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Dalton Highway

The James W. Dalton Highway (Alaska Route 11, the "Dalton Highway", "the Dalton", or the "Haul Road") is a road traversing central and northern Alaska. It is one of only two roads in North America (the other being the Dempster Highway in Yukon, Canada) that cross the Arctic Circle and connect to the rest of the North American road network. It begins at Mile 73 of the Elliott Highway (Alaska Route 2) north of Fairbanks and ends at Deadhorse near the Arctic Ocean amid the Prudhoe Bay oilfield.

The scenic Dalton Highway passes courses through boreal forests, across the Yukon river and the Arctic Circle, through the Brooks Range mountains, the Continental Divide at Atigun pass, and finally traverses the treeless North Slope tundra to the Deadhorse and the Prudhoe Bay oilfields near the Arctic Ocean. While travel up the entirety of this road is quite an undertaking, the journey rewards drivers with breathtaking vistas and the experience of America's Arctic, its wildlife and landscape.

History
When oil was discovered at Prudhoe Bay in 1969, the state of Alaska operated as a "boom-and-bust economy" without any stable industries and, more importantly, America was critically short of oil and mostly at the mercy of volatile Arab nations (just two years after the Arab-Israeli Six-Day War). Plans for drilling the oil and for an 800 mi pipeline were thrown together at a dizzying speed, as the U.S. government and oil companies worked to settle land claims with Native Americans, attain proper permits, ensure environmental safeguards, and build ways of accessing this extremely remote area. The Dalton Highway was hastily constructed in just 5 months, in 1974, to provide access for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline under construction. It was built at a similar, dizzying pace, price, and fashion as the nearby Alaska Highway, constructed during World War Two.

Built as the North Slope Haul Road (or simply the "Haul Road", as some locals still call it), it was a supply road and intended for large tractor-trailers rather than private vehicles. After completion of the pipeline, the road remained as a supply route for oil operations at Prudhoe Bay. In 1981 the haul road was opened to the public (with a permit) until Disaster Creek at Mile 211, given the designation Alaska Route 11, and named in honor of James W. Dalton, a man who aided in the development of the Cold War's Distant Early Warning System and whose knowledge of northern Alaska greatly aided the oil exploration of the region. In 1994, the public was allowed access to the entire highway to Mile 414 in Deadhorse, without permits. The road used to be gravel for its entire length, but it is now paved from Mile 37 to Mile 49; Mile 90 to Mile 197 (Gold Creek); and from Mile 335 (Happy Valley airstrip) to Mile 362. Due to the extreme temperature variations and frost heave, paved sections are prone to potholes and large cracks and some paved sections are worse than unpaved sections.

Climate
The climate of the regions this highway traverses range from subarctic to polar. During the summer months (Jun-Aug), the average maximum temperatures range from 70°F (21°C) to 50°F (10°C) with average minimum temperatures ranging from 50°F (10°C) to 35°F (2°C). Travel on the highway during the months of May and September is a bit colder, although travel along the highway is not considerably more dangerous during these months. Average maximums during these two months are approximately 35-60°F (2-16°C) and average minimums 40-15°F (4 to -9°C). The temperatures given are average, be prepared for temperatures as much as 20°F (11°C) outside of said ranges. While the highway is open all year (more trucks traverse it in winter than summer!), travel from late September through early May is frigid and lethally cold through the heart of winter. Temperatures below -40°F (-40°C) are very common and temperatures as low as -60°F (-57°C) are certainly possible—before factoring in windchill. The record low windchill in Deadhorse was -102°F (-74°C) on 28 Feb 1989! A chart record of windchill at ARCO's facility in Prudhoe Bay on 13 Jan 1975 shows -128°F (-89°C). Such temperatures are lethal in less than one minute if you are not prepared for them. Unless you are experienced with polar temperatures, including its effects on vehicles and gear, do not attempt to traverse the highway between November and March!

North of the Arctic Circle (Mile 115), there are 24 hours of daylight in the summer and 24 hours of darkness in the winter. In Deadhorse for instance, the longest "day" is 63 days, 23 hours, 40 minutes (12:09AM on 20 May to 11:18PM 22 Jul); likewise, the longest "night" in Deadhorse is 54 days, 22 hours, 51 min (12:27PM 24 Nov to 11:18AM 18 Jan).

Talk
English is spoken by all persons living and working along the highway, including residents of the Native Alaskan villages accessible from the Dalton via the Yukon River. As the road is primarily a trucking highway, and there is virtually no cell phone coverage along the highway, the "official" method of communication along the highway is over CB radio, Channel 19. Channel 19 is listened to by truckers, fellow travelers, pipeline security, Alaska State Troopers (police), and others. Not only can you talk in the event of an emergency, but you can also listen to others' conversation which may alert you to hazards and current conditions on the road ahead. CB radios can be rented or purchased from numerous equipment outfitters around Fairbanks. There are just a few places along the highway which offer a place to rest and encounter other persons, namely the handful of towns along the road.

Deadhorse is the only location on the highway with cell phone reception. Satellite phones, while extremely expensive, are handy and commonly used by workers in the area for ranges longer than other radios. However, not all satellite phone networks have coverage in this region. The entire Dalton is covered by Iridium and Globalstar (including SPOT messenger service). Fairbanks appears to be the edge of Inmarsat coverage, with the Dalton lying outside of Inmarsat coverage. Thuraya does not provide service in the Americas.

By plane
The nearest major airport to the highway is in Fairbanks. Aside from numerous Alaska Airlines and turboprop flights to destinations within Alaska, Fairbanks International Airport has commercial service available to: Seattle/Tacoma Airport (Alaska Airlines; seasonal, Delta Air Lines), Portland  (seasonal, Alaska Airlines), Minneapolis/St. Paul (seasonal, Delta Air Lines), Denver  (seasonal, Frontier Airlines & United Airlines), Chicago-O'Hare  (seasonal, United Airlines), and Frankfurt Airport, Germany  (seasonal, Condor Airlines). Deadhorse does have an airport handling limited commercial flights (Alaskan Airlines to Barrow, Fairbanks, & Anchorage), but all organized tours originate from Fairbanks, and there are no car rentals available here. As flying into Deadhorse is more expensive and has limited options for getting onto the highway (you could try to hitch a ride with a truck driver, but don't expect any stops), the only practical means of arrival by air is Fairbanks or Anchorage if you want to rent a car there to explore southern Alaska as well (see Anchorage article for flights there).

By car
From Fairbanks, you can rent a vehicle (4x4 truck recommended) and drive to the Dalton Highway. However, the major car rental companies explicitly prohibit the travel of their vehicles on a long list of Alaskan roads, including the Dalton Highway.

It is strongly recommended that you travel with a full-sized spare tire; the road is rough enough that a small spare will be of little use and towing costs can be as high as $5/mile.

The following companies, in alphabetical order, rent vehicles for use on the Dalton and other rugged Alaskan highways:

If you are driving your personal vehicle it is important to remember that the purpose of this highway is for trucks and that the road is designed for them rather than for personal vehicles (see "get around"). Roundtrip, you will be traveling on a mostly gravel road while being passed on numerous occasions by speeding semi-trucks hurling gravel at your vehicle. Many company and semi-drivers are courteous and will slow from the oncoming direction; however, some do not and gravel will hit your windshield. If being passed from behind, it is often best to find a safe place to pull off and let the other driver by. This will let them pass at a safe speed and reduce the risk of road debris being kicked up onto your vehicle (it's also just good manners). Additionally, there are many potholes on the road (more so on paved parts), some big enough to swallow basketballs. Such dangers can wreak havoc on a small car's suspension and you might be left with a few scratches and dents on your car (i.e., don't take your new Mercedes down this road). A vehicle such as an SUV or pickup truck is preferred due to their ruggedness and ability to cope with road conditions. One Fairbanks car rental agency used to claim that large sedans were better due to their lower center of gravity, but since sedans were what they rented (for a rental cost similar to larger, newer, & more expensive trucks & SUVs), that may not have been entirely truthful. And in the end, due to considerable damage caused by the low clearance and inexperienced driving, this company no longer rents sedans.

Refer to the Fairbanks article regarding reaching Fairbanks by car. The southern terminus of the Dalton Highway can be reached by car from Fairbanks via the Steese Highway then, at Fox north of Fairbanks, the Elliot Highway; both road segments are numbered as Alaska Route 2. The Dalton Highway begins at Livengood (no services), Mile 73 of the Elliot Highway. Follow the signs to the Dalton Highway. It is about an hour and a half drive from Fairbanks to Livengood. There are no gas stations between Fairbanks and the start of the Dalton. Once on the Dalton Highway, there is gas available at the Yukon River and at Coldfoot ($5.39 per gallon in summer 2011). After that, there are no services of any kind for at Deadhorse. Do not take this information lightly.

By tour bus
There are several companies in the Fairbanks area which take tourists on the Dalton Highway in vans or buses. While the price for such a tour could be more expensive for a family than renting your own car to take on the highway, for individuals and couples the cost of a tour may outweigh the costs and hassles of renting a vehicle. The biggest advantage of taking a tour bus is the lack of concern for breaking down, battling trucks speeding by, and concern for things like gas and food. However, the tour bus limits one's flexibility while on the trip and most tour buses take two days going to Deadhorse and one back. Tour buses stop at the hotels at night and you won't be able to save money by camping.

Prepare
See also: Winter driving.

The Dalton Highway has the distinction of (among other things) having the longest stretch of serviceless road in North America. North of Coldfoot, there is a 240 mi (386 km) stretch of road with no gas stations, restaurants, hotels, or any other basic services until the Prudhoe Bay oilfield at Deadhorse. Therefore, travelers are advised to have basic survival supplies, car repair equipment, and equipment for camping and other activities, stocking up no further north than Fairbanks, as all four communities further north offering services are extremely expensive, and since Fairbanks is a small city (pop. 32,000), there will be bargains to be found. Drivers should check and replace worn belts & hoses on their vehicles and ensure all tires (including spares) are properly inflated.

 * CB radio or Satellite phone (though expensive) since cellular service is extremely limited. CB radios are far less expensive.
 * Cash and/or major credit cards (i.e. Visa or MasterCard). No services accept debit cards and there is only one ATM in Deadhorse.
 * Spare tires (full-size, preferably on/with another rim and chains for all four tires) and basic car repair tools.
 * Kits used to repair windshield chipping can be especially valuable in preventing chips from turning into full-fledged cracked windshields (especially valuable for rentals, where damage can be very costly).
 * Spare windshield wipers, as well as several gallons of windshield cleaning fluid (you will need to clean your windshield many times from the dust trucks create, and mosquito/insect build-up from approximately late May to early September). At times, wipers won't clean thoroughly, so have paper towels on hand to "hand wash" the windshield.
 * Road flares (trucks can't stop quickly and there are numerous blind corners/crests)
 * Protection against the elements (warm clothes, rain jackets, blankets, etc.)
 * Spare fuel (at minimum a 5- or 10-gallon container (19-38 L)), ideally purchased in Fairbanks to offset the high prices northward. Keep in mind that vapor can vent from containers of gasoline, posing a danger if stored inside of a vehicle (including an enclosed trunk).
 * Food, including healthy snacks and ready-to-eat meals.
 * Several gallons of bottled water.
 * Garbage/rubbish bags
 * Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, soap and water.
 * First Aid kit
 * Insect repellent ("Off!" and the like, and/or the "Skin So Soft" variety) and/or mosquito netting.
 * Optional: Camping equipment, stove/pots (to cook food and/or boil stream water or snow, and/or high-quality water "Brita" pitchers with several additional filters), satellite phone (though expensive) since cellular service is extremely limited, canoes, kayaks, rafts, handgun or rifle and several bullets (for hunting or bear protection), and for hiking: a backpack, hiking pole, bear repellent spray, knee-high waterproof boots (for marshes); parka, maximum head and face protection & snow shoes (winter).

If you plan on adventuring, there are several equipment rental stores in/around Fairbanks, including:

Gas stations
For the person traveling the Dalton, gas is infrequent and expensive. While you may be following a pipeline that transports over 700,000 barrels of oil per day (a large percentage of America's oil supply), that oil has to travel south to California to be refined, then sent back up to Alaska and transported hundreds of miles by not-so-fuel-efficient trucks to these gas stations... so as oil-rich as the area may be, expect to pay the highest prices in the United States ($1–2 more per gallon than the national average). Combine this with the long distances, and one thing is clear: you'll need gas and it's not cheap. The last gas station leaving the Fairbanks area is Hilltop Truck Stop in Fox, where the Elliot Highway splits from the Steese Highway. Afterward, there are just three locations to fuel along the Dalton.

''That's all... three locations with gas stations along the entire highway!''
 * Yukon River crossing (Mile 56). Closed in winter.
 * Coldfoot, gasoline is available from Sourdough Fuel (Mile 175).
 * Deadhorse, gasoline is available from three stations. (Mile 441).

Driving
See also: Tips for road trips and Winter driving.

The speed limit on the Dalton Highway is 50 mph (80 km/h) its entire length and keep your headlights on at all times! Use parking lights if parked near the road (although you should park far off the road) and emergency blinkers if disabled. Raising the hood of your vehicle can signal to passing drivers that you are disabled and may elicit help from passing drivers. If making repairs on a vehicle, park at least 10 ft (3.5 m) off the road to avoid being hit or pelted with gravel.

The road was built for trucks carrying supplies to the oilfield. Trucks have the right of way! Understand that what may be a simple task in a car can be much more difficult in a large truck. Trucks cannot brake as quickly, nor can they "get out of the way" as easily. Many trucks have overturned as a result of hitting the berm or ditch at high speed, whereas a car can (much more) easily and safely get out of the way.

Always slow down when passing an oncoming vehicle; it is common courtesy as a stone flung at your windshield at 50 mph will do a lot more damage than one flung at 10 mph. Check your rearview mirror frequently and pull over to allow vehicles to pass you. If you want to pass a vehicle ahead of you, flash your bright lights, turn your lights on/off, or tap the horn lightly; tap the horn as you're passing in appreciation. Finally, if you're stranded, don't expect trucks to stop for you. It wastes a considerable amount of fuel to come to a stop, idle while helping you, and then get back up to cruising speed.

There are many steep grades on the Dalton, especially in the Brooks Range (many at the maximum 12%). In wintery weather, chains may be required to gain traction ascending these slopes. Be sure to carry chains with you, even in months like June or September.

Check current conditions
It is very important to check the road conditions and weather warnings and forecasts before leaving, especially outside of July and August. While driving expect that at any given time a section of the road may be shut down due to storm or other damage, causing anywhere from a few hours to several days delay.

Road conditions

 * Road conditions and any special warnings. Select the "All Reports" bubble at top and "Northern Alaska" from the maps pulldown menu.
 * Visitor centers at the Yukon River and Coldfoot. Summer only, in person or call +1 907-678-5209 (Coldfoot).
 * Alaska Department of Transportation (Fairbanks). Road conditions all year. +1 907-456-5209.
 * Alaska Public Lands Information Center. All year. +1 907-456-0527.

Weather

 * National Weather Service current weather advisories. Draw a straight line from Fairbanks to the region to the right of Barrow and the 4 regions you pass through are the ones the Dalton does.
 * National Weather Service current weather conditions. Relative cities include: Deadhorse, Bettles (near Coldfoot),& Manley Hot Springs (closer to start than Fairbanks). Do not rely on Fairbanks, as it lies in a valley making it warmer in summer and colder in winter than most of the Dalton Highway.
 * National Weather Service forecasts: North Slope (relative sections are "Central Beaufort Sea coast" for Deadhorse, "Northeastern Brooks Range" for Atigun Pass) and Interior Alaska (relative sections are "Southeastern Brooks Range" for Coldfoot and "Central Interior" for Livengood).

Itinerary
The Dalton Highway begins at Mile 73 of the Elliot Highway, 84 miles (134 km) north of Fairbanks, in the area known as "Livengood". The following points of interest along the highway are listed by mile from the start.

Boreal Forests (Miles 0-175)
Miles 0-175 are dominated by boreal forests. Much of this stretch of the highway was ravaged by wildfires in 2004 & 2005 (Alaska's 1st & 3rd largest fire seasons of record), leaving behind many swaths of charred trees. Most, but not all, of the wildlife in this region has left. With only skinny trees obscuring your view, the fireweed flowers (so named for their tendency to colonize fire ravaged regions) give the forest floors a carpet of bright pink, wildflowers peak in early July.
 * Mile 24 A pullout beside the Hess Creek, providing a safe place to park and take a break.
 * Mile 54 Pump station #6. This station is one of the eleven pump stations that keep oil flowing through the 800 mile pipeline.  While the stations are numbered from one to twelve, station eleven was never built.
 * Mile 56 Yukon River Here, the Dalton Highway and pipeline pass over the mighty and wild Yukon River, which runs nearly 2,000 miles (3,220 km) from Canada to the Bering Sea. There is a Bureau of Land Services visitor's center (no phone), which provides information about the status of the highway, information regarding federal lands along the highway (such as Gates of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge), and helps tourists with planning their trip along the Dalton and what lies ahead. There is a small hotel, a Northern Ventures gasoline station (closed in winter), tire/mechanic shop, and Yukon River Ventures(provides riverboat tours along the Yukon). Be sure to get unique photos of the pipeline suspended over the river (in lieu of a bridge).
 * Mile 60 A campsite with outhouse, potable water, trash bins, and gas are available just down the road at mile 60. There is also a former construction-camp-turned-hotel for $199/night. Nearby is a restaurant, open mid-May to mid-September, serving possibly the best food on the highway, but pricey: day-long breakfast $8–14, lunch $10–12, dinner $16–26. The hotel/restaurant/gift shop may be closed. Its website remains up as of 2014, but was last updated 2011, and the 2014 Dalton Highway visitor's guide only mentions a campsite at Mile 60.
 * Mile 73 First of a series of steep hills—the "Roller Coaster"—in a 60 mi (100 km) segment of the Dalton. The hill at Mile 73 is known as "Sand Hill".
 * Mile 75 "Roller Coaster Hill".
 * Mile 86.5 There is a minor road off the west side of the highway which leads up a hill to a gravel pit (beware heavy equipment), affording great views of the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge.
 * Mile 87 "Mackey Hill"
 * Mile 98 A pullout on "Finger Mountain" which has a half-mile trail with several information signs. Great photography opportunity.
 * Mile 110 "Beaver Slide" hill.
 * Mile 115: Arctic Circle A pullout with picnic area, information boards a large sign denoting the Arctic Circle, the southernmost latitude where the sun remains above the horizon for 24 hours on the summer solstice (21 Jun) and below the horizon on the winter solstice (21 Dec). There are camping sites up the hill and behind the picnic area with an outhouse and trash bins. Camping is not permitted in the picnic area nor viewing deck.
 * Mile 126.5 "Oh Shit Corner" Sometimes marked by an unofficial sign, the name is due to the location at a bend in the road at the base of Paradise Hill, a particularly treacherous spot for truckers who drive too fast.
 * Mile 132 A pullout with incredible views of the Brooks Range to the north. "Gobblers Knob" hill.
 * Mile 137 Pump station #5. Unlike other stations pump station #5 is actually a pressure relief station that slows down oil that is speeding down the pipeline after the descent from the Brooks Range.
 * Mile 150 Grayling Lake A picturesque lake carved thousands of years ago by glaciers. Popular with moose in summer looking for a drink.
 * Mile 175: Coldfoot (Pop.13) Founded in 1898, abandoned in 1912, and revived as a construction camp in 1970, Coldfoot is a major stop on the highway. There is a restaurant, tire shop, post office, gift shop, hook-ups for RVs, campsites, and an inn. Additionally there is a "visitor's center" in Coldfoot offering information on recreation & visitor services along the Dalton. After Coldfoot, there are 240 miles (386 km) without services such as gas or food... the longest such stretch in the United States! Leave prepared. Do not take this warning lightly!

Brooks Range (Miles 175-275)
Miles 175-275 run through the Brooks Range mountains. The landscape is composed of tall, jagged mountains, valleys, and gorges. This is prime location on the Dalton for hiking. Compared to the North Slope and Coastal Plain, which receive less than 10 inches of precipitation a year, the Brooks Range is frequented by blizzards, windy, and prone to snow even in July!
 * Mile 180 The only developed campsite along the highway with 27 campsites (for a fee, Memorial Day to Labor Day), potable water, an outhouse, trash bins, fire pits. Hiking 2 mi upstream leads to a 20-ft waterfall.
 * Mile 188: Wiseman (Pop. 22), located 3 mi off the Dalton Highway, is a quaint little mining town founded in 1907 by persons who abandoned the Coldfoot settlement, finding gold in a nearby creek. This historic village, and its residents subsistent on hunting and gardening, makes for a great stop on your trip. Keep in mind that all buildings are private property.
 * Mile 203 A great view of nearby Sukakpak mountain (4458 ft / 1338 m), with a massive face (i.e. cliff) facing you.
 * Mile 235 The further north you go, the fewer trees there are (due to permafrost and extreme cold). Here lies the furthest north spruce tree on the highway. It was killed by a vandal in 2004, estimated to be 273 years old.
 * Mile 237 Good viewpoint. The next few miles are a major avalanche hazard in the winter. The ADOT station here does not provide services; it stores cannons and road-clearing vehicles. They fire artillery shells in winter to clear the slopes above the highway.
 * Mile 244 Atigun Pass at 4739 ft (1422 m), is the highest point on the highway and marks the Continental Divide (water that falls to the south flows into the Pacific Ocean or Bering Sea, to the north the Arctic Ocean). The area is prone to snow, even in July, and is a prime location for seeing Dall sheep.
 * Mile 269 Pump station #4. At 2760 feet this station has the highest elevation of any pumping station along the oil pipeline.

North Slope (Miles 275-355)
Miles 275-355 pass through the North Slope, which is entirely permafrost and home to many herds of caribou, groups of muskox, as well as predatory birds, such as falcons. The only plants in this region are tough, ground-hugging shrubs. As the name implies, this is a slope leading from the Brooks Range down to the low-lying Coastal Plain.
 * Mile 275 Galbraith lake carved by a glacier along with the rest of the Atigun valley. A short hike downstream leads into the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and to spectacular Atigun Gorge, the lake, and the Brooks Range. Lots of wildflowers in early summer. Follow the signs to the airstrip and continue driving 2.5 miles on an unimproved road to a campsite with an outhouse and trash bins.
 * Miles 278-293 No camping is permitted (due to environmental concerns).
 * Mile 284 Toolik Lake. The University of Alaska Fairbanks research station is not open to the public. Avoid disturbing their research sites scattered nearby.
 * Mile 312 Pump station #3.
 * Mile 334 Location of a large construction worker camp during the building of the pipeline and known as "Happy Valley," there is a campsite. The airstrip is used for gov't and university studies in the area, so avoid camping on it.
 * Mile 348 A pullover with a short trail and interpretive signs. Peregrine falcons feed in nearby bluffs in summer. The Philip Smith Mountains can be seen in the distance.

Arctic Coastal Plain (Miles 355-414)
Miles 355-414 pass through the Coastal Plain. This low-lying region is largely marsh and wet-lands during the summer. Don't be fooled though as permafrost lies just inches below the bottom of these shallow marshes. The plain is home to significant numbers of caribou and migratory birds feasting on the billions of insects which breed in these marshes. In winter, the plain is a flat, solid, windswept wasteland with only the distant Brooks Range as something discernible.
 * Mile 355 a pullover with an outhouse and trash containers.
 * Mile 359 Pump station #2.
 * Mile 383 Colorful, iron-rich bluffs on the far bank of the river. Caribou are often found along the river.
 * Mile 414 Deadhorse (pop. 25, Mile 414), the northern terminus of the highway and essentially a "company town", is in the midst of the Prudhoe Bay oilfield, and has a non-permanent population of 2,000-3,000 employees of the various oil operations. The Dalton Highway ends just a few miles inland of the Arctic Ocean, however, only private, restricted roads extend to the ocean. Fortunately, there are tours which can be booked through the hotels which not only take you to the ocean and its gravel beach (where you can take a frigid dip, joining the "Polar Bear Club") but also include a tour of the oilfield and operations. The ocean is ice-free from late July to October. Remember when leaving that there are no services for 240 miles (386 km) until you reach Coldfoot!

Travel times
At a minimum, plan three days to make the trip between Fairbanks to Deadhorse and back. Assuming good road and weather conditions, expect the following travel times from Fairbanks: The above times do not factor in rests, wildlife viewing, or delays due to construction or bad weather.
 * to Yukon River — 3 hours
 * to Arctic Circle — 4.5 hours
 * to Coldfoot — 6 hours
 * to Atigun Pass — 8 hours
 * to Deadhorse — 13+ hours

Do

 * Photography The Dalton Highway passes through incredibly beautiful terrain, and it would be a shame not to take pictures of it. Between the spectacular mountains, beautiful forests, wildlife, the Arctic Circle sign, Wiseman, the Yukon river, the North Slope, and the engineering marvel that is the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, there is no shortage of good photos. Do bring a telephoto lens to shoot wildlife at a distance.
 * Camping This great wilderness is a great place to set up camp and enjoy the great outdoors (or maybe save $219/249 (as of 2019) that the Slate Creek Inn in Coldfoot wants to charge you).
 * Just pull off the road at least 30 ft (10 m) and set up camp. See also: Car camping.
 * If leaving the highway for an extended hike, a GPS device is helpful. Note, however, that declination can be 27-30+ degrees in this region.
 * Hike/backpack Fresh air, free of smog and car fumes; short grass; no snakes or other hidden dangers; beautiful, unspoiled land. Why not? Walk through forests or tundra, climb one of the mountains of the Brooks Range. Once away from the highway, the virgin land appears before your eyes as it did to those in search of the Northwest Passage hundreds of years ago. There is private security along the pipeline, so heed all warning signs to avoid attracting attention from the helicopter patrols that frequently fly over the pipeline.
 * Be careful to avoid bears.
 * The best hiking is in the Brooks Range, where the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lies to the east and the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve to the west.
 * If bringing a GPS, recommended for long hikes, the declination at this latitude is great. In the Brooks Range and North Slope, it can be as steep as 30°!
 * The North Slope is largely marsh in the summer. It is filled with insects. Tall, waterproof boots are essential (remember that inches below the surface the ground is frozen... 32°F/0°C) as is bug repellent.
 * Hunting There are plenty of opportunities for hunting, but be sure you follow all laws. Both visitors' centers along the contact can advise you with hunting, and you are strongly recommended to contact them before hunting. The Alaskan moose is the largest moose species with males averaging 1400 lb, 7 ft tall, and carrying antlers 6 ft across. Men can talk down the friend who shot that measly 400 lb deer and women can get in touch with their "Sarah Palin side." Bow hunting is generally allowed everywhere. Furthermore, all hunting is prohibited within:
 * 5 miles (8 km) of the highway/Pipeline (only applies to hunting with firearms), either side.
 * the Gates of the Arctic National Park (but permitted in Gates of the Arctic National Preserve)
 * Prudhoe Bay Closed Area
 * As consequences are severe for unlawful hunting, be sure to have accurate maps of the boundaries and :stay out of prohibited areas'.
 * Fishing is permissible in most streams and rivers. Visitor centers along the highway can provide a guide specifically about fishing along the Dalton. However, as fish reproduce and grow more slowly in these colder climates, you are encouraged to only catch-and-release fish. You will need an Alaska sport fishing license (nonresident 1–14 days, $20–80 as of 2008) which can likely be purchased in Fairbanks(call the Dept of Fish & Game in Fairbanks at +1 907-459-7207 for a list of vendors) or online. Within 5 miles (8 km) of the highway, the following restrictions are in place:
 * Fishing for salmon is prohibited
 * Lake trout are catch-and-release only
 * Daily bag/possession limit for Arctic greyling is 5.

 * Gold Panning Many towns in this region began in the early 20th century as communities of gold miners and gold panning is permitted on any federal stream south of Atigun Pass (Mile 244), with the exception of the pipeline right-of-way (27 ft/8.2m). The visitor's centers can provide free brochures on mineral collection along the Dalton which even rates their potential for gold. The best places for gold panning have been near Coldfoot/Wiseman.
 * Kayaking, Rafting, & Canoeing There are several possible river trips along the Dalton. The visitor center in Coldfoot is best for information on this matter. Canoes and rafts can be rented from several places in Fairbanks. Two rivers can provide an excellent trip along the Dalton, provided there is a driver to drive you vehicle from launch to pick-up:
 * The Jim River and Middle Fork-Koyukuk River. Class I-II w/several access points along the highway.
 * Antigun & Sagavanirktok Rivers. Class II-IV whitewater. Enter at Mile 271, exit at Mile 306.
 * Ivishak National Wild RIver. Class II. Access by chartered air service from Deadhorse or Coldfoot.
 * Cross country skiing is available in most months outside July. Bring your own skis, as there is nowhere to rent skis along the highway.
 * Note that the region is extremely remote. You should bring appropriate maps (possibly available at the visitor's centers) or a GPS device when doing so. Remember declination can be as much as 27º-30º, so recalibrate your device before leaving the highway.
 * Remember that when snow is present, temperatures are extremely cold. Plan for appropriate temperatures. Blizzards can occur in the Brooks Range even in every month but July!
 * Riverboat on the Yukon River. At the Yukon River crossing, there is the Yukon River Tours shop which offers riverboat trips three times daily on the river, taking you down miles of the Yukon River and visiting a Native-American fish camp. As of 2006, $20 per person.

Remoteness
Due to the scarcity of services, the traveler on this road will need a certain degree of self-sufficiency while traveling along the highway on your own. Therefore, you are advised to bring what is listed in the Prepare section.

Road safety
A wide variety of different road surfaces will be encountered by travelers on the Dalton. The beginning 100 miles are said to be the worst (pothole wise), but that may just be the time it takes to get acclimated to road conditions. This surface is gravel/dirt and is littered with a landscape of craters and potholes that will often slow your pace down to the 10 mph mark, or destroy your suspension. Later on, a few patches of paved road will be encountered, but in a rough arctic environment like this, it is apparent they don't hold up too well. Be constantly on the lookout for massive potholes on any part of the road. These will sneak up on you suddenly after a comfortable few miles. Further north, the gravel roads seem to be in better condition and they permit higher speeds.

Health
There are no medical facilities on the highway. The nearest hospital is in Fairbanks. Oil companies likely have limited clinical facilities in Deadhorse should you find yourself in desperate circumstances, but are otherwise only for employees. Should you find yourself gravely ill, a medical evacuation is very expensive, takes much longer than is standard in the rest of the US, and can be limited or impossible during severe winter weather.

Should you decide to collect water from streams, it is advisable to boil such water as giardia is common in Alaskan streams and very contagious.

Weather hazards
Weather is an important factor to add into Dalton Highway Trip calculations. Remember, this is the Arctic! During the summer it is very possible to encounter heavy snow while driving through the Brooks Range via Atigun Pass. Drive with extreme caution on the windy mountain roads. The gravel can be very slippery, especially in rain or snow. During the winter, the area may sustain temperatures below -60°F (-51°C) (which is cold enough to freeze your brake fluid!). As mentioned earlier such temperatures are fatal and thus winter travel is highly discouraged.

Animal life
The Dalton Highway passes through territory of the fearsome grizzly bear. Understand that black bear attacks are almost always defensive, whereas grizzly bear attacks are predatory (often unexpected). Bear repellent spray (a very strong pepper spray/mace) is considerably safer than carrying a rifle. See this article for comprehensive information on bear safety. In the winter, polar bears can roam the North Slope. Polar bears are massive, as ferocious as the grizzly bear, and very stealthy (and in darkness, not very discernible from the snow). Fortunately, you probably won't be outdoors during the season polar bears migrate into the region. You cannot learn enough about bear safety in this region. Consult one of the visitor's centers along the highway for more information and brochures.

You may encounter wolves and foxes in this region. Moose can be dangerous if threatened. They weigh, on average, 1,400 lb (640 kg) and have 6 ft wide antlers. Being mauled or stepped on by a moose can be lethal or leave you seriously injured in a region where medical services are distant and take hours for you to be treated. Animal life along the Dalton is great, but enjoy them at a distance.

Also visible are Dall sheep, musk-ox, caribou, wolverines (rare), and other smaller mammals.

Emergency services

 *  Fairbanks Medical Dispatch: (life-threatening emergencies only)
 *  Alaska State Troopers (police):
 * CB radio: Channel 19
 * Coldfoot
 * Fairbanks

Go next

 * Fairbanks is a town in Interior Alaska. With 31,000 inhabitants (2019), and 98,000 in Fairbanks North Star Borough, it is Alaska's third-largest city and the largest in the interior of Alaska. A junction of several major highways, will be a likely stop of most visitors to the state.
 * Hot springs are numerous in Interior Alaska; the closest to Fairbanks are: Chena, Circle, Melozi, & Manley.
 * Steese Highway lead into remote, pristine areas of the interior with a long history of gold mining (or hopes thereof) and has several interesting and historic mines and camps along it.
 * Elliot Highway continues to Manley Hot Springs, where there is a small town and, as the name implies, a hot spring.
 * Bettles, not far from highway, but only accessible by air. A lodge is available for a stay.
 * Utqiaġvik (Barrow), the northernmost city in the U.S. that is not accessible by road, but by plane only.
 * Pan American (PanAm) Highway In Alaska the Dalton Highway and the Alaska Highway make up the 'Pan-American' highway which spans from the northern coast of Alaska to the Darien Gap in Panama. The Dalton Highway from Deadhorse to Fairbanks, and the Alaska Highway from Fairbanks to Dawson Creek, BC. From Dawson Creek one can travel through British Columbia or Alberta, Canada to reach the lower 48. There are no "official" designations of the Pan-American Highway in Canada but there are multiple ways to reach the Mexican border through Canada and the lower 48.

title: Dalton Highway


text:
Dalyan

 * This page describes Dalyan in Muğla Province of Turkey, not the city of Dalian in China.
 * For Dalyan village in the Troad Peninsula south of Çanakkale, see Geyikli.

Dalyan is a small resort town in Lycia on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. It's administratively part of Muğla province and in 2020 had a population of 5564. The main attraction is the ancient port of Kaunos, which silted up and lost its importance when a sandbar formed across the river estuary. This turned the navigable bay into a reedy wetland, and the site was abandoned in the 15th century AD.

Get in
Dalyan is 29 km west of Dalaman Airport. Most visitors arrive on package flights from Europe, and the coach transfer takes about 40 minutes.

Buses from Istanbul and Izmir towards Fethiye follow Highway D400 and stop in Ortaca village and Dalaman's edge of town bus station - from those take a bus or dolmuş into Dalyan. The Havaş bus from Dalaman Airport to Marmaris also stops there, but charges the full fare to Marmaris.

Muttaş is the regional bus company, run by Muğla district council. Bus 8-8 runs every 15 min between Ortaca and Dalyan via Okçular, and Bus 8-9 is a less frequent service via Eskiköy.

Buses and dolmuşes stop along Atatürk Cd the main boulevard in Dalyan, there isn't a bus station.

Get around
is the main access to the ancient city. It plies across the river on demand, and has space for cars (50 TL) but most visitors cross on foot (10 TL pp) then walk 500 m to the ruins. Two other ferries upstream land you much further from Kaunos.

Muttaş Bus 8-10 runs to Iztuzu beach but only twice a day, take a dolmuş or river boat.

See

 * (Kral Mezarları) are often the visitor's first sight of Kaunos, etched into the cliffs facing town across the river. The six tombs are from 4th to 2nd century BC. They're nominally open daily 09:00 till dusk; if the main access is closed you can view them from the modern cemetery.
 * or "Persikon" is on a 152 m rock. It was re-fortified in the Byzantine era against Arab attack but its ruins are scrappy, you ascend for the view. Heraklion is the smaller rock and fortification next to it, which once stood by the sea.
 * has a capacity of 5000 and still occasionally hosts performances.
 * is the most interesting of the six temples so far excavated, with a circle of columns. It's from 3rd century BC.
 * was the wrestling school and gymnasium. Baths were added in Roman times, then a basilica was built in the 5th century AD.
 * was the inner harbour, but has silted up to a muddy puddle - the modern name means "Lake of Leeches". The flat area between lake and Palaestra was the town market-place or agora, which continued so even after the harbour was no longer navigable and trade shifted to the outer port. It was embellished by bronze statues of Roman bigwigs, but only their pedestals remain, and the statues were melted down in the Byzantine era. There are also ruins of a stoa - a covered walkway - and a Nymphaeum, a monument dedicated to the water-nymphs. Nothing remains of the outer port.
 * City walls are best preserved at the west edge of the site. They were erected during the reign of Mausolos in the 4th century BC - this is the fellow who built himself a tomb so splendid at Halicarnassus (nowadays Bodrum) that it gave us the term "mausoleum".
 * is the wetland delta south of town, an important habitat for birdlife.
 * is the 5 km sandbar that choked the estuary and put an end to Kaunos. It's the beach strip for Dalyan and river boats land near its west tip, while the east end by the turtle sanctuary is reached by road. Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta caretta) and green turtles (Chelonia mydas) lay their eggs here, and sections of beach are closed in the May-Oct nesting season.

Do

 * Mud baths are west riverbank near the north ferry crossing, and in town at Peloi Hamam. The water is piped in, warm rather than hot, and they feel a bit tourist-trappy. Still you undeniably get muddy and smelly for your 50 TL, and your pants will never recover.
 * Boat trips go downstream through the delta and upstream to Köyceğiz Lake.

Buy

 * Lots of little stores in town centre, A101 is the main chain. They're open daily 09:00 to 22:00 or later.

Eat

 * A couple of dozen small restaurants in town centre, no stand-out, and no escape from trad Turkish cuisine.

Drink

 * Over a dozen bars along Maraş Cd in town centre.

Connect
Dalyan and its approach roads have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of July 2023, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey.

Go next

 * Dalaman has a small resort strip but the town itself is uninteresting.
 * Göcek is a smaller resort east, a centre for yachting and boat trips.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Dalyan


text:
Daly City

Daly City is a city located in northernmost part of San Mateo County in the Peninsula of the San Francisco Bay Area in California.

Understand
Daly City is San Francisco's immediate neighbor to the south. It is known as the "Gateway to the Peninsula".

Daly City has a mild climate, with wet, mild winters and dry summers. In most months, you can expect the maximum temperature to be in the 50s, 60s, or 70s degrees Fahrenheit (between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius). Evenings are usually in the 50s or 60s. Be prepared for cool humid weather, even in the summer (except September) when persistent fog often envelops the city.
 * Climate

Daly City has a varied ethnic composition with the distinction of having a large Asian community in the United States.
 * Ethnicity

Westlake, Broadmoor, St. Francis, Serramonte, Original Daly City, Hillside, Crocker, Southern Hills, Bayshore
 * Neighbourhood

By plane
There are three airports in the San Francisco Bay Area:

 * San Francisco International Airport located about 10 mi (16 km) south of the city.
 * Oakland International in the East Bay.
 * Mineta San Jose International in  Silicon Valley, about 1 hour south of San Francisco.

Oakland and San Jose tend to offer more discount airline flights, while San Francisco Airport attracts more international flights and can be more convenient for those staying in the city.

By car
Two major freeways serving Daly City are U.S. Highway 101 and Interstate 280. Interstate 280 essentially bisects Daly City geographically as well as in terms of the areas with the highest commercial and residential density. Interstate 280 is less congested than U.S. 101 and therefore offers a preferred route into San Francisco (and locations further north and east) as well as southern peninsula locations.

title: Daly City


text:
Daman

There is more than one place called Daman:

India

 * Daman (India) - A city and district in the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

Nepal

 * Daman (Nepal) - A village in Nepal.

title: Daman


text:
Daman (India)

Daman is a district of the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. It is on the west coast of India, next to the state of Gujarat, which is perhaps a more well-known tourist destination. It was under the control of Portugal from 1539 to 1961 - and as a result of this, Portuguese influence is still palpable today, particularly in the architectural and cultural spheres.

It may not have all the facilities that a tourist destination should have but it does have peace, relaxation, friendly locals and beautiful places to see. Local resorts and hotels are easily available and can be easily booked from Gujarat.

Understand
Portuguese established themselves in Goa in 16th century. For trade, they expanded their trade in Gujarat and established themselves in Daman. In 1531, the Sultan of Gujarat agreed to hand over Daman to Portuguese in exchange of a share in revenues. The port expanded and proved more important that Diu to Portuguese in terms of trade. It competed with Surat. The Daman became part of the Union of India only in 1961. The long history with Portuguese left lasting impression on the city.

Daman has a beautiful landscape and, partly due to being relatively close to Mumbai and some of the other majors cities of Gujarat and Maharashtra, it experiences a lot of tourist traffic every year. The city is worth of day's trip. It is also popular drinking enclave for locals from surrounding districts.

By plane
Flights are easily available for Daman from the nearby cities of Mumbai (170 km) and Vadodara (300 km). Daily flights of Gujarat State Airlines connect the place to these cities. The is in the Nani Daman (Little Daman) area and has all the amenities for tourists traveling to the city. The nearest international airport is in Surat.

By rail
The nearest railhead for getting to Daman is at, located around 12 km away. It lies on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route of the Western railway and is about 170 km from Mumbai and 90 km from Surat. Major Delhi-Mumbai and Mumbai-Ahmedabad bound trains halt at this station. People traveling to Daman by train can get down at the Vapi and then reach Daman by local buses, taxis or tongas.

By road
Daman is easily accessible by road, and is connected to some of the major cities nearby, with a well-maintained system of roadways. Vapi at a distance of 12 km, lies on the National Highway 848A and is easily connected to Daman by road. The city is 170 km from Mumbai, 360 km from Ahmedabad and 768 km from Diu, 110 km from Surat and 300 km from Vadodara.

Get around
There are taxis and auto-rickshaws available to roam around in Daman. However, it may be better to hire a taxi for a day if you wish to explore; the reception desk at your hotel can arrange one.

See
Daman is split in north and south parts by Damanganga river. North part is known as Nani Daman and south part is known as Moti Daman. The both have forts. A new footbridge connects these two forts which was built alongside old collapsed bridge.

Eat
You get a lot of non-vegetarian and sea food in Daman. Chicken Bullet is one of the recipes that is unique to Daman. You can get a really good Chicken Bullet at Hotel Miramar

Drink
Being next to Gujarat a dry state Daman attracts lot of local tourist who want to enjoy alcohol. Daman is one of the few places in India where there is not much tax on alcohol nor there is any restriction on drinking. You might find beer being sold even at the beach by hawker. It is better to purchase your liquor from the shop to avoid adulterated liquor.

Sleep
There are a lot of budget and premium hotels at Devka. The only five star hotel in Daman is 'The Deltin'. The most preferred hotels here are those on the beach with beach facing rooms.
 * Miramar
 * Cidade De Daman

Go next

 * Silvassa
 * Surat

title: Daman (India)


text:
Daman (Nepal)

For those seeking the ultimate panoramic Himalayan view, Daman is the place to visit. Located approx 80 km southwest of the Kathmandu valley, Daman (2,400 m) offers the only unimpeded view of the entire Himalayan range – roughly 400 km of Himalayan panorama. Daman is located on the Tribhuvan Highway between Kathmandu and the town of Hetauda. A walk around the surrounding area or a lounging on the one of the resort here is just a different experience in itself. Rock climbing, cycling, hiking are a few of the many activities possible here. There are a couple of accommodation option for a comfortable stay.

Get in
One or two local buses and several shared 4WD jeeps head in both directions between Chitwan and Kathmandu or Pokhara. It's the long way, but worth the effort if you have the time to spend a day or two in a quiet little village.

Get around
The only way to get around is by foot. There are lots of trails leading towards the villages around that offers an opportunity to connect with the local life. Similarly one of the resorts has bicycles to hire. Go on a downhill ride to Palung Village.

See

 * One of the hotels has a lookout tower with great views on clear mornings of the Himalayas, with one of the widest panoramas of any viewpoint.
 * A Tibetan monastery and temple is about a 30-minute walk through lovely mountain scenery. Get directions from one of the restaurants or guesthouses.

Do
The activities available here are hiking, cycling, rock climbing, fishing trip to Kulekhani, pony ride etc.

Eat
The only option are the couple of dhabas serving dal-bhat a famous dish of Daman.

Sleep
There are a couple of very basic guesthouses with rooms for rent, and one place renting out safari style semi-permanent tents. The only star hotel in Daman is Everest Panorama Resort, 2.5 km away from the city. Along with this, there's Om Adhyay Resort, in Tistung and Palung, about 22 km from Daman, via Tribhuvan Highway.

Go next

 * Royal Chitwan National Park
 * Kathmandu
 * Pokhara

title: Daman (Nepal)


text:
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu is a small union territory in Western India. Dadra and Nagar Haveli is a district of the union territory wedged between the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. Daman is a semi-enclave on the mouth of the Daman Ganga river bounded on all sides by the state of Gujarat, while Diu is a small island off the coast of Gujarat.

Cities

 * – Capital and the largest city of the union territory. It has a beautiful landscape, and is famous for its beaches situated along the Gujarat Coast. It may not have all the facilities that a tourist destination should have but it does have peace, relaxation, friendly locals and beautiful places to see.
 * – Capital city of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and a major hub for industry.

Other destinations

 * – A small town surrounded by Gujarat.
 * – A fishing town noted for its old fortress, Portuguese cathedral, and nice old town with a Portuguese layout. It has fine but not so spectacular beaches, and has a very relaxed atmosphere compared to most of India. Diu has many beaches which one may choose as per their tastes.
 * – An unincorpated semi-exclave administered as part of the Diu district.

Understand
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, alongside Goa, were under Portuguese colonial rule until 1954. Between 1954 and 1961, Dadra and Nagar Haveli was self-governing; it became a union territory in 1961. The semi-enclaves of Daman and Diu used to be parts of the union territory of Goa, Daman and Diu from 1961 until 1987, when Goa became a state of India. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu were two separate union territories of India from 1987 until 2020, when a law was passed to merge the two territories into one.

Talk
The official languages of this union territory are English, Gujarati, Hindi and Marathi; all of these are understood and spoken by most people. Konkani is also spoken in this territory. Some residents might still speak Portuguese, or at least a creole based on the language.

By plane
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu has two domestic airports: Daman Airport and Diu Airport. Diu Airport has flights from Ahmedabad, Bhuj and Mumbai. There is no scheduled commercial air service in Daman Airport at this time, and is now used for military purposes.

Since the union territory lacks an international airport, tourists outside India are advised to arrive Mumbai or Surat by plane first, then travel to the union territory.

By train
The nearest railway stations of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu include Una and Vapi, both of them are situated in Gujarat. The union territory doesn't have any railway station of its own.

By road
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu can be accessed through three national highways: NH 251, NH 848A and NH 848B. NH 251 traverses through the island of Diu, NH 848A traverses through the enclave of Nagar Haveli and NH 848B ends at the city of Daman.

By train
Due to the lack of railway stations among the enclaves and semi-enclaves, one can train travel from Daman or Dadra and Nagar Haveli to Diu through the nearby railway stations situated in Gujarat.

By road
There are taxis and auto-rickshaws available to roam around in the union territory.

Churches
Thanks to the Portuguese rule of this territory, there are several churches in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, including the Church of Bom Jesus in Daman and the St. Paul's Church in Diu. The Church of Bom Jesus has decorated ceilings and carved gateways. The St. Paul's Church is named after St. Paul, the Apostle of Jesus also known as the Apostle to the Gentiles.

Temples
Beside churches, there are several temples in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, including the Balaji Mandir in Silvassa, Gangeshwar Temple in Diu and the Jain Temple in Daman.

Eat
Both native Gujarati food and traditional Portuguese food are common. Being a coastal region, the communities are mainly dependent on sea food. Normally, Rotli and tea are taken for breakfast, Rotla and sag for lunch and chokha along with sag and curry are taken for dinner. Some of the dishes prepared on festive occasions include, puri, lapsee, potaya, dudh-plag, dhakanu.

Drink
Alcohol is legal in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, unlike in neighbouring Gujarat, so a lot of people come to this union territory especially to drink. Indian and foreign beer and spirits are widely available. You might find beer being sold even at the beach by hawkers. It is better to purchase your liquor from a shop to avoid adulterated liquor.


text:
Damaraland

Damaraland is a historic region in the Kunene and Erongo provinces of Namibia that is known for its desert mountains, stunning landscapes, ancient rock art and abundant wildlife. Lodging and campsites in the region are often booked out months – or even years – in advance, so be sure to book well ahead of time.

Destinations

 * – Namibia's highest mountain
 * – The former capital of Damaraland and a base for exploring the region
 * – The Matterhorn of Namibia
 * – The largest repository of San art in Namibia and a UNESCO World Heritage site

title: Damaraland


text:
Damascus

Damascus (دمشق Dimaşk) is the capital of Syria and its second largest city after Aleppo. Damascus was the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate during the Islamic Golden Age. It is entitled the City of Jasmine and is a major cultural centre in the Levant and the Arab world. The city is home to about 2.5 million people (2022), and the metropolitan area to 5 million.

Understand
Established between 10,000 to 8,000 BCE, Damascus is credited with being the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. The world heritage listed old-walled city, in particular, feels very ancient and largely consists of a maze of narrow alleys, punctuated by enigmatic doors that lead into pleasing, verdant courtyards and blank-faced houses. The old city still has an authentic medieval feel to it, although this was quickly vanishing due to the increasing tourist traffic as the city continued to be highlighted as an attraction. Life, however, goes on in the old-walled city, which is still the religious and social centre of the city.

Due to the Syrian Civil War which began in 2011, many services in the city, including transportation, accommodation and consular services, have been severely disrupted. Power interruptions are frequent, the Syrian pound currency has been subject to hyperinflation (to the point where prices listed here are meaningless) and the war is not far from mind even during the brief moments when life goes on normally. Many have left the country, been drafted into military service or killed in action.

Large parts of the article describes the situation before the war. Travel to most of Damascus is still considered very unsafe.

By plane
As of 2024, flights to Damascus are very limited. SyrianAir and FlyBaghdad offers flights from Abu Dhabi, Amman, Baghdad, Dubai, Doha and Kuwait City several times per week, and some flights from Moscow, Yerevan and Tehran. There are domestic flights from Al-Qamishli as well.

Only taxi companies are allowed to pickup customers from the airport. Taxi fares may vary depending on your bargaining skills. There are also buses departing to and from Baramkeh bus station in the centre of town (airport buses are the only ones which serve this bus station now - all other services have moved to the new out of town Soumaria bus station). There are departures every half an hour, 24 hours a day. At the airport, come out of the terminal and turn right - you will find the bus at the end of the building. There is a small ticket office. The bus will drop you a bit far from the Old City, but there many taxis around to get you there. Make sure to ask for the meter.

By train
As of early 2024, all long-distance train services to Damascus are still suspended, including the once-weekly sleeper trains from Istanbul and Tehran. The historic Hejaz station in the city centre remains closed and future services will depart and arrive at from Al-Qadam railway station south of the city centre.

By car
Service Taxis are available to Amman and Irbid in Jordan. Depending on the political situation, these also service Beirut and other points in Lebanon, as well as points in Iraq. Since the closure of the more central Baramkeh Station, these service taxis leave from Soumaria (pronounced like the girls' names "Sue Maria"), which is a 10- to 15-minute taxi ride from central Damascus, along Autostrade Mezzeh. The bus number 15 and 21 will take you to Soumaria station from the bus stop next to Matry's place.

By bus
Damascus is well served by buses internally in the country. There are two bus stations: the western bus station serves destinations west and south (including Amman and Beirut), while the northern bus station serves destinations north (including Aleppo).

Regular buses to Damascus leave Amman, Jordan, the trip including crossing the border takes about 4 hours and cost approximately 6-9 Jordanian dinars.

Hatay Turizm from Antakya, Turkey, has regular buses to the city. You can board on these in Istanbul as well. Normally, you will have to reserve a seat one day or more in advance, and although prices may vary, you can get a bus ticket for 80 Turkish lira.

When arriving into Damascus by bus, make sure to move away from the bus terminal to find a taxi to the city centre. Otherwise, you run the risk of paying several times the going rate, as cars posing as taxis operate next to the terminal. This is normally a two-man operation, with one person trying to distract you, while the driver puts your bags into the boot (trunk) of the "taxi" and locks it.

Upon arrival at the western bus station, city bus #15 will take you to Al-Marjeh Square in Souq Sarouja/Old Town (where you can find many hotels).

Get around
At rush hours (10:00-16:00), the best way of transport is on foot. Smoking is absolutely forbidden on all public transport.

By foot
A very good idea is to go on foot especially for a sightseeing, and it's the only way to get around in Old Damascus. Walking in the new city however, should be reserved to the nicer areas of Maliki and Abu-Rumaneh, as the new city tends to be pollution clogged. The driving culture in Damascus is not the safest, so beware as a pedestrian, especially in the new city. Cars will not hesitate to come extremely close to pedestrians or other cars in order to pass.

By car
It isn't a very good idea to rent a car in Damascus. There is almost always a traffic jam, especially in summer, and parking tends to be difficult too; although that isn't the situation in suburbs.

By bus
Micro buses, also known as servees, are one of the main sources of transportation in Damascus. You can go from one place to another in Damascus with one or at most two journeys. When on the bus, give any passenger a coin and they will pass it to the driver and return the change. Remember to tell that passenger how many people you are paying for, whether you are in a group, or that you are paying "for one" ("waahid") if you are alone. The route is written (in Arabic only) on the roof sign. Micro buses do not generally have fixed stops except at very busy points, just beckon to the driver and they will stop near you (Al yameen, andak iza samaht).

There are also many city buses. One useful bus is #15, which runs from Al-Marjeh Square (Souq Sarouja\Old Town) to the Western Bus Station, which serves Beirut and Amman.

By taxi
Taxis are plentiful in Damascus, making them a great mode of transportation. The taxis of Star Taxi, a private company, are more expensive than normal taxis, but they are also more comfortable and safer. You can call their headquarters and they will send the nearest taxi to your door. Taxis with the Damascus Governorate logo on the side and a number on the roof sign are normally equipped with a meter, and it is best to use only these when hailing a taxi on the street. You should normally leave a tip as well as the fare on the meter. At night, taxi drivers do not usually use the meter, so you may be best off negotiating the price before you get in. A service taxi to Amman or Beirut takes around 4 hours and run 24 hours. Do not hesitate to take them; they are clean vehicles with air conditioning.

See

The Souq al-Hamidiyya, a broad street packed with tiny shops, is entered through columns from a Roman temple built on a site that had been occupied by an even older temple. The souqs themselves smell of cumin and other distinctive spices and you can find passages dedicated to everything from leather and copper goods to inlaid boxes and silk scarves.

At the end of Souq al-Hamidiyya stands the great Umayyad mosque; this building with three minarets is an architectural wonder. It was an Assyrian temple, then a Roman temple to Jupiter, a church when Rome converted to Christianity, then a mosque and a church together, and finally a mosque until now. All the symbols are still pretty much there and some Christian drawings can still be very clearly seen on the walls inside. The mosque contains the grave of John the Baptist (prophet Yahya to Muslims) inside the main lounge. Muslims also believe that this is the site where Jesus will descent back to Earth on his Second Coming. Women are asked to be to cover their hair, arms and legs. Abayas(full-body covers) are provided with the entrance ticket. It is one of the most sacred sites of Islam, and it welcomes foreign tourists, who are allowed to walk around the prayer area.

At the other end of Souq al-Hamidiyya is a fort-like section of the extant city wall that is the Citadel (but make sure to visit Aleppo's Citadel for a truly amazing experience).

Nearby, you can visit the Mausoleum of Salah al-Din, known in the west as Saladin, the chief anti-crusader. There's a great statue of him on horseback right next to the citadel, which will make you gasp. If you walk all the way around it, there are two dejected Frankish knights underneath the horse's slightly lifted tail. These two knights are identified by inscriptions as Guy de Lusignan, King of Jerusalem, and Reynald de Chatillon, lord of Kerak, an important fortress in the Holy Land. Both were captured during Salah al-Din's definitive victory at Hattin; Guy was imprisoned in Damascus and eventually released, but Reynald was executed as punishment for his many atrocities.

Old Damascus

The ancient city of Damascus had seven city gates, of which four remains to be seen. Most of the walls surrounding the old town have however disappeared.

Do

 * View the city from Mount Qasioun is a must-do activity in Damascus as it offers a panoramic view. The peak is accessible at any time, although the view is perhaps most spectacular at night when the whole city is lit up and the minarets of mosques are bathed in green light. The Umayyad Mosque in the old town is particularly impressive when viewed from the mountain. There is a wide range of food and refreshment available on the peak from stalls to fancy restaurants that serve good local cuisine and alcohol. Check the price before you get too comfortable though as it is a well-known scam for taxi drivers to take you to their 'favorite' cafe, where you'll end up paying a fortune for a cup of tea.
 * Visit a restaurant in old Damascus. There are many restaurants in the old quarter each with their own unique character, but perhaps the most famous (and touristy) is "Beit Jabri", although "Al-Khawali" is considered by many to be the best dining experience in the old city. Another restaurant in the old city, Narcissus Palace, located close to Maktab Anbar, would offer an enlightening experience. Every night, a singer and band play old Arabic music and create an amazing atmosphere in the restaurant. A good idea, when considering these restaurants, is to go for breakfast, and then go sightseeing. The breakfast is very cheap.
 * Relax at a Hooka cafe "Narjelah" Hooka cafes are popular in Damascus and are easy to find. When visiting the old city, you'll get a more cultural or traditional experience. You'll probably find a crowd of tea-drinking, backgammon-playing men all smoking hooka. In the modern city, most cafes cater to a younger crowd and are a big part of the night life offering a huge variety of flavored tobacco ranging from double apple which is the most common, to cappuccino. In almost every major restaurant, hookas are available, including the restaurants in the old city.

Hammams
Bathing in a hammam, i.e., a Turkish bath, is a great way of both soaking up the atmosphere of Old Damascus and to be rejuvenated after a long day. Two baths that are familiar with Western tourists are Nur-al-Din Bath and Bakri Bath. A visit to either includes towels, soap, scrub, a massage and a tea. The price is typically composed of bath entry, scrub, sauna, massage, and extras such as tea or soap. Nur-al-Din is for men only, Bakri might be able to accommodate women or mixed groups upon prior arrangement. Bakri Bath: for women each day except Friday 10:00-17:00.

Arabic
There are several institutions in Damascus that teach Arabic: Tour Guide : You can get an English speaking guide by emailing : zenab71@aol.com.
 * Language Institute at Damascus University  - The Language Institute fully immerse their students in Arabic; the course materials and all interaction between students and teachers are done in Arabic. Students are placed in beginning, intermediate or advanced courses based on a placement test.
 * Ma'had - This state-run language academy is in the Mezze district of Damascus. It is the cheapest option, although the courses are not as good as those at Damascus University.
 * The British Council - While the classes may be expensive, they are mainly aimed toward diplomats and businessmen.
 * DSA - Damascus Language School for Standard Arabic- The school provides basic courses for beginners and advanced courses also on certain topics as for journalists, physicians, diplomats, engineers, etc. Normal classes have maximum 4 students. Lessons with private teachers are even possible. Twice a year, there are certain courses for students available at half price. Teachers are well experienced in teaching foreigners. Basic courses start every Saturday.
 * Arabesk Studies in Damascus - The institute offers extensive classes in Arabic. Aide with living arrangement provided.
 * TikaTrip - Travels and Studies in Syria - Providing private Arabic tutors as well as professional language teachers and all important services: starting with the pickup service at the airport, arranging accommodation and advices on how to tackle the bureaucratic procedures.

Buy
Damascus offers some of the best shopping in the Middle East. Prices are cheap, and since very few stores depend on tourists for their income, most will leave you alone to browse until you are ready to buy. Small stores are found throughout the old city, although the Souq al-Hamidiyya, located along the Roman straight street, offers the highest density of shops. The souq is a fantastic experience, but be prepared for the crowds.

Budget

The famous vegetarian falafel sandwich, chicken shawarma, and manakeesh, bread filled with zatar, spinach, meat, pizza-style tomato and cheese or other fillings are widely available and cheap. Less common but still widely spread are places which sell foul (boiled fava beans with sauce) and hummus.

A typical Damascene dish is fatteh, made up of soaked bread, chickpeas and yogurt. Delicious and extremely filling, it is excellent on a cold winter's day. Try it with lamb or sheep's tongue, or plain with the typical garnish of a little pickle and nuts.

There is a foul restaurant on Souq Saroujah, the same street as hotel Al-Haramein and one at the bab touma square. Also in this "backpacker district" on Souq Sarouja is Mr Pizza serving good pizzas, sandwiches, burgers and fries.

Shawarma is, of course, popular in Damascus. It comes in different varieties, including chicken and beef. Station One (near the Noura Supermarket in Abu Rumaneh) is one of many restaurants that serve shawarma throughout the city.

In order to really experience local Syrian cuisine, be sure to visit a section of Damascus called Midan. It lies south of the old city and can easily be reached by walking south from the western entrance to Souq al-Hamadiyya or from Bab Saghir. There is a main street there called Jazmatiya which offers an unlimited amount of shawerma & falafel stands, butcher shops/restaurants and plenty of Syrian pastry shops which are clearly marked by 2.5-metre-high towers of sweets stacked on top of each other. Be sure to try Shawarma from "Anas," which makes some of the best sandwiches in Damascus. This main street is best to visit at night and doesn't close till around 03:00. The street is very safe and is always very busy.

Another unusual treat is a camel kebab, available tasty and fresh from the camel butchers outside Bab Saghir. As they typically advertise their wares by hanging a camel head and neck outside the premises, you're unlikely to miss them.

Fresh juice stalls are available all over the city. Orange juice (aasir beerdan) and other fruits are available. Many fruit stalls also have a range of dishes like hot dog, sojouq (Armenian sausage), liver (soda) and meat (kebab etc.). These may not always be the safest to eat.

Fruits and vegetables which are not peeled might cause infections, but are still very good. Select places that have a steady stream of customers.

The area around Martyr's square is polluted with pastry shops selling sweet, tasty and cheap baklava.

Do not try to eat in empty places, only crowded restaurants and food places are safe otherwise you may get food poisoning from Shawerma sandwiches or any other product (especially in summer) so beware!

Mid-range

 * Pizza Pasta, sharia medhat pasha, at the turn to Bab Kisan. This place serves descent pasta and good pizza, and also antipasto and alcohol. The service is often less than good, but it's worth for the food. No menu, just ask for whatever Italian dish you fancy and chances are they will have it.
 * Nadil, a little closer to bab sharqi than pizza pasta, this place serves typical Arabic meat dishes and very good broasted, and does it well and cheaply. Takeaway.
 * Beit Sitti, close to Beit Jabri in the old city (the street that runs parallel to the street of Al-Noufara down from the Ommayad mosque). Diverse range of food. Superb lemon and mint juice and it’s OK just to drink.
 * Inhouse Coffee, at the airport, in the bab touma shopping street on the way to Sahet Abbasin and in the shopping street of abu romanih (souq al-kheir, close to Benetton shopping centre). Has great coffee. Heavy with smart looking people and bluetooth in the air (in Syria, it’s an acceptable way to flirt).
 * Cafe Vienna, close to cham palace, follow the street towards Jisr-al-rais, turn right in the alley opposite of the Adidas store. Offer sandwiches on brown bread and apple strudel.
 * Vino Rosso, in bab touma walk up the stairs beside the police station and ask your way. You can have food fried at the table and they have French cheeses. Rather cheap, very cosy. Alcohol is served.
 * Chinese Restaurant, opposite of Cafe Narcissius close to Beit Jabri. Small restaurant serving Americanized Chinese food. Reasonably priced and good Chinese food, usually full of foreigners or Chinese students. The sweet and sour chicken and beef "hot pan" are highly recommended. Alcohol is served.
 * Fish place, bourj el-roos. This place is more or less male only, a little rough and does very good fish. Not cheap, but it’s Damascus, it’s fish and it’s good. The same place runs a good place for foul and hommous next by. Alcohol is served.
 * Spicy, at the abu-roumanih side of jisr al-abiad, first street to the left if your back is faced to the bridge. Daily dishes, "home-made" style Arabic food. Excellent. No alcohol.
 * Caffe Latte, a small, warmhearted cafe serving great coffee, muffins and pancakes. An escape from the hustle and bustle of Damascus. Located near the Italian hospital.
 * Spicy, at the abu-roumanih side of jisr al-abiad, first street to the left if your back is faced to the bridge. Daily dishes, "home-made" style Arabic food. Excellent. No alcohol.
 * Caffe Latte, a small, warmhearted cafe serving great coffee, muffins and pancakes. An escape from the hustle and bustle of Damascus. Located near the Italian hospital.

Splurge

 * Scoozi. It’s close to Noura Supermarket in Abu Rumanneh, if you walk from jisr al-rais towards jebel qasioun it is on your right. Best pizza in Damascus, the rest of the dishes are excellent too. No alcohol.
 * Haretna (bab touma area, take the stairs beside the police station and follow the sign) serves excellent mezze. No alcohol during Ramadan.
 * Nadi al Sharq, close to hotel Four seasons, this is the best Indian in Damascus. They do an excellent set meal
 * Rotana Cafe, a theme cafe built at the end of Damascus Boulevard by the Four Seasons. It is part of the Rotana Audio Visuals company which is probably the most famous music records company in the Arabic world. The head of Rotana is Prince Walid bin Talal. The food is good, as well as the hookah The view from this cafe is great, Mount Kassyoun is visible and the rest of Beirut Street. There is also a souvenir shop and a music store located on the first level.
 * Cafe Trattoria is right by the United Colors of Benneton in Abu Rummaneh. It is a beautiful pavement cafe that offers Italian food, hookas, and western coffees, as well as the traditional Turkish Coffee.

Drink
The coffee houses of Old Damascus were something to experience. Hours could dissolve over a cup of shay (tea) or ahwa (coffee) among the smoke of a nargileh (water pipe). An-Naufara (which means 'The Fountain') was a wonderful place to do this, just east of the Umayyad Mosque. There was even a Hakawati (a traditional story teller) present at 19:00 most nights.

If you were craving a European coffee, you could have headed for Abu Rommeneh street and looked for the Bennetton clothing store. There were a number of fancy cafés in the area, including the Middle Eastern chain Inhouse Coffee, which is similar to Starbucks in its prices and atmosphere. Free Wi-Fi was offered at each location throughout the city.

Apart from that, many bars and nightclubs had been set up in Damascus. These were usually busy at night time, but they still provided nice alcoholic beverages and dances.

Clubs in Damascus that weren't all prostitutes (around Bab Sharqi): La Serai, La Vida Loca.

Many establishments have closed because of the war; as of mid-2016 there have been reports of businesses gradually returning to the Old City or Old Quarter of Damascus.

Old Town establishments which have reopened include:

Sleep

Souq-Al-Saroujah is where you find the cluster of backpacker hotels. Martyr's Square or "Merjeh" in Arabic is the other place worth considering if you're on a tight budget, though many of the places double as brothels. However, at least the hotels below can be recommended. Women alone should avoid hotels at Merjeh Square, because it's the red light district of Damascus.

Most hotels in Damascus claiming to be 5 stars are actually closer to what Western travellers know as 2 stars. The Syrian government runs its own accreditation agency that gives highly suspect inflated ratings to hotels owned by Syrian chains and those that have paid "baksheesh" (bribes) to the authorities. Due to the American sanctions of Syria, credit cards linked to US banks will not be accepted (this is pretty much every credit card in the world).

Mid-range

Stay safe
See the Syria article for information on the security situation.

In rural and modern areas of Damascus, people have been known to be perfectly healthy, but to imitate beggars in order to get money. Often, they will attempt to con you by giving more money and have many tricks to do so. Exercise caution.

Also, for your safety, do not take advice or recommendations, especially about accommodation, doctors and dentists, from taxi drivers.

Damascus itself has not been an active war zone for several years now. Nonetheless, the political by-products of the war continue to negatively impact travellers. In particular, checkpoints are everywhere in the city and its environs, staffed by underpaid and notoriously corrupt soldiers and policemen. Especially if you are not Arab, Russian, or Iranian, you can expect to be repeatedly shaken down for bribes (ranging from food and cigarettes to cash). Do not get in these people's bad books under any circumstances; Syria is not a country where the rule of law applies. Nonetheless, Damascus is physically safe for tourists who are respectful and willing to "pay to play". Travelling with a guide at all times is strongly recommended, if only to make such interactions less stressful.

Connect
Most hotels can arrange international phone calls, but prices are very expensive. Most internet cafes are set up for VOIP, and offer a much cheaper alternative, although the price does reflect the quality of the connection.

Internet access is widely available, although the Syrian government censors traffic, which can cause some interesting quirks in connectivity.

Cope
Very few large banks will cash American Express Traveller Cheques in Damascus and elsewhere in Syria. ATMs and credit cards are not a reliable option.

ATMs are not always in operation. Change houses exist in many areas in Damascus, especially near the large souks. The euro, British pound, and American dollar can be changed at these shops, usually commission-free. Be sure to look up the current exchange rate before changing money so you do not get cheated. Many shops, especially in the old city), also change money. Though it is illegal, it is a handy option when you're already shopping in the old city and need to change some cash quickly. Just ask around the shopkeepers for a money changer and you will soon be directed to a store that does currency exchange.

Embassies

 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * 🇨🇳 China
 * 🇨🇿 Czech Republic
 * 🇬🇷 Greece
 * 🇮🇳 India
 * 🇮🇩 Indonesia
 * 🇷🇴 Romania
 * 🇷🇸 Serbia
 * 🇨🇭 Switzerland
 * 🇹🇷 Turkey

Consulates

 * 🇮🇪 Ireland

title: Damascus


text:
Damascus (Virginia)

Damascus is a town in Southwest Virginia.

Understand
Damascus is a popular pit stop for hikers on the Appalachian Trail. The downtown is quite picturesque, with homes and churches that date from its heyday as a stop on the Norfolk & Western Railway's spur line that ran from Abingdon VA to West Jefferson NC until the mid-1970s. The former rail bed through the town has been converted into a walking and biking path called the Virginia Creeper Trail.

Get in
Damascus is on US 58, roughly a 20-minute drive from Interstate 81 and Abingdon.

On the eastern side of town, drivers have the option of staying on US 58 into Grayson County VA or turning south into Johnson County TN. US 58 becomes extremely curvy outside of Damascus heading east, with signs advising truck drivers to take an alternate route.

The road into Tennessee (TN 91) has some relatively gentle curves along the Big Laurel Creek and then straightens out as it goes through Laurel Bloomery TN into Mountain City.

The closest commercial airport is Tri-Cities Regional Airport near Blountville TN, between Johnson City TN and Bristol VA.

Sleep
The nearest major chain hotels are located about a 20-minute drive west on US 58, at the Abingdon/Damascus exit on Interstate 81.

title: Damascus (Virginia)


text:
Damavand

Damavand is a city of the Tehran Province in Iran.

See
Damavand contains 37 historical tombs (Imamzadeh), 27 castle ruins, 23 traditional houses of architectural significance, 18 traditional bath houses, 6 caves, 5 historical bridges, 3 historical mosques, and 3 caravanserais. The main landmarks are the Friday Mosque (15th century) and the Sheikh Shebli Mausoleum and Tower, dating to the Seljuq era.

title: Damavand


text:
Dambulla

Dambulla is a city in Central province of Sri Lanka.

Understand
Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. Major attractions are spread over five caves, which contain statues and paintings. These paintings and statues are related to Gautama Buddha and his life. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings and four statues of gods and goddesses.

Get in
Buses from Colombo (148 km west), Kandy (72 km south, 2-3 hours), Anuradhapura (2-3 hours), Sigiriya and other places arrive regularly at the Dambulla bus station located 1 km outside of the town on Kandy road. From Sigiriya, you can continue by direct bus to Dambulla. Buses run on this route at intervals of 30 minutes and cost 40 LKR. The last bus for Dambulla leaves at 18:00. Alternately, you can take a tuk-tuk to go back to Inamaluwa junction, from where you can take the bus to Dambulla as well, or you can go to Dambulla from Sigiriya by tuk-tuk which will cost not more than Rs. 1,000. The distance from Sigiriya to Dambulla is 20 km, and from Inamaluwa to Dambulla is 10 km.

Do

 * Cricket: First class matches and internationals are played at Rangiri Dambulla Stadium, by the lake 2 km southwest of city centre.

Sleep
There are both simple guest houses and more up-scale resorts available, some close to the temple complex, about 1 km south from the town centre.

Go next

 * Colombo There are several buses to Colombo from the bus station, it costs about 140 LKR in non A/C buses.
 * Anuradhapura
 * Sigiriya Just 30mn north-east of Dambulla, you can easily visit Lion Rock as a day trip from Dambulla (buses at the Main Bus Station)
 * Matale
 * Kandy
 * Polonnaruwa located 67 km east of Dambulla

title: Dambulla


text:
Dammam

Dammam (الدمام,ad-Dammām) is the largest city in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, and the 3rd largest city in the kingdom after Riyadh and Jeddah.

Get in
Dammam is the main transport hub of the Dammam-Dhahran-Khobar cluster.

By plane

SAPTCO runs comfortable shuttle buses between the airport and the bus station roughly hourly (SR12). The trip takes around 45 minutes. Alternatively, taxis can cover the same distance in half an hour and charge upwards of SR50.

By train
Dammam railway station is about 8 km from the city centre, connects to Abqaiq (40 min), Hofuf (1:10) and Riyadh (3:30).

By road
Dammam is well linked by the kingdom's modern highway network and the GCC road. Riyadh is 4 hours. Nearby Khobar is a 15 min drive, from where Bahrain is another half an hour by the King Fahd Causeway. Saptco runs regular buses.

Get around
Public transport is poor. Taxis and "dubbabs" dominate the market, and are usually used by the lower scale foreign workers. SR.2 is the standard fare for anywhere to anywhere! Best deal is thus the rent a car. Taxis charge 10–20SR for trips within the city proper. 25-30SR is usually charged to travel by taxi from Al-khobar to Dammam and vice versa.

Modern modes of public transportation that are becoming very popular include Uber and Careem cab booking services.

Do

 * Take a walk at Dammam's relatively new corniche, depending on the weather (best time between November till April). Track that is almost 4 kilometers long.
 * Visit AlKaria AlSha'abia (People's Village Restaurant) museum and restaurant, a nice place indicating Saudi culture, and where traditional delicious plates can be ordered, it's within corniche area.
 * Visit AlShate'a mall and Marina mall, two malls near corniche area, malls similar to those you find in western countries, where many international franchise restaurants can be found at the court area, nothing so special.
 * Football:
 * Dammam Stadium is under construction in 2024, with a planned capacity of 40,000.

Buy
Gold! High grade gold is quite reasonably priced and beautiful to add to any jewelry collection. Just remember that at 24k the gold can literally bend by biting on it.

Budget
All these are in or near the city center:

Drink
Alcohol is banned in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, Dammam has no bars or pubs. However, there are several cafes, juice parlours and places serving speciality drinks and mocktails. Bottled non-alcoholic beer is also available in most shops. Bahrain is 20 minutes away and a popular getaway.

Go next

 * Khobar : just 15 minutes away by car.
 * Dhahran : just 20 minutes away by car.
 * Jubail : just 90 minutes away by car
 * Bahrain : 20 minutes away by car and bridge costs 20SR to go to Bahrain

Speed limit is 120 km/h

title: Dammam


text:
Damnoen Saduak

Damnoen Saduak is a village west of Bangkok, a popular morning trip from Bangkok for its floating market.

Understand
Damnoen Saduak was actually the name of the canal dug in the reign of King Rama IV. He had the canal dug to connect the Taachin River in Samut Sakhon Province with the Mae Khlong River in Samut Songkhram Province.

Today, most people live densely along both sides of the canal from one end of the canal to the other. They grow fruits and vegetables. Apart from providing transportation, the Damnoen Saduak Canal provides farmers with adequate water for agriculture year-round.

Get in
By bus: Public buses leave from Bangkok's South Bus Terminal every 40 minutes from 06:00 onwards. Damnoen Saduak in Ratchaburi about 109 km south of Bangkok or approximately 2 hours drive. The fare is around 50 baht one-way. The most suitable time to be at the floating market is from 08:00-10:00.

Warning: The bus or taxi might drop you 1 km away from the central area, but still next to channel. You can hire the boat from there, but it can be very expensive (1,000 baht or even more) and you will have to bargain hard to beat down the price.

Get around
The central area is close to the road bridge and surrounded by many souvenir shops. If you want to see all the three of the floating markets, Ton Khem, Hia Kui, and Khun Phithak, you can hire a boat for 300 baht per hour. You can also take a paddle boat at the pier for 10 baht per person or just walk on the path alongside the canal.

title: Damnoen Saduak


text:
Damoh

Damoh is a city in Madhya Pradesh in India.

Get in
Situated between Sagar and Jabalpur highway. You can enter Damoh by train, between Sagour and Katni Station.

Go next
Shree Bade baba mandir is under construction.
 * Bagdari waterfall and Shree Koni ji temples are situated at 16 km. from Tendukheda and around 65 km. from Damoh at Damoh Jabalpur State Highway.
 * Kundalpur This is the very big teerthkshetra of Jain temples, There are around 65 old temples at hills of Kundalpur. Shree Bade baba murti is very beautiful in bade baba mandir.
 * Nauradehi Abhyaranya- You can see many jungle spots and wild animals at Nauradehi abhyaranya. Nauradehi Abhyaranya 25 km. from Tendukheda to Sagar Road.

title: Damoh


text:
Danachi

Danachi is a village in Sheki Region, Azerbaijan.

Understand
Danachi, population 8000, is a village in Zaqatala. It lies in the north-west part of Azerbaijan, situated on the bank of the Alazan river. From the 14th century, the Avarians been the main ethnic group living in this village. There is a good road between this village and the regional center in Zaqatala. In Danachi, there are nice gardens, green forests, and creeks.

Get in
If you go to the bazaar bus station, there are 3-4 buses each day to go straight to Danachi. You can also take the Uzunqazma andhi Ashagi Chardaklar buses and stop in Danachi. If you go by taxi, it costs 5 manat for the whole taxi and 0.8 manat for a seat.
 * By Minibus
 * By Taxi

Buy

 * The people of Danachi grow tobacco, mint, nuts, and grain. There are also apples, pears, dates, apricots, and plum trees.

Eat

 * The people in the village are famous for surfulu, a soup that has dried meat and handmade noodles.

Go next

 * There is a waterfall and recreation area in Qabizdara in Zaqatala. If you go to Zaqatala city you can take the bus from the bazaar, from the village of Qabizdara you can walk to the waterfall.

title: Danachi


text:
Dana Nature Reserve

Dana Nature Reserve is in Jordan, 88 km south of Kerak. It the largest nature reserve in Jordan, covering over 300 km² and all four different bio-geographical zones of the Kingdom.

Understand
"Dana" is pronounced in Arabic as "thana" with the "th" as in "the". In the east, elevations reach 1,500 m before descending through canyons and gorges to the low elevations of Wadi Araba (Wadi Dana).

The reserve has been managed by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) since 1989.

The village of Dana lies on the eastern edge of the reserve at a height of 1400 m, making it cold and foggy in winter sometimes. It is perched spectacularly on a cliff overlooking the reserve. The village is partly in ruin and is being rebuilt in part with USAID funds. There are several small hotels and the big government (RSCN) run Dana Hotel in town, and a few options inside the reserve.

Built in Ottoman times, the village used to be abandoned. Two families live there now, and the rest has been converted to housing for tourists. Also many police men live in Dana Village, making it very safe.

Fees and permits
Access to the hiking trail of Wadi Araba and the village is free of charge. Some visitors have paid a conservation fee of 8.50 JD for trips into Dana Nature Reserve, but this cannot be verified from the associated website.

The nature reserve track down to Feynan Ecolodge can be done without a guide, but for anything else it is required to use one. Your hotel and host will most likely be very happy to organise a trek for you.

Stay safe
Care should be taken on walks. Ask the locals for advice or acquire a guide.

Also, dogs can be a problem in this area. If they get too close, (pretend to) pick up a stone. They will remember this gesture from the last painful "experience".

Get in
If driving, is well-signposted from the Kings Highway just north of Al-Qadisiyah. It is down a short, steep road and there is parking at various points around the village.

The village is about 3 km from the highway junction in Qadisiyyeh and can be difficult to get to by public transport. However, either you just walk, hope for someone to pick you up on the way down/up, or you could contact the hotels to see if you can get a pick up.

Hitchhiking to Dana is easy when the weather is fine.

Get around
You can walk to a few places from Dana Village - down the main track for a bit (but then you have to get back up), or over to the springs and some rocks with good vantage points. Hotels can drive you to the start of other hikes, and provide guides.

See

 * Dana Village
 * Feynan Ecolodge (see below)
 * Feynan Ecolodge (see below)

Do
Hiking is the best thing to do in the reserve. There are half day to even two day treks. Some treks involve the use of 4x4 to get there or away. Most of the treks can only be done with a guide.

A good description can be found here: http://www.wildjordan.com/eco-tourism-section/dana-biosphere-reserve

If you want skip the guide but still want a challenging track, try Dana Village to Feynan Ecolodge. You either walk back from there or continue on to the highway. Allow 3-5 hr to the lodge and 2-3 hr to the villages and 1 hr more to the highway – double check with other websites. Make sure to have a good map and even GPS with you, and also know how to get on from the highway - hitchhiking can be an option.

Buy
Since not many of the original inhabitants are left, most of the things for sale are not from the village, even though it is communicated that it does support Jordanian handicraft.

Eat
Each of the hotels offer meals and you can visit other hotels. There is also the Feynan Ecolodge restaurant offering similar fare. In low season, restaurants may often be closed in the middle of the day and should be prepared with snacks (hotels can do lunch packs). However, if the owner is around, he might just open his restaurant for you, so ask.

It is a good idea to eat and stay at different places, to spread what you spend more fairly in the village. You might not want to stay with a hotel of a lower comfort, but that doesn't prevent you to enjoy their food, which is similar in most places in Dana Village. This way you can support everyone in the village and not just the bigger hotels.

Dinner is about 5-8 JD and includes vegetarian and mutton options.

Drink
The supply of tea is unlimited, and you do not need to go looking for it, as it will be offered frequently by anyone you're doing business with. Alcohol is prohibited in the reserve.

In the village
Try Dana Moon Hotel or Dana Tower Hotel, which are not run by RSCN, and thus supposedly do more to the local people than the other hotels claim.

Go next
From north to south:
 * Madaba — known as the 'City of Mosaics' for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, especially a large Byzantine-era mosaic map of Palestine and the Nile delta at St. George Church.
 * — great nature reserve famous for its impressive canyons. Read more here. Limited access in winter.
 * Kerak — site of a once-mighty Crusader castle.
 * — a village on the way to Dana Reserve or Petra, respective, might be worth a visit for its authenticity.
 * Petra — The most famous site in Jordan.
 * Petra — The most famous site in Jordan.

title: Dana Nature Reserve