Georgia to Russia Border crossing (Zemo Larsi - Chertov Most)

[steven]

Please read and post reports on the Zemo Larsi / Verkhnij Lars / Chertov Most border crossing between Russia and Georgia below.

We summarize all info on the Georgia border crossings page.

We also have a forum topic for the latest on the security situation in Chechnya and Dagestan.

[ivars]

I was browsing through the site and found the border map, and thought that maybe it could be useful to someone that I posted the info about the current situation on Russia-Georgia border.
That's the point, marked on map as

Zemo Larsi
Very closed. Don't come to close. Don't take pictures. ?????

The correct name would be "Verkhny Lars" and the status is "very open" now.
We crossed it in the end of November by hitch-hiking and bicycle.
It is open for foreigners and easy. They won't let you cross it on foot - must hitch a ride but it is allowed to cycle over.

[steven]

Thank you Ivars! I was not tracking Georgia, but will start adding border crossing pages for the Caucasus in 2015.

Can you tell a bit more about the border crossing? You went Russia - Georgia, right? How were the guards, the road, North Ossetia this time of year? Snow-covered already?

P.s: Zemo Larsi is the Georgian name, Verkhny Lars in Russian.

P.p.s.: Nice blog!

[ivars]

We went Russia-Georgia but i'm very sure that it works both ways.
We went through North-Ossetia on 22nd and 23rd November and those were the first days of snow.
In Beslan we hitched a ride that was going over to Georgia so we didn't have to worry about how are we going over anymore. Border guards were friendly on both sides. Russians took a look at our bags and faces and we were through there in about 15min time. Then the Georgian side, all shiny, modern, with a nice and warm passport control building with wi-fi and stuff. We went through that in a flash. Staff was very nice.
Our friend with bicycle also didn't encounter any problems.

On the Georgian side, going further over the mountains, the amounts of snow increased dramatically. The snow was falling constantly starting from 24th afternoon until we finally crossed the mountains in 25th afternoon. We were lucky to get a ride for both us and the bicycle from a small settlement Kobi to and over the Jvari pass because that day it would been near impossible to cycle there.

[John]

Hi I am after recent security update for the Georgia into Russia Border crossing using the military highway. In particular the situation on the Russian side. Thanks

[steven]

Hi John,

AFAIK all is normal there since some time. What made you think otherwise?

[roro]

Hi,

I've done it late November without any problem (with my car).

RR.

[John]

Thanks just the Foreign and Commonwealth advice about the Russian side of the Border.

[John]

Hi RR was your car UK registered ?

[roro]

No, I'm french, sorry.

But I don't think that UK car could be a problem....

RR.