October 3rd – 13th, 2024
Your exciting journey to Iraq is on the horizon, and it’s sure to be a trip to remember. Please read the following document carefully as it contains important information to help you prepare for the adventure ahead. If you have any questions at all, simply let us know!
You will need a passport to travel to Iraq. Your passport should be valid until at least May 2025 and it should have 2 full empty pages.
If you don’t have empty pages, please contact us and we will send you instructions for getting a new passport in time for the tour.
Citizens of the USA, EU countries, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can easily receive a visa on arrival when entering Iraq. The cost is $80 USD and must be paid in USD cash. You will not need to arrange a visa ahead of time.
We will send instructions about the simple airport arrival procedures as the date gets closer but to make things even easier, one of our VIP representatives will meet you at the airport in Baghdad and take you through the visa on arrival process. This representative will also help you get your luggage and take you to your driver for your transfer to the hotel.
The tour will officially start on October 3rd. We highly recommend arriving at least one day before (October 2nd). The arrival airport for this tour is the Baghdad International Airport (BGW).
The tour will end in the city of Erbil on October 13th in the late afternoon. Please make sure you book your departure flight after 8:00 pm on October 13th or for October 14th. It should be from the Erbil International Airport (EBL).
** Please make sure that you are flying into Baghdad and departing from Erbil.
Currently, Iraq does not require any immunizations to enter the country, unless you are traveling from, and have spent more than 12 hours in, a country of high risk for yellow fever. In this case, you would need a yellow fever vaccine certificate. Apart from that, as is the case when traveling to any country, it is always good to speak with a medical professional about what immunizations might be right for you and to ensure you are up-to-date with standard immunizations such as Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Tetanus.
Prepare for a unique, 11-day journey across Iraq, led by Derek Baron and renowned photographer Jennifer Spelman. Although Iraq is often associated with past conflict, this wonderful country has completely transformed. Our adventure will take us through dynamic cities such as Baghdad—once the heart of Islamic civilization and now a lively, welcoming metropolis blending historic charm with modern vibrancy. We’ll wander the streets of Mosul, explore Samarra and the ancient ruins of Hatra, visit the spiritual city of Najaf, and traverse the historic Nineveh plains. We’ll also be able to capture some of the world’s most significant historical landmarks, including the ancient city of Babylon and the formidable Citadel of Erbil. Alongside photographing these storied sites, we’ll engage with locals, immerse ourselves in their traditions, savor the exceptional cuisine, and capture the amazing people and all of their interactions, deepening our understanding of a nation full of surprises at every turn.
We understand that that you may have some safety concerns due to the region and history of the country, but we can assure you, we take safety very seriously and would not operate this trip if there were potential issues. Iraq is far more safe and open than most people think and the culture is warm and kind.
We have run 6 trips to Iraq in the past 20 months and all have been extremely successful! And this trip to Iraq will also be an unbelievably memorable and unique adventure!
We’ll be staying at a variety of good 3*/4* hotels during this trip. Due to the lack of tourism infrastructure, some of the rooms might be more basic than what you’re used to with a similar level of hotels in the West. However, all rooms will be comfortable, with private bathrooms, hot water, air-conditioning and complete breakfasts.
Traveling around the country, we’ll use a variety of minibuses and cars. The transportation we use will ensure maximum flexibility during the trip and will provide plenty of space so that we travel in comfort. The roads in Iraq are quite good and the journeys between destinations should be smooth as usual.
Tap water in Iraq is not ideal for drinking and you should always drink bottled water. Brushing your teeth with tap water is okay but many travelers choose to brush with bottle water instead.
All of the food provided during the tour will be completely safe to consume. Fruits and vegetables are always washed in filtered water, so the chances of getting a stomach bug are very slim. Street food at popular markets and food stalls is also safe to eat. We would only suggest avoiding street food from vendors where the food appears to have been sitting out for a long time. Most street food is cooked fresh though, so this should rarely be an issue.
The local currency in Iraq is the Iraqi Dinar (IQD). The current exchange rate is $1 USD = 1,309 IQD.
In terms of spending money, you should estimate an average of $30 USD per day for all of your needs. This would be for meals that are not included in the tour, basic purchases (laundry service, snacks, etc) as well as any activities you choose to do on your own.
As for exchanging money, the best method is to take out local currency via ATM machines which can be found in all cities and larger towns. Iraq no longer allows the use of USD for any transactions in the country. However, you can also bring USD or EUROS that can be exchanged at currency exchange offices in Baghdad. Please make sure any USD or EUROS are crisp, clean and in denominations of $50 or $100 bills. Also, all bills must have been printed in 2013 or later.
Credit cards are generally not accepted in Iraq. There might be one or two places that accept them but it’s best to assume that you will not be able to pay for anything with a credit card.
Tipping in Iraq is not as common as in the West but in some cases it is expected. Here’s a general guideline:
*Tips for waitstaff at included meals are already included.
Iraq is a lot safer than most people think. The chances of anything happening are very low as you’ll learn from our safety orientation on the first day of the tour. As for general travel safety, we recommend sticking with the old rule of using the same common sense you would use at home.
➜ Watch your stuff – Always keep an eye on your stuff and avoid putting a wallet or phone in your back pocket. Keep your purse or shoulder bag on your front hip and make sure the zippers are zipped on your backpack. Simple as that! You can also leave valuables in your room while out and about each day as the hotels we use are all very safe.
➜ Scams – Scams are rare in Iraq. As with any travel though, it’s always good to be aware and if something doesn’t seem right, politely refuse and walk away.
During this trip, we can expect relatively consistent weather. October is an ideal time to visit Iraq, offering temperatures that allow us to comfortably explore during the day. While the days can be warm, the heat is generally manageable. Here are the average temperatures of each destination we will visit:
➜ Baghdad: 91F/33C high – 61F/16C low
➜ Najaf: 91F/33C high – 66F/19C low
➜ Mosul: 86F/30C high – 57F/14C low
➜ Erbil: 84F/29C high – 59F/15C low
As mentioned before, Iraq is more open than most people think and you will often see Iraqis wearing Western clothes. As with most of the Middle East, wearing shorts is not common for men or women and it is more normal to wear pants/long skirts that go below the knees and shirts that have at least short sleeves. While going out for dinner in the cities, Iraqis tend to get a little more dressed up as such meals are treated as big events. We will dine at a couple of nicer spots during the trip.
The only time women need to cover their hair is when we enter a mosque and during our stay in the holy city of Najaf. When outside of your hotel room for the one afternoon/evening we spend in Najaf, women will need to wear an abaya (a black robe that goes over your clothes and hair). We will provide one for you. For all other destinations in the country, there are no such rules.
➜ Laundry – Laundry service is sometimes available at certain hotels. When available, it generally costs approximately $20 USD per load.
We recommend packing the following items:
The most important thing is that you don’t overpack as moving around Vietnam with your luggage can be tiresome and the less stuff you have, the more thankful you’ll be once the tour begins.
If you have any questions about other items you were thinking about bringing or not bringing, just send us an email and we’ll be happy to let you know if such an item is necessary for this trip.
Your tour leader for this trip will be none other than Derek Baron, the founder of Wandering Earl Tours. His journey in the world of travel began in 1999, and since then, he has led many successful tours across the globe, including all of our Iraq tours. His extensive knowledge and experience will ensure you’re in the best hands for this adventure.
For this tour, you will also be accompanied by Jennifer Spelman, our photography instructor. As a seasoned documentary photographer and educator, Jennifer has been in instructor and tour leader for Santa Fe Photographic Workshops and has conducted multiple workshops in various countries, including Mexico, Japan, India, Spain, and Cuba. Throughout the tour, she will be on hand to help you capture your best shots, offering expert advice and guidance on how to excel in travel photography.
They will both introduce themselves and share more details when we create the group WhatsApp chat.
You may bring up to 2 camera bodies and 3 lenses into Iraq as a tourist. Please note that drones of any brand and size are illegal in Iraq and will be confiscated upon entry.
Although the most common plug in the country is the Euro plug (Type C), you will find Type C, D and G plug outlets throughout the country. It is highly recommended to purchase at least a Type C adapter in advance.
As for electricity, check your chargers to see if they say 110 – 230V If they do, you will not have any problems charging your device while on the tour.
Wi-Fi will be available at most accommodations and in general, it will be okay, although most likely slower than what you’re used to. If you want a stronger connection throughout the trip, we recommend that you either activate the international phone plan from your network at home or buy an online E-Sim for Iraq (an excellent option these days). These two options will ensure you have a good 4G connection throughout the tour.
Yes! Some days will include time together as well as free time for you to enjoy a destination at your own pace. With that said, your tour leader will always be available to offer personal recommendations and suggestions as to things you might want to do or see, places to photograph and other interesting activities that you might want to check out when there is free time.
We will set up a WhatsApp chat 2 weeks prior to the start of the tour that will include all of the participants as well as your tour leader. This will allow everyone to get to know each other in advance, ask questions and communicate with your tour leader both before and during the tour. It will be very useful for you to have WhatsApp available to you during the tour as this will be the main method of communication.
That’s it for now and we hope you are continuing to get more and more excited about this incredible adventure, just as we are!
If you have any questions about anything, please reach out to team@wanderingearl.com
