Iraq with @Elona!

By popular demand, I am launching a second group trip to Iraq (after the first one sold out in 24 hours!) Discover the amazing country with me on an extraordinary adventure. Apply now to join a small, intimate group of like-minded individuals who share a passion for cultural exploration, human connection, and delicious food.

Uncover the rich heritage of Iraq as we wander through its ancient sites and vibrant markets. Together, we’ll experience the beauty of its landscapes, taste the yummy flavors of its cuisine, and immerse ourselves in the warmth of its people.

I know that Iraq may seem daunting or unfamiliar, but I am taking all the necessary precautions to ensure your safety and comfort. By partnering with local experts and operators who share my vision of responsible and respectful tourism, I will provide you with the best insights and experience on the ground.

This trip is open to all participants: all ages, genders, solo, couples, families, friends … anyone. The application process is to ensure that everyone that applies has a good vibe and is ready for adventure, cultural exploration, human connection & delicious food. This trip is for open-minded travelers who are ready to broaden their horizons, blend in with locals, and are ready for a unique adventure of a lifetime.

Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out on this opportunity! I look forward to welcoming you to Iraq 🙂

Trip Details

Payment plan – $550 non-refundable deposit due within 72 hours, remaining payment due 1 month before the trip start date.

INCLUSIONS

  • Arrival & Departure Airport Transfers

  • 7 nights accommodation, breakfast inclusive, double occupancy.  single occcupancy available for +$350

  • All meals included – for flexibility, you will have the option to eat separately should you want to!

  • Ground Transportation (except otherwise listed/does not include your leisure time)

  • Local Guides (tips not included / at own discretion)

  • Entry Fees & Tickets to Activities

  • All Listed Activities + Surprises 😉

  • Professional photos by Jerome & me!

EXCLUSIONS

  • International Airfare

  • Visas

  • Travel & Medical Insurance (strongly advised)

  • Alcohol

  • Additional Snacks & Meals

  • Ground transportation outside of what’s indicated in the itinerary

  • Tips for drivers and guides (at your own discretion)

  • Extras

Apply Below

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FAQ

 Safety & Basic Info

There have been no significant events in Iraq in years – and none targeting tourists. We have a great local crew and contacts to keep our journey as smooth as possible. It is our top priority to be safe and to have the best experience. You will come to find how hospitable and welcoming the local people are and we are confident that you will feel comfortable in town! Ultimately, the decision to travel to Iraq should be made after personal research and consideration of any perceived risks involved.

Safety is my priority and my goal is to make sure that everyone is comfortable. We will be carefully observing the global environment and if we need to postpone a tour, you will be able to book a future tour. Please note that the decision to travel is your responsibility. We will do everything in our power to keep you safe or ensure a spot on a future trip –  we can only offer a credit for a future trip worth the price paid for your original trip (excluding airfare/insurance).

If you’ve already paid for your tour in full:

If you’ve already paid for your trip in full, we will work with you and prfioritize your spot for a future trip. We will provide you with a travel credit worth the price paid for your tour — excluding airfare and insurance — to put towards a future trip departing within the next 2 years. If the price for your tour destination increases, you won’t need to pay more than your original booking price. Please note, there is no guarantee that both Elona and Jerome will be on the future trip.

If you haven’t yet paid for your tour in full, but have made a deposit or some payments:

We will work together to rebook your trip and we’ll put your deposit towards it. If you’d like to pay for your tour in full now, you can lock in the original price and not pay more should the tour price increase later.

You can also use your deposit and/or payments towards any future tour regardless of destination, based on availability.

If you’re eager to travel in the future but aren’t quite sure about timing, we’ll automatically apply the full amount of your deposit to your account so it’s ready to go when you are. Those funds will not expire.

If you personally don’t feel comfortable traveling, but the tour isn’t canceled or postponed, we will do our best to move you to a future group. We do not guarantee a future group. We do not offer refunds after confirming your spot but will do our best to accommodate you for future travel when you feel comfortable. Please note, we reserve the right to retain 100% paid by you in connection with the booking at the time of cancellation.

Before you book

We do not book your flights for you but once you pay the initial deposit and confirm your spot, we will work with you to help you find the best flight times and connect you with other group members if they are flying from the same region. Please note, we do not offer any special rates for flights and can only offer you guidance.

For this trip, your flights should be roundtrip to Baghdad International Airport. Your second option is to fly to Baghdad inbound, and out of Erbil on the return. up to you as we can accommodate both! We can discuss the best option for you via email.

All the activities in the itinerary are optional however, the total price will not change if you choose to skip some of the activities. We will make sure that the itinerary gives you time to spend on your own and strongly recommend you follow the schedule to get the maximum benefit from this trip! If you want to extend your stay, we may be able to help you secure better rates for hotels/activities – you just have to let us know in advance and we will do our best to accommodate.

Because we confirm our tours and hotels in advance, and only offer a small number of spots on the tours, we do require an upfront deposit to secure your spot, and it is non-refundable upon payment.

We will do our best to accommodate requests – please let us know in advance. Most of the time we will be dining at restauraunts. We cater to dietary requirements to our best ability and always communicate and confirm in advance, but we don’t always have control over what food is being supplied or is available. We ask the tour participants to please also be mindful of their own dietary requirements when ordering at restaurants and to carry snacks (if needed) to avoid disappointment. There may be times that we are traveling in remote areas and such dietary requirements cannot be met.

If you are unable to pay the full amount upfront, we offer a very flexible payment plan consisting of a deposit and the remaining payment due 3 weeks prior to the start of the trip. You may pay the remaining payment in any increment that works for you. We will send you monthly reminders!

A $550 deposit is due with 48h hours to confirm your spot for the trip: $550 for double occupancy / $650 for single occupancy

General Travel Planning

Unfortunately, this is something we don’t organize. Tour participants are required to organize their own travel visas. Embassy websites in your home country will always have information about requirements, visa costs and will provide the required forms. If you are uncomfortable with the visa process, you can visit a travel agent who can arrange these for you at a cost. We are happy to provide a confirmation of tour and hotel bookings as well as a trip itinerary should you require them for your visa application.

The holder of the ordinary American passport and other countries (the United Kingdom, the  Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the French Republic, the European Union countries, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea) are granted an entry visa to Iraq on arrival for tourism and investment purposes through the ports At the border (land, air, sea), and the visa is valid for a period of (60) days from the date of arrival, taking into account the rest of the general conditions related to the necessity of the validity of the travel document and the health and safety conditions on arrival.

Requirements: –

1– A valid travel document.   

2-Fees ($75), Cash 

To pass through customs you will need your passport and you will need to present a plane ticket. Please be sure that your passport name matches your airline ticket name or you may be denied boarding. If you require a visa, you will need that to show customs as well. Your passport’s expiration date must be at least six months after your return from your trip; if it is not, you should renew your passport. As always, check your country’s travel requirements when visiting a new country. Visas and other flight requirements are not included in the price so please double-check that you have everything you need for travel, before submitting the deposit.

By joining this group, you are agreeing to be respectful of local culture and norms.

Ladies: Have your knees and shoulders covered and carry a headscarf as you will need to cover your hair in mosques and the holy cities. Generally, avoid clothing that is too tight, see-through, etc. In the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, you will be required to wear an abaya which can be bought there for a small fee.

Men: Most outfits are appropriate – pants, t shirts, and shorts fine. Long pants and long sleeved shirts are required for the holy sites.

DISCLOSURE: The information on this page contains indicative information on tours, activities, dining, and accommodation. The itinerary is subject to change due to inclement weather or other factors outside of our control. We want to make sure that you have the best possible experience and will substitute anything that must be changed with something equally or even more amazing. We are organizing this itinerary to give you many activities and opportunities for leisure time. Note that our itinerary focuses on local experiences, including food, so meals might not have many Western options. For more information visit our Terms and Conditions.

If you have any additional questions please send me an email.