Mount Ararat, Lake Van, eastern Turkey
 

Photography and Journey, Turkey, Mount Ararat, Van, Akhtamar Island.
Thought of sharing this, nearly 100 Photos on there. Careful, may make u wanna go.

Hi. Great photos. Me and a friend are thinking of heading that way next year. Any good tips, info etc would be great. What are the weather conditions like around Lake Van at the mo and in March/April? Happy riding.

Those really are great photos.. What sort of camera did you use? I need to upgrade my 12 year old Sony to something more modern that will store more than 5 photos on a disk :)

These pics are awesome.
"Road to Sunrise" has just begun the new desktop wallpaper of my computer at office.


Thanks for sharing!

Van
 

Thanks guys, really I adored country and people. Camera is a 5y old Fuji Fine Pix pro S3 DSLR (takes Nikon lenses). Yes could still be snowy, as much of it is high up and passes are up to 2600m. And I am not sure whether I was just lucky with the weather. But east and south becomes desert country, receives a lot less rain than Black sea coast.

Definitely check out http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/country/turkey for very useful and pertinent information.

I was in Van a month ago (late October 2009) and it was slightly chilly but quite wet - had a nice week-long rain parade...

Alexandros

Winter can be really cold with snow. Main roads are ok.

For moderate adventure: do a circle through Naxcivan, Iran, Iraqi Kurdistan, back into Turkey.

For Turkish Kurdistan (Hakkari road) you need really good nerves.

'good nerves', please expand?

The road from Van via Hakkari to Cizre (and the Iraqi border) is 400km through a hot military zone. There is not much in the news about this area, but don't underestimate it. 30 military checkpoints with VERY nervous soldiers.

The perceived level of "danger" here is much higher than in Northern Iraq, Iran or the rest of Anatolia.

P.S.: Road is half gravel, half tarmac and a very small "rough section" in between (shallow river crossing; deep potholes). But doable in 2x4 car.

:eek3:wanna go by bike thro turkey, iran, pak to India. what 'safe' route would you suggest thro the first 2 countries?

More than Northern Iraq? Not really. Have been in both of the countries. It is not a fair comparison.

I woul be much more concerned about the wheater. The area is very high and gets lots of snow dirzzle etc.. From late spring (may) to early fall shoul be prefered.

One late rider who went from Istanbul to India, has informed the main roads were mostly 2 lane divided asphalted in easterne Turkiye. Of course there are lots of gravel, dirt paths which can be taken.
Regards

I am not comparing the countries.

I was comparing a) Northern Iraq Kurdistan region with b) The Hakkari Road in Turkish "Kurdistan".

a) is a stable, peaceful autonomous region with little (visible) military presence

b) is a full-blown war zone

You must have been in Hakkari before the 80s, I assume.

Both Turkey and Iran are among the friendlier and safer countries of this planet IMHO, with very good roads and rewarding traveling.

The only roads you may want to avoid are Van via Hakkari to Cizre and Van via Yüksekova to Urmia (Iran), because of the ongoing Turkish-Kurdish problems.

I haven't been east of Teheran, so I cannot judge the eastern Iranian border territories.

Again, my suggestion would be to integrate part of the Lower Caucasus into a Turkey - Iran overland trip. Either Georgia - Armenia - Iran or Naxcivan - Iran.

Well I have been to northern Iraq recently. It may appear calmer than Bagdat region. But still the tension is there with many many people with kalashnikovs on the street. To get in the airport you go through security checks whiach tells you about the situation. Unfortunately attacks are carried on the civilian which you do not see on the other side of the border.

A full blown war zone as you mention in your e-mail is not the best way to describe south east Turkiye. As I have mentioned it would be like black and white to do comparison.

Okay enough with it, I hope it was spring and I had week to spare. Would have been fantastic to go for a ride.

Regards
Regards

Regards

Nomadb, as travelers rely on your information on the HUBB, it would be good not to make a statement about an area you have not been to personally (Hakkari). I can assure you, it looks different from what you see on TV in Istanbul.

Well Travelbug, same thing applies to your comments about northern Iraq beeing safe and stable, been there done that, my observation is quite contrary.

Actually no more coments from my side since travellers can make their own opinions anyway.

Regards

This Youtube-video represents pretty well what I saw this year on the Hakkari Road. The only thing missing is the fighter jets. And the 30 military checkpoints with tanks (as opposed to police checkpoints!) with VERY nervous soldiers. Judge for yourself.

YouTube - Hakkari Çukurca Işıklı Karakolu 1987/1


Now here is the real situation in Iraqi Kurdistan (as I witnessed it this year, too):

from: Iraqi Kurdistan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"As a major economic power in Iraq, Kurdistan has the lowest poverty rates and highest standard of living in Iraq.[3] It is the most stable and secure region of Iraq where not a single coalition soldier or foreigner has been killed, wounded or kidnapped since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.[4] Maintaining its own foreign relations, Kurdistan hosts a number of consulates and representation offices of countries most notably those of the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Israel and Russia.[5][6]
"
and from: Kurdistan Region Presidency, Security

"The Kurdistan Region boasts a remarkable security record. Since the war that toppled Saddam Hussein from power in 2003, not a single US soldier has been killed in Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)-controlled territory. Thanks primarily to its successes in this arena, life in the Kurdistan Region has largely returned to normal and economic development is booming. The current Chief of Intelligence and Security for the Kurdistan Region is Masrour Barzani, who has been serving in this post since 1999."

Or: Kurdistan - The Other Iraq

Or: Backpacking Iraqi Kurdistan: Getting into Iraqi Kurdistan


Talking to experienced travelers: both "countries" are doable, but - as I said - in the Turkish part you need good nerves.

Thank you for expanding and sharing thoughts, ideas & experience. Wayne

Dear Travel bug,

I have looked at the youtube link, it shows a border military base, did I get the right link?

If yes, considering the unfortunate situation in Iraq, the borders needs to be controlled. The region as is can not be compared to borders berween US and Canada or between Eropean countries.

I also noticed the links of wiki about Norther Iraq. Northern Iraq is indeed more stable compared to Bagdat region as is. However, still there are problems, bombings and much more army presence on the road. I happened to be there very recently, the road has many blocks where you are stoped an ID's are controlled. To get in the airport the security measures tells you the real story. I had team members who almost witnessed mass bombings in fairly large city. I repeat again this are fist hand experiences.


In my humble opinion comparing Turkiye with Northern Iraq is like balck and white. As a person living in the region and with real life expereince, this what I would contribute here.

Finally I sincerel wish to be ableto witness a safe and peacufull region in short future. The people living there deserve better conditions.

Regards

Travelbug,

There is no ''Turkish Kurdistan'' and also Iraq kurdistan. Turkish kurds live in Turkey and Iraqi kurds live in Iraq. A lot of people from different etnic roots are living in America. So can we say American Ireland, American China or American Japan ? You can say Turkish kurds but not Turkish kurdistan. And you have to know that there is no problem between Turks and kurts. There is a terrorist organization named ''pkk'' who attack on civilian people and military. That's the problem. Most of our kurt citizens don't approve and don't support this terrorist organization. Because of this problem the east of Turkey there are many military check points for ensure safety...

Manfredschweda,

Thank you for sharing photographs and your comments about Turkey and Turkish people.


Best All,

but on a more light-hearted note: regional and global tension will only come to an end when governments everywhere finally provide us with free fuel and knobbly tyres, and once and for all ban all types of helmets, except of course those little wee pink ones !!!

:offtopic: I know, but ...:D

No nervousness
 

Have done the Van - Hakkari - Cizre road in Oct2009, yes many check points, but no nervousness. It slows down enornously past Hakkari. Yes you want to move a bit swiftly. Don't spend time and become the target. I am now in Sinai, Egypt, which receives millions of tourists and it seems it has as many checks.
Anyway, here is my south-eastern Turkey journey
Photography and Journey, South Eastern Turkey, Diyarbakir, Aramaean monasteries, Mardin.
am the original poster.