Travelling in the Middle East/Stans/Russia. Your top tips......

[skipper]

+1 for new notes in russia euro or dollar are good- even the banks will discount your money up to 30% if it is not in perfect condition. And watch your credit card is not cloned.
Also take care filling up at rural stations where they pump to a 5 litre container then let it all go to your tank.
when you apply for a russian visa ask for a double entry its an extra £10 but worth it in case you need to go in and out in the stans.

[exrm193]

Cheers chaps.

Does a Russian visa cover all the Stan's? Or do I need one for sack country?

Ta

[AndyB]

I'd expect them all to be different because I needed separate ones for the three Stans I visited when I was working out there but they were work visas so for a short visit as a tourist you may get away with it.

[Bushman_uk]

You will need a visa for each country you visit

[exrm193]

Buggar!

Anyone know of any firms that would sort out the whole shooting match?

[Bushman_uk]

You could try stantours not had experience with them, but not heard anything bad. Just google the name

[Vavangas]

Thinking of doing the same thing myself, second half 2014. Currently work in Turkmenistan so you'll pass through, I'll buy you a beer. expara so you'll be welcome.

[Schoe000]

Buggar!

Anyone know of any firms that would sort out the whole shooting match?

Yep.... For visas I used www.visitrussia.org.uk/ they where excellent and cheaper than most or the other agencies, they did all my visas for both trips, you can ring them and speak to Marina or Natalie directly (they handle all the visas). It's reassuring to be able to phone them and ask how things are going. I can't praise them enough.

[exrm193]

Cheers Ears

Ref phones....would you say a cheap pay as you go dumb phone is better than my all singing all dancing iphone. I won`t be calling home every day or surfing the net, just wondering if it`s worth leaving the iphone at home??

[chrisuk]

Buggar!

Anyone know of any firms that would sort out the whole shooting match?

Yep.... For visas I used www.visitrussia.org.uk/ they where excellent and cheaper than most or the other agencies, they did all my visas for both trips, you can ring them and speak to Marina or Natalie directly (they handle all the visas). It's reassuring to be able to phone them and ask how things are going. I can't praise them enough.

Definitely DON'T use realrussia.co.uk See http://www.adventurebikerider.com/forum ... aware.html

To the OP: Also lots of advice on your question by asking or searching at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/