Caravanistan

I'm currently in Batumi now and am thinking about going to Trabzon for a few days. I know I'll need a visa, which is no biggie. However, I'd like to not take the bus and get my own car. The rental car companies on the Georgian side won't let me rent a car. Has anyone here crossed over on foot and th...

Re-exhuming this thread for a quick question around the FRU airport taxi scene: I will need to go from there to the Eastern Bus Station. All of what my Russian can say is "vostochnyy avtovokzal pozhaulysta" or whatever the correct write-up is. I take it as an almost given that I'll be somewhat scam...

To make things more clear (published an hour ago) AKIPRESS.COM - Tourists with a negative PCR test for coronavirus can enter the Kyrgyz Republic, the nation-wide operative team for coronavirus containment reported on June 2. According to the current coronavirus response protocol, foreign citizens, ...

Perhaps a bit tangential to the thread, so if so, please feel free to remove/move elsewhere: I am going to Yerevan from Bishkek via Moscow. Any recs on which lab to use for a PCR and how quick the results came back? My Russian is so-so; not fluent by a long shot but am able to communicate some.

I am not sure of the exact definition of Alay valley, but the skirmishes are in the Batken area, which is a mountain range away from the part between daroot korgon and sary tash. Also, keep in mind that the'l 'Pamir border' is much higher and far less suitable for fighting. The population it that p...

Hello--

'Quick question: Tentatively planning to be in Kyrgyzstan in August. Is it the correct assumption that the Alay Valley is a bit of no-go right now because of border skirmishes? I'm not exactly certain how extensive the fighting is and/or where exactly to avoid. Thanks for any info.

Kazakhstan has suspended all visa-free travel until 1st November 2020 https://primeminister.kz/ru/decisions/17042020-220 It says it covers entries and exits, so I don't know what that means for people who arrived visa-free and then got stuck when the borders closed. Is it safe to assume they're doi...

Christian has some good points. I think it is going to take a LONG time before things get back to " normal " and the dust eventually clears. I hope I'll be proven wrong, but that's what I fear. The main issue in the long run for us who can afford to travel in economically undeveloped countries ( fo...

Selfishly, I hope this will ease off come late June, but I'm not holding my breath. Would folks here cancel reservations yet for summer or wait for a while? I'm tempted to wait it out, but am obviously concerned.

Hi again everyone. This came through the US embassy this morning. Seems the government has loosened up on some of the countries previously mentioned: https://kz.usembassy.gov/health-alert-u ... y-19-2020/

So, not horrible--at least for now.