Has anyone taken their own vehicle into Kurdish Iraq? Do they stamp the carnet, or is there something to be paid??

Cheers

Daniel

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4.5 years around Eurasia in a Toyota Hilux|http://eurasiaoverland.wordpress.com/
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I just got back from Kurdish Iraq yesterday and the whole thing was fairly easy, though I think that that might change as they get themselves better organized.

The crossing from Silopi to Zakhu is the only safe one assuming you aren't coming from Iran.

I left Turkey and entered Iraq in less than 1/2 hr. and it didn't cost anything or require a Carnet. The 'problem' came with my bike- they had no clue really what to do since the only traffic they get local or long distance truckers. I got sent back and forth, waited around, and then I finally got one stamp on a piece of paper and all the others came in 5 min. So, after 1-1.5 hrs I was through to Kurdish Iraq and I didn't pay a dime.

I'll write a longer post about this, with more crossing details when I get a chance. It's a great place to visit!

Some notes:
- I saw people with Carnets, but I was never asked for one or anything. All the info I can get says that Kurdish Iraq does NOT require one.

-You get a free 10 days visa that can be extended at a central police station.

-They didn't ask for or look for bike insurance (and none of the security checkpoints after did either- about 5-10/day). I couldn't find any way to buy insurance, so I drove without. If you speak Kurdish or kind find a good english/your language speaker yu might have more luck.

-Getting back into to Turkey can be a bit of a hassle, but if you get stuck there are fixers who speak some English and other languages that can help. I ended up using one after I got sent between two different stations for a while. Cost 10TL (about 7USD) and got me through fairly quickly.


DRad
gsguy.wordpress.com

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DRad
http://gsguy.wordpress.com

worked liked that for me about a week ago. came from iran through piranshar. left kurdistan through zhako.
cheers