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Pictures of our trip to Nagorno-Karabakh
- From July 9 to 17, 2013 Armenia - Stepanakert - Gandzasar - Martakert - Tigranakert - Tnjri - Shoushi - Armenia
 
before:
Armenia Part 1 July 2 to 9, 2013: Georgia Border - Akhtala - Haghpat - Dilijan - Lake Sevan - Selim - Arates - Nagorno-Karabakh
Georgia Part 2a June 24 to July 2, 2013: Azerbaijan Border - Tbilisi - Armenia Border
Azerbaijan June 13 to 24, 2013: Georgia Border - Balakən - Şəki - Lahıç - Baku - Xınalıq - Quba - Laza - Baku - Gəncə - Georgia Border
Georgia Part 1 June 4 to 13, 2013: Turkey Border - Ajaria - Tbilisi - Kakheti - Azerbaijan Border
Turkey May 28 to June 4, 2013: Iran Border - Esendere - Hakkari - Van - Doğubayazıt - Kars - Ardahan - Hopa - Georgia Border
afterwards in the Caucasus:
Armenia Part 2 July 19 to 22, 2013: Nagorno-Karabakh - Goris - Tatev - Noravank - Khor Virap - Echmiadzin - Geghard - Gyumri - Georgia
Georgia Part 2b July 22 to 31, 2013: Armenia Border - Ninotsminda - Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Kazbegi - Kutaisi - Zugdidi
Georgia Part 3a – July 31 to August 5, 2013 - Zugdidi - Swaneti - Zugdidi - Abkhazia Border
Abkhazia August 5 to 13, 2013: Georgia - Sukhumi - Tsebelda - Novyy Aton - Lake Ritsa - Gagra - Pitsunda - Georgia
Georgia Part 3b – August 13 to 15, 2013 - Abkhazia Border - Poti - Ferry to Ilyichevsk/Ukraine
 
 
Nagorno-Karabakh Map
 
Mid-East Map          Caucasus Map
 
latest picture: July 15, 2013
  • click a picture to see details

  
Remarks to Nagorno-Karabakh:
 
Nagorno-Karabakh belongs to the so-called “countries with limited recognition”, like e.g. Abkhazia, Kosovo, Northern Cyprus, Palestine, Somaliland, South Ossetia, Taiwan, Transnistria, Western Sahara, Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk. All are either “claimed” or “occupied” from another country.
 
Hence Nagorno-Karabakh is claimed by Azerbaijan, but declared 1992 its independence and is supported herein by Armenia. That means for tourists that they – with the exception of just a few – cannot expect much assistance from their home country if something went wrong. Azerbaijan forbids any visit of – in their view – its defected province of Nagorno-Karabakh. However it can be visited from the Armenian side without any problem. The border from Nagorno Karabakh to Iran is closed.
 
 
 
 
 
 
001  Coming from Armenia a sign shows
in Armenian, English, Russian and French
that we are now entering the self proclaimed
Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is
not recognized by the international
community .....
002  ..... it is situated behind these
mountain ridges. Internationally it is
recognized as a part of Azerbaijan despite
that ethnically the people are more Armenia
related. Both are Christians (Armenia
 Apostolic Church), while Azerbaijan’s
majority adheres to Shia Islam
003  Nagorno-Karabakh has an own flag
and passports, but neither own license plates
nor its own money. They have adopted both
from Armenia that was supporting them
during the several secession wars from
Azerbaijan between 1988 and 1994
“We are not able to offer you any consular assistance in Nagorno Karabakh as this country is not recognized internationally.“ These are the unambiguous words of our consulate in Tbilisi in Georgia. Despite of this clear statement, on July 9th, 2013, we are on our way to this on September 2nd, 1991, self declared independent state, which is still claimed by Azerbaijan. During our almost 29 years of traveling, we luckily never needed to bother a Swiss representative. Thus we hope that also in our 176th country luck won’t abandon us.
 
 
 
 
 
 
004  The pyramid shaped “entrance
monument” of Nagorno-Karabakh between
border sign and border post. Actually the
monument is located on Azerbaijan
territory, because Nagorno-Karabakh
starts only after the village of Berdzor
005  After the checkpoint on the
Aghavno River the nice little church of
Berdzor in a hilly setting is one of our first
pictures on the 25 miles long mountain road
to the country’s capital Stepanakert
006  Stepanakert, the capital with its
60'000 people lies on 2’670 ft. and is
surrounded by forest, pasture, hills and
mountains. It’s clean and makes a
European like impression
Already before the border post, a sign with the letters “Republic of Mountainous Karabakh” appears. It is written in Armenian, English, Russian and French and reminds us that we are entering new land. Shotly afterwards, a modest building already marks the border of the self declared country of Nagorno Karabakh. Its new flag is fluttering in the wind. At the only window we submit our passeports, but get no stamp. Merely our personal data is noted. Giving us the address of its Ministry of Foreign Affaires in the 25 miles distant capital Stepanakert, we are asked to apply there for a visa. “And our car?”, we wonder anxiously. “Not at all a problem”. The friendly officer takes off our worries immediately.
 
 
 
 
 
 
007  This is the 10 days visa that we
obtained on a sheet of paper (not into the
passport) from Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of Nagorno-Karabakh in the capital (US$ 8).
It mentions also the travel route (at the border
post only our personal data was recorded)
008  The most important buildings are
situated more or less around the same
square (parliament, presidential palace,
ministries, national museum etc.) .....
009  ..... Presidential Palace
(President Bako S. Sahakyan) .....
Nagorno Karabakh has an own flag and own passports, own stamps but neither own car licence plates nor own money nor an own internet domain. They have been taken over all from Armenia, the country to which they feel related. People are from the same ethnic group; both are Christians. It is also Armenia that supports the region that defected from Azerbaijan after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the following 1991 wars. Even road construction is sponsored by Armenia.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
010  ..... Vallex-Garden Hotel
011  Even more than one year later, on
7/11/2013 – on our visit to Stepanakert –
the “Liberation of Shushi” 20 years ago is
still commemorated: On 5/8/1992 the
Armenians expelled the Azerbaijanis
from Shushi
012  Parliament Building
There is hardly any traffic when we wind our way over the mountain road with its many curves and switchbacks towards the capital Stepanakert. On the summit of Lisagor (5’988 ft. [1’825m]) we find a flat spot with lovely views for our lunch break. While I prepare hash browns, cooked ham and green salad, Emil jacks up the rear wheel and turns it. Since a couple of days he hears a too familiar noise worrying him. Now he wants to have certainty. When I hear him swear I already know that it is again the bloody axle shaft – no wonder after all the hard bangs during the past weeks on Armenians miserable roads.
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Saturday market in Stepanakert leaves nothing to desire regarding fruits and vegetables.
In addition also the choice of dried fruit and nuts is big. And home made honey and marmalade belong also to the offer
013
014
015
Stepanakert – Azerbaijani Xankəndi – the capital with its ca. 60‘000 inhabitants makes a clean impression. It bears European characteristiques. Our first step is to call at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and fill out our visa application. Required are also the names of the places we intend to visit – exactly like in earlier times it was with the ‘marsh route’ in Russia. They are also mentioned in the 10 days visa that is handed over on a separate sheet of paper. From our travel route nothing is rejected except Agdam – a town with 150‘000 people that was completely erased during the 1994 war with Azerbaijan and lies on the still sensible ceasefire line. This place is tabu for tourists. The procedure lasts less than 15 minutes and after having paid AMD 3‘000 each (US$7.50) we are allowed now to roam around freely.
 
 
 
 
 
 
016  On a plateau, 6 miles south from
Stepanakert, lies Shushi, the "City of
Speaking Stones", with its 1½ mile long
fortification wall, built 1750. In the
19th century it was one of the largest
towns in the South Caucasus .....
017  ..... during the repeated war with
Azerbaijan there was done much damage
to the city. In March 1920 within only
three days ⅔ of Shushi was burnt
to the ground .....
018  ..... the Ashaghi Govhar Agha
Mosque with its two tall brick minarets,
built in 1883, will now be restored. It has
not been demolished during the wars. In
return the Armenian Church in Baku is
also tolerated, though only as a library
We start looking for a hotel. The rooms in Stepanakert are too expensive (about US$55). But 6 miles [9km] south, in Shushi (4’450 people), situated on a lovely plateau and surrounded by high fortified walls, built 1750, we find a very comfortable bright room at the Shushi Hotel. It costs only half and offers Wi-Fi and breakfast. The small town has suffered heavily under the Nagorno Karabakh war, but reconstruction is on its way. The best evidence is the renovated Ghazanchetsots Cathedral right opposite our hotel. It was built 1888 and is an architectural masterpiece, dominating the city landscape.
 
 
 
 
 
 
019  An architectural masterpiece,
dominating the city landscape, is the 164 ft.
tall renovated Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in
Sushi, founded 1888. We booked into the
"Hotel Shushi" right opposite, with a little
"parking" for our LandCruiser .....
020  ..... on this parking Emil has to
replace once more the rear axle shaft.
Despite that we have a lot of exercise,
this time it does last six instead of
usually four hours
021  Simply ingenious: Drying clothes
by cable haulage between residence
buildings in Shushi
Flocks of swallows fly past our window when we get up. Already at 7am we sit at the breakfast table; we are the only guests. What is being served is a real cholesterol-bomb: Two eggs each, cheese, butter, whipped cream – common in Russia – marmalade, bread and tea. In tea countries like this we got used to bring our own Nescafe and ask for hot water. Because without three cups of coffee in the morning, nothing works with Emil.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
022  “Papik u Tatik” (i.e. “we are our
mountains”) – that is the name of the 1967
built tufa monument of a bearded elder and
a woman with a veil. It is on the outskirts
of Stepanakert direction Askeran
023  At the main square in Stepanakert
the little sister hides shyly behind her
"big" brother
024  The futuristic and fully operational
airport of Stepanakert is not (yet) in function,
because Azerbaijan threatened to possibly
shoot down from the ceasefire line – that is
only 25miles away – also civilian aircrafts
Next morning we visit Shushi which was heavily damaged by the repeated war with Azerbaijan. Alone in March 1920, ⅔ of the city has been burnt to the ground in only three days. It’s only when 1920 the Bolsheviks (later Soviet Union) invaded Azerbaijan and Armenia, that peace returned to the region. Soon we have enough of the depressing sights. To cheer us up, we drive the six miles [9km] downhill to the capital and stroll around. The most important buildings like parliament, presidential palace, ministries, national museum – all are grouped around the same square and each architecture is impressive in its own way. Yes, and there is a pizzeria where Emil orders one of his favorite cheese dishes and I eat risotto with mushrooms.
 
 
 
 
 
 
025  Dandelion (Taraxacum) or may
be not? In our childhood we always
blew its seeds away
026  The landscape from Stepanakert
to the Gandzasar Monastery near Vank
in the north is characterized by forest,
pasture and rolling hills
027  A bush of pink gilly-flowers
(Dianthus orientalis) is growing
out of a rock crevice
The risotto triggers a chain of reactions. It is to blame that Emil gets out on the wrong side of the bed. During the night I get diarrhea which makes me constantly hop between bathroom and bed. And this gave Emil a bad night’s sleep. He is grumpy and in bad mood. He uses it as opportunity to let off more steam. He complains about the hated Windows 8 system with which our new Lenovo Laptop is equipped, about the axle shaft that he will have to exchange soon, about our website that lies idling due to lack of time, about the many bad roads and once more about my noisy snoring. Yes, the day has seen better mornings!
 
 
 
 
 
 
028  About 34 miles north of Stepanakert
in a lovely hill setting near Vank is the
13th century Gandzasar Monastery with its
excellent Armenian architecture, rich friezes
and magnificent details .....
029  ..... well preserved inscriptions
adorn a wall of the Cathedral of “Saint
John the Baptist” of Gandzasar .....
030  ..... the central dome is adorned
with exquisitely carved high reliefs (friezes).
Unfortunately the Gandzasar Monastery
suffered damages through the Armenian-
Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
whereby a building was totally destroyed
Towards noon we check out of the Hotel Shushi and drive in northerly direction to the 13th century Gandzasar Monastery. It sits in a lovely hill setting near Vank, 34 miles [55km] from Stepanakert. Despite that we have already seen many monasteries, we still get enthusiastic about its exquisite carvings, wonderful reliefs, beautifully elaborated “Khaskars” (medieval carved cross stones), well preserved inscriptions and magnificent details. Although it is a weekday, it is crowded. The main holiday season just began. We edge away and stop at a cozy river spot down in the valley for our lunch break.
 
 
 
 
 
 
031  Chilingaryan family tree in a corner
of the Gandzasar Monastery
032  There is no monastery without the
beautifully elaborated "Khachkars", the
medieval carved cross-stones. This one
stands at the Gandzasar Monastery .....
033  ..... next to is another masterpiece
with a bird motive
There is still another attraction in the vicinity: The Dadivank Monastery. Are we missing out on something if we do not visit it? It is incredible, but also after 29 years of traveling, we still bring up this question. This time, however, we give in. The road is said to be bad and we already had our share of bad roads. Instead we choose the route to Drombon and then to Martakert and come in a way from ‘jumping out of the frying pan into the fire’. It is in such a desolate potholed condition that it is a constant struggle. To top it, it mostly runs through dense forest, giving us only once a short glimpse of the Sarsang reservoir, actually the reason we have chosen this way.
 
 
 
 
 
 
034  The hilly forested land has a touch
of Switzerland: View from the Gandzasar
Monastery towards the western part of
the Khachen Valley
035  A blue dragonfly (Odonata)
rests on reed
036  We honestly have to earn the
short glimpse of the Sarsang reservoir
between Drmbon and Martakert.
The road conditions are miserable
At the village of Martakert we turn South and follow the ceasefire line agreed with Azerbaijan. What we see is a dramatic scene of destruction. For many miles we pass bombarded villages, burnt out and rusting war relicts and two men bunkers – silent witnesses of the war fought between 1990 and 1994. Also many years after the end of the war people have not returned to this sensitive area. Only shrubs and trees are sprouting again. All the more we are excited when in the soft evening light the Tigranakert Fortress, called also Shahbulag Castle, appears. It dates back to the 18th century and was restored in 2010. The main entrance is still open. But soon we realize that today the castle yard is occupied by a group. It is practising for an opera performance. A ladies band is tuning in and actors in colorful costumes are getting ready. We are allowed to sniff around for a while and then we leave. It is time to look for a place to sleep.
 
 
 
 
 
 
037  Between Martakert and Aghdam
we drive along the ceasefire line. For
many miles we see nothing than
bombarded villages
038  Another memorial of the dramatic
Nagorno-Karabakh war between 1990
and 1994: The tank monument at Chldran
along the North-South-Highway (besides
the tanks of Shushi and Askeran)
039  Also many years after the end of the
war people have not returned to this sensitive
area along the ceasefire line with Azerbaijan.
Only shrubs and trees are sprouting again –
here between Martakert and Aghdam
Right next to the fortress a narrow path leads towards the mountains. Without to hesitate we follow it. There is not a house in sight. When the gap is enough big to the fortress, we set up camp at an even spot beside the track, just in time to enjoy the silhouette of the Vankasar Church on the hillltop, engulfed by the reddish skies of the sunset. What a beautiful sight!
 
 
 
 
 
 
040  The recently (2010) reconstructed
fortress of Tigranakert from the 18th century
is situated in the northeast, about 20 miles
from the capital. Artsakh’s (Nagorno-
Karabakh’s) Tigranakert excavation site
is one of the four cities built by "Tigran
the Great" or his father “Tigran I”
around 123–95 B.C. .....
041  ..... when we arrive in the evening,
a group of actors are getting ready for an
opera performance. In a corner a ladies
band is tuning in .....
042  ..... three colorful costumed ladies
are waiting for the event to start
“You are not allowed to stay here” is the early morning greeting of two well dressed men just when Emil is putting up our camping table for breakfast. We are taught that we are on an archaeological site. Yes, last night we have seen the stone walls and fundaments, but did not pay any closer attention as we thought they were also war ruins. Well, we pack up and move to the other side of the bridge where there is open land. The first rays of sun just come up and catch the fortress, flowers are blooming around us, a lonely horseman gallops past us with a friendly smile and down at the river dragonflies flatter from blossom to blossom. It all makes our day. However before leaving the Tigranakert Fortress, we take our time to visit the interesting museum within the walls. We learn in well kept displays about the excavations of the ancient site that have been underway already for a few years.
 
 
 
 
 
 
043  Around the Tigranakert fortress
the archeological excavations are under
way. A new museum within the fortress
walls has excellent information about it
044  Our lovely night spot between trees
with views of the Tigranakert Fortress and
the Vankasar Church offers us quietness
and relaxation
045  The Vankasar Church on the hilltop
above the Tigranakert Fortress, engulfed by
the reddish skies of the sunset. It can be
reached in an hours’ hike
Then we continue to follow the ceasefire line where the sight of destruction of the Nagorno Karabakh war is endless and depressing. At the junction to Aghdam we hesitate. It is the place, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs excluded in our travel permit. It is tempting, but we are not looking for troubles and take the detour.
 
 
 
 
 
 
046  At the intersection to Aghdam, a
town with a population of 150'000 before
the war, stands a red prohibition sign. Our
travel permit from the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Nagorno-Karabakh does not
include a visit to the ghost town of Aghdam
and we have to take the bypass .....
047  ..... from far we see only two
minarets rising to the sky – a visit would
have been tempting. The town is deserted.
The people were either massacred or
they fled to Azerbaijan
048  This sign says that this region
has been cleared of mines and is
accessible again
It is towards noon when we are back in the capital Stepanakert and buy some fruits and vegetables on the well-stocked Saturday market. We head then straight southwest to the more than 2'000 years old giant platanus tree “Tnjri” near Karmir Shuka. The 15 miles [24km] long road runs firstly through the impressive two miles [3km] long and 820 ft. [250m] deep “Hunot” Gorge and then through lovely, little populated hill country. Now and then steam rises from huge caldrons along the roadside. People boil corncobs on log fires, hoping to sell them and earn some Drams. After an hour’s drive, we reach our destination.
 
 
 
 
 
 
049  This rusting war relict is one of many
that we see along the former frontline
050  The bunker between the deserted
hills before Askeran was built in an
enviously beautiful landscape. It’s an
Armenian respectively Nagorno-Karabakh
relict. The former Soviet border line runs
between the “Azerbaijan SSR” and the
“Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast”
051  A remembrance picture with Emil and
our LandCruiser at the tank monument north
of Askeran – one of the three we have
seen in Nagorno-Karabakh (besides Sushi
and Chldran). It was here that on 2/20/1988
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was ignited
It is awe-inspiring indeed when we are standing in front of the tree: >2000 years old – about 25 human lives – though a bit damaged and needy of support. But with its 474 sq.ft. [44m²] hollowed trunk and its more than 177 ft. [54m] height it leaves quite an impression on us. After the eye is satisfied, our empty stomach wants some attention. With views to the valley stretching below us I prepare the beans in the pressure cooker I bought a couple of hours ago at the market in Stepanakert. With it goes hot knackwurst still from ‘Carrefour’ in Tbilisi in Georgia. Full and content we return to Shushi where we stay again at the same hotel.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
052  7 miles northeast of Stepanakert lies
Askeran with its fortress which has a huge
medieval wall, built 1751, that once
stretched one mile across the valley.
Already back then it served as a shield to
protect Shushi against Persian campaigns
053  Just trickling, but still beautiful:
A waterfall along the "Hunot Canyon"
south of Stepanakert .....
054  ..... the "Hunot Gorge" is two miles
long and 820 ft. deep. It is regarded as
one of the most beautiful natural sites in
Nagorno-Karabakh
We have not yet fully used our 10 days stay. Why don't we add a working day? Conditions are ideal. Emil replaces the points and spark plugs and adjusts the ignition. He checks also the compression. It is between 8 and 7½, not ideal but acceptable. I am updating my diary and read. But next day we pack and carry our bags to the car. “I quickly jack-up the wheel again to see if the noise of the axle has intensified” Emil mentions casually. No sooner said than done. The expression on his face spells trouble. “It sounds worse than a couple of days ago. May be we make it back to Armenia, may be not” he assesses the situation. No, to hit the road with the constant worries to have to do this big work right on the spot along the road does not seem right. All too well we remember a case in India. There, it happened at a dusty bend and each time a car passed with unabated speed we were completely covered with dust. “Why do we not change the rear axle now and here?” I suggest to Emil. “The location is good and quiet and in our room we have a hot shower”. Despite that we have practice in changing axles – it is our “don't know how manyeth” – this time it is a backbreaking work beneath and beside of the car. Not everything is going as smooth as it ought to be. Instead of the four hours it usually takes, today the struggle lasts for six hours. Emil’s comment on it: “Now I am also five years older than last time!” Whatsoever, in the evening we are completely exhausted. We relax with some well deserved beers, take a hot shower, and lie in a bed with fresh sheets. Today we definitely don't need any bedtime story!
 
 
 
 
 
 
055  2000+ years – around 25 human
lives – counts this although a bit damaged
and support needing giant platanus (plane)
tree, called Tnjri, near Karmir Shuka
(about 15 miles southwest of Stepanakert)
on the North-South-Highway to Hadrut
in southern Nagorno-Karabakh .....
056  ..... with its huge hollowed trunk
(474 sq.ft.) and the elevated bushy foliage
the more than 177 ft. tall tree leaves
quite an impression on us .....
057  ..... from our lunch spot near the
historic tree we have a lovely view down
to the far valley where its plains belong
already to Iran
July 17th, 2013, is the day: After eight days, we return to Armenia. We are honking and waving good-bye to the lovely hotel ladies who read every wish from our eyes. They wave back until we disappear around the corner. Again it is a place where we feel sadness when leaving. We loved the country and its people. But this is obviously the inevitable destiny of travelers like us! The many bends of the mountain pass bring us back to the Armenian border. Arriving at the customs house, we step out of the LandCruiser and walk towards the window to submit the visa sheets we obtained in the capital. But the customs officer already meets us halfway and stretches out his hand for the paper. Can a border crossing be easier? Again we experienced that the warnings of the travel advisories were a bit exaggerated. There was not one moment we had worries about security or not entirely cleared mines. We really hope that the present ceasefire with Azerbaijan will soon give way to a permanent peace. The friendly people of Nagorno Karabakh deserve it!
Postscript (6/2017): Unfortunately during all the years following our visit, clashes and sporadic fights continued.
Back to the 1st part of the Armenian trip: Armenia Part 1 July 2 to 9, 2013, from Georgia Part 2a to Nagorno-Karabakh
Continuation to the next Armenian page: Armenia Part 2 July 19 to 22, 2013, from Nagorno-Karabakh to Georgia Part 2b
 
The "Greater"-Middle East trip 2012/13:
Sharjah/Dubai/1st Traveler's Festival/Emirates National Auto Museum - UAE with car Nov. 2012 to Jan. 2013 - part 1
Western UAE - Liwa - United Arab Emirates  with car in January 2013 - part 2
Oman 2013 - Part 1 - February 2013: Musandam Peninsula
Oman 2013 - Part 2 - February 2013: Sohar - Muscat - Rustaq - Nizwa
Oman 2013 - Part 3 - March 2013: Sur - East Coast - Island of Masirah - Dhofar
Oman 2013 - Part 4 - March 2013: Salalah & Surroundings (Dhofar) - Nizwa
Oman 2013 - Part 5 - March 2013: Western Hajar Mountains
Al Ain, Eastcoast & Ras al Khaima - United Arab Emirates with our car in April 2013 - part 3
Iran - Part 1: Ferry Port Bandar Abbas-Shiraz-Persepolis-Pasargad (between Persepolis and Yazd) May 2013
Iran - Part 2: Pasargad (excl.)-Yazd-Esfahan May 2013
Iran - Part 3: Esfahan (excl.)-Chelgerd-Hamadan-Sanandaj-Orumiyeh May 2013
Turkey: Iran Border-Esendere-Hakkari-Van-Doğubayazıt-Kars-Ardahan-Hopa-Georgia Border May/June 2013
Georgia - Part 1: Ajaria-Gori-Tbilisi-Kakheti-Azerbaijan Border June 2013
Azerbaijan: Georgia Border-Balakən-Şəki-Lahıç-Baku-Xınalıq-Quba-Laza-Baku-Gəncə-Georgia Border June 2013
Georgia - Part 2a: Azerbaijan Border-Tbilisi-Armenia Border June/July 2013
Armenia - Part 1: Georgia Border-Haghpat-Dilijan-Sevan-Tatev-Goris-Nagorno-Karabakh July 2013
Armenia - Part 2: Nagorno Karabakh-Goris-Tatev-Noravank-Khor Virap-Echmiadzin-Geghard-Gyumri-Georgia July 19 to 22, 2013
Georgia - Part 2b: Armenia Border-Ninotsminda-Tbilisi-Mtskheta-Kazbegi-Kutaisi-Zugdidi July 2013
Georgia - Part 3a: Zugdidi-Swaneti-Zugdidi-Abkhazia Border – July/August 2013
Abkhazia: Georgia-Sukhumi-Tsebelda-Novyy Aton-Lake Ritsa-Gagra-Pitsunda-Georgia August 2013
Georgia - Part 3b: Abkhazia Border-Poti-Ferry to Ilyichevsk/Ukraine – August 2013