Georgia-Armenia-Iran

[scalpo]

Someone has traveled in these areas and across the borders of these countries recently? Have you had any problems? I know there is some bad situation between Armenia and Azerbajian....

[eurasiaoverland]

Azerbaijan - Armenia border has been closed since 1992, there was a war until 1994 and since then a tense cease-fire line which cannot be crossed.

Armenia - Turkey border is also closed since 1993.

Georgia - Armenia border is open at three crossing points.

Georgia - Azerbaijan border is open at two crossing points.

Turkey - Azerbaijan (Nakhchivan) is open at one crossing point.

Georgia - Russia is open at one point (officially, unofficially you can also go via Abkhazia)

Armenia - Iran is open at one crossing point.

Azerbaijan - Iran is open at three crossing points.

Azerbaijan - Russia is open at one crossing point.

I have crossed all these (open) borders with the exception of Azerbaijan - Russia, without major problems.

[scalpo]

Thanks Eurasiaoverland, I dont need to cross Armenia and Azerbajian, but lookin on map, there is just one road to drive in Armenia to arrive at Iran border, and I've seen it's very close to the Azerbajian border! Last news say there is a little bit of chaos!!!

[Keith1954]

scalpo - I crossed the Norduz (Iranian) – Agarak (Armenian) border on Sunday, 29th June this year (2014).

The secondary road from the border down to the city of Tabriz takes you through some sensational vistas. Highly recommended!

No choas whatsoever. Back then it was a remarkably quiet border crossing.

best

Keith
.

[eurasiaoverland]

OK, you need to read a bit more about the situation in the South Caucasus

The road down to Meghri passes close to what is de jure Azerbaijan. However, de facto it is under the control of the 'Government of Nagorno Karabakh', even though the area immediately east of the border is part of a thin strip of land known as the Lachin Corridor which is not technically part of Nagorno Karabakh.

Anyhow, this 'border' is not demarcated or controlled except at one highway crossing (Goris - Stepanakert Highway). I actually crossed this imaginary line three times in remote places where there was nobody at all.

In other words, you don't need to worry about it.

The troubled area is at the frontline between the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and Azerbaijan proper. There is also a demarcated Armenia - Azerbaijan border further north beyond Lake Sevan. You should not approach these borders. However, staying on main highways you will not get too close, and will be safe.

The South Caucasus are really a region where it is useful to know a bit about current affairs before you leave.

[Travelbug]

Originally Posted by scalpo

Last news say there is a little bit of chaos!!!

The "news" is not a good source of information for travelers.

I've driven these roads three times in the last ten years, most recently in October 2014: Along the ISIS front from Grozny via Erbil & Kobane to Kilis

The most "dangerous" thing in ALL of the Caucasus, and in particular in Armenia, is the undisciplined drivers. Prepare to see some fresh accidents with dead bodies, and even chopped off heads (crashing in the back of lorries seems a sport there.)

[eurasiaoverland]

Originally Posted by Travelbug

The "news" is not a good source of information for travelers.

I've driven these roads three times in the last ten years, most recently in October 2014: Along the ISIS front from Grozny via Erbil & Kobane to Kilis

The most "dangerous" thing in ALL of the Caucasus, and in particular in Armenia, is the undisciplined drivers. Prepare to see some fresh accidents with dead bodies, and even chopped off heads (crashing in the back of lorries seems a sport there.)

There was an escalation in tensions this August with several dozen Azeri soldiers dead, and then earlier this month a helicopter was shot down. But the conflict can never really heat up because Russia is there to protect Armenia, and no sensible person attacks Russia

Regards car accidents... Iran is the best place after perhaps India I would say. Freshly dead bodies lying on the road etc. Iranians are such incredibly bad drivers it seems they actually like crashing cars. I watched one guy steer straight into a small car rolling out of a side road, T-boning it at high speed with catastrophic consequences, maybe 200 m ahead of me....

If you do see an accident, don;t stop and get involved (unless it is a really remote place where nobody else will come along)

[scalpo]

I really thank all you to help me on my organization!!! I hope to can do the same for you in a future!!!!

[ilesmark]

Originally Posted by eurasiaoverland

Regards car accidents... Iran is the best place after perhaps India I would say. Freshly dead bodies lying on the road etc. Iranians are such incredibly bad drivers it seems they actually like crashing cars. I watched one guy steer straight into a small car rolling out of a side road, T-boning it at high speed with catastrophic consequences, maybe 200 m ahead of me....

Unfortunately you're right. When I was there in 1999, it looked to me like the Iranians were just as bad as the Indians, but with the better roads in Iran they could get up enough speed to do some serious damage. Don't remember it being so bad in 2007, though.

There was even a banger racing circut in Teheran and I couldn't help laughing at the irony of charging people to watch a load of beat-up old Paykans charging around at high speed when they could stand on any street corner in Teheran and watch it for free!

[ShaneBaby]

Great post thanks, Question I assume there is a useable land border Between Iran and Georgia too?

[eurasiaoverland]

Originally Posted by ShaneBaby

Great post thanks, Question I assume there is a useable land border Between Iran and Georgia too?

Have a look at a map and then re-think that question