Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Northern and Central Asia
Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

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


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



Like Tree2Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 3 Jun 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 53
Crossing into Georgia from Russia.. Please help!!

Greetings,
I am trying to go to Georgia so i can go to Turkey by car. I am planning to cross in Georgia from western border "Sochi" thus avoiding Grozny.
is this border good? and is it open?
are there any other option to cross in Georgia?
Thank you all for the help.
Regards
arun

arun@drivearoundtheworld.net
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 3 Jun 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Moscow
Posts: 86
NO NOT POSSIBLE BY ANY MEANS
there is a country called Abhasia between Russia and Georgia ( very beautiful place by the way Àðõåîëîãèÿ è ýòíîãðàôèÿ Àáõàçèè - kolhida.ru - the Kolhida from Jason and the argonauts ).
this country is in a war with Georgia since 1996. last incident was less then a month ago.
nobody crosses Georgian-Abhazian border near Sukhumi alive for at least 10 years.
thus another tresspass exists in the mountains - but it's totally unofficial and i doubt a foreigner can use it.
the only way from russia to georgia on the ground (from krasnodar region where you are (?) now) is krasnodar-Stavrpol-elista-mahachkala-baku- tbilisi. look here http://www.photoshare.ru/original/ph....ru-981214.jpg
sochi is a dead end if only you're not going by ferry.
Sochi-Trabzon(TR) ferry is the easiest way in your situation. she goes three or four times a week and not very expensive.
sorry you'll miss georgia
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 3 Jun 2008
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
Exactly what Belka said ... The border is closed. There is loose talk of re-opening it somewhere near the end of the year, but it totally wont happen while the Abkhazia pot is as volatile as it is now.

As mentioned above... you will have to drive from Russia to Azerbaijan (via Dagestan) and then cross from Azerbaijan to Georgia. .... After which you will be able to drive to Turkey.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 6 Jun 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 53
Thank you guys

does ferry take cars?
How can I cross in Azerbaijan from Russia?
Thanks a lot.
This is a great help.
regards
arun
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 7 Jun 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Moscow
Posts: 86
ferry does take cars

look for exact route at the link i gave you.
went that way last fall - totally safe but remember to find hotel in central Mahachkala before dark (very important).
the hotel is right opposit VOENKOMAT (military office) in the very center

where r you at the moment? call +7 926 2460066 if lost i'll tell you the way out.

Last edited by motobelka; 8 Jun 2008 at 08:28.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12 Jun 2008
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Gunma, Japan
Posts: 1,104
Ferry to Georgia

Is there not a ferry that goes between
Batumi (Georgia) <-> Poti (Georgia) <-> Sochi (Russia) ??

Ship Mikhail Svetlov (95 passengers/2 autos)
Sails 2 times/week according to this website in Russian Commercial Sea Port of Sochi
My Russian is very poor. Is this correct motobelka?
__________________
Japan touring information
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12 Jun 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Moscow
Posts: 86
arunp please understand there is NO connection between RUS and Georgia.NOT AT ALL. not on the ground not in the sea. at the moment Geo government is hostile to Rus that's the reason. the only way to get to GEO from rus is thru Dagestan and Azeri. m. svetlov goes to Turky. if u r poor at Russian catch any friendly englishspeaking creature and ask for translation
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 14 Jun 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Stavanger, Norway
Posts: 22
Closed

We are in Georgia now on a motorcycle. We went up on the georgian military highway till we reached the russian border. It is closed, writen with big letters: "Border Locked" and there are soldiers quarding it. It's closed for everybody, be it Georgian, Russian or from any other country. Sorry about the bad news. We will head tomorrow into Azerbaidjan and continue east across the Caspian.

Regards
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 14 Jun 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 53
Sochi, Russia

We arrived in Sochi today and most probably will board the ferry to Tarbazon, Turkey tomorrow. Just bought the tickets 15300 rubles.
There is no fixed time but there is a chance it will leave tomorrow.
will update you.
Thanks for all the help, specially Nadia from Moscow.
Best
arun
arun@drivearoundtheworld.net
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 30 Jun 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Timisoara
Posts: 77
Sochi to Trabzon ferry

Hi,

We are leaving tomorrow for a loop around the Black Sea and plan to take the ferry from Schi to Tranzon.

Do you have any updates on the schedule of the ferry?
Which route did you take and how was the road to Sochi? any problems with police or at the border?

Thanks,
Adrian

Quote:
Originally Posted by arunp View Post
We arrived in Sochi today and most probably will board the ferry to Tarbazon, Turkey tomorrow. Just bought the tickets 15300 rubles.
There is no fixed time but there is a chance it will leave tomorrow.
will update you.
Thanks for all the help, specially Nadia from Moscow.
Best
arun
arun@drivearoundtheworld.net
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 30 Jun 2011
strimstrum's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Alcester UK & Idilevo, Bulgaria
Posts: 329
If we want to take the route Dagestan into Azerbaijan then Georgia to Turkey will our Russian multi entry visas be OK to engter Dagastan. I know it is a republic of the Russian Federation but does Dagestan have any borders or travel restrictions/special permits of its own does anyone know ?
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 30 Jun 2011
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Gunma, Japan
Posts: 1,104
Quote:
Originally Posted by strimstrum View Post
If we want to take the route Dagestan into Azerbaijan then Georgia to Turkey will our Russian multi entry visas be OK to engter Dagastan. I know it is a republic of the Russian Federation but does Dagestan have any borders or travel restrictions/special permits of its own does anyone know ?
Is it OK for foreigners to go between Russia and Azerbaijan now? I was reading a travel blog the other day by a Japanese guy traveling by train. He was turned back at the border and had to take a plane. I would imagine the situation is even more strict for operators of private vehicles. One would imagine the international border to be more difficult than the inter-republic border.
__________________
Japan touring information
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 5 Jul 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Moscow
Posts: 86
RUS-AZ border thru Dagestan is for CIS citizens only.
no way a non-CIS person can enter Rus on Caucasis ground.
if you go from Turkey ( Geo or Az or Armenia) ride thru Tegheran and Kaz. if have no time take a Sochi-Trabzon ferry
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 25 Jul 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Timisoara
Posts: 77
Short briefing on our Black Sea Tour 2011

Short briefing on our Black Sea Tour 2011
- I shall cross post this in all the related topics on the Hubb to be seen by as many. If you have questions please ask and I will answer as soon as I can -
In the first 2 weeks of July 2011 we had circumnavigate around the Black Sea (Romania – Moldova - Ukraina – Russia – Turcia – Bulgaria – Romania). That would be around 18 days, 4200 km, 6 countries and 2 ferries.
The only downside of the trip was the fact that for foreigners (non CIS, Russian or Georgian citizens) it is impossible to cross the border from Russia to Georgia.
The only way for foreigners is to take a ferry either from Trabzon in Turkey to Sochi Russia, or the other way around from Sochi to Trabzon. The ferry does not have a clear schedule (it runs according to the information posted on the website of Sochi port once a week) and it’s pretty expensive (2 persons in one cabin without a window and the bike 16.500 Rubles / 650 USD). The phone numbers posted on the site are working and the lady from Kassa 5 (where you buy the ticket) speaks a bit of English.
Note: when you buy the tickets you must have your passport with you and bike registration.
Website of Sochi port: Commercial Sea Port of Sochi
In theory, according to some information I found on here and from various people, it is possible to enter Georgia, from there to enter Abhazia (which is according to Georgia part of their territory) and from Abhazia to cross into Russia since Russia recognise Abhazia as independent country. I also heard that for Abhazia you need visa. We didn’t try it thou.
We didn’t had any problems at the border crossings. Some were slow but you expect that. Entering Ukraine we were not requested to fill the immigration form and we were not asked for it on exit.
At Kerch/Krym Port when you buy the tickets you must have your passport with you and bike registration.
Entering Russia one had to fill the immigration paper (they have a bilingual version also in English which they handed to us on the ferry) and another paper for the temporary import of the bike. Hold well onto that paper since without it your bike shall remain in Russia. At least this is what I understand from the lady making the papers.
We crossed the border at Kerch/Kavkaz by ferry. It was a 90 minutes process on the Russian side, again no problems. The road from the border to Novorossiysk is good. Novorossiysk is a pain to cross due to traffic. From there to Sochi is was hell. Aprox 260 km of 2 lane slow traffic, lots of lorries and POLICE. Lots of them, with cameras. DO NOT CROSS THE WHITE LINE FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. Although we were not stopped it was stressful. From the border to Sochi, 10 hours riding, with 3 brakes for gas and coffee. We arrived there Friday and as luck turns out the ferry was schedule to leave Saturday. Exiting Russia, we were told to be at 6 at the check point. Two hours later, with the border formalities done, we boarded the ferry. The passenger must go with the pedestrians and only the driver/rider remains in the vehicle for border formalities. No problems again. The ferry left after 8 in the evening and arrived on Sunday morning in Trabzon around 8.30. It was Sunday so the Turkish customs guys were not in a hurry. We with the bike were processed the very last after 3 and a half hours. The one with Russian cars paid some bribes. They did not ask any from us.
Note: for Highways in Turkey one must pay. You can buy special cards from petrol stations. The fines are pretty hefty. We did not and all the bells and alarms went of when exiting the highway.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 17 Sep 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Budapest
Posts: 43
Georgia to Russia @ Vladikavkaz

"The only downside of the trip was the fact that for foreigners (non CIS, Russian or Georgian citizens) it is impossible to cross the border from Russia to Georgia."

Thought I thought it was not possible, some of my friends DID CROSS the border from Georgia to Russia about 2 weeks ago. Non CIS residents, not Russians, not Georgians with a simple tourist visa.

I'll talk to them soon so get all the details...


g.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 6 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 6 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

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
Russia - Georgia Border colebatch Europe 50 20 May 2017 10:12
Russia to Georgia? radek Northern and Central Asia 8 2 Jun 2012 19:13
Georgia to Armenia Border crossing DUBAIPETE Trip Paperwork 0 23 Jun 2007 08:50
crossing russia parko Northern and Central Asia 7 7 Mar 2006 08:16
Tourist visas in Jordan, Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Belarus, U gipsy Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 12 22 Oct 2002 18:50

 
 

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

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

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...

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.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

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 travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

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!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



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

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 18:58.