Syria update July 2nd 2011
 

Hi just came thru Syria into Turkey yesterday having passed thru a week ago into Jordan. No problems but heavy troop movements on roads heading north. Border at Bab al hawa very quiet and easy. Stayed in Damascus on Friday no problems and everyone very helpfull. On costs entered twice without carnet around 4000syp each time, insurance 1000yp and a couple of 100s for stamps. Helpers try to sneak thru a couple of humdred for themselves but first time thru it was worth it just stay with them as they go to the desks. Each time you leave you also have to pay 500syp but thats it. Not a suggested holiday destination but worth transiting to get to Jordan, riding at Wadi Rum area is fantastic. Sorry for the fractured mail, no computer just working from Kindle. Paul

Great report. Let's hope it stays that way!

planning trip turkey-syria-jordan-egypt-sudan...SA
 

Thanks Paul for the update.
I really need the good news.
I'm planning trip Belgium-Turkey-Syria-Jordan-Egypt-Sudan and further to SA.
Because the Visamar ferry (venice-alex) doens't go untill oktober 2011 I'm looking for a alternative route to Egypt.
Do you think it is possible with the borders Turkey-Syria and Syria-Jordan.
I'm starting end august 2011 in Belgium and will be at Syria-border about end september.

1.Did you feel safe in Syria, how are the people to travellers??
2.Do you think it is still possible for travelling into Syria??
3.Where did you get the visa for Syria??
4.I do have a carnett, so more easy at the borders!!
5.Do I get discussion in Sudan with Syrian visa in passport??

Hope that you have some answers.
Enjoy your travells.
Rens.

Syrıa up date
 

Sorry for my late reply I,ve been out of ınternet contact for a whıle. Have spent the last few days rıdıng thru the Anatolıan mtns, fantastıc much better than the costal route I took on my way thru Turkey to Syrıa.
Re Syrıa:
Local people could not have been more frıendly, had great nıght ın Damascus wıth hotel staff who took me to all the local eatıng places to sample all the specıalıtıes (all free!) spent nıght drınkıng beer and chıllıng together. Hotel was Iranıan and cost 700 syp!
No problem at the border or anywhere, don,t want to get polıtıcal here but there ıs a lot of hype ın the medıa whıch does not seem to be reflected on the ground. Nuff saıd!
No one knows how the sıtuatıon may change but entry ınto Jordan was very relaxed and no problems (as was Turkey-Syrıa).
Frankly, from a government pount of vıew, no ones ınterested ın transıtıng bıkers, the locals are at paıns to welcome you and want you to go away wıth a very posıtıve vıew of theır country.
Jordan was fantastıc but be aware because of the lack of transıtıng tourısts they have hıked the prıces up quıte a lot, Petra was double last years cost (stıll worth ıt) ıts not a cheap country, ıt was quıte a culture shock after Syrıa and Turkey. Any further ınfo I can help wıth pls ask.
Paul

All good news - I thought Syria would be a no-no.

I am happy to hear this very good news- this means Syria would be a yes-yes in stead of a no-no. By the way, can we get our visa at the border?

(My wife and I wil go September 1th from the Netherlands - Turkey - Syria - Egypt - South Africa...so Lorenso, maybe we will meet each other!)

Syria update
 

We went in and through Syria about 2 weeks ago. Spend 3 days driving around and no problems at all. Went in through the western border post from Turkey, had an interview, asking the usual questions, stayed outside Aleppo in a camping ground of sorts. Went on to jaba citadel for the second evening. Drove through to palamyra and onto Damascus for our third and last evening.

Military/ police presence every where but friendly and helpful albeit inquisitive. Exit down south to Jordan without any issues.

Boereklonk

Ps. Make sure you enter with enough petrol/diesel to last you at least a day.

--------————----------—————-------
Http://www.scenicroutehome.com

Great! Thanks for the update.

Syria Entry
 

Hi, Entered Syria two days ago through Batnh near Rehanli, Turkey, no problem getting through but beware, do not stop for anyone between the Turkish Or Syrian border post, even if they look as if they are uniformed as they are all bandits on the make. Plenty of diesel in Syria and petrol looked to be ok,
Damascus what a fun place to drive in:funmeteryes:

What about Syrian visa when coming from Turkey? I can get it at the border?

Thanks

Sounds like it is not a problem for bikers, but does anyone know what it is like for 4x4ers?