Way to Russia Talk Lounge

Expedition Earth Team · Just Starting Joined: 07 Sep 2008 Posts: 4

Hi there!
We are confused as to what we should do ... our case is a bit different!
We (South African & Swiss married couple) are walking 8000km (with our dog) from the northernmost tip of Norway down to the southernmost point in Greece to create awareness for the CHARGE syndrome (www.expedition-earth.com). The 350km stretch of Russia between the Finnish & Estonian borders, St. Petersburg, needs to be covered on foot at the end of September 2008.
We were told to have our visas issued in Switzerland were we reside. We did that by sending our passports to our city office while we continued walking through Finland. The office organised the invitation through some Russian tourist office in Switzerland and the visas were issued by the consulate in Switzerland.

1. They only gave us a 17 day visa in stead of the 30 day tourist visa we applied for which we had to pay a horrendous amount of money (2 invitations & 2 visas around 450 Euros). Since we don't have the time to wait and complain etc... we just have to RUN through which is a real pity!
IS THIS NORMAL TO GET A VISA FOR A SHORTER STAY JUST LIKE THAT?

2. We received our passports with the visas pasted in them, but no invitation ...
DO WE NEED A COPY OF THIS INVITATION ON US, OR WAS IT ONLY TO GET THE VISAS?

3. Our Belgian shepherd has her own passport, all the vaccinations, the rabies injection, a chip as well as a tattoo. She will also have a health check with a stamp in the passport 5 days prior to entry.
DO WE NEED ANYTHING ELSE FOR THE DOG?

4. We were told that we would not be allowed to walk across the border and that there is an area after the border where walking is also not allowed.
CAN WE WALK ACROSS THE BORDER (At Nuijamaa towards Vyborg) OR HOW BIG IS THE RESTRICTED AREA?

5. We are not able to afford hotels and can not cover the distances on foot every day to reach the next towns.
ARE WE ALLOWED TO CAMP IN THE FORESTS AND STAY WITH LOCAL PEOPLE IF INVITED? WHERE DO WE REGISTER THEN? (we are not staying more than 2 days in any one location)

We really appreciate any help we can get!

Ruan, Tina & Akela "The Walkers"

overseas_expat · VIP Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 612 Location: Moscow

Respect. I'm in awe of what you're doing--the adventure of a lifetime.

1. Russian visa grants are completely whimsical, no telling why they gave you 17 days instead of 30. Do NOT overrun your allowed 17 days even if it means hitching a ride or buying a train ticket. Do NOT overstay your visa.

2. No, you do not need to carry a copy of your letter of invitation. That is issued strictly for the purpose of obtaining a visa. You will not need to show it to anyone. The visa is everything.

3. I think the dog is good to go. Russians love animals. It sounds like all your documents are correct. It is unlikely that the dog's documents will be checked anyway. I have taken cats into/out of Russia without any problems. The Russians have all these official rules about pets but passport control largely ignores them and the animals too.

4. I have no idea.

5. Yes, you can damn well camp anywhere you like. For the most part Russian land is still owned by the collective *people* and is not private property. You will be amazed to find that there are no fences, no property lines, just land and more land. It is open, it is free. Russia is huge and mostly empty. An incredibly beautiful country.

I think you will find most country Russians friendly and curious about your adventure. They may offer you accommodations and you should feel free to accept. They can be very warm and hospitable people and they love to party. Guests are a great reason for a party. Be prepared. Do not refuse a vodka toast or a meal in someone's home. After one evening you will be the best friend they ever had. Embrace that.

5. I have no earthly idea how you will deal with the registration problem on such a trip.

Country Russians by and large, are very warm and friendly people. If they offer to help or house you, accept. They do not speak English. They will be very interested in your dog.

Make every attempt to avoid any kind of Russian militsia. If confronted by the militsia be respectful, accommodating, friendly (you will have no idea what they're talking about anyway). Never behave confrontationally when questioned by the militsia, always behave with respect. Chances are they will check your documents and send you on your way. Maybe even share a smoke. But if you try to get belligerent for any kind of reason, your ass will be grass.

DO NOT ever attempt to bribe your way out of a difficulty. Even though corruption is the rule of the land, foreigners cannot play the game and win. Don't try it no matter what the circumstance. Play by the official rules.

Best of luck to you.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

overseas_expat

Expedition Earth Team · Just Starting Joined: 07 Sep 2008 Posts: 4

:D Hi there overseas_expat

Thank you very much for your supportive reply! This makes us feel a lot more comfortable with what we are doing! It really sounds great and we are really looking forward to our (SHORT) trip through Russia :)

Regards
The walkers

Arina8 · Frequent Guest Joined: 30 Aug 2008 Posts: 26

Expedition Earth Team · Just Starting Joined: 07 Sep 2008 Posts: 4

Hello Arina!
Thank you very much for your reply and very useful advice! We have flyers explaining in short what our expedition is all about (in Russian offcourse). It would certainly be better and feel safer to know that we have a contact (like you) who would be willing to help us if we get into some kind of trouble. Would you be willing to be available on your mobile for us to contact you? We can exchange mobile numbers in PM.
Cheers
Ruan and Tina

greg222 · VIP Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 522

I know someone who walked to Moscow from the border a few years ago:

http://www.markcundy.net/

From memory he took the train across the border to the first place it stopped on the Russian side. Then he went back to the Russian side of the border and started walking from there.

As for registration, theoretically since you're not staying anywhere for more than three days you don't need to. But then you're not supposed to be sleeping in forests and random people's houses either. But don't let it stop you - I'm sure it will be fine.

Incidentally, Mark finally had problems with registration just before leaving Russia and had to pay a fine. Nothing too serious though.