An itinerary in Eastern Turkey
 

I've been driving around Western Asia for several years now, have seen pretty much every corner of Iran, much of the Caucasus and Former USSR, but I've never driven in Turkey. I guess I was put off by high fuel prices, and it being more 'touristy' than other countries around it. I'm now going to visit, and am looking for a two-week itinerary in the east.

I plan to enter at Dilucu (from Azerbaijan) on the 30th July, and exit on the 12th at Vale (to Georgia).I am travelling by 4WD. I am interested in nice scenery, history and local culture.

I have a rough plan in mind to drive from Dilucu - Igdir - Dogubeyazit, then to Van and on to Hakkari. From Hakkari through Siirt to Mus, then north towards Bayburt, and east again through the Kackar Mountains all the way to Kars, where I want to see some Armenian sites, then head north to the Georgian border at Vale.

If anyone can suggest any specific sites, or an improvement to my itinerary I'd be very grateful, as I don't have a deep knowledge of the area (though I have been to a few of these places in 2003 as a backpacker).

Just to note, in autumn I plan to enter Turkey from Iraq, and see places such as Mardin, Urfa, Nemrut Dagi etc, so I don't want to visit these areas on this trip.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated!

Daniel

Not the most helpful reply, but wondering roughly what route your planning in Iraq?

Also I hope your are going to continue your excellent blog soon!:funmeteryes:

Hi Liam

Plan to enter Iraq from Iran at Piranshahr or perhaps further south if the facilities exist, then see as much as I can in the time and given the (slightly expanded of late) constraints of the Peshmerga controled areas of Iraq.

The blog won't be updated for some time I'm afraid, but in the meantime I've got a FB page which I update as often as I can:

www.facebook.com/eurasiaoverland

Have had a great time in Iran

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...29380451_n.jpg

Currently working in Iraq. Just go carefull, don't go too far south to enter Iraq, it is not fully understood how much of the country in the north has been taken by ISIS, they are very extreme and have committed lots of atrocities . Have your wits about you.
Have a look at this http://www.alliraqnews.com/en/