Feeling adventurous? Want to travel across 11 countries and former, as well as existing conflict zones? Then sign up today for the 2011 Caucasian Challenge (relating to Caucasus region of Asia, not white folks).
Touted as an “amateur, drive-anything, minimal assistance, low budget rally” (hmm, except for the ‘drive anything’ clause it sounds like the Mad Bastard rally) the Caucasian Challenge is a competition and adventure tour lasting 17 days and traversing some of the most culturally diverse areas of this planet.
The rally will leave Budapest, Hungary on August 15 and head across Croatia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Albania. It will then leave the Balkans and cross Greece and Turkey before entering Georgia and the Caucasus Mountains.
But the rally doesn’t end there, as competitors will then cross into Armenia, Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh before heading back to Armenia, where it wraps up in the country’s capital, Yerevan.
You’ll be on your own when it comes to food and lodging (tents seem to be the preferred accommodations) and competitors are encouraged to collect donations and hand them over to a yet-to-be determined school or orphanage in Armenia or Nagorno-Karabakh.
The rally is open to all vehicles, including motorcycles, though only three brave motorcyclists have entered the rally since its inception in 2008.
If you want to give it a shot, go to caucasianchallenge.com for registration details.
Savage, you’re banging open doors 🙂
If you need adventure and experience the best of former Eastern Block, this trip is for you. Luckily you don’t need to bother with buying a vehicle as rental is available!
This sounds incredible … would love to be able to participate! I’ve long had an interest in WW2/Cold War era history and a deep fascination with Eastern Europe. The ultimate Dream Ride for me would be a tour of the East Bloc!
Privyet Comrade!