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Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
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I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Erling Foshaugen,
Curious kid in the Omo Valley, Ethiopia



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  #31  
Old 13 Mar 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZorroMoto View Post
In Osh south Kyrgyzstan live is as normal as it gets. KG Gov did a new banning on 12 countries just recently for a period of time but this is more ore less focused on fly in passenger which may come directly from the related countries.
The problem for KG businesses like yours is that lots of western countries are locking their citizens down, airlines won't fly virtually empty aeroplanes and (at the moment) Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have closed their land- and air-borders to citizens of many countries (even if they haven't been in their home country for a year or more).

I hope things calm down soon for your and everybody else's sake.

(We had a coffee together in Osh last August when I visited your place).

Last edited by chris; 13 Mar 2020 at 14:37.
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  #32  
Old 14 Mar 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gsadvman View Post
Hi Panny

We (two guys on KTM 790R) are due to leave on 10/4...plan was to go to bottom of Italy and ferry across to Durres and onwards through Greece, Turkey, Georgia , Azerbaijan and ferry across to Turkmenistan then the stans through to China and meet guide to take us along to Laos......the guide has asked if we can postpone till September but thats not possible so we were going to head towards China and if all fails head across Kazakhstan and towards home... now Italy is a problem so we were going to reroute via Croatia to Istanbul but I'm beginning to think this is becoming no longer a pleasure ride and more a case of dodging the bullets.....
We will sit tight for a couple of weeks and see what happens......
Turkey for now also closed it's borders as Ukraïne, seems it get's hard to get out of Europe.
I'm in doubt if I will go ahead with my Stan's trip this year.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/latest-on-c...ntries/1765711
https://ukranews.com/en/news/689816-...rs-for-2-weeks
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  #33  
Old 14 Mar 2020
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A quick update here.
Game over as far as I am concerned.
Poland where I am ( I've been cycling from France and I was due to head east towards Central Asia via Belarus, the Baltic States and Russia ) has decided to close its land borders and has just cancelled all international air and train links to the outside world. It is even unclear whether I can LEAVE the country by road and head back home. I am taking a train to the German border tomorrow and I hope I can cross it ( legally ) on Monday.
Good luck to all !
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  #34  
Old 12 Apr 2020
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Russia Covid-19

Hi
Could anybody help with advise for this situation.
I had left my New Zealand registered vehicle in storage in Russia in October 2019 to travel back to NZ and was planning to fly back to Russia in May 2020 to collect my Lancruiser and cross out of Russia back into the EU Obviously with the disruption to flights I’m not sure when it will be possible to fly back to Russia.

What is longest period could I leave the vehicle in Russia for before I start running into issues with Russian Customs when I get to depart Russia again.

I’m sure there are other travelers with a similar issue?

Keep Safe
Ray
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  #35  
Old 13 Apr 2020
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I'd start with the Russian Embassy in NZ. Obviously lots of people will be in this situation or similar. So far we have heard that Customs are very accommodating. If the country is closed they don't WANT YOU, so it's THEIR decision not to allow you in therefore they should give you an extension as needed.

imho of course...
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  #36  
Old 13 Apr 2020
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Russia border

Hi
Thanks for quick reply!
I will make contact with the Embassy as suggested
Regards
Ray
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  #37  
Old 15 Apr 2020
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Location: Osh / Kyrgyzstan
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Update Kyrgyzstan & Kazachstan

Hi Riders

Here a quick update on the situation in parts of Central Asia.
Kyrgyzstan extended is emergency state from the 15. April to 30. April. But in addition the cure few for the nights are reduced in schedule. Kazachstan is 1.May aiming to find back to normal. In general www.24.kg is a helpfull up to date source for the topic of the thread.

https://24.kg/english/150094_State_o...ally_extended/

https://24.kg/english/150128_Kazakhs...y_until_May_1/

Just for your information, I am also updating at my FB page about our current state which may be an indicator for how it is in South Kyrgyzstan. Due to the rules of Horizon I do not post a direct link here hence could be understood as sales post...
I am also in contact with the Swiss Embassy in Bishkek and will receive updates which I may publish if needed.

Take care and take courage, the season will still come and the mountains and hills in Central Asia are eagerly waiting for some tires to bite the dust!

Regards, Dave
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  #38  
Old 29 Apr 2020
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Arriving in Japan

Its been a couple of weeks now, Japan is closed. This includes the ferries to NKorea and Russia.

https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html

Bummer, have plane tickets to return on 15 May and recover our bikes to continue our RTW. Guess we remain on standby.

Big shoutout to our new friend,Pete, for storing our bikes. Thanks mate.

Chris
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  #39  
Old 29 Apr 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by raycooknz View Post
Hi
Could anybody help with advise for this situation.
I had left my New Zealand registered vehicle in storage in Russia in October 2019 to travel back to NZ and was planning to fly back to Russia in May 2020 to collect my Lancruiser and cross out of Russia back into the EU Obviously with the disruption to flights I’m not sure when it will be possible to fly back to Russia.

What is longest period could I leave the vehicle in Russia for before I start running into issues with Russian Customs when I get to depart Russia again.

I’m sure there are other travelers with a similar issue?

Keep Safe
Ray
Look for the date on the barcoded sticker attached to your cutoms declaration / photocopy of registration document. Most likely 1 year after entering, or the expiry date of your visa.

EO
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  #40  
Old 29 Apr 2020
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On the HU FB group a few days ago a reputable user from this forum posted that Kazakhstan has stopped allowing 30 day visa free travel until at least 01November2020. They're also not issuing visas to anyone apparently.

https://tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_new...antsev-399189/

Getting from anywhere to anywhere in the Stans, Siberia and Mongolia without crossing KZ is tricky.
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  #41  
Old 30 Apr 2020
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Yes, officially here :

https://primeminister.kz/ru/decisions/17042020-220

L.
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  #42  
Old 12 Jun 2020
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News from Belarus : the quarantine requirement for all incoming foreigners was supposedly waived starting yesterday. But one will have to show a valid Covid-free certificate upon entry.

Yesterday I heard on the radio that Russia may reopen at least some of its borders " soon ". I can't get confirmation of this piece of " news ". Does anyone know more ?

I may resume my ride eastwards from Poland in July if the lights turn green

L.
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  #43  
Old 12 Jun 2020
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Borders Opening Up Again

Hi Levelo

This is great news!! If you get any more updates with Russian Borders opening up could you please post a update as Im keen to get back to Russia to relocate my Landcruiser in August

What is the protocol required for a Corona Virus free certificate?

Safe Travels
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  #44  
Old 12 Jun 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eurasiaoverland View Post
Look for the date on the barcoded sticker attached to your cutoms declaration / photocopy of registration document. Most likely 1 year after entering, or the expiry date of your visa.

EO
Thanks EO
yes my vehicle is ok to stay in Russia till 15/09/20 so not sure what will happen if I exit after this date?

Regards
ray
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  #45  
Old 13 Jun 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by raycooknz View Post
Hi Levelo

This is great news!! If you get any more updates with Russian Borders opening up could you please post a update as Im keen to get back to Russia to relocate my Landcruiser in August

What is the protocol required for a Corona Virus free certificate?

Safe Travels
Ray
Hey Ray,

I am in touch with a couple of nice Belarusian fellows, they are keeping me abreast of the new developments east of Schengen.

I will post here when I know more.

The certificate needed to enter Belarus should be done no more than 48 hours before entry. It is not the blood test type, but the " lighter " oral one.
I suppose I could have it done in any of the large Polish towns close to the border.
But first I'll need to reapply for a visa. Not sure if I can get a new one.

My Russian visa is valid for one year, good for a 3 month stay.

Cheers,

L.
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