Archive for December, 2009

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World Heritage Site of the Week: Get a Kyrgyzstan Visa to See the Sulamain-Too Sacred Mountain

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites are a collection of intriguing destinations from around the world.  According to the UNESCO website, the sites are selected to “to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.”

Once a week, as part of our new “World Heritage Site of the Week” series, we will profile one of these sites and look at what you would need to travel there. The first World Heritage site in the series is also one of the newest to be added to the list: Sulamain-Too Sacred Mountain in Kyrgyzstan.

What makes Sulamain Too sacred?  The mountain is believed to be the final resting place of the Islamic prophet Sulamain.  There is a shrine that marks what is believed to be his grave, as well as sacred caves and springs  that are thought to have miraculous curative powers.

However, according to UNESCO, the mountain has always been sacred to the local people, even in pre-Islamic times. UNESCO says that “the mountain is an exceptional spiritual landscape reflecting both Islamic and pre-Islamic beliefs and particularly the cult of the horse.” In addition to mosques and shrines, the mountain is also full of archaelogical treasures like caves with petroglyphs.

During the heyday of the Great Silk Road, Sulamain-Too beckoned travelers to the nearby city of Osh, where several trade routes converged.

To visit Sulamain-Too, you need both your passport and a Kyrgyzstan visa. Tourists can get a Kyrgyzstan visa on arrival at the airport, but if you enter the ccuntry by land you do need to get a visa in advance.  Your passport must have at least 1 full blank page, so make sure you check it before you apply.

Here are the documents you will need to get a Kyrgystan visa:

1 visa application form

1 passport photo

Your US passport (with at least 1 blank page in the back)

The standard Kyrgystan tourist is visa is single-entry. For multiple entry visas, you will also need a visa support letter from the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Also, the US Department of State notes that you may need transit visas for surrounding countries, like Kazakhstan and Russia. RushMyTravelVisa.com can research your itinerary and help you determine what visas you will need for your trip. We will also help you with the application paperwork and forward your documents to the appropriate embassies and consulates for expedited processing.

Need visa help? Contact us today!

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Posted in World Heritage Site of the Week | 2 Comments »

Getting an Ethiopian Visa to Hike the Semien Mountains

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

Ethiopia is often overlooked as a tourist destination, but it is actually  a treasure trove of history, archaeology and natural attractions. One of the major national attractions is the Semien Mountains, in the north of Ethiopia.

Rugged and isolated, the Semien Mountains offer incredible opportunities for hiking and backpacking. The tallest mountain in the range is Ras Dashen, which towers 15,159 feet above sea level.

Campsites in the Semien Mountains are basic, but what the mountains lack in luxury, they make up for in scenery and solitude.  Due to the unique geological processes that formed them, the mountains are filled with interesting rock formations.

They are also home to a variety of interesting wildlife, such as the Gelada baboon, the lynx-like caracal and the endangered Ethiopian wolf.

According to Gadling, here’s what sets the Semien mountains apart:

“The incredible views, unique mountain villages, and interesting wildlife set it apart from just about any other hike, and will leave a lasting impression on anyone who makes the journey.”

Guided treks and treks with pack animals are available. You can hire your own guides and pack animals once you get to the nearest town or book an organized trek in advance. If you decide to make  trekking arrangements in Ethiopia, this article has a lot of helpful information.

To get there, you’ll need both a passport and an Ethiopian visa. According to the US Department of State, you may or may not be able to get an Ethiopian visa on arrival at the airport, and you can’t get one  on arrival at all if you arrive by land.

Even if you fly in, you really should get an Ethiopian visa in advance, before you leave the US.  The Department of State reports that the visa on arrival system is unreliable and that some travelers have been delayed or turned away.

Here’s what you’ll need to apply for an Ethiopian visa:

  • 1 visa application  form
  • 1 passport photo
  • A copy of your itinerary
  • Your US passport

RushMyTravelVisa can help you apply for your visa, providing assistance with your paperwork and delivering your application to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest service available.

Apply for your Ethiopian visa today!

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Getting a Chinese Visa To Visit Mount Wutai

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

Every year, Unesco scours the globe for places that are uniquely important to humanity’s environmental or cultural heritage. The result is an ever-growing list of Unesco World Heritage sites, all of which are excellent places for an adventurous traveler to visit.

One of this year’s new World Heritage sites is Mount Wutai in China.  The mountain is on the list because it is one of Chinese Buddhism’s Four Sacred Mountains.  As such, it is the home of many of the most beautiful and important temples and monasteries.

According to Wikipedia, some of the monasteries are the oldest wooden structures still standing in China today, dating back to the Tang Dynasty, dating back as far as 782 AD.  Important temples on Mount Wutai include Nanshan Temple, Shouning Temple, Bishan Temple and others.

Mount Wutai is said to be the home of the Bodhisattva of wisdom, known as either Manjusri or Wenshu.  Occasionally,  Manjusri is said to appear on the mountain, either as a normal human being or as a five-colored cloud.

To get to China, you will need an up-to-date passport and a Chinese visa. If you are just going as a tourist, you will need an “L” visa (for more information, see “The ABCs of Chinese Visas.”

To help you get prepared, here are the documents necessary to apply for an “L” visa:

  • A Chinese visa application
  • Your US passport
  • One  passport photo

If your plane leaves in the seven days, you should also include a copy of your travel itinerary to expedite your visa.

RushMyTravelVisa.com can help you determine what type of visa you need and can help you complete all of the necessary paperwork. We’ll give you easy-to-follow instructions that will help you put together your Chinese visa application package.

Then, we’ll forward your Chinese visa application to the embassy for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Chinese visa today!

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Getting a Syrian Visa to Visit Damascus

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

The world’s oldest continuously inhabited city, the Syrian city of Damascus has been inhabited since at least the 2nd millennium BC.  By the time of the Roman empire, it had become an important center of trade for the ancient world, a crossroads that brought together goods from Southern Arabia, Palmyra, Petra, and China’s Silk Road.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Rashidun Caliphate took Damascus from the Byzantines. The city remained one of the most important cities in the Arab world until it was eclipsed by Baghdad, which became the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate in 750 AD.

Damascus gained importance as a center of trade and commerce again starting in the 11th century, when it was ruled by the Seljuk Turks. The city passed through the hands of many different rulers, and finally became the capital of Syria when Syria gained independence in 1946.

Today, Damascus is a modern and thriving city that still retains a wealth of rich history to explore, including ancient walls, churches and mosques.

To visit Damascus, you will need to apply for a Syrian visa. You cannor apply for a Syrian visa at the border-you must apply in advance, before you leave the US.

Here’s what you will need to apply for a visa to Syria:

  • Your US passport
  • 2 completed Syrian visa application forms
  • 2 recent passport photos
  • A copy of your airline tickets and your itinerary.

RushMyTravelVisa can help you research your trip and the required travel documents. Then, we can help you with the paperwork you’ll need to obtain visa, providing an easy to understand checklist that makes it easy to complete the application and gather the required documents.

When you have filled out the application, we forward it to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible processing.

Get your Syrian visa the easy way-let RushMyTravelVisa.com help!

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Getting an Iran Visa

Sunday, December 6th, 2009

From the ancient ruins of Persepolis to the hustle and bustle of modern Tehran, Iran is a fascinating country that does have a lot to offer an adventurous traveler. However, Americans who want to travel to Iran will run headfirst into a variety of obstacles due to the tense relationship between the American government and the Iranian government.

For example, the US Department of State has issued a travel warning for Iran advising that “American citizens may be subject to harassment or arrest while travelling or residing in Iran.” Due to the less-than-cordial relationship between the two countries, even something as simple as accessing your bank accounts is impossible while in Iranian territory-the State Department’s page on Iran advises that you won’t be able to use your credit or debit cards, and even logging in to check your bank accounts will result in having your account immediately frozen due to the economic sanctions against Iran.

You may also encounter some difficulty in getting an Iran visa. First of all, you must have preauthorization to enter Iran.  In most cases, to get preauthorization you will need to purchase your hotel reservations from licensed Iranian tour operators.

Also, women must have a husband or male relative to accompany them to Iran.

If you do get preauthorization for an Iran visa, you will need to submit the following documents to apply:

  • 1 application form
  • 1 color photo (females over the age of 9 must have their hair covered for the photo)
  • round trip tickets or a copy of your itinerary
  • Your authorization number
  • A valid passport

Iran does require a visa and American citizens must apply in advance-you won’t be able to purchase one at the airport. The only exception to these rules is if you are visiting the resort island of Kish. Although Kish is technically in Iran, Americans can cross over to Kish from the United Arab Emirates without needing an Iran visa.

Are you unsure what documents are required for your next trip out of the country? RushMyTravelVisa.com can help you figure out what visas are required and help you submit your visa applications for the fastest possible service.  Let us help send you on your way to your next adventure!

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Posted in Country-Specific Visas | 2 Comments »

Get an Indian Visa To Take Advantage of This Great Travel Deal

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

Looking for a way to decompress after the holidays are over?  Travelzoo is offering a package that can help you get away for a spring break in India for just $999 for an eight day trip.

The $999 covers airfare, hotels, breakfast, and tours of the major attractions of three Indian cities: Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. You’ll see the Taj Mahal, ancient temples and more. And yes, the deal even includes an elephant ride!

For more details about the trip and for b0oking instructions, check out Jaunted.

Ready to get away this spring? To take advantage of this awesome deal, you will need both a valid passport and an Indian tourist visa.  Here’s what you need to get the visa:

  • A current US passport
  • 2 matching, recent passport photos
  • An Indian visa application form. When you complete the form, you must be very careful. Your handwriting must be neat and there must be no typos.  Since you’ll be traveling as a tourist, make sure you write “tourism” on the form where it asks about the purpose of your visit.
  • A copy of your itinerary or round trip plane tickets.
  • India has a jurisdictional visa system. Indian visa applications must be submitted to the right consulate, depending on where you live. To prove you are submitting your application to the correct consulate, you must submit proof of address, like a clear copy of your driver’s license or a utility bill.

You can’t get an Indian visa at the border, so make sure you apply well before your flight is scheduled to depart.  RushMyTravelVisa.com can help you get the visa you need, providing a checklist to help you with the paperwork and submitting your application to the proper consulate for expedited service.

Apply for your Indian visa today!

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Getting a Jordan Visa to Visit the Dead Sea

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

Jordan’s Rift Valley is the home of the world-famous Dead Sea. Located just over 400 miles below sea level,  the Dead Sea shore is the lowest land area on the planet.

The Dead Sea is fed by the River Jordan, but the water has no place to go and so it slowly evaporates, leaving deposits of salts and other minerals behind. The Dead Sea has a salinity level of 33.7%, according to Wikipedia.  For comparison, the ocean has an average salinity level of 3.5%.

The   Dead Sea is approximately 8.6 times as salty as seawater.  Because of the high concentration of salt, if you go for a swim in the Dead Sea you will float like a cork!

With this much salt in the water, the Dead Sea is almost completely devoid of animal and plant life, the only exception being small amounts of certain types of bacteria.

The salt and other minerals in the water are also thought to be extremely healing to the skin and body.  The Dead Sea has been used as a health resort since Biblical times, and of course there are many spas and health resorts along its shores today.

To visit Jordan and swim in the Dead Sea, you need your passport and a Jordan visa.  In most cases, you can get a Jordan visa at the border, but if you are crossing in from the Allenby Bridge in Israel you definitely need to get one in advance.  If you are entering Jordan from Israel or just prefer to have all your travel documents in your possession before you leave the US, you can also apply before you leave for your trip.

Fortunately, Jordan’s visa requirements are pretty simple.  All you need is your US passport, 1 Jordan visa application form, and 1 passport-sized photo taken within the past 6 months.

Need a Jordan visa? RushMyTravelVisa can help!

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Types of Belarus Visas

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Once part of the Soviet Union, Belarus became independent in 1991. Belarus requires all US citizens to have both a valid passport and the appropriate Belarus visa before they can set foot on Belorussian territory. Before you apply for your visa, you need to consider the purpose of your visit to  make sure you apply for the right type of visa.

Belarus offers the  following types of visas:

  • Tourist visas
  • Business visas
  • Transit visas (if you will be traveling through Belarus on the way to another destination and will be staying in the country for less than 48 hours)
  • Private visit/homestay visas for visitors who will be  staying with a friend or family member in Belarus.
  • Employment and study visas are available for visitors who want to work or go to school in Belarus, but you need to apply at embassy and will not be able to use the services of an expediting company.

Other fun facts about the Belarus visa system:

If you are a tourist, Belarus prefers that you visit as part of a tour group.
If you want to travel alone, you must make arrangements with an official travel agency. The travel agency will  issue you a  voucher.

If you are applying for a visa for a private visit, you need an invitation from the Ministry of the Interior if you plan on staying more than 30 days.

If you are staying less than 30 days, generally all you need is a letter from your host.  However, at their discretion, the Belarus embassy may ask for a letter of invitation from the Ministry of the Interior, even if your trip is less than 30 days.

Belarus does not issue visas at the border, so you need to apply for your Belarus visa well in advance. RushMyTravelVisa.com can help research the visa requirements for your itinerary and expedite your visa application with the Belarus embassy.

Need a Belarus visa? Apply today!

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Get a Gabon Visa to See Hippos Surf

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

Have you ever seen a hippopotamus surf? If not, you should definitely put Gabon on your list of places to visit.

Tourists flock to Gabon for its amazingly diverse forests and parks. A full 10% of Gabon’s land area was protected and turned into national parkland in 2002 by President El Hadj Omar Bongo. The most famous of Gabon’s national parks is Loango National Park, which encompasses savanna, dense forests and unspoiled white sand beaches.

In the forests, you’ll find elephants and even families of gorillas. The beaches are home to the famous surfing hippos-if you’re lucky, you’ll see them playing in the waves just off the shore.  Further away from the beach, you can spot whales and dolphins.

Visiting Loango National Park helps maintain this amazing ecosystem. The money you spend when you visit helps provide Gabon with an incentive to preserve its forests and wildlife. Plus, you support the park’s conservation programs, such as rehabilitating baby gorillas orphaned by the bushmeat trade.

Travel with a Purpose has an excellent overview of the accommodations available in Gabon and the conservation and education programs undertaken by the staff there.

To get to Gabon, you will need a passport and a tourist visa.

Here’s what you need to get a Gabon tourist visa:

  • 2 Gabon visa application forms
  • 2 passport photos
  • A copy of your plane tickets or itinerary
  • Your US passport

Depending on where you stop on your way to Gabon, you may also need additional transit visas for other countries. RushMyTravelVisa can review your travel plans and determine which visas you need. We can also help you apply for any necessary visas, assisting you with the paperwork and forwarding your visa applications to the appropriate embassies for expedited service.

Want to see those surfing hippos? Apply for your Gabon visa today!

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