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| Elevation: | 1,346 ft | 410 m |
| GPS: |
36.19002, 44.01257 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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| Page Views: | 2,022 total · 43/month | |
| Shared By: | R G on May 4, 2021 | |
| Admins: |
Access Issue: Munitions
Details
One of the unfortunate souvenirs left by the historic conflicts in the region is the copious amount of munitions scattered in the mountains, much of which is still live. Fortunately, most dangerous areas are well known and limited to the borders of the country. Unfortunately, this knowledge is still largely known only by remote villagers and few surveys have been conducted that are accurate enough to provide any reasonable certainty as to where's safe. According to accounts from the climbers in Sulaymaniyah, there are literally millions of mines still buried in the mountains on the border of Iran and Turkey, and few if any efforts are being made to remove them. (UKclimbing.com)
Description
The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is an autonomous region within the Federal Republic of Iraq. The Kurdistan region is distinctive with its prevailing stability and security, and with the tolerance and co-existence of it's people including all its different ethnic components who are renowned for their friendliness, love and respect for their guests, especially for foreign visitors. The Kurdistan region is a multi ethnic and multi religious region in northern Iraq whose majority are Kurds. (wikitravel)
The mountains of the Kurdistan Region have an average height of about 2,400 meters, rising to 3,000–3,300 meters in places. The highest peak, Halgurd, is near the border with Iran and measures 3,660 meters. The highest mountain ridges contain the only forestland in the Region. Kurdistan roughly encompasses the northwestern Zagros and the eastern aurus mountain ranges. Contemporary use of the term refers to the following areas: southeastern Turkey northern Kurdistan, northern Iraq (Southern Kurdistan), northwestern Iran (Eastern Kurdistan) and northern Syria (Rojava or Western Kurdistan). ( kurdistanmcf.com)
The mountains of the Kurdistan Region have an average height of about 2,400 meters, rising to 3,000–3,300 meters in places. The highest peak, Halgurd, is near the border with Iran and measures 3,660 meters. The highest mountain ridges contain the only forestland in the Region. Kurdistan roughly encompasses the northwestern Zagros and the eastern aurus mountain ranges. Contemporary use of the term refers to the following areas: southeastern Turkey northern Kurdistan, northern Iraq (Southern Kurdistan), northwestern Iran (Eastern Kurdistan) and northern Syria (Rojava or Western Kurdistan). ( kurdistanmcf.com)
Getting There
Citizens of the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Turkey and all EU member states are automatically given a free 30 day entry stamp on arrival. Just step right off the plane, get your passport stamped and as long as there's nothing sketchy in your bag like military stuff, you will not be quizzed at all about what you intend to do in Iraq or anything. If they do find any sketchy military stuff in your bag (they x-ray your bag after you get off the plane) they'll confiscate it and give you a ticket which you can use to get it back when you leave.
Most other nationalities must obtain a "Iraq - Kurdistan Region" visa in advance. However, you will have to report to the Residency Office within 10 days of your arrival if you want to stay longer than 10 days. This involves many forms to fill out, around $30 USD in fees as well as a compulsory blood test to check for Hep C and HIV (although this does not seem to be the case anymore). Be prepared to wait for around 2-3 hours throughout this whole process. Please be cautious about your visa stamp, however - if you arrived by bus, make sure your visa stamp does NOT feature a car (otherwise, they will not let you leave the country (without hassle) unless you are in a car). This is a rare mistake but just stay aware!
Border control is unfortunately fairly strict (for people who are not citizens of the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Turkey or the EU.) If you have a contact in Kurdistan, come armed with their name and address. If you don't, make sure you have a very good idea of what exactly you will be doing and where you will be staying. You don't need to worry about any of these precautions if you are a citizen of the aforementioned states. The KRG (Kurdistan Regional Government) has produced a fact sheet (PDF) on travel to the Kurdistan region of Iraq. (WikiTravel)
Most other nationalities must obtain a "Iraq - Kurdistan Region" visa in advance. However, you will have to report to the Residency Office within 10 days of your arrival if you want to stay longer than 10 days. This involves many forms to fill out, around $30 USD in fees as well as a compulsory blood test to check for Hep C and HIV (although this does not seem to be the case anymore). Be prepared to wait for around 2-3 hours throughout this whole process. Please be cautious about your visa stamp, however - if you arrived by bus, make sure your visa stamp does NOT feature a car (otherwise, they will not let you leave the country (without hassle) unless you are in a car). This is a rare mistake but just stay aware!
Border control is unfortunately fairly strict (for people who are not citizens of the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Turkey or the EU.) If you have a contact in Kurdistan, come armed with their name and address. If you don't, make sure you have a very good idea of what exactly you will be doing and where you will be staying. You don't need to worry about any of these precautions if you are a citizen of the aforementioned states. The KRG (Kurdistan Regional Government) has produced a fact sheet (PDF) on travel to the Kurdistan region of Iraq. (WikiTravel)
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