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Russia to Georgia. Is anybody going this way via ? Russia to Georgia. Is anybody going this way via ?
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  #1  
Old 22 Jan 2013
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Russia to Georgia. Is anybody going this way via ?
Hi All,

I've been following the UK FCO website and they aren't recommending the route between Russia and Georgia via Verkhny Lars even though the border is open.

Has anybody been through this area recently? Is it worth the risk?

Is there another option? A ferry has been suggested instead from Sochi to Batumi. Has anybody taken this route?

BATUMI Travel Information - GEORGIA TRAVEL GUIDE - Budget hotels in Batumi, travel by train from Batumi to Kutaisi, ferry boat Batumi - Sochi (Russia), ferries to Odessa

Jon

Quote from FCO website

You should also not attempt to enter or leave Georgia via the land borders with the Russian Federation (i.e. Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia). We advise against travel to these areas of Russia (please see our Russia Travel Advice for more information). The border crossing between Russia and Georgia has reopened at Verkhny Lars for those holding a valid Russian entry-exit visa and valid passport. Russian visas are not available at the checkpoint.

Georgia travel advice
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  #2  
Old 22 Jan 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stephen.stallebrass View Post
I successfully crossed the Kazbegi border on the 1 August 2012, it's quick, easy and very efficient. I even got a photo of one of the border guards posing with the bike before I was told "NO PICTURES!" Don't bother with the expensive and time consuming Trabzon-Sochi Ferry. Kazbegi is beautiful, don't bother booking accommodation, just turn up in the square and someone will off you a homestay.
Lots of people have since used this crossing.

Georgia Military Highway � Adventure Vagabond
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  #3  
Old 27 Jan 2013
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Lol for a sec thought this was our ride. We crossed that border around the same time. No problems & the Georgian military highway is stunning. A bit lumpy but amazing scenery.
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Old 27 Jan 2013
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Stephen / All

What about going the other way, entering Georgia via Russia.

Would you have any problems when leaving Georgia to Turkey for example? Would it been seen as you entered Georgia illegally by the Georgian's?

Thanks for any advise.
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  #5  
Old 27 Jan 2013
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Shouldn't be a problem, Georgia is visa on arrival as is Turkey. We went in and out of Georgia to go to Armenia, no issues.
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Old 3 Feb 2013
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niel
Have you been on the highway... Is there a hard surface.? I have travelled on very bad roads but dirt tracks are no good two up on goldwing,
I hope to travel from Tbilisi to Vladikavkaz and then north to Volgograd.
Information would be most appreciated.
John
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Old 3 Feb 2013
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niel
Have you been on the highway... Is there a hard surface.? I have travelled on very bad roads but dirt tracks are no good two up on goldwing,
I hope to travel from Tbilisi to Vladikavkaz and then north to Volgograd.
Information would be most appreciated.
John
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  #8  
Old 7 Feb 2013
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Verkhny Lars is open since last year.


Easy to cross, coming from Georgia just 3/4 km. of soft surface before Kazbegi. I did it with a BMW R 1150 RT, so anyone can do it
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  #9  
Old 12 Feb 2013
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I am in Gudauri right now. It is just south of the Kazbagi Crossing. The roads here are broken pavement and many times resemble a gravel road. AKA very nice adventure roads. The mountains are beautiful. Watch out for the drivers in Georgia though. they don't see bikes very well. In a country of 4.5M... there are only 1000 registered bikes.
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  #10  
Old 27 Feb 2013
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Let us now how the border crossing goes.
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  #11  
Old 27 Feb 2013
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Originally Posted by BigO View Post
Let us now how the border crossing goes.
Sorry to mislead. I won't be going into Russia at this crossing.
I will be going into Azerbaijan and the Stans. I'm in Gudauri to ski and do maintenance on the moto while waiting for the snow to melt in Siberia.
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Old 27 Feb 2013
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The georgian military highway is really cracked up and cratered. Most of it is relatively solid just really bumpy and the going will be slow. Giant tour buses travel this way & most of the bad parts are wide. the side roads into one of the valleys are more like gravel & dirt leading to cliffside dirt & mud with water flowing.
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  #13  
Old 5 Mar 2013
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We did the crossing at Kazbegi borders last year (from Russia to Georgia).
No problem at all! This same period two French friends did the opposite direction with no problems.
The place is really beautiful but the road is more like an enduro track! this is for almost 15 klm. We did not have serious problems with the bikes (Honda Varadero, Suzuki Vstrom) but you must cross it during the daylight!
Regards
Aris
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Old 1 Apr 2013
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russia to georgia
Thanks for the information.was not able to get visas in time last year. Will be travelling to Ukraine Russia and then Georgia this year. Will let you know how I get on. John
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  #15  
Old 21 Jul 2013
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Elista to Vladikavkaz
I am in Volgograd and will be heading south towards Georgia tomorrow.
Does anyone have experience of the direct route south from Elista to Vladikavkaz.

Google suggests a good road. My zumo is useless. I didn't buy the £75 Russian maps option.
.. My maps show a swamp area with narrow roads.
I know I can travel southwest no problem.

I will let all know about Georgian military highway!
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