Every Capital in the world, this includes Baghdad
Replies: 11 - Last Post: May 29, 2012 10:37 AM Last Post By: fromanmp
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Every Capital in the world, this includes Baghdad
Ok so as the title may suggest, this would be project of mine would include visting every capital in the world preferably overland (ie no flights or armoured apache's), preferably being the key word depending on how dangerous this would be to do so. Also how are the locals approach to lets say I don't know British tourists? Would couchsurfing be a complete no go area? Just looking for some information on the more challenging aspects of this idea before putting it in to motion, so any feedback is welcome.Matt
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The only way you're going to get visa for southern Iraq is by joining a tour. Someone like Hinterland does these tours for around $5,000 for 10 days. The only way you can meet up with this tour is by flying to Baghdad (flight not included in the tour price) Therefore CouchSurfing is a non-starter.3
there is, to approach the Iraqi embassy in your country and ask for visa requirements, sometimes you need an invitation letter from a company or a sponsor here which is also doable but costly...4
1,900 pounds? They've gone down in price. But that's still $3,000 Of note, it's 1,900 pounds for the ground tour. But it dos not include International Flights, individual airport transfers and airport hotels (if required), travel insurance, visas and main meals (keep in mind, you have to stay in the fancy pants hotels on the tour and eating there is not cheap) Making the trip over $5,000No company, organization or sponsor is going to issue an LOI to an average tourist.
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this would be project of mine would include visting every capital in the world preferably overland (ie no flights or armoured apache's)I won't comment about Baghdad as there are other users with better knowledge than me. However, I'd like to make some comments/questions about your project:
I assume that by overland you also include sea travel because otherwise you won't be able to visit any Capital City in an island.
You can't reach Yangon overland from a neighbor country.
Not all the islands you would need to visit have scheduled sea transport.
How do you plan to cross the Atlantic? and the Pacific?
Be aware that with an Israeli entry stamp in your passport you'll be denied entry in some countries so plan accordingly.
It would be interesting to know your route to try to foresee other possible problems.
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How many capitals have you done yet? If you are still at the beginning, just leave Baghdad until later. In a few years it may (!) be safer and easier to visit.This man (www.grahamdavidhughes.com) is currently doing the same, but he wants "countries" not "capitals" and does all overland. No air travel at all. When he started he optimistically announced his journey would take a year. Now he is in his 4th. Be warned that the man takes the definition of attention whore to a whole new level and can't write for shit, but occasionally in his immature, rambling rants there are some hints of the genuine challenges that overland travellers might face.
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I'd like to make a correction to my post #5. The capital of Myanmar is Nay Pyi Taw nowadays, not Yangon. I think you can't reach it overland comming from a neighbor country (in fact, a user called Coolgreen said in post #3 in this recent thread the Government of Myanmar announced it as a totally restricted area) but you should look for the regulations on your travel dates.8
Also Eritrea. All surrounding countries hate it. Can't enter overland.This other dude Buffybot mentioned apparently counts going to border crossings but not going in as a number of countries have limited written about them and no info on his route map.
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Just got back from Hinterland Travel trip to Iraq. 16 days for 2700 British pounds, but well worth it. Be advised that if you go on a letter of invitation, (and maybe get the visa), you will be at the Baghdad Airport, but you may not make it through the checkpoints to get into town. Iraq can be done safely, but the complexities of passing the checkpoints and getting permissions to see anything will make it advisable to wait several years. Or just go with Hınterland. They are great.
