Syria, Iran, Jordan...update anyone?
 

Hello

I'm planning on travelling around Turkey, Syria, Jordan and Iran in April this year.

Is there anyone who is there currently or can give an update on the situation in these countries in relation to the demonstrations that are reported to be happening? Is there any major safety concerns at this stage - other than the normal...stay away from large groups of people / demonstrations advice.

Has anyone been knocked back from entering the countries?

Thanks
Adastra

Syria and iran sides normal.borders are regular.next week end four riders of our club will leave turkey gürbulak gates to iran on the way to india.
In mid march pascal will be here on the way to sıbırıa from marocco.
Lets keep in touch. we will write here all the latest news from our club riders
about the surrounding countries.

who knows whos turn is next after Libya.Or will be there another following country.

I have some photos of syria gates and customs officers taken 2 days ago.
just small protesting groups but with neck ties for now.

Thanks - I appreciate that you can provide updates.
That is a long way to cycle!!! :thumbup1:
Cheers
Adastra

Into Syria
 

Hi, I cant be much help now but my plan is to cross from Turkey to Syria on the 7th April. As soon as I can after arriving in Aleppo I will post an update of the general atmosphere. Of course if there is any form of uprising and not wishing to participate in my first peoples revolution I might decide to make it a big Turkish tour!
Julian

I will be following a couple of weeks later so any info would be appreciated.

Hi julianww and Discoverer,

Do drop in if you are passing by


Kas-Antalya, Turkey - Horizons Unlimited

Cheers,

Dicky

Drop in invite
 

Hello Dicky,
Thanks for your kind invitation. Your place looks great and could well be the trigger for a new route home. Would you be able to provide accommodation for myself, adult son Alex and a dusty GS1200 around the 13th April?
Regards
Julianbier

Hi Julian,

Not a problem. We are around full time. Just bang off an e-mail to let us know when you are likely to be around so that I can make sure the dogs have been fed!!

Safe travels,

David

Que Sera Sera
 

This is one of the joys of travel, you can plan as much as you want but God still laughs.

Just turn up and play it by ear!

I guess there will be plenty of information for this year's road trips to Syria :thumbup1:

I'm planning to set off from Thessaloniki, Greece on about 15th of April for Syria, Jordan and maybe Lebanon.

There'll be two heads looking from a Bandit 1250s and I'm not so sure about the roads condition. There's no luck changing motorcycle so we'll go with what we have. I know that Turkey will be easy, especially until Ankara, medium easy until Nevsehir, I've been travelling round Turkey last year, but beyond Nevsehir and especially into Syria and Jordan I have no idea what the road condition is like.

Anyone with infos?

Also, is any paperwork needed rather than a green card and an international driving licence?

Hi
I'll be doing almost the same route so might catch-up somewhere along the way. As far as I have research you don't need a carnet for Turkey / Syria or Jordan, just purchase bike insurance at the borders.
Cheers
adastra

For Turkey that's for sure. For Syria and Jordan is more likely sure but not definately. It would be easier with paperwork at the border to have a carnet, but if you consider the 3000€ that the greek motoring organisation wants in advance, and which you get back when you return, plus the 105€ for issuing the carnet, I prefer some bureaucracy instead.

I'm waiting for a call from the Jordan consulate to solve this out, once and for all, and waiting for 13.00 hours local time to contact the Syrian embassy for further infos.

I'll post again with news and of course if I'll end up traveling south, I'll be glad to have a cup of tea with you

So, the Syrian embassy knew...nothing. They said that the green card and an international driving licence is more than enough but they didn't know if a carnet is needed.

The Jordan embassy was really helpful and polite. They said that a carnet isn't needed in order to entry Jordan from Syria. I spoke with a guy that drives very often from Athens to Amman and told me a very practical way to avoid the carnet.

Entering the Turkish ground, you ask the officer to write at the last page of your passport the plates and frame number of your bike. When you are exiting Turkey to Syria, you ask to "delete" the former writings and get new ones from the Syrian side. From Syria to Jordan that's not necessary. Also, on the way back you take the exact steps. He can't guarentee anything but he said that with a few dollars anything can be solved :cursing:

So, the question is one, do you take the risk getting down there without the carnet? And if you are able to pass, will you still have the same luck on the way back?

Information for Australians to enter Turkey...
 

As far as ı know you are Australian and you will enter Turkey via greece and exit once to Syria,then enter Turkey again, then exit again to İran.
So..
For australian citizens multiple visa for 90 days available at the gates as your country is among those in the A list.

Sınır Kapılarımızda 90 Gün İkamet Süreli Müteaddit Girişli Bandrol Vizesi Verilebilecek Olanlar:

A.B.D (diplomatik pasaportlara da bandrol vizesi verilebilmektedir), Avusturya, Avustralya, Belçika, Brezilya, Hollanda, Hong Kong (İngiliz Pasaportları), İngiltere, İrlanda, İspanya, İtalya, Kanada, Portekiz,

As you will enter from an EU country but exit the EU.borders and customs while going to Syria and İran, you MUST have the carnet.
You can buy your insurance at the gates for minimum 1 month.The cost will be about 10 euros.

To give you some adrenalin here are the photos of the gates you will enter and exit.
When your papers are ok.but you meet a problem, ask to talk the authority of the department. You can also fill a complaint form and put it in the locked box
named ŞİKAYET KUTUSU WHICH ARE CAREFULLY READ BY THE CUSTOMS MNGRS. CAREFULLY.Before starting a talk, a salute of Selamünaleyküm will make your formalities easier.
Wish you a wonderful stay in Turkey.

I will be (hopefully) in Syria around the 15th of april. Most definately will skip the lebanon, too much heat for me.

Let's keep each other posted on the current situation.

Happy and safe travels......


If anybody has good references on places to stay in Turkey, please share! Will be in the west,south and central area

Syria
 

Hi! - First time post :thumbup1: woooo!!!

Just wondering if anyone out there is in Syria at the moment? and how they are finding the current situation involving the country?

I am hoping to be setting of from England late June, through Europe and following the Turkish Coast (around early-mid July) all the way into Syria....

I know some of you guys are planning on being in Syria around the same time, any thoughts?

Thanks in advance


Andy

Hi Marko K and Tarzan,

Do drop in if you are passing by.

Kas-Antalya, Turkey - Horizons Unlimited

DickyB's Turkish Delights - ADVrider


Cheers,

Dicky

Wise, for 7 Estonian cyclists were kidnapped there a week ago (Lebanon). I thought all that had stopped , but not yet...

HI all
Am currently in Pammukkale, Turkey and hoping to cross into syria in a couple of days travelling at least into jordan/

does anyone have an update on the security situation and travelling through there that is CURRENT.

Thanks

You have a shortwave radio with you , I'm sure.

This is your best bet to get a current update..... BBC World Service. Don't bother with Voice of America; it's useless. China Radio isn't too bad. Deutche Welle is good.

You are right to ask about the current situation; it changes by the day in Syria. Jordan is in upheaval too; be careful.

The dutch ministry of foreign affairs has a system with numbers. 1 is the best, nontroubles whatsoever. 6 is a no brainer, don't even think about going!

At the moment it's a 3, take precaution, keep yourself informed. If is levels up to 4 it's only if you really have to go (like businesswise)

As said, if it gets, any higher, change your plans, especially if it's a leisure trip. It is really not worth it.
I served in the ME, if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. If the shit hits the fan you are already to late and in a shitload of trouble.

Make sure that you carry GPS and have the adress and phonenumbers of your embassy

Enjoy!

Marco

Hi Vickey

The Australian Smart traveller site just upgraded the security warning to reconsider your need to travel. Originally the trouble was in the south but it is now is Damascus and just south of the border with Turkey. Apparently the president is going to make an address to the people in the next few days BBC News - Syria protests: Army on Latakia streets after 12 killed . The outcome of this is debatable. The scence on TV look similar to Eygpt.

See if anyone is coming through from the other way. Take care
adastra

Hello To All,
We are watching the situation much more carefully than others do.we have about 10 foreign guests in our club each month and our members and friends are continuously riding in or out middle east countries every week.

Middle east is more different than north africa, authorities more hospitable to
foreigners,local people love to talk with foreigners about adventure riding and
where the world is going to.As long as you obey and respect their traditions, you can meet the warm friendship and hospitality that you can't buy with money in your home country.

Presently, most important point is to keep away from main squares and big
mosques after FRIDAY MIDDAY PRAYINGS. Thats the lovely color of middle east countries, may be some exciting but safe in real.

Reports of other countries just show their desires for middle east. More dangerous protests are happening every day in all developed countries.
May be, these are (including earthquakes)the expected changes and happenings according to the Maya calendar which ends in 2012-Dec.!!!

For those who decide to continue their trips later and want to leave their motors in a safe place until then, we offer them our closed garage for
parking free of charge if their papers are ok. and regular.

This message is to Dear Helen,
When you are here, we will check all the situations together.If it is going to
be worse or a revolution there(we dont think so.), sure we will recommend you alternative routes that are safer.As told you, we will track you during your trip in Turkey.

Last Autumn, a belgium rider was lost in north anatolia mountains.we found him via his belgium cellphone,called several times,helped him to reach the
main highway.he was surprised when the waiter gave him his cellphone and told "somebody calling you", while he was having dinner in a restaurant somewhere there.
Then he came to our club garage,his KTM was repaired, and he gained many
warm friendships.All free and friendly helps. ı know this is impossible in many developed countries.

Hope these photos give you the color of adrenaline and unforgattable moments a rider can have.(1 is having offroad day after repairings)

Wish you all the best.
mehmet z.avar

Seems unable to upload more photos as Mr.Grant says;
"Sum of all attachments owned by istanbul bisiklet motosiklet: 1,015.8 KB"

Hope Mr.Grant solves this problem or I can send the photos personally to those who request them.

Things like this (that I experienced in eastern Turkey last year) contribute to let me love the Turkish people, that I consider fantastic! :thumbup1:

Thanks Mehmet!!

I'll be in Istanbul on the 14th - 19th April. very, much looking forward to catching up (I'll PM you re details).
Good to get some on the ground details. I thought I would see what is happening when I get closer to the boarder.

Take care and see you soon!:D
Adastra

Hey Dicky,

That would be nice. I will be in the kas-antalya region around the 7th or 8th of april. I have to pick up my girlfriend at the airport on the 9th.

Let's stay in contact

Best,

Marco

To Syria
 

Hey!

Dicky: Also thank you! I will be entering Turkey and going into at some point in early July and then following the coast until I get into Syria. So I will keep in contact closer to the time!

istanbul bisiklet motosiklet: Hi, I was wondering, you wrote: "Hope these photos give you the color of adrenaline and unforgattable moments a rider can have.(1 is having offroad day after repairings" .... Does your club run offroad days? If so how far out are they from Istanbul? Is there anywhere on the Hubb that you have posted the pictures?


So whats everyones general consensus on Syria? Adastra... im curious what your plans are... still going?

Thanks guys - have fun :rockon:

Andy

Seems ı am unable to upload photos here.so ı give you the link to the photos of him for now.
Login | Facebook
Our website ([url=http://www.ibmik.org.tr]

Hi Marco and Tarzan,

Yep, just drop me a line when you are close.

Tarzan I would be more than happy to take you out in the mountains round here if you want some offroad practice. Pics on my Advrider link.

Safe travels'

Cheers,

Dicky

Well I'm flying over in two weeks time - have planned this for about a year so I'll see what's happening when I get there. I spoke with someone who was there last week and she felt fine. But things can change rapidly.

To Syria
 

Hey

Dicky: Thanks for your offer, very kind! I will have to take you up on that :clap:
It's funny, i have actually seen your Adv Rider page a while ago, before I had even read this thread, pictures look amazing! (im also on an xt660r bier)

Adastra: Ahhh so your flying to the Mid East? Then purchasing a bike or shipping yours over? Where are you starting from (flying to) and heading for? if you dont mind me asking!

Have fun!

Tarzan,

I don't know how you've got your XT660R kitted out but the best mod I've made to mine has been to fit a sheepskin seat cover from these guys

Motorcycle Seat pad: from Lambland UK Online

Comfortable and keeps your bum cool in the heat. Wish I'd had it when I went to East Turkey.

Cheers,

Dicky

Hi

Starting in Turkey - Picking up a bike I brought in UK in Greece and then making way down Western Turkey into Syria, back out to Eastern Turkey into Iran (assuming the visa comes through) then back up Northern Turkey to finish at Istanbul - that's the plan but visa's and politics will determine where I actually end up :-)

Adastra

hi
 

currently in Iran. no problem entering from the south ( pakistan) just required to have police escort to Bam which is a real pain.

Syria
 

Hi!

Thanks for the link Dicky. I was considering getting a sheep skin throw over but had completely forgotten about it! I bought the one from the link you gave, ive already got it through the post.... and its cuddly:clap: lol so thanks for the tip!


Adastra, well, dependent on visas and politics i may see you in Turkey, syria or on the road somewhere!

have fun!

Andy

Hey david. I'm in Izmir right now and was wondering if i can crah at your place. I do not have a planning, take things as they come. But probably will be there from tomorrow untill tuesday. So maybe tomorrow or monday? I pick my girlie up at the antalya airport on saturday.......

If possible and ok by you can you sent me your adress by email to me?

Kaledegrote@hotmail.com

Thanks in advance!

Best,

Marco

[quote=Marco K;331356]Hey david. I'm in Izmir right now and was wondering if i can crah at your place. I do not have a planning, take things as they come. But probably will be there from tomorrow untill tuesday. So maybe tomorrow or monday? I pick my girlie up at the antalya airport on saturday.......

Hi Marco,

Nice to hear from you. I must admit to being a bit confused by your mail regarding picking your girl up from the airport and being here at the same time. Antalya is a good three hours ride from Kas (See the map on the link)

Kas-Antalya, Turkey - Horizons Unlimited

I assumed that you may want to stop over in Kas on your way to Antalya.

Cheers,

Dicky

Hi david. I'm aware it's a bit confusing however......

Today I'm dropping somebody off in Kas, tomorrow collect my girlfriend from the airport, then head back in the direction of Kas, i'm a kind of motorcycletaxidriver :-)

Best,

Marco

Hi Marco,

PM sent.

Off down town for a couple of hours so will be contactable on my mobile.

Cheers,

David

Thanks!

Syria
 

Hı Adastra and others hopıng to travel ın Syria. We left there yesterday after 5 days of bıke travel. We were based ın Aleppo and want as far south as Palmyra. Made welcome everywhere and only felt uneasy when stopped 3 tımes ın an hour on moutaın roads between Mysaf and Crak de Chavllier Castles by non-unıformed guys wıth weapons. Make sure you carry your docs at all tımes. Bab Al Hawa boarder a real test for the ınexperienced. You must have euros or dollars for the temp carnet for your bıke. My advıce pay a fıxer 10 dollars to help you but allow at least 2 hours. Return we managed ok. Good luck Julıan and Alex. :thumbup1:

Hi Julian,

Are you still heading for Kas?

Cheers,

Dicky

Traveller safety in Syria
 

A friend working in UN agency in Syria sent links
//www.sana.sy/eng/21/index.htm, which is state run, and
//english.aljazeera.net/indepth/spotlight/syria/
Her assement of the situation is that you are safe enough, she didn't mention the traffic, which is your main risk. Very "inshallah" driving.
A tip, shops closing early and street hawkers disappearing is always a bad sign. Local people will always give you a "heads-up" if something nasty is likely. Park your bike off the streets to avoid damage in riots, and keep a full tank, because a fuel shortage is likely if there is unrest. Retreat and avoid any sudden gatherings of younger men around public areas, especially near mosques and public buildings, because this is always going to attract the security forces, and they can be very heavy handed.
The country is a bit "pressure-cooker" at the moment, and the Assad regime are not very flexible, so there is a potential for violent confrontations.
That said, it is a country well worth visiting, Damascus is the oldest inhabited capital in the world. You can't put a spade in the ground without finding some historic remains, so the Syrians have a very nonchalent attitude to them, life goes on.
Safe travels
Peter, in Oslo

Hı,

I came through Syrıa ın February wıth no Problems at all. But that was before the major troubles started. Comıng from Jordan I got the vısa at the border (German PP), they stamped the Carnet and made me buy an insurance for the bıke. The whole procedure took 3 hrs. At least 4 people checked my PP several tımes from the fırst to last page, probably lookıng for Israeli stamps.

Am ın Adana (Turkey) rıght now, departıng to Iran tomorrow.

Cheers
Harry

Thanks Julıan and Alex and Peter

Will see how it is looking on the ground around mid May. Should be ok. Julian / Alex where are you heading??
Cheers
Adastra

Hi Dicky,
Sorry chánged plans a bit and decided to go back to Capadocia for a couple of days. I struggled to let you know as i had not earned enough posts to send you a direct reply. Hope i make another journey into southern Turkey and make a visit in the future so thanks again for your kind offer.

Julian:innocent:

we have come back up through cental turkey, try and get to Capadocia, to Istanbul then Serbia, Hungary and now in Austria. Syria seems so far away but so worth it. The people are lovely and the genuine way we were treated is what bike travel is all about. Probably would have been better if we had made Homs our base. Aleppo great but we had to ride many miles each day to visit the sights.

It's nice to hear people having great time in places were western authorities try to make us avoid such trips. And I'm one of those who changed their mind, well it was also a money issue with the carnet, and will end up travelling west rather than east.

We'll be excpecting your ride reports and pictures, travel safe bier

Hi Julian,

Thanks for letting me know. Sounds as though you had a great trip. Safe onward travels.

Cheers,

Dicky

Hi Julianww,
as i understand you are currently in Austria. If you are in Vienna right now send me a PM and we can meet for a beer or so. I'm going to Greece, Turkey and possibly Syria on the second of May. My Journey will last for three months.

Drive save

Travel Advice Syria
 

Hi to all,
here is a travel advice for Syria issued by the British and Foreign Commonwealth Office dated 04.25.2011

We advise against all travel to the Syrian Arab Republic. This is because of increasingly violent disturbances in urban centres across the country, including the capital Damascus, and reports of live gunfire by security forces resulting in an increasing number of deaths. In light of the deteriorating security situation, British nationals in Syria who have no pressing need to remain should leave now by commercial means.

British Nationals who choose to remain in Syria or visit against our advice should be aware that it is highly unlikely that the British Embassy will be able to provide a normal consular service in the event of a further breakdown in law and order and increased violent civil disorder. British nationals should therefore plan accordingly.
It is likely that road networks may be blocked during disturbances or demonstrations. In recent days several major highways including Tartous-Latakia, Latakia-Aleppo, Homs-Aleppo and Damascus-Jordan have been temporarily closed because of demonstrations or disturbances. There has also been an increase in the number of security force checkpoints on major road routes.

Drive save

Lobster09

Land border closed
 

Fresh from TV BBC world news less than an hour ago, the land borders have been closed..!

Bummer...looks like Syira is off the travel plans:( thanks for the update though.

Just hope it doesn't spread to Iran. I'll visit there first and then see what's happening.

Lobster09 was faster than me. Reports in Greece also mention the land borders closing from all sides plus there's lack of electricity and communication possibilities.

Hey you HUBB-ers,

In Syria now, and situation very very confusing. So far I've stayed here for about a week and no problems whatsoever. Beautiful country, perfect riding and the people I've met were really some friendliest ever.

Unfortunately, the situation is quite unpredictable nowadays. Land border with Jordan seems to be closed as off today (all hear say though); other borders I'm not sure. Cannot really imagine that the border with Turkey is closed, as I haven't heard of problems close to there. Big cities close to Lebanon seem to have problems. Tourists from several countries have been advised by their embassies to leave the country as soon as possible. But being here, it's actually quite impossible to get any info that feels reliable.

Anyway, I'm off to Crac de Chevalier and as long as the land border with Jordan is closed off I'll stick it out in the ever-so-quiet Lebanon.

If your here or in Lebanon, give a shoutout, and we'll swap stories.

Enjoy!

Oh uhm, based on all of the people I've spoken to the city of Homs is a no go for now. Taxi drivers for backpackers will avoid it at all costs, taking detours through the mountains.

Hama: some say it's safe others say it isn't.
Damascus - old city: some say it's safe others say it isn't.
Pick as you like.


Oh, and just so you know: (limited) popular belief has it that all problems are instigated by the Lebanese and -of course- the Americans.........


Enjoy!
S.

Turkish boarder gates are open,trucks and busses going in and out Syria.
Local people hate Americans,French and Jewish. As most protestors ride bikes,
its forbidden to ride in the big cities and all bikes are tightly under police control and checkings.
No warning done yet by Ministry of Turkish Foreign Affairs to the rescue teams.
If you are still in Syria and goes worst, better keep yourself in small towns close to Turkish bordergates for more safety.

Best wishes
m.zeki avar

Well, uhm yeah, it's me again.
Met a Scottish cyclist today and he told me he had stayed the night in Homs and it was rather quiet there now, not even tense.
So I went and will stay in Homs tonight and can confirm that it's not that quiet, but not tense either. It's kinda bizar.
I have not had any problems at the check points, there was a check point as I entered the city, and no fuss about me being on the bike. The only times I've been stopped, was because they wanted to see (and admire) the bike. I guess things are all different when you're (clearly) a tourist. Local bike riders... indeed, I don't think I've seen (m)any today here in town.

So, if you're planning on coming to Syria... Small towns are probably not a problem, but DO stop when someone ask you to. Bigger towns/cities: stay informed and be very careful on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Now, I don't want come across as the naive idiot, but for tourists it still appears to be quite okay. I will definitely be staying for a couple of days, no worries!

Enjoy!

It's turning ugly - seriously not recommended.

Amongst others:
BBC News - Syria: Can Assad defeat the protesters?

The risk is if the military really do decide to close down the country, then you could get trapped behind exclusion zones and closed borders.

Also consider what might happen as people accumulate at the borders. Prepared to spend days/weeks camped at a border crossing?

Ah well, for me SY and JD are off the itinerary. Time for Plan B!

where to now?
 

I guess Syria is off for me too! (for the time being)
But i still have to leave the UK at the end of June... otherwise i may explode...

Considering other options now, will still make my way towards Syria and ride through Turkey... Im currently looking at Iran as an option, as i have read a few guys posts on here about getting through fine without a carnet.

Adastra, you mentioned you were off to Iran, any plans carnet wise?

Would really like to push on through to Pakistan and India but according to the RAC website, the carnet is 500%

Any thoughts or ideas would be much appreciated

Thanks in advance

Conditions may change until end of June.So many serious governal meetings are being held in the area.Syria is also a gate way for transport of food and goods to other Arabian countries.
If that is your target and dream, keep it alive until last moment.

Wish you all the best in a world without carnet and political crises.

m.zeki avar

Syria
 

A world without carnet's and political crises should be added to John Lennon's 'Imagine'.

Thanks :mchappy:

Andy

Does anyone know if the border with Turkey (and with Jordan) is currently open? We're hearing mixed things.