And where in Daghestan (not the GPS point, but near which road?).
What is your opinion about general safety for tourist in Daghestan?

RR.

Another expereriences about Daghestan?
RR.

Dagestan is absolutely wonderful, friendly, fascinating and beautiful. I've visited three times and I highly recommend it, especially the mountains. There were some security issues in coastal regions in the past, but it has greatly improved in the last few years following security operations in the North Caucasus around the Sochi Olympics, and a general exodus of jihadists towards Syria.

Have a look here:

https://eurasiaoverland.com/2010/06/03/20ii/

EO

Thanks a lot for this reply, hoping that terrorist don't come back from Syria soon!
Have you crossed AZ/RUSSIA and Az/Iran borders and when?
And with which vehicle?
My plan is to do that route next spring.
RR.

Sorry, I didn't check your site before my reply.....

In Dagestan we camped a bit north of Kizljar, on a grass field near a dirt road off the E119.

I'm with Eurasiaoverland on this. People were super friendly, seemed happy to see western tourists and a few came to talk to us whenever we stopped somewhere. The usual questions: where are you from? how much is your bike? Why on earth did you come to this shit-hole? :rofl:

The lady running the shop where we got our provisions for that night didn't want to take our money at first. At least not until we grabbed even more food and then told her she couldn't possibly let us go with all that stuff without paying for it. She clearly appreciated the gesture.

Hi RR

In 2015 I drove from Azerbaijan into Russia at the Samur / Yarag-Kazmalyar border crossing (on the M29). Totally normal border crossing. I have not yet written this up on my website.

I have crossed Azerbaijan - Iran in 2010 at Astara / Astara, and in 2014 at Julfa / Jolfa. You can also cross at Bilehsuvar, though I have not personally done this.

Good luck,

EO

Thanks EO and Duibhcek for your reports, sounds good:thumbup1:

RR.