Let me preface this post by saying thank-you for everyone's advice so far... this trip is (soft of) shaping up. However, I hit a big hurdle this week when it came to get a Russian visa as I had assumed I'd be able to get a multi-entry visa based on other's trip reports.

I'm a Canadian citizen planning a trip for June, July, and August this year. The goal of my trip is to drive my own vehicle from Europe (Norway) to Vladivostok, Russia (or the reverse direction if it is easier) and passing through the 'Stans (my goal here is Kyrgyzstan) and Mongolia. (Crazy? probably.... )

My ideal route involves entering and exiting Russia 3 times over the course of 3 months. The three crossings would be (if going from europe to vladivostok) once from northern Norway through Russia to get to Kazakhstan, from Kazakhstan through Russia to get to Mongolia, and from Mongolia through Russia to get to Vladivostok where I can ship the car home and fly home.

Unfortunately, I have yet to find an agency that can help me get a multi-entry visa. I was wondering if a) anybody can recommend an agency that might help me or b)if anyone has any suggestions how how I can do this same trip with a double-entry visa.

Here are some alternate plans I have been suggested:

1) Try for a 30 day double-entry visa and then apply for a transit visa in Ulan Batar to get to my plane in Vlad - but the uncertainty of not being able to get this visa and thus having to abandon my car (the port to ship home is in Vladivostok) makes me nervous.

2) Try for a double-entry visa and start in Vladivostok instead of Europe. Then find a way to get to Europe from the 'Stans without needing to pass through Russia a 3rd time. The issue with this is that customs clearance for my vehicle might eat up a lot of the 30 days allotted for the tourist visa. - I've emailed Yuri about this process...

3) Try for a double-entry visa and start in Europe, but find a a way to the 'Stans without passing through Russia. Then use the 2 entries to get to Mongolia and Vladivostok. If I can (magically) stay on track with timing... this would give me almost 30 days to see Russia and Mongolia. Perhaps this is a good option.

Thank-you in advance for any advice you might have .

-Michael