Advice sought for Iran-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Armenia

[ed9489]

Hey everyone,

I'm setting off on a trip in a few weeks and would appreciate any nuggets of wisdom you may have for me. I'll be taking a total of just under 8 weeks for this trip but it still doesn't seem like enough time to see everything I want to see.

On arrival in Iran I'll buy a CG125 clone or Chinese 200cc Enduro (I know people have had problems with buying bikes in Iran but I have a well-connected friend who assures me they can make it happen), something cheap enough to dump if it breaks down or I get into border trouble.

The route is laid out as follows - some of the weird stops are because I'm trying to keep to a 150km/day average so I have time to enjoy myself. Most stops will be a couple of days to explore the surrounds so I'll take it very slowly. I'll be stringing up a hammock wherever possible and have already earmarked potential sleeping points along the way to break up the longer trips.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has been through the same areas (or would like to join in).

Shiraz
Shahreza via Zagros Mountains
Kashan
Abyaneh
Qom
Tehran
Alamut Valley
Rasht
Astara

Into Azerbaijan: (I have been told that despite the three-day vehicle limit, at worst I can pay duty which shouldn't be a problem if I'm riding a Nami, TVS or Lifan worth a few hundred dollars with a receipt to prove it)

Baku
Xinaluq (Vitally important to find out if I can ride the Xinaluq-Lahic pass or have to go back through Baku)
Lahic
Saki

Into Georgia via Kakheti:
Tusheti
Tbilisi
Possibly up to Kazbegi
Tbilisi
Gori
Tshkinvali if permitted

Into Armenia:
Dilijan
Yerevan
Goris

Into Nagorno-Karabakh:
Agdam if permitted
Matuni

Into Armenia:
Yerevan

Fly from Yerevan to Beirut for a well deserved holiday from the holiday.