Iraq – What to Expect (Private)

It’s time to get excited!

Are you ready to explore a country where few have ventured?

We hope so, because you’re going to have a fascinating experience during your visit to Iraq. Before you know it, you’ll be immersed in the old city of Baghdad, walking through the ancient ruins of Babylon, visiting mind-blowing holy shrines and exploring one of the most historic and unique cultures in the world!

Entry Requirements

Passport Information

You will need a passport to travel to Iraq. Your passport should be valid until at least February 2024 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.

Visa Information

Citizens of the USA can easily receive a visa on arrival when entering Iraq. The cost is $77 USD per person and must be paid in USD cash. It is important to have the exact amount as the immigration officers will generally not provide change.

Arrival / VIP Assistance

Once you arrive at Baghdad’s International Airport:

• Upon disembarking the airplane, follow the signs to immigration.
• Once you walk down the stairs, you will find your designated VIP representative waiting for you with a sign displaying your name.
• Your VIP representative will take you through the procedure for obtaining your visas on arrival.
• He will then take you through immigration and customs and escort you to your private vehicle which will transfer you directly to the hotel.

In case you cannot find your representative upon arrival, please call or send a WhatsApp message to our local contact Ali at +964 780-495-5885 or to Derek Baron at +1 (912) 289-5602

Additional Immunizations

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.

Country Information

What Should You Expect?

Despite its troubled reputation, you will soon find that Iraq is a wonderful country that has been completely transformed in the past decade. Throughout your 5 day adventure, you will visit the vibrant city of Baghdad, explore the ancient wonders of Babylon and experience the spiritual touchstones of Najaf and Karbala. You will also have a chance to interact with endless people, learn about their traditions, taste their incredible food and gain a deep understanding of a country that is full of surprises at every turn.

This trip to Iraq will be unlike any other, so get ready for an extremely memorable adventure!

Accommodations and Transportation

You’ll be staying at a variety of 4* hotels during this trip. Given the lack of tourism infrastructure, these hotels might be somewhat more basic than what you might expect from a 4* hotel in the West. However, all hotels offer a comfortable stay with well-appointed rooms and private bathrooms.

Traveling around the country, you’ll be in the comfort of a private air-conditioned Hyundai Palisade.

Facts About Iraq

➜ Population: 41.18 million people

➜ Religion: The predominant religion is Islam and is the religion of 95% of the population. Approximately 60% are Shiite and 40% Sunni. Small minorities minorities of Christians, Yazidis and Atheists also exist.

➜ Languages: Arabic and Kurdish are both the official languages of Iraq, although the Mesopotamian Arabic dialect is the most widely spoken in the country. English is not widely spoken but people living in larger cities will understand the basics.

➜ History: Iraq is home to the world’s oldest civilization, Mesopotamia, where the world’s first farmers established themselves between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

➜ Politics: The government of Iraq is considered to be an Islamic, democratic, federal parliamentary republic. The current President is Abdul Latif Rashid and he was recently elected in October of 2022.

Food and Water

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 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.

Money

The local currency in Iraq is the Iraqi Dinar (IQD). The current exchange rate is $1 USD = 1,310 IQD.

In terms of spending money, you should estimate an average of $20 USD per person 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 via ATM machines which can be found in all cities.

If using an ATM is not an option, or the fees are too high, simply bring USD or Euros to exchange at money exchange offices that are located in big cities and at some hotels.

Credit cards are NOT widely accepted.

USD are generally not accepted for purchases. Most transactions must be made with Iraqi dinars.

Tipping

Tipping in Iraq is not as common as in the West but in some cases it is expected and/or appreciated. Here’s a general guideline:

➜ Restaurants – 5% – 10% if a service charge is not already added to the bill
➜ Hotel staff – $1 – $2 USD (1,300 – 2,600 IQD) if someone helps you with luggage or anything else
➜ Your driver and local guide – At the end of the trip, we recommend that you give a $50 USD tip to your driver and a tip to your local guide (amount based on your satisfaction with his services) who will be with you throughout your trip.

Safety

Iraq is a lot safer than most people think and the chances of anything happening are very low. 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 and there aren’t any common scams to be aware of. As with any travel though, it’s always good to be aware and if something doesn’t seem right, politely refuse and walk away.

Weather

Setting off on this adventure, you’ll experience the authentic essence of an Iraqi summer under its relatively hot sun. July in Iraq is toasty, hence staying hydrated is crucial. However, we’ve ensured your comfort with air-conditioned travel and similarly cooled accommodations throughout your trip. Here are the expected temperatures of each destination you’ll visit:

➜ Baghdad: 103F/39C high – 77F/25C low
➜ Najaf: 104F/40C high – 81F/27C low
➜ Karbala: 103F/39C high – 80F/26C low

Clothing and Packing

Iraq is more open than most people assume 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 a nice dinner in the cities, Iraqis tend to get a little more dressed up as such meals are treated as big events.

The only time women need to cover their hair is when entering a mosque and during your stay in the holy city of Najaf and Karbala. When outside of the hotel in Najaf and Karbala, women need to wear a black robe (abaya) that goes over their clothes and hair (we will provide one for you). For all other destinations in the country, there are no such rules.

We recommend packing the following items:

Additional Information

Cameras/Drones

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.

Outlet Adapters

Although the most common plug in Iraq is the Euro plug (Type C), you will find Type C, D and G plug outlets throughout the country. It is common for hotel rooms to have 2 or 3 of the above outlet types. It is highly recommended to purchase these adapters 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.

Staying Connected

Although Iraq is starting to modernize, the infrastructure is not as you’d expect back home. Wi-fi will be available at all 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 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.

That’s it for now and we hope you are continuing to get more and more excited about this incredible adventure!

If you have any questions about anything, please reach out to team@wanderingearl.com