Messages: 76,766 - Threads: 14,240
posted
28-Nov-2009 00:09
by:
llamaa1 »
last reply
28-Nov-2009 03:13
by:
fluffy_bunny »
2
replies
,
34
views
location: Iraq
Hey guys I'm a Canadian cycle tourist that will be cycling across Kurdistan at the start of January by myself. I Will be enetering from Turkey across the Ibrahim Khali boarder and will be leaving through the Haji Omran boarder into Iran. I just have a couple quick questions.
1. Will I be able to cross the Ibrahim boarder into Iraq by myself or should I hire a taxi across to handle all the paper work?
2. Will it actually be possible to Cycle on the roads at this time of year or will there be to much snow on the ground? I have loads of warm kit so temperature isn't to big of an issue for me.
Any info would be super helpfull
posted
20-Nov-2009 03:45
by:
Shiffi »
last reply
20-Nov-2009 03:53
by:
Shiffi »
0
replies
,
150
views
location: Iraq
Many thanks to Dr_Amerali for his brilliant tips. Here are some more.
Transport
Silopi -> Ibrahim Khalil border crossing -> Erbil
On our way out, we were told that 15 TL is non-negotiable. So on your way in you should be able to bargain with the taxi driver to this amount but they are very tough, especially during festivals (we were there during Eid).
Once over the border, you need to get a shared taxi. We were with a German-Kurdish guy who negotiated a full shared taxi for US$20 per person to Erbil. On our way back we paid about US$25 each. That’s just to give you an indication on price.
Public transport
Generally there aren’t public buses (for example between Dohuk and Erbil). However, there is a bus between Sulemaniya and Erbil (very cheap) which skirts Kirkuk by a few kilometres (we could see it but didn’t enter the outskirts) so it seems pretty safe....
more »
posted
17-Nov-2009 20:46
by:
middleeasttravels »
last reply
18-Nov-2009 02:06
by:
alan21 »
5
replies
,
188
views
location: Iraq
Hello all,
I am considering going to Erbil/Kurdistan for a short holiday/travel (4 days?) in mid December… I have not really looked into it – is there much to see/do in Erbil? What about day trips? Any suggestions would be great….
Also, how is the weather in December: I guess will be cold, but will it be freezing?
And finally… how is security?
Thank you for your info!
posted
13-Nov-2009 21:43
by:
Hannahenna »
last reply
14-Nov-2009 08:27
by:
nusnus »
3
replies
,
217
views
location: Iraq
Hey
I am a New Zealander who lives in Istanbul. I am planning a quick trip with a friend to Northern Iraq, I think we will fly from Istanbul to Van and bus down from there and then exit into Syria.
Visa - can I get a visa at the border that covers me for the area that I will be traveling in? Which would only be from entering at Silopi - Erbil - and out to the nearest border with Syria.
Which brings me to my next question, is there a border that we can cross from Kurdistan into Syria or will we need to go back into Turkey and then Syria
thanks so much,
Hanna
posted
12-Nov-2009 21:59
by:
paudeviatge »
last reply
13-Nov-2009 10:48
by:
alan21 »
1
replies
,
164
views
location: Iraq
That's the title of a very recently published BBC News Magazine article. You can read it at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8352234.stm
It's quite strange how it doesn't say a single word about Iraqi Kurdistan: it's completely centred on Arab Iraq. The news comes because "for the first time in a decade, the head of Iraq's tourism board is in London to attend the World Travel Market to promote the country as a holiday destination." I know that the KRG has a separate Ministry of Tourism for Kurdistan, but do you think there are other reasons why Kurdistan is not even mentioned in the article?
Anyway, big tourism businesses aside, it would be great indeed that all Iraq became, once and for all, a feasible travel destination!
Good travels!
Cheers,
Pau
more »
posted
12-Nov-2009 00:39
by:
RedMonkeyMan »
last reply
17-Nov-2009 19:12
by:
alan21 »
3
replies
,
239
views
location: Iraq
Well after downloading the very new Lonely Planet section on Iraqi Kurdistan I thought I had all the info I needed...I guess not.
Its seems that you need to register you tourist visa with in 9 days of arriving, although I have no read or seen anyone else mention this.
When I received the stamp at the border crossing they told me I need to register and put a extra stamp in my passport stating just that, although they weren't able to tell me how or where as there English was pretty weak.
So here's how I did it.
The additional stamp says to "Contact Residence Office" which I had no idea where that was but the new LP chapter did mention this place for visa extensions. A word of advice, don't follow the arrow pointing off the map in the LP as it is on the totally wrong road (as are many things on that Erbil map!) I eventually got in a taxi and show him the stamp which has a Arabi...
more »
posted
12-Nov-2009 00:13
by:
RedMonkeyMan »
last reply
21-Nov-2009 18:39
by:
backpacker86 »
8
replies
,
346
views
location: Iraq
Hi Guys!
I just crossed from Iran into Iraqi Kurdistan in the last few days and just wanted to share my experiences. I tired to cross at both border crossings; so here's the info.
posted
06-Nov-2009 02:07
by:
caravski »
last reply
06-Nov-2009 05:42
by:
dr_amerali »
2
replies
,
239
views
location: Iraq
To whom who may concern:
I need visa support (Letter of invitation) to Iraq.
If someone can help me , I will be very appreciated.
Thanks a lot!
posted
03-Nov-2009 00:27
by:
warren123 »
last reply
21-Nov-2009 18:44
by:
backpacker86 »
9
replies
,
419
views
location: Iraq
I am a Malaysian planning to travel from Turkey to Iran passing by Northern Iraq around Nov 5th. I am wondering if anyone found some good hostels or budget hotels at Dohuk, Erbil or Sulaymaniyah? Are there any ATMs there? Also what is the best route to go to Tehran from Northern Iraq. Thanks a lot.
posted
29-Oct-2009 16:54
by:
tristansee »
last reply
30-Oct-2009 05:48
by:
dr_amerali »
3
replies
,
285
views
location: Iraq
I am a Singaporean who is planning a short trip to Iraqi Kurdistan in Dec. I will like to know whether I can obtained a visa at the border? I heard some news that I need to have a contact in the country and would be able to obtain a visa at the border. Anyone know whether this is correct?
Thanks
posted
29-Oct-2009 03:18
by:
mmcc »
last reply
30-Oct-2009 05:50
by:
dr_amerali »
1
replies
,
177
views
location: Iraq
Hello there,
Does anybody have any information on Qaladze? I've been travelling through Iraqi Kurdistan for two weeks now with two friends (having a really fantastic time of course). We are in Sulaymaniyah but keen to travel back North a different way. Just looking at a map and Qaladze-Ranlye-Rawanduz looks like an interesting route to take. Does anyone have any info reguarding;
a) Qaladze
b) transport from Sulaymaniyah to Qaladze
c)things to see along the way (keeping in mind we are easily pleased by small towns with delicious tea!)
?
Thanks!
Edited by: mmcc
posted
22-Oct-2009 21:33
by:
countrybug »
last reply
11-Nov-2009 09:29
by:
alan21 »
7
replies
,
382
views
location: Iraq
Hello
Can any body tell me what the winter months can be like in Kurdistan, do they get very cold and what can temperatures be like, I'm particularly interested in the Duhok area.
Many Thanks
posted
20-Oct-2009 01:29
by:
minutemat »
last reply
07-Nov-2009 01:27
by:
Clare5 »
2
replies
,
302
views
location: Iraq
I'm planning am abitious trip snowboarding round the Middle East and read a couple of years ago that there were plans to build a ski resort in Kurdestan Iraq. Does anyone know the latest on this and if there are any suitable spots?
Also, how safe is Mosul right now? I've read a few things that say the situation's not great. We were thinking of driving across from Erbil and into Syria.
Thanks.
posted
19-Oct-2009 02:10
by:
hackum »
last reply
26-Oct-2009 05:18
by:
mountaintourism »
1
replies
,
325
views
location: Iraq
Just want to share details about crossing the border from Sulaymaniyah (Slemani) into Iran.
In Slemani take a taxi to the "Penjwin garaj". It should cost no more than 4000 dinar. From there a shared taxi will take you all the way to the town of Penjwin, which is about 75 km away. Expect to pay between 2000 and 5000 dinar.
Once the taxi drops you of at Penjwin, take another shared taxi for 2000 dinar (opposite the street, past the moneychangers) to take you to the border at Bashmagh village. The trip is about 15 mins.
At the border you can change your remaining dinars into rials. There will be moneychangers on the Iranian side of the border as well.
To cross the border just keep on the right side of the road. First you will visit a beige and red building to get your Iraqi exit stamp and they might ask to search your backpack. On the Iranian side you will get your stamp at ...
more »
posted
18-Oct-2009 23:09
by:
nudge_au »
last reply
07-Nov-2009 01:41
by:
Clare5 »
4
replies
,
527
views
location: Iraq
Hi there,
I am currently backpacking through Iran and will be going overland into Turkey and then hopefully visiting Iraqi Kurdistan.
My question is, is it more of a hassle being an Aussie male and traveling on your own without any contacts in the region? Would they automatically be suspicious of me, or give me a visa at the border? I have nothing to hide of course but was wondering if I am more vulnerable doing it solo?
Also if anyone needs a travel mate for a week in Iraqi Kurdistan in early November then let me know!
Cheers
Edited by: nudge_au
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