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Georgian Military Highway open? Georgian Military Highway open?
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  #1  
Old 5 Apr 2006
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Georgian Military Highway open?
Hello

my wife and I plan another trip to Russia and the southern Caucasus.
Does anyone know if it is possible to cross from Vladikavkas in Russia to Tblisi Georgia?

Is the Georgian Military Highway open or do we have to look for alternatives.
Infos welcome

Goetz

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  #2  
Old 5 Apr 2006
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Look for alternatives! (for istance, ferry boat Sochi - Trabzon, and then back to Georgia).

North of Georgia and Russian territory close to the border (Checenia, Ingushetia, Daghestan) are EXTREMELY dangerous!
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  #3  
Old 5 Apr 2006
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When we were in that area last summer, the border crossing was closed to foreigners, only Georgians and Russians are allowed passage.

To my knowledge, all the land borders in the Caucasus between Georgia, Azerbaijan and Russia are closed to foreigners. I believe the only way is the ship option from either Georgia or Turkey.

The Georgia Military Highway is worth a ride if you make it into Georgia, a bad potholed road, but stunning scenery!

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  #4  
Old 5 Apr 2006
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The border is open for russians and geogians only. I have been there. It`s hard and beautiful road.

Alex
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  #5  
Old 10 Apr 2006
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Question Georgian Military Highway
hi all
thanx for the replies.

pietro: Whay do you say EXTREMLY dangerous? Or is it a certain place where exremly starts?

david: Where exactly have you been in that area, e.g. did you go up to the border?
Btw, right, scenery in Georgia is stunnig we have been up to Kazbegi in 2004.

alex: how old is your infortmation? And would you agree with pietro that it is extremly dangerous to go there?

Goetz
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  #6  
Old 11 Apr 2006
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Georgia military HWY (GMH)
Hi, I have been there in september `03. It was a first foreigner journey by motorcycle there after ussr was divided. I met a german cyclist in Vladikavkaz. He was robed and beaten. In that moment I felt a shame. I had not any troubles at the border and did not pay any fees. Check this website http://www.biker.ge They are situated in Tbilisi. I believe some of them speak english.
Alex
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  #7  
Old 11 Apr 2006
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I have been in Georgia on motorcycle in September 2003. You can find some more detail on:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/cou...stan-italy.php

Anyway, in short, in several areas of the countries serious safety problems do exist: border areas to Chechnya, South Ossetia, the separatist region of Abkhazia and the areas around. In all these areas kidnapping of foreigners happened indeed, especially foreign aid workers belonging to UN and EU.

High risk of being target of robbery exist in Svanezia. Lately Tbilisi as well is became quite tricky for tourist, especially during the night.

I am sorry to say that because the country is beautiful and the people friendly. You can find in my report mentioned above a short description of a wonderful itinerary between Armenia and Georgia, close to the Turkish border. In Tbilisi, we met Levan Roinishvili, chairperson of the Georgian Biker club mentioned by Alex. You find his contacts in my report. You can contact also Kevin Cain we met there also, a British guy who lives there for years and owns a GS Adventure. You find his email on the Georgian Community on this web. (If you hear from them, please say Hi on my behalf!)

Finally, my advice is “go for it”, but very carefully.
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  #8  
Old 13 Apr 2006
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Gmh
Georgian military hwy is a really dangerous road. The people in roadside villages are not so friendly. They can throw an apple or a stone to you. I have gone through this. The South Osetia region is a military zone. I have driven non-stop from russian border via Kazbegi to Krestoviy pass. It is not so good idea to stop at osetian village and make a photos. When I left osetian region and appeared on a tbilisi-batumi hwy I allowed a rest for myself. At Borjomi I met a hospitable people who gave me a shelter and meals. Next day I had a rest in beautiful Barjomi. After that I have gone to the Turkey border. My way have run to Jordan via Syria.
GMH have been my second trying to get in Georgia. In a first time I have tried to take a road through Abhasia. But I was stopped by abhasian militaryes near georgian border and was turned back. All the people I met at the georgian border was saying me "Do not go there!" "You will not come back!" But I did not listen anyone and I was right. Try to do it and if you will not succeed, try a ferry method (Sochi-Batumi). It is an expensive but a simple and safe route to Georgia.
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Old 17 Apr 2006
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Goetz, we were there last July and only went as far as Kazbegi. But Kazbegi is very close to the border. We found the folks to be pretty friendly to us, but they may feel differently about Russians. At the time we went through, the GMH seemed to be one of the only safe areas in the north of Georgia. In the nearby valleys things were a bit sketchy, however. I think if you are on the highway you should be ok, but remember that things change quickly in Georgia.
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  #10  
Old 17 Apr 2006
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Gmh
I have hidden the number plate when I was driving on GMH. Nobody knew where I was from. The people have seen an unusual motorcycle only. At the border I heard "hello!". However all the people there could speak russian. I think it will be better to reach Krestoviy pass from the side of Tbilisi.
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