Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Iran????

Clunegapyears

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OK so a very loose thought at the moment… We will be in Greece from October to Christmas. Planning to head into Turkey afterwards. Seems silly to miss out some other countries as they are so close. So have been thinking about the countries in the title.

Came across some hurdles looking at the government travel advice. It appears that:
- In Iran you can only get a Visa if you are sponsored.
– In Azerbaijan you need to have a left-hand drive vehicle. Ours is right hand drive.

Has anyone been?
How did you get around these obstacles?
Any advice?
Guidance?
Or are we mad????
 
Can’t answer any of your questions but those are some of the countries I’d love to have visited in a motorhome.

Hope it happens.

Pat
 
Have a look at a website called “Horizons Unlimited”. Not specifically for motorhomers but there is lots of information about travel worldwide. Lots of interesting blogs from motorcyclists who have done really long distance journeys and the problems encountered on route.
 
Saxonburg beat me to it Horizons unlimited or Advrider are sites geared to motorcycles but plenty of up to date info on all the countries and users personal experiences

As an avid follower I would make the following observations

Iran visas are granted for 72 hours access to enter and exit in other words a transitional passage. By all accounts the government policy might not seem that friendly but the people very welcoming and courteous to their visitors

BOrder crossings can take an eon with red tape checking

From a practical standpoint fuel quality seems a universal issue , SO additional filters sometimes seem a wise investment. You buy insurance at the border and often use a handler plenty of recommendations there unscrupulous characters involved

Lastly you need a personal chef for such a trip, I know a lad in West Yorks that can help :D

Finally a breath of fresh air putting the wild back in wildcamping

Channa
 
ian81 said:
We visited Georgia and Armenia in 2014 for about 5 weeks and had a great time and would love to go back!!

Our account is online at MagBaz Travels - The Manzies in Georgia & Armenia

Feel free to pose any questions that may arise from that.
Click to expand...


Thank you for this. Have just read it. Has fired me with even more enthusiasm. I’m sure when I start planning properly I will have more questions. Some of the initial ones are
- availability of ATMs. Or did you take cash if so which currency
- sounds like it was a relatively last minute decision to go. I know visas are not needed for either Georgia or Armenia, but what about vehicle insurance? Is this what you did on the border?
- How easy was it to find water and diesel?
I’ve just downloaded the open source map maps.me for Georgia and this looks quite comprehensive. Presume it will be the same for Armenia.
Thanks so much.
 
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Just looked at horizonsunlimited. There is limited information on Georgia and Armenia. And few points on an interactive map, some accessible only by four-wheel-drive or bike. Some of the entry information dates back to 2004.
Will spend a bit more time on it later to see if I missed info.
Thanks for tip though ... useful for other countries.
 
Fantastic, adventurous! You'd have to be careful to avoid some of the more unstable parts of the region in Chechnya, Dagestan and North Ossettia.

Russia travel advice - GOV.UK

I've been following the Vlog of a Dutch bloke who has been travelling around the 'stans in an old Russian van, he's in Pakistan at the moment. Lots of detail in his videos in terms of visas and practical issues:

YouTube

I had no problems finding ATMs 4 years ago in Russia, even in small towns out in the sticks there is usually at ATM at a petrol station or inside the local shop - look for signs for a 6AHKOMAT (bankomat). You do become increasingly adept at translating cyrillic lettering into Roman.

Iran looks like a real gem. I met a young Swiss couple in Turkey who were going east, intent on looping around the Caspian Sea before heading back to Europe. In a VW T2.5.

Hope you manage to make the trip happen, will be following with interest! :)
 
- availability of ATMs. We changed €500 into local at the border with Georgia and used credit cards to the tune of £500 for a toal of 31 days (24 Georgia). As I recall ATM's and cards widely available / used.
- but what about vehicle insurance? Is this what you did on the border? Yes in Georgia with a broker but we could have arranged prior to entry. It wasnt mandatory! Armenia you need(ed) to buy their local insurance at the border
- How easy was it to find water and diesel? No problems with either.

Georgia is definitely more western and easier to negotiate -good English etc. Armenia is more rooted in the Soviet era and less English more Russian although we sensed that was changing.

We would love to go back and do both Azerbaijan and Iran. In the case of the former RHD can be temporarily imported as a tourist. Whilst we would love to do Iran I feel that the Stans are a more realistic option.

In searching for info beware of much that is second or third hand on the web and often posted years ago: things are changing!
 
Had to wait at border for 3 days to enter Iran then when visa came it only allowed 24 hrs until we had to leave
 
Do you think this would fool them
30F16868-EC47-40F2-A7C8-DBC2789611F3.jpg
Both of you sit in the front and see if you get away with it
Post on here which prison you want the cake with a file in sent to
 
witzend said:
Had to wait at border for 3 days to enter Iran then when visa came it only allowed 24 hrs until we had to leave
Click to expand...

Heard similar and what I was referring too re transiting visas, a source of amusement to those on RTW trips,

Channa
 
mark61 said:
What a great trip.
Short notice, it's the Horizons board meet this coming weekend. Well worth going to, last one I was at there was a few companies organising 4x4 own vehicle trips over that way. Usually offer a lot even if you have no intention of going on their trip.

Would have gone to HUBB meet, but going to Germany this weekend.

https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/hu-travellers-meetings-uk/hubb-uk-2019-june-13-a-95323
Click to expand...

Thanks, but in Corsica at the moment ... 🌞 I did suggest to OH yesterday ... should we get an overlander ... a slightly withering look was my reply!
 
Yesterday I emailed the Azerbaijan consulate about the right-hand drive and Iran about a tourist visa without sponsorship. See what we get back from them.
Sitting on a boarder for three days for one day Visa entry isn’t my idea of fun. These short visas are for transit through.
We have plenty of time but I’ll keep you posted on what we find out and what we discover. If it all becomes too difficult it may not happen but I think certainly Georgia and Armenia are good to go.
 
Well here is a country that does want visitors. Below is the email I just received from the Armenian consul. How warm and welcoming is this?

Copied...
First of all allow us to say – welcome to Armenia! And regarding your request we think you are all set to visit our country, if your pets have all required papers for EU. You really don’t need visas and for insurance also no problem – there are international and local bank branches could provide to you good service. But in case I’m going to ask our colleagues to check everything and shall come with answers very soon. By the way, when you’re planning to go there?

Your question : Any entry or exit requirements that we should take into account for them?
Give sunshine smile to customs – they really need it.
 
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