I have been thinking of a hunting trip i can take my wife on and also see a few things along the way. She like hiking so I was thinking a Tur hunt possibly and take her along. What other things would you recomend along the way on a trip like this? I would think stopping along the way at a couple bigger cities would help her feel like it was a holiday other than a hunting trip. Any thoughts?

Any other destinations that you would recomend where i could do some hunting and something my wife would enjoy? i am looking for options.

I VERY much enjoyed my tour of Istanbul. When I do a Tur hunt at some point I will likely drag the GF along to tour Turkey for a week or so. Istanbul for Hunters was nothing short of extraordinary!!! My guide was Arda. Check out my woefully incomplete hunt report for more info. Beautiful place, amazing culture and history, great food, friendly people, reasonable prices, and lot's of places to visit!!! LOTS of shopping for the laddies!

Brett

There's a lot to do in Istanbul for tourists, it's a wonderful city. I'd suggest going to old town and staying near the Blue Mosque. I stayed there for 3 days in March of this year and walked around freely by myself at night. Very safe and very beautiful. If you'd like some information on a touring company let me know, the outfitter we use for Turkey has an excellent touring option for before/after hunts.

Greg

Nothing beautiful about Baku...

Thanks guys. I have been doing a bit of research on this. If there is any info to pass on about tour guides or places I should see send me a PM if you could please.

Go to the big market it has over 2000 stalls. Get into the back ones, that is where the good stuff is.

Do a city tour and look at the location where Aisa meets Europe.

Get a private guide to take you round. Remember every thing can be discussed when it comes to price. 40% for out siders on top.

Regards Mark

quote:

Any other destinations that you would recomend where i could do some hunting and something my wife would enjoy?

New Zealand for a tahr/chamois hunt. That's a locale that would work really well for you and the wife. Safe, plenty of big hills to climb, and lots to do after the hunt (which is a fantastic hunt BTW).

I would not take my wife anywhere over in BFE Asia..nor would she ever go. Remember, the stop over in Istanbul is just that, a stop over. The trip is still destined to go into BFE Asia for the hunt (the reason you're going in the 1st place).
My opinion, of course.

quote:

Originally posted by Scottyboy:
[QUOTE]I would not take my wife anywhere over in BFE Asia..nor would she ever go. Remember, the stop over in Istanbul is just that, a stop over. The trip is still destined to go into BFE Asia for the hunt (the reason your going in the 1st place).
My opinion, of course.

For most wives with regard to Kyrzyztan.....I would concur! Istanbul is still very nice if she wants to do something else while you hunt and not follow you.

Brett

Istanbul/Turkey was one of our most memorable holidays and I would highly recommend it. Initially our holiday revolved around going to Gallipoli, which is a very popular pilgrimage by Australians and New Zealanders to visit the WW1 Battlefield. But the more we looked into the trip the more apparent that the country and the city itself had much more to offer. I agree staying in the old part of the city near the Blue Mosque is a must. Walking distance from there is the Hagia Sohpia, The Hippodrome, the spice markets, the grand bazar, the Topkapi palace plus others. The Topkapi Palace was the center of the Ottoman Empire that ended during WW1. As a result the palace museum has an amazing collection of displays from across the region including military regalia and treasures. There are also very significant religious exhibits - both Christian and Muslim. We had a personal guide and it’s makes the experience so much better, they are easy to find online and help explain the rich history that the average tourist will miss. The food is fantastic and the people very happy to have you in their country. A ride on a Bosporus public ferry is also a great way to see the European and Asian shores of the ancient city.

Thanks guys for the info. I booked the Tur hunt in Azerbaijan. I plan on stopping in Istanbul before the trip with my wife and spend a week there and send here home while I carry on to do my hunt. I think that would make it a good trip!!
I hope it will be o.k to take my rifle into Istanbul and stay there with it without any problems. Does anyone know if that is possible?

They will likely have you keep it in a secured area at the airport for your entire visit to Istanbul. I would contact Hakan of Istanbul for hunters and see what he says.

Brett

I think Brett is correct . When I left Baku and arrived in Istanbul to stay a few days they kept our rifles and horns/capes at the police department in the airport. There was no problems at all. I would also allow a day or two in Baku to see the old part of the city and check out the Caspian Sea. Dagestan Tur hunting was one of my most favorite hunts I've done!

Awesome!! T%hat is why I love this place. Great info guys. Brett, I sent those guys an e-mail that you suggested. I think doing the tour before the hunt would be the best. I am really looking forward to this hunt

quote:

Originally posted by nube:
Awesome!! T%hat is why I love this place. Great info guys. Brett, I sent those guys an e-mail that you suggested. I think doing the tour before the hunt would be the best. I am really looking forward to this hunt

As you should, Azerbaijan is up there in my books for adventures in Asia. You'll really enjoy Istanbul as well, I just gave myself an intentional long layover so I could spend another day there this past Saturday. It's really an interesting city.

Greg

I was looking forward to seeing you with an Ibex Greg. Too bad it didn't happen. Did you get pictures of the ram up yet?

Hakan and Arda of Istanbulforhunters hunters served us well.Meet and greet,liaison with airport police for weapon storage and final retrieval ,and any standard or custom tour of Istanbul and surrounding environs are their specialties. My wife as a nurse wanted to visit Florence Nightengale's military installation and living quarters.Situated on an active military base in an Istanbul suburb this took a bit of arranging.....great tour and discussion of politics with the Turkish major who led the tour. Once you are oriented to Istanbul,it's great fun to walk everywhere,take the term,the ferry.....easy and safe.We (two couples) spent 10 days and were never bored and still have a few sites that remain unseen. Take the Turkish cooking class at the Hotel Sarnic,near the Blue Mosque...lots of fun.We actually,stayed at the Sarnic.....well situated in old Istanbul.......rooms are nice but a bit small. The gals then flew home and we moved on to the Tian Shan to meet or Marco Polo and Ibex. You will love Istanbul. Jim

Good points to remember Jim. Thank you. I just got a reply from Itanbul for hunters and their prices seem fair and I will try to arrange something with them when the time comes. I would love to take my wife to a cooking class. That sounds real cool.
Thanks all of you for the info.

quote:

Originally posted by nube:
I was looking forward to seeing you with an Ibex Greg. Too bad it didn't happen. Did you get pictures of the ram up yet?

Not yet, I'm working on editing out the clients face in the photos so I can post them here. I was bummed about the Ibex, but honestly it gives me a legitimate reason to go back!

Greg

I'm planning to go in 2015 for Marco polo and Ibex to Kyrgystan. Your welcome to come along if you don't have a plan?

quote:

Originally posted by nube:
I'm planning to go in 2015 for Marco polo and Ibex to Kyrgystan. Your welcome to come along if you don't have a plan?

Let's talk about this seriously. I'm interested in the MP as well, but almost want to save another couple years and try for Tajikistan. I am interested and have a couple other guys willing to go as well.

Sent you a PM Greg