|
17 Nov 2010
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Madrid
Posts: 334
|
|
Irak info
I crossed into Irak Kurdistan Region by Silopi (Turkey). Not visa needed, nor CDP, just patience and time to loose. Turks officials, efficient as they are in any other border. Kurdish side: Friendly people, some questions, smiles, but they are a little bit mess in order to do the paperwork. Expect some delay. Next town is Zakho, heavy track traffic and some check points. No problem with European travellers. Almost all of the cops and peshmergas are friendly.
There are few hotels in Zakho but I was hosted by a Christian Kurdish family. There are a lot in North Irak, and a lot of more are moving in from arabic areas.
Kurdish region is safe enough to enjoy the ride, just do not go into arab areas and you'll be OK. They use Irak dinars but everything is calculated in dollars, the only ATM I found was in Arbil, in the Sheraton Building, some kind of climatized bunker for US workers. Petrol is cheap, but low quality (clink clonk noise).
The road from Zakho to Arbil is safe because they have opened recentely a new way to avoid the extremly dangerous city of Mosul. There is just one sign in English before the junction and no check point. You’d better do not miss it or you are dead.
Few miles before entering Arbil is the only serious check point I came across. Checking luggage and passport but again, no problems. Arbil is Ok, plenty of convenient hotels (you bargain always), shops, restaurants and a really beautiful Old City. You should visit it right now because is totally empty. The Government forced the inhabitants to move to restoring the whole city and make some kind of big museum and tipical kurdish old city, full os curious stuff shops for the tourists they are expecting, but right now is a ghost town.
Ah, take care, there are radars in town.
Going East to Iran the road is fantastic, sometimes bad tarmac, nice wiews and few check points with real and tough peshmergas.
The most incredible thing happened when I was expecting sleeping in one of their dirty huts, I' ve found that near Rawanduz is a really amazing resort on the top of the mountains. It is surrealistic and very comfortable with cabins and restaurant and liquors. You'd better bargain, because is expensive but I convinced them to make a special price for bikers. Now, Pank Resort is Bike Friendly.
Irak, Iran border near Rayat is Ok. Kurdish do not speak English but there is always someone who barely barks some essential words. Again the paperwork takes time and there is always something needed that the Silopi customs officials forgot to do, sign, or write, but you will get away without more problems than questions about where are you from and bla, bla, bla.
Iran side: visa needed and also CDP. They will check panniers but know how to do their job, so CDP stamped in few minutes and you are in the no paradise. Enjoy.
Last edited by Miquel-Silvestre; 18 Nov 2010 at 07:20.
|
18 Nov 2010
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Aussie expat in Switzerland half way RTW
Posts: 611
|
|
Hey Miquel,
Mate, fantastic of you to write up so much info on Iraq, where few riders would dare to venture. Congrats on paving a new road for all of us other would be adventurers.
Just a few questions small questions...
Did you need or were you ever forced to have an escort in Iraq?
What would you do differently next time?
Is there something that might speed up the paperwork?
Is it possible to get Iraqi Dinar outside Iraq?
Does Iraq accept $US if so should you have only US$1 bills or can they change money.
When is the book coming out?
I want to pre-order it now!
|
19 Nov 2010
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Madrid
Posts: 334
|
|
Hi, P & A. No scort required in Iraq. The paperwork takes time, no money. I found no guy asking for bribes, gifts or anything else. Honest people, we will see how long they keep themselves in that way. I think US $ works everywhere, even small notes.
If you go to any shop, 1 can (500 cc) is 1000 iraki dinars, less than 1,5 euro... so I counted everything in s. How many s a hotel night, how many s to fill the tank. It is easy
Something I won't do again?? Yes, of course, delete by mistake 5 gigabytes of video taken with my helmet camera. Wtf!! The ride in the Erbil citadel is totally lost.
|
19 Nov 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,187
|
|
I'd think you'll still need/get an escort going east from Bam to the Pak border, I did it the other way a couple of years ago and don't think much will have changed since. No escorts required anywhere else in the country as far as I'm aware.
Re money, you'll need to just bring $US in with you (enough for your time there as cards don't work thanks to the sanctions) and just change in any bank.
|
19 Nov 2010
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Madrid
Posts: 334
|
|
Hi, Mike, you were right if we were talking about Iran. There is required scort from Bam to the Pak borders and no credit card will work in Iran, but we are talking about Irak. I am sorry, becasue I posted the info on the wrong regional forum. I should have posted it on the Middle East one.
Cheers
|
19 Nov 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,187
|
|
Ah, lo siento, though it was Iran, duh!
|
22 Nov 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mantova, Italy
Posts: 566
|
|
Hello Miguel, thanks for sharing these infos.
After reading this thread of yours and the experience of Rtwdoug in northern Iraq (after we split in Armenia close to the border with Naxcivan last August) I am thinking about visiting that part of Iraq next year.
Let's hope the sign of the new road bypassing Mosul will be visible also from the opposite side, as I'd be in the area after visiting north-western Iran, because my direction would be Tabriz (IR) - Erbil (IRQ) - Lake Van (TR)...
Now, the big challenge will be convincing my girl to come over a place called "Iraq"...
__________________
Nick and his 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré
|
22 Nov 2010
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Aussie expat in Switzerland half way RTW
Posts: 611
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Miquel-Silvestre
Something I won't do again?? Yes, of course, delete by mistake 5 gigabytes of video taken with my helmet camera. Wtf!! The ride in the Erbil citadel is totally lost.
|
Oh well, it's a bastard loosing the video, but look at it this way, you have a reason to go back. Maybe we can come with you next time...
|
22 Nov 2010
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London
Posts: 621
|
|
Hi Miguel
Thanks for your post - very interesting. One thing - if you have deleted stuff from your helmet-cam by mistake, don't despair (unless you have already recorded over the top of it ) - try using some file recovery software:-
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ard-help-53598
This thread was for the purposes of restoring corrupted files, but it works equally for wrongly-deleted stuff. I posted the same question on other forums and in addition to the above was recommended to use Lexar Image Rescue which was good- v3 is free; v4 you have to pay for.
Deleted rather than corrupted stuff should be more straightforward to recover.
Good luck!
Mark
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
Similar Threads
|
Thread |
Thread Starter |
Forum |
Replies |
Last Post |
anyone in Irak?
|
Miquel-Silvestre |
Travellers Seeking Travellers |
4 |
28 Nov 2010 22:16 |
klr 650 08 any info
|
robroymc |
Kawasaki Tech |
7 |
13 Jul 2008 06:48 |
XT Info?
|
James Surtees |
Yamaha Tech |
8 |
11 Aug 2005 23:40 |
info on DR 650
|
Dino Y |
Suzuki Tech |
16 |
14 Mar 2003 22:45 |
Some UAE info
|
Stephano |
Middle East |
0 |
5 Jul 2002 13:13 |
|
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2024:
- California: April 18-21
- Virginia: April 25-28
- Germany Summer: May 9-12
- Québec: May 17-19
- Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
- CanWest: July 11-14
- Switzerland: August 15-18
- Ecuador: August 23-25
- Romania: August 30-Sept 1
- Austria: September 12-15
- France: September 20-22
- Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3
2025 Confirmed Events:
- Virginia: April 24-27 2025
- Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
- Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
- CanWest: July 10-13 2025
- Switzerland: Date TBC
- Ecuador: Date TBC
- Romania: Date TBC
- Austria: Sept. 11-15
- California: September 18-21
- France: September 19-21 2025
- Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
See all event details
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|