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Our offers different tour packages to its customer to different places. However, we are able to offer bespoke packages to our customers.

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Gashtyar is a company specialized in the field of travel and tourism in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, and it provides all services in terms of issuing tickets, hotel bookings, health insurance, organizing touristic groups, corporate and personal travel management, and everything related to the travel and tourism industry. Gashtyar has a specialized and experienced staff in the field of travel and tourism and also provides its services in Erbil, Dohuk, Kirkuk and Mosul, as well as by providing its services to offices operating in the rest of the cities in Kurdistan and Iraq. Gashtyar Company is considered one of the oldest travel and tourism companies in the Kurdistan region, as it was established in 2006 in Erbil and its journey in this area began by opening a branch in Dohuk as well, and then Kirkuk and Mosul.

Gashtyar Company aims to facilitate all services to travelers in order for their trips and travels to be well managed and enjoyable

Most travelers need inquiries and changing travel plans from changing the date or canceling flights, which are usually not easy steps with airlines and require effort and time, the mission of the company and its staff is to provide these services with all other travel and tourism services. However, Gashtyar Company Provides low prices on air carriers operating in Iraq and organizes tourist groups at reasonable prices on all public holidays.

We believe that integrity is the basis for any business

We serve our customers with an experienced staff to provide high-quality services

Commitment to diversity and acceptance of difference

Since the beginning of its journey gashtyar company has been doing good in sales of airlines later we have been choosen as the one of the top ten resellers of some airlines operating in Kurdistan region below are some.

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Gashtyar Travel & Tourism

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• Head Office: Iraq Baghdad

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ABOUT Aknaf Al Sawary

World Best Travel Agency Company Since 2017.

Aknaf Al Sawary travel agency allows you to explore the adventure in IRAQ. IRAN and SYRIA. Leading as one of the most reliable and growing Travel Agencies. We offer complete arrangements from staying in a hotel to visa issuance. Composing an experience to explore the hidden treasures around the ancient cities

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Amazing places to visit in Iraq

Iraq national museum, liberation square, marshes of nasiriyah, al mustansiriya school, find all destination.

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Iraq 8 days tour, 9-day tour itinerary, 10-day iraq expedition, iraq 12-day package north to south tour itinerary.

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• Visit Liberation Square in Baghdad

Iraq 8 Days Tour you will be able to visit most of the Iraq highlight places.

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REVIEW & TESTIMONIALS

Top Reviews for Aknaf Alsawary.

We have an absolutely great experience with AknafAlsawary Travel Agency. Besides the amazing historical places of Mesopopotamia that were our goals we admired the Iraqi places and culture: monuments, mosques and also we met amazing local people and enjoed Iraqi traditional food. Our guide and driver (both Ali  ) offered us an absolutely safety confidence and answers to all our questions and requirements. Thank you once again for the amazing and excellent trip!

Natasha From USA

I took a 7 day Southern Iraq tour, visiting all the famous places like Samarra, Bagdad, Babylon, Uruk, Ur, marshes, Karbala or Najaf. Great country, great people, incredible history and no issues with safety. My recommendation. They are a lot of fun to be around and possess a wealth of knowledge and will go out of their way to help you in any way. Highly recommend this company and you should book with confidence.

Mike Hardson

Phil from usa.

Ahmed (Guide) and Haji (Driver and Jack of All Trades) took us on an incredible tour of Southern Iraq, from Baghdad to Basra over 8 days. We were a little nervous before reaching Baghdad, but the guys made us feel safe and were always looking out for us. They are a lot of fun to be around and possess a wealth of knowledge and will go out of their way to help you in any way. Highly recommend this company and you should book with confidence.

Luaka Smith

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Years in Service

Aknaf Al Sawary travel agency allows you to explore the adventure in IRAQ. IRAN and SYRIA. Leading as one of the most reliable and growing Travel Agencies. We offer complete arrangements from staying in a hotel to visa issuance. Composing an experience to explore the hidden treasures around the ancient cities.

We started as a small travel agency which has now developed into one of the well-known UAE travel agencies. We look forward to our quest to inspire people by allowing them to explore the valuable antiques of famous places around the Globe where every building and market holds a story.

OUR MISSION:

Our versatile and enthusiastic team believes in converting every journey into knowledge and inspiration. Our experienced guides allow you to explore and broaden your insights into ancient places.

When we started as a small travel agency, we always idealized being a part of worldwide renowned travel agencies, which we fulfilled by exhibiting trips to Iraq, Iran, and Persia.

Aknaf Al Sawary promises to handle all your personal and corporate travels. While providing complete guidelines in planning your itinerary, offering all hotel and travel facilities.

Destinations we cover:

•   Trip to Iraq:

Our trip to Iraq covers all major cities and their historical places, including Baghdad, and Karbala, from Mesopotamian marshes to Iraqi Kurdistan. The journey to Iraq includes numerous reasons to plan it, including jaw-dropping shrines, the vibrant streets of Baghdad, and surprisingly rich native cuisine. Undoubtedly Iraq is a country of experience.

•   Trip to Iran :

 In Iran, we visit famous cities, including Persia. After landing in Tehran, we further start our tour toward Isfahan Boroujerdis’ historical mansion. Then moving towards Yadz and sightseeing in Bishapour with a lot more activities. In Tehran, our expert guides manage all your slots while looking for the main highlights, including the Golestan Palace, the archeological section, and the crown jewels museum, all of which are ancient treasures remaining in today’s era.

•   Trip to Syria:

We also provide a trip to Syria, where we land in Damascus city visiting the Umayyad Mosque. Moving further to the town of Saidnaya, known as the Middle East’s exclusive architectural city. Other attractions include Palmyra, the most fantastic city where Baalshamin’s Stone is the central location to visit.

Services we provide

Flights tickets and visa:.

Our expert staff organizes and arranges complete traveling documents. Not only to assist our people but also to make ticket arrangements.

Hotel booking:

We provide complete booking packages with many premium benefits, making your stay more comfortable and impressive. We offer a wide variation from the lowest prices to suits you would love.

Extra benefits:

We accommodate you with all charges to pay while visiting the itinerary mentioned in the tour. Offering you affordable prices for all festivals and commemorations.

Transportation:

Our guides are experts in driving and make your journey safe and secure. We also offer air conditioner transportation.

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• Kurdistan Travel Agent

As a leading travel agency in Kurdistan, Exploring Tourism aims to make your visit truly unforgettable. Our expert Kurdistan travel agent know all about its vibrant culture, history, and hidden gems, ensuring that you experience all it has to offer during your stay here. When you choose us as your travel agency in Kurdistan, you gain access to our extensive knowledge and expertise. Every traveler is unique; therefore, we take the time to listen carefully to your preferences and interests before creating tailored itineraries that best meet your needs. No matter whether it is history, food, or adventure you seek, we have something in Kurdistan just right for you!

Our travel agent in Kurdistan will take care of organizing all aspects of your trip, from booking flights and accommodations to organizing guided tours and activities. We collaborate closely with a network of trusted partners and local tour operators in Kurdistan to create an authentic and immersive experience for you in Kurdistan. From exploring historical landmarks to indulging in culinary delights, we will take you on a journey that showcases the true essence of Kurdistan.

Kurdistan is a city steeped in history, boasting numerous iconic landmarks and attractions. From the modern wonders and the historic places, our sightseeing tours ensure you don't miss out on the city's architectural marvels, cultural hotspots, and hidden gems.

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Finding the perfect accommodation for your stay in Kurdistan is essential, and our travel agency is here to assist you. No matter what your travel budget or style is, our selection of luxurious hotels, budget-friendly options and boutique accommodations has something suitable to meet the needs and preferences of every traveler. We ensure comfortable and convenient stays, allowing you to relax and rejuvenate after a day of exploration.

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To make your travel experience seamless and hassle-free, we offer thoughtfully crafted tour packages. Whether you're interested in exploring the small places of Kurdistan, visiting sacred places, or discovering the beautiful landscapes, our Kurdistan tour packages cater to diverse interests and budgets.

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Immerse yourself in the rich culture of Kurdistan with our exciting activities. Experience the thrill of road transport, savor the flavors of authentic Iraq cuisine during food tours, or indulge in traditional dance and music performances. Our carefully curated activities allow you to create cherished memories during your time in Kurdistan.

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Kurdistan is a treasure trove of attractions, offering something for every traveler. Explore the shop for souvenirs at the colorful bazaars, visit the religious places, or take a peaceful stroll in the serene gardens. With our expert guidance, you'll discover the best places to visit and experience the true essence of Kurdistan.

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Navigating a bustling city like Kurdistan can be daunting, but our Kurdistan travel agency takes care of your transportation needs. Whether you prefer private transfers, chauffeur-driven cars, or reliable public transportation, we ensure seamless and comfortable journeys throughout your trip.

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Discover the beauty and magic of Kurdistan with Exploring Tourism, a trusted Kurdistan travel agency, by your side. Contact us today to start planning your dream trip to this incredible city. Let us create memories that will last a lifetime as we take you on a journey through the vibrant places, ancient monuments, and captivating culture of Kurdistan.

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• 8 Places to Visit
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Our Background

 Welcome to our travel agency in Iraq, founded in late 2020 by the passionate couple, Ahmed and Aya. With a deep love for their country's rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and diverse cultural heritage, they embarked on a mission to introduce foreign tourists to the wonders of Iraq. Our team is dedicated to providing exceptional Iraq tours travel experiences, showcasing the hidden gems and ancient treasures that make Iraq a captivating destination. Whether you're interested in exploring the ancient ruins of Babylon, wandering through the bustling bazaars of Baghdad, or marveling at the natural beauty of the Kurdistan region, we are here to curate unforgettable journeys tailored to your interests and preferences. Come join us on an adventure of a lifetime and discover the enchanting beauty of Iraq through our expertly guided tours. 

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 Discover Iraq's enchanting wonders with our tour operator. Choose between private tours for a personalized experience or join our group excursions to connect with fellow travelers. We assist with Iraq and Kurdistan visas, offer hotel bookings, and provide reliable airport pick-up and drop-off services. Our dedicated team ensures a seamless and unforgettable journey, allowing you to immerse yourself in the beauty, history, and culture of Iraq. Embark on a remarkable adventure and let us handle the logistics while you create lifelong memories in this captivating destination.

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Iraq Travel and Tours offers a team of professional trip curators, and knowledgeable, experienced, and local guides. Our guides are passionate about finally having a window open for Iraq to be seen for its bountiful landscapes and cultural diversity. We are honored to have the opportunity to shine a light not only on some of the planet’s most ancient and grand archaeological sites but also the perhaps the most hospitable people you will come across in your travels. Post decades of turbulence, war, and conflict Iraq and Iraqis are opening their arms, country, and in some instances even their homes to those willing to open their minds to the true Iraq. We offer a variety and wide range of tours and services through both the south Federal Iraq and northern region of Iraqi Kurdistan. Services also include private and VIP transportation where required or requested. With experience in production coordination we have the resources and access to obtain required filming permits and requests, sourcing availability and general fixing options in Iraq.

Years of experience of guiding tours in Iraq will allow you to enjoy your time thoroughly while not worrying about the logistics that can be quite cumbersome in particular locations. Allow us to ensure the appropriate permits, authorizations, and transportation are in place. Traveling within Iraq also means a number of checkpoints that can take quite a lot of time in some instances, however we can ensure a smooth transition and liaise with the guards on your behalf over the course of the tour.

Decades of conflict in Iraq, religious sectarianism, and being labeled as one of the most dangerous countries in the world, as you can imagine, has not put Iraq at the top of tourist destination lists. Thankfully, however, the stability in Iraq is shifting and the opportunity to visit the country known to be the cradle of modern civilization is here. Located in the heart of the Middle East, the country is officially known as the Republic of Iraq, consisting of 19 governorates, Basra and Baghdad being the oldest standing among them. Within the borders of Iraq is also Iraqi Kurdistan, technically part of Iraq but recognized as an autonomous region essentially operating as their own country within Iraq. Iraqi Kurdistan consists of Erbil (the capital), Dohuk, Sulaymaniyah, and Halabja. Although Iraq as a whole is known as a vast desert the diversity both geographically and culturally is a treat that is not so widely known. A range of mountainous regions, hills, lowlands, and marshes also make up large portions of the landscape. There are an abundance of adventurous and outdoor activities to experience in Iraq. These include climbing Halgurd Mountain, spending the night in the traditional reed home in the Mesopotamian Marshes, or camping overnight with 4x4s in the desert. While outdoor activities are rich the historical sites including a number that are classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites are next to none. From the holy shrines in both Karbala and Najaf, pilgrim towns, ancient site of Ur, the spiral Minaret in Samarra, Ishtar Gate of Babylon, to the streets of Baghdad it will not be long until you realize and can feel where the title of cradle of civilization stems from.

• Overnight trip to Babylon from Baghdad
• Mesopotamian Marshes Overnight from Nasiriyah
• Mesopotamian Marshes Overnight from Basrah
• 3 Day Tour Baghdad, Babylon, Samarra
• 4 Day Tour – Sulaymaniyah, Erbil, Dohuk
• 4 Day Tour From Erbil
• 5 Day Federal Iraq Express Tour
• 5 Days – Baghdad, Babylon, Nasiriyah, Basrah, Mesopotamian Marshes
• 7 Day Tour From Baghdad
• 10 Day Federal Iraq Tour
• 10 Day Iraq Tour From Baghdad to Erbil
• 2 Week Iraq Tour From Baghdad to Erbil
• Highlights of Kurdistan: 3-Day Halgurd Mountain Trekking Adventure
• Best of Iraq: 4-Day Southern Iraq Cultural and Historical Tour
• Historical Iraq: 5-Day Journey to the Cradle of Civilization Cultural Heritage Tour
• Highlights of Northern Iraq: 6-Day Kurdistan Region Cultural Heritage Tour
• Highlights of Southern Iraq: 6-Day Basra to Baghdad Cultural Heritage Tour
• Classic Northern Iraq: 7-Day Iraqi Kurdistan Historical Tour from Erbil
• Best of Southern Iraq: 7-Day Baghdad to Basra Cultural and Historical Tour
• The Land Between the Rivers: 8-Day Southern Iraq Historical Tour from Baghdad
• The Land Between the Two Rivers: 8-Day Journey to the Cradle of Civilization Historical Tour from Baghdad
• Best of Northern Iraq: 8-Day Ultimate Kurdish Adventure from Erbil
• Best of Iraq: 9-Day Baghdad to Erbil Cultural and Historical Tour
• Best of Iraq: 13-Day Ultimate Iraq Adventure from Baghdad to Erbil
• Journey to the Holy Cities of Iraq: 5-Day Karbala and Najaf Cultural Heritage Tour from Baghdad
• Highlights of Northern Iraq: 7-Day Iraqi Kurdistan Newroz Festival Tour
• Highlights of Sacred Iraq: 3-Day Journey to the Holy Cities of Karbala and Najaf Tour
• Highlights of Northern Iraq: 7-Day Iraqi Kurdistan Yazidi Festival Tour
• Highlights of Northern Iraq: 9-Day Iraqi Kurdistan Newroz Festival Tour
• Best of Southern Iraq: 10-Day The Land Between the Rivers Tour from Baghdad
• Best of Iraq: 7-Day Baghdad to Erbil Cultural Heritage Tour
• Ultimate Kurdish Adventure: 9-Day Highlights of Iraqi Kurdistan Tour
• Best of Kurdistan: 9-Day Halgurd Ski Adventure
• Ultimate Southern Iraq Experience: 9-Day Journey to the Cradle of Civilization from Baghdad
• Day Tour Baghdad
• Day Tour Samarra
• Day Tour Babylon from Baghdad
• Day Tour Babylon from Karbala
• Mosul Day Tour from Erbil
• Day Tour Najaf + Kufa from Karbala
• Day Tour Mosul to Hatra
• Day Tour from Nasiriyah – Ziggurat of Ur
• Day Tour Mesopotamian Marshes (Al-Ahwar)
• Day Tour Erbil
• Airport Transfers
• Iraq Private Security Services
• Iraq Private Vehicle and Driver Hire
• Welcome To Iraq
• Traveling In Iraq
• Is It Safe To Travel To Iraq?
• Nine Must Visit Destinations In Iraq
• The Sixteen Most Beautiful Destinations To Visit In Iraq
• Ten Reasons Why You Should Travel To Iraq
• Ten Most Beautiful Destinations In Kurdistan
• Baghdad: A City Full Of Wonders
• The Best Places To Visit In Baghdad
• Erbil: The Capital Of Kurdistan: Why You Should Add Erbil On Your Bucket List
• Erbil City Guide: The Best Places To Visit In The Capital Of Kurdistan
• What To Visit In Kirkuk, Iraq?
• The Most Beautiful Destinations In Sulaymaniyah
• The Mythical City Of Babylon
• Iraq Travel Guide: FAQ
• Iraqi Cuisine: Everything You Need To Know!
• Iraq: Everything You Need To Know
• History Of Iraq

Tips and how to travel to Iraqi Kurdistan in 2024

By Joan Torres 146 Comments Last updated on April 25, 2024

Wanna travel to Iraqi Kurdistan with Against the Compass?

Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Iraqi Kurdistan:

March 17th to 23rd, 2025

Located in the far north of Iraq, nestled between Iran and Turkey, Iraqi Kurdistan is today a safe but turbulent region, home to some of the most breathtaking landscape in the Middle East, composed of green mountains with snow-capped peaks that, definitely, will break with all the stereotypes you have about Iraq.

Iraqi Kurdistan is no desert and, most importantly, it is not a war zone filled with ISIS terrorists but an autonomous region which, for the last couple of years, has done a tremendous job defending its borders.

It is in fact, one of the safest countries in the Middle East and the most ultimate destination for travelers looking for something unique, very off the beaten track, and who are willing to meet the Kurds, a very proud and brave nation, who turn out to also be some of the most hospitable people I have ever encountered, with similar experiences to Iran , Pakistan , and Sudan .

From visiting a Syrian refugee camp to remote Christian monasteries and millennial villages, discovering Sadam Hussein’s heritage and learning from the conflict against ISIS, Kurdistan may be the high point of all your backpacking travels.

I have visited the country three times, here you have all my travel tips for Iraqi Kurdistan .

In this Iraqi Kurdistan travel guide you will find:

Table of Contents

• Best time to visit
• Travel insurance
• Useful books
• Solo female travel
• People and culture
• Transportation
• Internet & SIM Card
• Accommodation
• More information

our recommended travel insurance for Iraq

IATI Insurance is one of the very few that covers travel in Iraq.

🪪 How to get a visa for Iraqi Kurdistan

Citizens from most high gdp countries can get a visa on arrival for iraqi kurdistan.

Citizens of:

European Union, USA, Canada, Australia, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Japan, Kuwait, New Zealand, Qatar, South Korea, Turkey, UK

The visa is valid for 30 days, either you enter by land or by air.

Update 202 2

Iraqi Kurdistan visa had always been free but since April 2021, it costs 75USD or 60€ .

The rest of nationalities need to go through a particularly tedious process

Citizens from the rest of the world should contact the nearest KRG Representation (like a Kurdistan Consulate) or email them at  [email protected] .

In the best-case scenario, they will reply and ask for a letter of invitation but my guide, one of the most experienced guides in Kurdistan, said he doesn’t provide LOI anymore, since getting the government approval is a nightmare.

Iraqi Kurdistan visas can’t be used to visit Iraq proper (Baghdad, Mosul, etc.)

This is important.

A valid visa for traveling to Iraqi Kurdistan doesn’t allow you to visit outside of Kurdistan, that is to enter actual Iraq, including Mosul .

For the rest of Iraq, check my travel guide to Federal Iraq .

✍️ How to sign up for a tour in Kurdistan

Traveling with a group and an expert local guide will make things much easier, and more fun!

Against the Compass has several Kurdistan expeditions scheduled all year long, and the next one is on:

Check below our upcoming Kurdistan departures :

• April 13th to 19th, 2024. SOLD OUT
• March 17th to 23rd, 2025. APPLY NOW

Learn more about our tours in Kurdistan here.

⛅ Best time to visit Iraqi Kurdistan

Unlike other countries in the Middle East , Kurdistan has 4 distinct seasons:

Traveling to Kurdistan in spring

Spring is definitely the best time to travel to Iraqi Kurdistan, from March to the end of April , when the whole region is fully blossoming, at its greenest, and the weather is pleasant.

Traveling to Kurdistan in summer

Summers can get hot, especially in the area around Erbil and Sulamaniyah, where the temperature may easily reach 45ºC.

In the mountains, or in cities like Duhok, the weather might be slightly cooler but still hot, the reason why summer is low season for visiting Kurdistan, from mid May to September.

Traveling to Kurdistan in autumn

Autumn is the second best time to visit Iraqi Kurdistan. The Kurdish mountains and meadows may not be green, but you get the beautiful autumn colors and the weather is pleasant.

Traveling to Kurdistan in winter

In winter, the temperature drops and most Iraqi Kurdistan gets covered in snow. I have never traveled in Kurdistan during its freezing winter but it must be beautiful, despite the cold weather.

🚑 Travel Insurance for Iraqi Kurdistan

For obvious reasons, regular insurance companies don’t cover travel in Iraqi Kurdistan.

One of the very few companies which does cover, however, is IATI Insurance , a travel company based in Europe, which I recommend because:

• It offers different plans for all types of travelers: from families to budget backpackers
• Covers up to 1-year trips
• Readers of this blog can get an exclusive 5% discount .

🛫 How to go to Iraqi Kurdistan

How to travel to iraqi kurdistan by air.

Kurdistan has two international airports: Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, Erbil being the most transited airport.

Istanbul (both Turkish and Pegasus) and Dubai (Fly Dubai) are the cheapest and most common routes.

How to travel to Iraqi Kurdistan by land

You can enter Kurdistan from either Iran or Turkey. The Iranian side is very easy and straightforward but on the Turkish side, the Turkish authorities may give you some trouble.

Here you can read the Iran border crossing report .

📚 Books for traveling in Iraqi Kurdistan

Iraq travel guide by bradt.

If you follow my blog, you will see that I always recommend their guides for all destinations, so Iraq will be no different. They have, obviously, the only travel guide to the country, with a pretty long chapter focused on Kurdistan. Bradt has the most insightful guidebooks I have ever read.

The Rise of the Islamic State by Patrick Cockburn

This is my favorite journalism book ever and it is written by Patrick Cockburn, one of the world’s top experts on the Middle Eastern conflict. In this book, he gives an extremely perceptive introduction to the origins of ISIS, with many references to Iraqi Kurdistan and Iraq, of course. A really useful book to understand the complexity and origin of the conflict.

⚠️ Is it safe to travel to Iraqi Kurdistan?

Read about how to travel to Mosul in Iraq

The bad things that happen in Iraq don’t happen in Kurdistan

Whatever you have been hearing in the news about Iraq for the last few years, happened in Arab Iraq , not in Kurdistan.

The last terrorist attack that occurred in Kurdistan was in Erbil back in 2014 . This means that London and Paris have suffered more attacks than the whole of Kurdistan itself.

However, the region is very unstable

I never meant that traveling to Kurdistan will be as peaceful as your spiritual journey through Bhutan, not even close.

Despite being safe, the region is highly volatile and effective military operations are the only reason why it is safe. This means that things may change overnight, so being extra careful is more than wise. 

There are military controls everywhere

When you travel between towns and cities, you will find so many military checkpoints run by Kurdish Army guys named Peshmergas.

As a Western passport holder, they don’t give you any trouble but, once, I was traveling with an Iraqi from Baghdad and they held him for 15 minutes, at least. They don’t trust Arabs at all as any Arab could, potentially, be an ISIS spy .

Crime rates are ridiculously low

Kurdistan has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. It is one of those places where you may forget your phone in a café, come back in a few hours and still recover it.

For a more complete and detailed analysis, read: Is it safe to travel to Iraq?

💃 Solo female travel in Iraqi Kurdistan

Iraqi Kurdistan is a very safe region of Iraq, regardless of your gender but women should of course, take extra care, like they would do in other conservative Muslim countries.

If you want to know more, read this article that a kick ass female traveler posted on my blog: 6 Tips for solo female travel in Iraqi Kurdistan . 

💰 Money and budget when travel in Kurdistan

In Kurdistan, they use the Iraqi Dinar and, approximately:

1 USD = 1,459 IQD

Exchanging money in Kurdistan

You can easily exchange €, USD and GBP in all the main cities.

Some exchange offices are just stalls in the middle of the street, with no surveillance, no security and no glass screen with lots of huge bundles of cash. The reason is that the crime rates here are very low.

Credit cards and ATMs

There are quite a few banks which accept foreign cards, so you can withdraw money easily but, except for some good hotels, most places in Kurdistan accept only cash.

How much does to cost to travel in Iraqi Kurdistan?

Compared to its neighbors, traveling in Kurdistan isn’t very cheap.

• Budget Hotels: 20,000-25,000IQD
• Beer in a liquor shop: 1,200-2,000IQD
• Beer in a bar: 8,000-12,000IQD
• Fast food (like a shawarma or falafel): 1,000-1,500IQD
• Local eateries: 5,000 to 8,000IQD for a local meal, consisting of rice, beans and chicken, or a kebab
• Fancy restaurants: Main courses starting at 14,000IQD
• Taxi rides within cities: from 3,000ID to 5,000IQD
• Transportation between cities: Local shared taxi from Suleymaniyah to Erbil costs 15,000IQD

🕌 The country, its people and culture

From all Kurdistan regions, Kurdistan in Iraq enjoys the highest level of autonomy, to the extent that they control their borders, immigration, they have their own army and even Parliament.

Kurds are spread over 4 countries

There are 40 million Kurds spread over Syria , Turkey, Iran , and Iraq, making them the largest stateless nation in the world.

Many years ago, they used to be one single country but, at the end of the British Empire, the British themselves decided to draw the Middle Eastern map like that.

Kurds are not Arabs

Kurds are a different nation and ethnicity who are closer to Persians than Arabs. Never tell a Kurd that they are Arabs because they won’t like it, and it’s extremely important to know and make the distinction.

Kurdish is the main language

Kurdish – a language with many similarities to Farsi or Dari and Turkish – is the official language in Kurdistan.

Many young Kurds don’t even speak Arabic anymore

People who are less than 30-years old don’t really speak Arabic, or very little at least. They don’t teach it in schools anymore, a very drastic measure from the Kurdish Government after the Saddam Hussein invasion, when their national pride and differences versus the Arabs accentuated even more.

Speaking English in Iraqi Kurdistan

Young, well-educated people in Erbil and Sulamaniyah speak English but that’s it. With the rest of the population, you will have to talk using signs or Google Translate.

Many Kurds don’t like Arabs, at all

Educated Kurds are aware that their problems with the Arabs are more political but, during my journey, I met many closed-minded Kurds, especially in the villages, who told me that they really hate Arabs.

They are Sunni Muslims

Kurdistan is a Muslim country and most Kurds are Sunni Muslims.

However, they are moderate Sunnis

In Kurdistan, you may realize that Kurds are not as religious as Muslims from other Middle Eastern countries.

As I said, Kurds are the largest stateless nation, 40 million people spread over 4 different countries striving to get more recognition, more autonomy, so their national identity prevails over religion , the reason why Kurdistan is such a diverse nation composed of all types of Muslims, Christians, as well as other minorities.

This is the reason why the Kurds are moderate Muslims.

There is also a huge Christian community as well as other minorities

In Erbil , there is a big Christian district named Anqawa and you actually find several Christian villages and Orthodox monasteries throughout the region.

Other minorities include Yazidis, Kakais and Shabaks.

Kurdish hospitality

Similarly to when you are traveling in Iran , house, lunch and chai invitations aren’t a rare thing to happen. Hospitality is in their blood, especially if you are an outsider.

Kurdistan is the most developed region in Iraq

Iraqi Kurdistan, especially Erbil and Sulaimaniyah, have drastically developed in recent years. They hold some of the largest oil reserves in the country, control the main borders with Iran and Turkey and Erbil has become sort of a business hub, where many international companies have settled in.

Because of all the above, Kurds are craving for independence

More than 90% of the Kurds want to separate from Iraq. In fact, they already celebrated a referendum back in 2017 but due to international pressure and threats from Iraq and its neighbors, they didn’t move it forward.

🍲 The food in Iraqi Kurdistan

A shawarma economy.

During your trip to Kurdistan, you will get absolutely sick of shawarma , being the only option in most places. Eating a shawarma costs less than a dollar but it’s very unhealthy, even though many Kurds eat shawarma every single day.

Vegetarian falafel is widely available as well.

You may find kebabs

Sometimes, you may find some places serving good kebabs, of all types. A good kebab, however, isn’t cheap and you may end up paying up to 10USD for just a few of them.

If you are lucky, you may find local eateries

Local eateries typically serve red beans with rice, chicken and also kebabs. There aren’t many, however, and you will have to look for them. You need to look for them, however, or know where to go.

The best Kurdish food is served at home

I have been invited in quite a few Kurdish houses and the main conclusion is that the best traditional Kurdish food can’t be found in restaurants but only in Kurdish homes.

Their cuisine is mostly rice and meat-based, quite fatty and with many stews. Red beans will always be the side dish of any meal and, when they have guests, they don’t care about making you eat chicken, lamb, and beef at the same time, along with fried rice with meat in it and a lot of flatbread.

I always left their houses completely rolling.

🍻 Drinking alcohol when you travel in Kurdistan

Good news: alcohol is widely available in kurdistan.

Unlike the rest of Iraq, liquor stores are available everywhere. You can buy fresh, cold beer, wine and any type of liquor. In Erbil and Sulaymaniyah you can find plenty of bars, as well.

You can actually drink on the street

I didn’t really drink in the center of Erbil but I had some beers in a few parks in both Erbil and Suleymaniyah, as well as in villages throughout the country, and I never had any problems.

Well, this is not actually true because, in Suleymaniyah, I had a beer in the main square, basically because my Couchsurfing host told me it was OK to do so, but the police came to me quite annoyed, even though they just made me put it away. Apparently, it is legal to drink but some police don’t like it anyways.

In liquor shops, beer is cheap, not in bars

In the stores, a beer costs not much more than a dollar but, in bars, they charge 10 times more, unfortunately, so if you are on a budget, don’t get drunk in bars.

Chai and cafés

Like pretty much in all countries in the Middle East , chai is a big deal and it always comes with sugar by default. Hanging out in cafés is one of the highlights of any trip to Kurdistan, the best place to socialize with friendly locals.

🛺 How to travel around Iraqi Kurdistan: transportation

Moving around by bus or minivan.

Buses are basically mini-vans but they don’t really run to many places, except between the main cities. They are much slower than shared taxis and not much cheaper.

Local shared taxis

The way to go. They go everywhere and are the most common way of transportation among locals. They aren’t cheap as in Iran and Central Asia but still quite affordable.

Hitchhiking in Kurdistan

Super safe and convenient. I hitchhiked all the way from Soran to Dohuk via Amedi , which is around 300km. Nobody never asked me for money and I had great experiences with many of the people, which a few times involved stopping for lunch or even making a detour, so they could drop me just at the place I wanted.

💻 Internet and SIM Card

Wi-fi in kurdistan.

It is not the fastest Wi-Fi in the world, but it is pretty decent and you find good connection all across the country. Internet is not much of an issue when you travel in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Getting a SIM Card

You can easily buy a local SIM Card in many of the stalls located around the covered bazaar in Erbil. I got Korek Telecom and I remember paying around 12USD for a SIM Card and 3GB of data but as you know, data plans change every other day.

🏨 Where to stay in Iraqi Kurdistan: accommodation

Hotels in iraqi kurdistan.

Erbil, Sulaimaniyah and Dohuk are well-sorted of hotels.

Budget Hotels (pensions)

Like I said in the budget section , the cheapest hotels will cost you around 12-20USD but they can’t be booked online. You can check all the hotels I stayed at in my Kurdistan itinerary .

Couchsurfing

In Suleymaniyah and Erbil, there are so many active profiles. You may also find a few in Dohuk but outside of the main cities, I never got a couch.

❗ More information for visiting Iraqi Kurdistan

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

I am telling you this based on my own experience. When I was traveling in Kurdistan, I got arrested for having a drone and I didn’t even fly it. They found it in my backpack and they took me to a military base, where they interrogated me for a few hours.

I really thought I would not get my drone back but, in the end, they believed my story. Basically, they are used by ISIS to spy, so if you do have one because you are overlanding, hide it and don’t fly it!

Tourists visiting refugee camps

It is possible to visit some Syrian refugee camps, but just some of them. They are outside the cities and you should go with a local. I visited Darashakran and you can read about my experience: Visiting a Syrian refugee camp in Iraq .

Don’t forget to check our travel guide to Iraq.

As well as all our Iraq articles:

• A City Guide to Mosul
• Visiting Syrian Refugee Camp
• Is Iraq Safe?
• Solo Female Travel Guide to Iraq
• Iraq Itinerary
• Erbil Travel Guide
• Tales of Backpacking in Iraqi Kurdistan
• Solo Female Travel Guide to Iraqi Kurdistan
• Iraqi Kurdistan Itinerary
• Travel Guide to Amedi

146 comments

Wow, what an adventure. Like most people, I know little about Iraqi Kurdistan and you provided an incredibly comprehensive guide to an undiscovered region of the world for tourists. The landscape looks beautiful. It’s always great to read about a region that is different and unique and makes me want to explore. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you for your kind comment! By far, it’s the most beautiful place and most stunning landscape in the Middle East!

It is quite a shame that not more traveled and to be honest Iraqi in not on the top of my list either, but may consider some time and you are right, I would actually go there before Paris, It seems like so much terror activity goes on in Paris that as close as it is I have no desire to go. I love the middle east and always looking for new places to visit there. I love the UAE and Oman and maybe someday Iraqi

🙂 Considering it before Paris is a little bit too wild 😉 , but yeah, I like your consideration!

Is there still spots for tour next month?

Hello! Unfortunately not, but will announce new dates soon!

Like most places which are not on the current tourist map, there are parts of Iraq which look stunning and which I’d love to visit.

You should! When I was there I saw a French couple with her 6 year old daughter. I promise!

It does look pretty and I am not the kind of person who considers “safety” while traveling – maybe its not wise, but coming from India, I somehow feel like there is so much happening here, how can any place be rosy or perfect anyways. I am glad you introduced one such destination and it looks amazing. The canyon of Rawandiz is simply stunning.

I Jo, what do you mean by you are not the kind of person who considers ”safety”?

I think it’s a shame that more people don’t realize how much this country has to offer. It’s beautiful and with a lot of history. I’m glad you put together this guide which is so thorough. I’m sure a lot of people will find it handy.

I hope one day people realize that Iraqi Kurdistan is a safe place to travel!

Your facts at the beginning of the post are so eye-opening. Amazing how different our perception of a place is compared to the reality. The landscapes look beautiful and the culture truly unique. This guide is such a great resource for anyone visiting Iraqi Kurdistan. Hopefully more people will get to venture there.

You are right! Things are very different when you are actually in the ground. Salut Mar 😉

I’ve heard of Erbil so many times owing to the fact that I have a friend who used to work there. I think another travel blogger, Shane of The Travel Camel has been there too, and if IIRIC, he’s previously recommended me to go to Iraqi Kurdistan too although I’ve never really given it much thought – mostly due to misplaced security concern. The northern road looks crazy beautiful, by the way, and is definitely something that I’d consider covering if I were to travel there one day.

I know Shane! Not in person, but I’ve exchanged a couple of tweets with him and read his posts about Kurdistan. It’s totally safe! If you ever go, let me know 😉

Do u know by any chance how to get there ( airport wize) from istambul to ( im going to Mardin there) and not sure whats the closer airport!

Under current pandemic circumstances, airports in Iraqi Kurdistan are closed until August 1st, which might be extended as it has often been. Once airports are reopened, it will take time for regular commercial flights to restart. There is an occasional flight from Doha. It might be possible to come overland from Turkey via Sirnak Airport, which is closest to the border with Iraq. Whichever way you come, currently you will be required to be quarantined for 14 days. Another feature to keep in mind is that August is the hottest time of the year with temperatures up to 50 degrees C. Temperatures start going down in September. November is one of the best months.

Great adventure! I went to Iraqi Kurdistan a few years ago and had an amazing time there. I still can’t decide whether I like Erbil or Sulaymaniyah most. Great tips there.

Nice man! It akes me happy to see and find out about other bloggers who have also been there!

This is a really great post to get out there. I had a friend travel to Iraq a few years ago and he just loved it and raved about it. I’m just a little afraid to go as I will obviously stick out like an outsider. I know there are safe ways to travel in Iraq though and this is good to remember. It looks like there are a million great things to do in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Iraqi is totally safe, but as I say, it’s relatively safe. Things could change overnight and you need to be cautious. You can’t just go anywhere on your own. If you go, you need to be cautious. If you are afraid of going, you could just hire a local guide. That way, you would be safer than in your home country 😉

It’s a shame that such a beautiful place is not traveled and explored more due to fear. I like the stats that you put up, but to be honest I’m not sure that it is enough to inspire me to go. I do love the middle east and have been several times to surrounding area’s and maybe a possibility in the future I would consider Iraqui

I’m really glad you started the post with safety. Unfortunately (and as a traveller, I know, I know better) when we in the West think of the Middle East we think war and terrorism. Our news channels also don’t help as they only report negative stories. Also, when I think Iraq I think desert. I didn’t think of Iraq with all that beautiful green scenery. Excellent post. Very informative.

The southern part of the region is where the desert you are mentioning is found. All the beautiful landscape is located in the north.

You don’t need to pay as much as $30 for a hotel in Erbil. I am paying half that (15 000IQD) in a little place off Bata St West of the bazaar and there are other cheap ones in the area. I am in Leyli Baghdad , Google map location 36.188962,44.007374 They don’t speak English but the guy is friendly, the owner has other places nearby if it’s full.

Hey Graham, this is real amazing information. I will update this post accordingly. Thank you so much! Hope you are enjoying Kurdistan! i am in Palestine 😉

Been meeting lots of nice people but that’s no surprise really. If i get any more info I’ll let you know. Think we’re following each other around, i am hoping to go to Palestine this year as well so i am looking forward to your write up

Ah, thank you for the post! I came across this whilst googling about moving to Erbil. Not many blogs / videos really manage to give you a good sense of the place, but I really enjoyed your post!

thanks! That’s amazing that you are moving to Erbil. I’ve heard only good things from expats living there! I was in Erbil for just 3-4 days but I also enjoyed it a lot!

Haval Qaraman Rawandwzy is a fantastic tour guide for this region. I am used to traveling solo, but in the case of Iraqi Kurdistan I decided I needed a guide. I used Haval . Haval knows every part of Kurdistan (especially its natural wonders) and showed me some of the most amazing places. From cities to mountains to the rich history of this land, Kurdistan is an incredible opportunity.

Hey Bartak, I am glad you had fun in kurdistan!

We are off to Kurdistan next month. Really looking forward to it. Some excellent information on your site. Do you know to find good maps of the country please? Cheers Mike & Anthea

Hi both. Mmmhhh… I don’t know of any maps but I used maps.me, which is pretty good unless you want to go to the mountains!

On Sunday I’m leaving for a 2.5 month trip from Iran to Eritrea, largely using your guides for help (will be basically doing your exact Sudan itinerary – thanks!). Had planned to visit Iraqi Kurdistan, but unfortunately due to the current flight ban/border closure it’s going to be too much hassle and expense. Even though I’m not able to go, I already have first hand knowledge of how friendly and welcoming the Kurdish people are – within a week of posting my trip on CS I had about 10 couches offered to me by people extremely keen to show me around. Absolutely gutted to tell them that I can’t come. Anyway, keep up the good work and safe travels!

Hi Caleb, thanks for your kind comment man! Yeah it’s really a shame that traveling to Kurdistan is a bit of a struggle right now! I was supposed to be there now as well but, because of the situation, I decided to stay in Central Asia a bit longer. I will travel to Kurdistan in March, inshallah. By the way, that’s awesome that you go an Eritrean visa. Looking forward to go there as well! Good luck in your travels. Cheers mate,

Thanks for putting together this guide! I hope to be able to visit in 2018, maybe April or May. Hope it is not too hot and hope everything fine by that time!

I don’t think it will be very hot… Iraqi Kurdistan is a mountainous region and when I went there in March, nights were a bit chilly. I am also going back there in April, as I need I want to re-write this travel guide, as well as visiting so many places which didn’t have the chance the last time. I also hope that situation will be OK by that time. All the best,

Travelled there for 7 days and it was an amazing experience. People were lovely and lots of sites to be visited. We could have stayed for two weeks but we had to spend some time in Turkey as well. We highly recommend Kurdistan. Karwan Wahed was an invaluable guide for us. He provided rich insights into the region. Speaks English really well and possesses the traits of a hospitable Kurd.

Hi Andrew, I just came back from there too! Wanted to re-write all my content, as well as visiting new places. Readers keep on asking me about guides all the time but I never know what to tell them, as I have always traveled there independently. Is that guy really good? I just hesitate to advertise one guy who I don’t even know…

I have used Karwan Wahed and he’s great. He’s very reliable, trustworthy, humble and takes care of his clients quite well. He’s highly recommended by other travelers, the reason why we hired him. Perhaps worth checking his reviews on his website. I personally highly recommend him.

Cheers mate, sold. I’m going at Christmas. Was on the fence, now I’m not. Keep up the good work.

Thank you for this article I will be travelling in 3 weeks. Does anyone have any information on renting a car un Kurdistan. Robert

Has anybody used Haval as a guide? Karawan is busy in october.

Your thoughts on travel in Kurdistan as an American. To be specific, an Asian American. Nobody will know that I am an American unless I show them my passport. I can fake it as I am a Chinese, because I am an Asian 🙂 Thank you!

Hi Dean, I am not American and I don’t know about the local’s reactions to specific nationalities but in my experience, they are friendly with anyone, regardless of their nationality

I heard from multiple sources that you can not fly into Erbil now as a tourist. As of Oct 29, 2018. Please confirm?

Which sources? I seriously doubt it… They closed Erbil’s airport for a couple of months last year after the referendum of independence but there is. What you may have heard is that there was a sandstorm this weekend and they canceled a lot of flights.

Nevermind. I contacted a travel agency in Erbil, all good. What’s your thoughts on traveling by land from Turkey to Erbil, vice versa? I know the easiest way to go there is fly in and out. Comments and suggestions? Thank you!

I crossed overland into Turkey and it was fine. Just be careful of what pictures you have because the Turkish may look into your phone

I guess it’s time to delete the nudes on my phone. Yikes… Thanks for the info my friend. You think the Israelis will question me at their airport for 6 hours because the Kurdistan stamp? I’m just a traveler. Not associated with anything but mother nature.

Iraqi Kurdistan is developing its tourism potential with busloads of tourists coming mostly from other parts of Iraq to visit standard places like Shaqlawa and Rawanduz and the deepest canyons in the Middle East through the gorges of Gali Ali Beg along the famed Hamilton Road that is the focus of the book ‘Road Through Kurdistan’. Thank you for all your helpful information and insights and tips for expatriate travelers. Iraqi Kurdistan is wonderful adventure country to explore and discover. Within reason of course, Iraqi Kurdistan is indeed safe and secure where anyone, visitor or resident, women as well as men, can travel anywhere at anytime, alone, without security arrangements of any kind. Your photo and comments about the piles of cash says it well. It’s a place of virtually no crime, no drugs, and no taxes. Could be worse? Just stay away from some border areas, especially along the mountainous border with Turkey. And don’t mistake the border with Iran that in some areas is way down on the Iraqi side of the mountains, not along the tops. Main road areas are very safe. Another source of good information is ‘Kurdistan Tour Guide’ by The Other Iraq Tours.

Wonderful guide, however, you forgot to mention the Assyrians in the area, especially in areas such as Duhok. Some Assyrians are complaining that Kurds are oppressing them and stole the land (their words, not mine).

thanks for the insight!

Assyrians are the indigenous people of the land. Look it up.

We are in Erbil now. The place is amazing. The people are the friendliest people we have ever met of anywhere in the world. I would say that this is probably the safest place we have ever visited.

Good to know, enjoy!

Joan, thanks for shedding some light on this area. What advice would you have for someone considering a 2 year work contract in Suleimaniyah?

Just that you will have fun because there are quite a few foreigners. Also, there are a few Facebook/CS groups that organize weekly trips and treks to the mountains. A great way to meet open-minded locals and the mountains around Suli are gorgeous.

What a bias article! You must be Kurdish to write such things!

I disagree with most what you have said! That’s why Kurdish people are worse than Arabs! same thing to me! all liars! I have visited Iraq a few times and Kurds hate the country but they don’t realise that without Iraq they would be thrown outside just like in Iran! You are not a country but you are part of Iraq! No one will ever recognise Kurdistan as a country! Be real for a second in your life! I am a British and worked in Iraq for 8 years!

Seriously, Jack, shut the fuck up, you are a racist, judging and generalizing entire nations. You aren’t welcome on this page, please don’t visit us again

You are absolutely talking crap, Let me tel you, Kurdish people are one of the nicest people you could wish to meet , whether you like it or not Kurdish people have their own government. Please DONT visit their land and spread your hateful messages.

Really interesting and helpful article, I will have a lot of free time to travel next year so looking at new places to visit. Just found out that I can get visa on arrival at Erbil and Suleymaniyah which could easily make Iraqi Kurdistan a starting point of a northbound journey. You just got a new follower.

thanks dude! good luck with your trip, and anything you need just drop a mesage!

Hi I email to [email protected] but the email was invalid. May I know any other way I can contact Karwan Wahed?

My wasapp +6598394365 Thank u

hey, that’s odd, because it worked for me

Hi hello I’m an American with an American passport woman wanting to travel to Kurdistan can I get tourist visa at the Kurdistan border crossing point upon arrival by land thank you in advance

yes, you can get it at any entry point

Very inspiring article. What about communication? Is english spoken by some? Or how did you get along?

Hi Joan. I have a quick question: I was hoping to fly to Erbil from Dubai on flydubai, getting a visa on arrival (I am a Canadian citizen). But when I went to buy the airline ticket, the flydubai website came up with this warning that if you’re flying into Erbil, they won’t let you board without a visa, unless you are a citizen of Lebanon or a GCC country. Is this true, or is it just that they haven’t updated their warning message? Do you know of Westerners that have flown into Erbil on flydubai without a visa?

Hi Glenn, I flew once from Dubai to Erbil with FlyDubai and there wasn’t any issue. It was during my visit to Kurdistan in 2016. In my experience, airlines will post a lot of bullshit on their site, stupid warnings which don’t make a lot of sense, like we won’t let you in if you don’t have travel insurance for the destination, etc. When I flew to Kenya, the airline said they would not allow you to get it if you didn’t have a yellow fever vaccination certificate, but they never asked for it.

As a Canadian, you are 100% granted a visa on arrival. It would be strange they didn’t let you in but I don’t want to give you the wrong advice.

Hi Joan, I read that it is not forbidden to take the drone for recreational purposes. When did you travel to Kurdistan or had your “incident” with the Military? We will be hiking in the mountains – do you have any experience with Camping there (safety aspect)? Best regards Veronika

Hi there, it was 1 year ago in 2018. I assume recreational drones are OK to fly as long as you have a permit but I am not entirely sure anyways. The only thing I know is that they almost take it away from me. I haven’t really explored the mountains in Kurdistan.

Hi and thanks so much for all your wonderful posts… I am actually traveling TOMORROW morning to Erbil on Turkish Airlines, through Istanbul, with my American Passport. I do not have a visa but from what I checked I can get the visa in Erbil once I arrive.. is this true or do you know if anything has changed??? I have read on trip advisor that Turkish airlines demand a visa before letting you, board… Do you know if that is true? I am not able to get through to Turkish airlines on the phone… Have you ever heard of anyone not being let on the plane to Erbil or visa not granted once they arrived in Erbil? Just trying to get my bases covered.. Thanks for any advice.

Hi Liliane, a 30-day free visa is available on arrival in Kurdistan and I personally don’t know from anyone who’s been denied the entrance.

If you want to know one: here I am. We are Citizens of Principality of Liechtenstein and went to Kurdistan without visa with Pegasus from Zurich via Istanbul in late 2018. As a Schengen country we get a visa on arrival, as the information states. Actionally, in Zurich at the checkin, they said no transport without visa. After 30 Minutes of waiting and insisting, that this is a wrong information, we got the tickets. At Istanbul when going through the gate to board the plane, we were asked again for the visa. We ansered “on arrival in Erbil” which was accepted. At Erbil Airport we didn’t get a visa, as we were not on the list in the counter. Bad. So we spent a night in the “not allowed the enter” area in the airport, with a guard and some other people. It was actionally a nice adventure and I have to state that all the guards and workers at the airport were very nice and helpful, as well as the other people who couldn’t enter the country. We finally managed to get the visa 12 hours later 🙂 So we got a free night at the airport. We were obviously the first visitors from our country.

Ahh, so the officials at Erbil International Airport did not know of Liechtenstein. You are pioneers. Now they do and hopefully, your fellow citizens will receive visas easily in the future upon arrival without delay. There are people in our world who still do not know which part of Africa Kurdistan is in. Just to mention that airports in the Kurdistan Region have reopened after being closed for months due to the pandemic. Airlines are reactivating their services – Austrian, Turkish, Qatar. Others are likely, hopefully, to follow.

Thanks so much!! now I just hope Turkish airlines will comply with that as well (-: crossing my fingers all will be well…

You talked about 50 different important points of Erbil however you never talk about the korek mountain? This mountain is one of the best winter place for skiing in Erbil

Hi ! Is it still possible to get a visa on arrival at Erbil airport as a Canadian citizen? I am planning to go there in March 2020! And how did you get a visa to go to Iraq? Because i am planning too going to Baghdad after visit Erbil for a few days!

Hi Tom, yes definitely possible

Is there any way to get a visa to Iraq in Erbil or Suleimaniyah (at least transit one) ?

Wanna travel from Istanbul to Jerusalem through Kurdistan, Iraq and Jordan, as the border between Turkey and Syria is closed.

you can only get into actual Arab Iraq by booking a full tour with a valid tour operator. As far as I am aware of, there’s no transit visa for Iraq.

On the other hand, I don’t know if there is an immigration Iraqi office in Erbil, never heard of it.

If you travel on a passport from a Western country and are just flying into and out of Iraqi Kurdistan, it’s possible and easy. You would be granted a 30-day visitor visa on arrival free of charge. Under current covid-19 circumstances, however, all Iraqi airports are closed. Under normal circumstances, you could fly into Iraqi Kurdistan (Erbil and Sulaimani) from Turkey (Turkish Airlines, Pagasus, Atlasjet), then fly to Amman on Royal Jordanian, then find your way to Jerusalem. To visit other parts of Iraq, you will need to go through the long and difficult process of obtaining an Iraqi visa before arrival.

Travelling by Car: I have been travelling to Iraqi Kurdistan in 2018 and would like to add to your guide, that travelling yourself with a rented car is also a good option. We rented a car at Erbil Airport from a big company, the car was good and the price okay. We took the cheapest car available, there is no need for an SUV as the roads are good.

Hello, i am myself kurdish and live in Denmark…

Right now i studying at the architectural school in Copenhagen. I am about to write a text about why there is so small amount of tourists in Kurdistan region. My main focus is how to attract backpackers.

While you were there. Did u sometimes felt like there was no kind of information about where to visit, and how to travel around the different places etc.? Also did u meet any other backpackers on your journey at the Region?

Hello, I found your article excellent! You did an amazing work. Very sufficient. I am planning to visit kurdistan since last year but i didn’t manage to do it . This year i decided to do an effort to visit it in Autumn. I still have some queries about what are the necessary documents for entering the kurdistan region. I have tried to several times to contact with the official kurd government page, and to suleimaniya airport information mail, but nothing happened. I took no response. I read here in your article that no quarantine is required now, let’s hope that it would be like that. I am a European citizen,i have a national and European vaccine certificate with both jabs , a passport a ticket and my hope that everything is gonna be alright!!!

Hi Christina, I would actually be surprised if the Kurdish Government ever replied to you, don’t expect much from them. In any case, you will be all right, and definitely allowed to get in

Dear Joan, Thank you for your reply. Surprisingly i had also another reply from suleimaniya airport information office !!! They ensured me that i would not need to stay in quarantine and no pcr test since i have a certificate of vaccination . Till the date of my departure , i will keep worrying, 😁!

Hi Christina, wondering if you checked if vaccination also exempts from the outbound PCR testing (when leaving Kurdistan) the article mentions?

Hello ioana, yes They ask for pcr test on departure also from vaccinated people

Joan, The Kurdish language – or any other language – cannot be similar to Farsi/Dari AND Turkish ! These languages are completely different; they belong to different language families.

True. Three blind people, each knowing Kurdish, Arabic, or Turkish, and no other language, cannot communicate with each other. No way we can say that Kurds, Arabs, and Turks are separated by a common language like English. Kurdish, Farsi, Dari, and North Indian languages are all in the same family. During the late 1960s, you could take a bus from Europe to India but not through Iraqi Kurdistan as there was a revolution going on. In 1957, however, Willam O. Douglas, a sitting US Supreme Court Justice, drove from Karachi through Afghanistan and Iraqi Kurdistan to Istanbul in a 1956 Chevy station wagon with only his wife and their woman friend, the mechanic. They traveled to the Yazidi paramount religious site at Lalesh and up the Hamilton Road through the deepest canyons in the Middle East, which are still there. Given Justice Douglas’ itinerary, the only area where you can travel today as he did 60+ years ago is Iraqi Kurdistan.

Hi 🙂 I’m possibly planning on visiting Iraqi Kurdistan in Dec 2021/ Jan 2022. I saw on a website there is a mandatory 14-day quarantine for people entering the country. Could you please explain what you mean by no quarantine is required upon arrival, despite what you may read on their website?

It means that the info on official website is wrong. You don’t have to go through a 14-day quarantine.

Hello again, My destination is the Iraqi Kurdistan. And i come from Greece. In the official site in IATA they say that to visit Iraq you must belong to these categories : “Persons permitted to travel to Iraq, including diplomats, government officials, and individuals working in international organizations” This instruction is for kurdistan too? Because i don’t belong to any category of the above mentioned. Thank you in advance

Thank you for the informative and comprehensive guide! I had a question regarding your statement: “A second PCR test is also mandatory when leaving Kurdistan” — where did you find this information, and is this still in effect?

Hi Taylor, I did it myself last June and it is still mandatory. T

Thanks! Do you know if this is true of vaccinated travelers as well? Given that vaccinated persons (currently) do not need to show proof of a negative PCR test upon entry, do they still need one to exit the Kurdish Republic?

They ask for pcr test on departure also from vaccinated people

Dear Joan, I have the same question with Taylor, since i am fully vaccinated, do i need to do also a pcr test before my return flight?

Hi Christina, unfortunately, this depends on the airline. The Kurdish authorities won’t require it, but the airline may, or may not, most likely yes. Same for getting in Kurdistan. If you are vaccinated, you will undergo a PCR test on arrival, but the airline may ask for a PCR anyways

Hi Joan, Would you happen to know if it is required for Turkish Airlines? Thanks.

I really don’t know unfortunately

Hello Joan , When i got arrived in kurdistan my vaccination certificate was enough for the control. They didn’t do any pcr test to me on the arrival. And of course no quarantine was required. But on my departure things were different. On departure area was a kurdish doctor who asked me for pcr test. I said i have only vaccination, he said no this is not enough, you cannot travel. I explained to him that i didn’t know this, and nobody informed me about. He insisted to his denial to me to travel.after i said to him that i cannot change my tickets ,and I don’t have money to buy 3 new tickets as i had to change 3 airplane to get back to home. Anyway i started crying. After a manager came , with a very serious attitude and lead me to the Turkish airlines office, they said that it was ok to travel with the vaccination certificate. But the manager didn’t allow me to say goodbye to my friends who were waiting in the entrance because he said he did me a favour and i should not ask more. So the conclusion is that we need pcr test on departure because the Kurdish government asks for this and not the airlines.

Hi Christina – so if you test positive on PCR then you cannot leave the country, even when double vaccinated and negative PCR not needed by the airline, until you can provide a negative test? Do you have to quarantine for a certain number of days do you know?

Thank you for the quick reply. In case I don’t make it there this autumn any new expedition dates? I can see all the existing ones are sold out 🙂 Thanks again.

Thank you for your quick reply. Any any new expedition dates in the making? I can see the current ones have sold out.

so far not, but there will be soon I believe

Hi Joan. A quick question on cash exchange. Do you happen to know if there are any issues with large denomination bills ( ex. 200 euro bills). Thanks.

Hello Minola, i exchanged 200 euro , there was no problem to this.

Hi Joan! Thank you so much for this very usefull content! I’m french, and I see on many sources that if we exced 10 days in iraqi kurdistan, we need a “exit visa”, have you hear about this? Thank you, have a nice day!

Hi Tom! No you don’t, the visa is valid for 30 days and then you just leave the country as usual

Thank you!!

Hi Joan. Let me start by saying your blog has been indispensable for us recently! We are travelling to Iraqi Kurdistan for one week next month and will be taking the bus to / from Diyarbakir both ways. I wondered if you knew whether a COVID test is required to exit this way? The best source online I can find about this is the US consulate website which explains about needing a COVID test to enter Erbil airport. This is different of course to needing a test specifically to exit. If we do need a test it means we have to arrive back in Erbil earlier than we initially intended to make the test.

Thank you in advance for your help, we figured that you were in contact with local people at the moment given you are visiting next month.

Best regards, Alex

Hi Alex, I am not sure TBH. can you message me in a few days? I shall have a quick call with the local guides this week. Cheers

Hello Joan, do you have maybe news if a PCR test is still required even if fully vaccinated?

hi, yes, you do need a PCR for leaving Kurdistan via land border

OK, thank you very much for looking into it.

Thanks Joan! Sorry I wasn’t clear, I’ve meant entering (not leaving) from Turkey to Kurdistan via land border. Btw we are fully vaccinated. And is it still the case that we have to leave our passports at the Kurdistan land border?

But do you also need pcr test when leaving via erbil airport by planet?to enter by plane no need if fully Vax.Also could you give me contact details of Blend,the Syrian guy in erbil that can take me too refugee canp

nowadays you need PCR to enter and leave Kurdistan Unfortunately, i am not in touch with Blend anymore

Thanks for answer though information you give is not correct..you can enter erbil airport (as a belgian citizan )without pcr test if you are fully vaccinated (I just got info from government and my friend also called erbil airport and they confirmed)

Hi! My partner and I are planning a trip to Kurdistan, but we’re concerned about the Level 4 Travel Advisory. Has it always been there, and how does it apply to Kurdistan? As of 2022, have the elections affected the security of the country and safety for travelers? The advisory says that there U.S. citizens in Iraq are at high risk for violence and kidnapping — is that something that ever happens in Kurdistan at all? Thanks!

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) has been having, since its formation in 1991, a very different experience than the rest of Iraq. It’s been long experienced that visitors as well as citizens, women as well as men, can drive anytime day or night, anywhere throughout the Region, alone, without security arrangements of any kind. Perhaps the only caveat is to stay away from some border areas where conflict between the PKK and Turkish security forces might occur. Before 1991, the KRI was a source of displaced people fleeing conflict. After 1991, the KRI became a refuge for forcibly displaced people from Turkey, Iran, Syria, even Palestine, and Iraqi citizens of every ethnicity and religion in the country, mostly due to the ISIS threat. Today, the KRI is host to about one million displaced persons, down from a peak of about two million when ISIS was the predominent threat. There are many YouTube videos attesting to (surprising) safe traveling in the KRI. As always, safe traveling is about being mindful and respectful. (One request. Kurdistanis are wonderful (fanatic?) picnickers. Please promote the example of bringing rubbish home.)

Thanks for the quick reply, Mauka! What are these border areas we should stay away from? Is there a best way to get from Erbil to Duhok? Do the recent elections affect security at all?

(Noted, we’ll take home our rubbish if any picnics happen 🙂

Can you recommend a place in Sulaymaniyah to get a rapid travel PCR (COVID-19) test for departing the country?

Hi all, I just wanted to report on our recent experience crossing the Ibrahim Khalil regarding COVID testing and visa on arrival. We travelled on British passports and are both fully vaccinated (carrying written proof of this).

On entry, with our vaccine certificates, no testing was required either before arrival at the border or at the border as a condition of entry. Anyone who wasn’t vaccinated had to take test there and then. On exit, not a single mention of anything COVID related – no test required no vaccine certificate required, nothing 🙂

Joan, it was great to bump into you in the bazar, sorry we couldn’t make it over to your hotel later that day to socialise with your group!

One other thing was that we were unable to pay for the visa in anything but Iraqi dinar. Before leaving Turkey a casual money changer boarded the bus who exchanged our euros at mid-market rate for a very small commission.

Hello Very interesting and appealing site ! Thank you! Do you know what s the situation now (acces from Turkey or Iran), safety aso since the march 13th missile attacks on Erbil? I m planning to come back from Armenia to EU mid-may – June Thanks in advance Ben

Hi there, I went back to Erbil on the exact same day the missile attack took place. Everything was safe and normal.

Thank you. The info i absolument need le the following one : le it possible, safe and easy to travel with my own car, presently in Erevan to Kurdistan and Turkey through Iran ? Knowing the car is registered in Belgium and we are both, my wife and myself, BE Citizen ? Thanks a lot in advance Benoit

Hi there yes it is safe, many travelers do it, without any problem

Hi Joan, thank you for your informative blogs about Iraq, I read them with great interest. I have one question for you: Do you know for certain that IATI Travel Insurance cover (independent) travel in Iraq (Kurdish and non-Kurdish Iraq)? I have written to them twice, first time was more than a week ago, to have them confirm that they do cover Iraq, but haven’t heard from them (makes you wonder how they react if you actually have a claim to make…). The True Traveler insurance company, which you also mention, responds within 24 hours, but they DO NOT cover Iraq as long as the British FCDO warns against all travel to Iraq.

Hi Peter, I have been with IATI annual plans for more than 4 years now. Fortunately, I only had to claim twice with them and were always so responsive. They definitely cover travel in Iraq too.

Hi Joan, thank you for your quick reply. In case anybody is interested in this topic: I got the idea to write to the IATI address stated on their Spanish language website (instead of the English language one), and here they responded immediately. They confirm what you wrote, Joan: that they do cover Iraq.

Hi Joan, Thanks for your information! I need your advice regarding the visa to Iraq Kurdistan. I am Vietnamese, living in Germany so I need to apply the visa in advance. I called the representative of IK in Germany and he told me that he cannot issue visa for me and I should contact Iraqi embassy or travel agency. There is so far no agency that I know which has this service and I cannot reach out to the Iraqi embassy. Do you know any other options I can try? The situation is quite depressing 🙂 Thanks so much!

Hey brother im planning to go this year.also i need visa.im still looking for way to get visa.Send email to me. maybe we can solve our visa together.

I as a Kurdish man residing in Erbil, really appreciate your kind words regarding my region (Kurdistan, KRI).

One of our real problems is that we haven’t been able to introduce our country to foreigners in order to attract their attention as tourists.

Our government, people, security forces, and old and young generations are greatly welcoming to any tourist who would like to visit our country. I can say that most Kurds are open minded comparing to other parts of Iraq and even several countries in the Middle East. We do have somehow a western mindset but with our Kurdish version. What importantly I would like criticize your “published note’ is that you have mentioned that we as Kurds people hate Arabs. My reply to that is NO. We do not have any problem with any nation as Arab, Fars, Turkmen, and Turks. We do have problems with their ruling regimes.

Our current problem with central government (Bagdad _ IRAQ) is political issues with government not with Arab as nation.

Even during the previous regime of Saddam Hussein, there was Arab people inside our Kurdish forces fighting against Sadam Hussein.

However, we do confirm that we have a very different mindset regarding lifestyle, religion and daily ruling procedures.

Lastly, I do really appreciate your kind words, comments, attentions, and observation regarding KRI. We will be glad if we see you and any foreigners visiting our nice and welcoming cities.

I would like to know what are the 3 best places of Kurdistan to know contrasts from other countries… We have only 3 days in Kurdistan, but we want to see all.

Thank you so much for this detailed post in Iraqi Kurdistan! I’ve been toying with the idea of going for awhile and am thinking I will end up there in time for Norwuz in a couple of weeks. I’m trying to figure out the best way to experience it as an outsider– particularly in Akre. And as a food/travel writer, I’m particularly interested in talking to Kurds about the role of food/foraging in Nowruz. Any tips/insight you might have on the best way to experience this celebration? Many thanks in advance! 🙂

Nowruz takes place across the whole town. I recommend going there early and get a good spot on the top of a hill to enjoy views and see Kurds with torchs. We will be there too: https://expeditions.againstthecompass.com/tours/kurdistan-nowruz/

Thanks for the insightful post!

I’m Indian and my half-sister is Kurdish. A lot of her opinions on Arabs confirm the info in your blog. And she also insists there are 4 distinct seasons!

Kurdistan is definitely a much more developed region than people assume, which I’m glad you highlight here.

Schawarma is also widely available and I believe most Kurds cook delicious traditional meals at home. So I think it would be great if you find the opportunity to have a home-cooked meal with a Kurdish family.

We live in the UK and I plan on taking my first trip to Kurdistan next summer with my sister as my tour guide!

Amazing, good luck in your trip!

Surprising Kurdistan. I would like to visit the beautiful and impressive Iraqi Kurdistan in the near future. Arriving and visiting honorable and heroic people and at the same time hospitable will be a great experience for me.

Kurdistan is amazing! It’s very easy to travel as an independent traveler but if you wish to travel with a group, we also offer one expedition in April: https://expeditions.againstthecompass.com/tours/iraqi-kurdistan/

Let us k now if any questions!

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Tours in Iraq

Table of Contents

Our choices of tours in Iraq are divided into thematic features such as the Iraqi tourism archaeological sites south and north of Baghdad, the Kurdish culture, the historic cities, the Mesopotamian Marshes, and the Erbil markets experience.

Iraq is an incredible country located in the Middle East. It is quite straightforward touring Iraq mainly because there are safe regions in the country, mostly in Iraqi Kurdistan and Najaf, Babylon, and Karbala.

Federal Iraq and Northern Iraq tourism package options are quite extensive since the country is full of monuments and things to do.

Choosing and booking a tour of Iraq Kurdistan can be complicated in terms of choice because most people don’t understand the geographic complexity of the country.

Visiting the main tourism Iraq attractions will delight those who enjoy old archaeological sites, interesting religious temples from Yazidi, Christian, and Muslim faiths, delicious gastronomy, and a welcoming character.

Your Iraq holidays will be memorable because of the country’s unparalleled history, captivating sites, and hospitable people.

Our opportunity to be an Iraq tour operator gives us great pleasure since we’re very pleased to promote this adventure destination.

Join one of our Iraq tour packages and travel the country safely with our expertise.

Map of Iraq

Iraq practical information

• Area : 438 317 km2 » Double the size of the U.K.
• Land borders : Saudi Arabia 811 km, Turkey 367 km, Iran 1599 km, Syria 909 km, Jordan 179 km, Kuwait 190 km.
• Length of coastline : 58 km.
• Capital city : Baghdad (2 million people).
• Population : 7.7 million people.
• Languages : Arabic, Kurdish, Turkish, Syriac, Shabaki, Armenian, and Persian.
• Electricity/Plug Type : 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types: C, D, and G.

Iraq Group Tours from Baghdad

8-day iraq group tour » baghdad + mosul + hatra + karbala + ur.

This Iraq group tour focused on Iraq’s top essential sights. Don’t miss this opportunity to safely visit Iraq’s tourist attractions in our affordable group tours….

Iraq Private Tours from Baghdad

9-day iraq big five tour – baghdad, mosul, karbala, basra, erbil.

Iraq is an exciting destination. A mix of fantastic exotic cultures, fascinating historical sites, and an appealing mix of adventure. On this 9-day tour, you…

8-day travel to Southern Iraq classic tour

On this 8-day Iraq classic tour, you can visit the most famous attractions in Iraq. On this 8-day Iraq trip from Baghdad, we propose visiting…

8-day tour in Iraq – Classic + Nasiriyah + Samarra + Mosul + Hatra

Experience the wonders of Iraq on an incredible 8-day expedition, immersing yourself in its captivating history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking natural landscapes. Begin your adventure…

7-day tour in Iraq – Classic + Nasiriyah + Samarra

Embark on a remarkable 7-day tour in Iraq, encompassing the classic highlights of the country along with the captivating cities of Nasiriyah and Samarra. Explore…

7-day tour in Iraq – Classic + Nasiriyah + Basra

Experience the ultimate 7-day adventure through Iraq, where history comes alive and culture thrives. Join us on a captivating journey that uncovers the hidden gems…

6-day tour in Iraq – Classic + Nasiriyah

Embark on an extraordinary 6-day journey through Iraq, immersing yourself in the wonders of Nasiriyah and uncovering the nation's rich history, spiritual treasures, and breathtaking…

6-day tour in Iraq – Classic + Samarra + Hatra + Mosul

Embark on a remarkable 6-day adventure to Iraq, where captivating beauty and rich history await. Discover iconic landmarks and hidden gems in Baghdad, Samarra, Hatra,…

5-day tour in Iraq – Babylon + Najaf + Nasiriyah

Embark on an extraordinary 5-day tour in Iraq and prepare to be enchanted. Immerse yourself in the timeless marvels of Babylon, experience the spiritual ambiance…

5-day tour in Iraq – Classic + Samarra

Join us on the unforgettable 5-day Classic + Samarra tour and discover the timeless treasures of Iraq. Delve into the depths of history and spirituality…

5-day Iraq tour to Baghdad, Karbala, and Najaf

On this 5 day trip to Iraq, you will be able to visit the famous cities of Baghdad, Najaf, and Karbala. On this 5 day…

4-day tour in Iraq – Babylon + Samarra

Discover the enchanting allure of Iraq's ancient wonders on a captivating 4-day tour. With a special emphasis on Babylon and Samarra, immerse yourself in the…

4-day tour in Iraq – Classic – Babylon Karbala Najaf

Embark on a 4-day classic Iraq tour to uncover ancient wonders and spiritual depths. Discover Babylon, Karbala, and Najaf, renowned historical and cultural sites. Perfect…

Baghdad City Tours & Iraq Day Trips from Baghdad

Baghdad city tour – literary, cultural, and historical heritage.

This full-day Baghdad city tour is the perfect way to experience the rich culture and history of the Iraqi capital. We will take you on…

City of Baghdad Tour – Journey Through Time

This Baghdad tour is the perfect way to experience the rich culture and history of the Iraqi capital. We will take you on a journey…

Babylon day trip from Baghdad

A Babylon day trip from Baghdad is a tour that takes visitors from the capital city of Iraq to the ancient city of Babylon, located…

Samarra day trip from Baghdad

Samarra is located in central Iraq, about 120 kilometers northwest of Baghdad. It is best known for the Samarra Great Mosque, an important religious and…

Kurdistan Tour Packages from Erbil

11-day iraq kurdistan tour » north to south.

North Iraq, also known as Iraqi Kurdistan, is a region of remarkable cultural diversity and natural beauty, offering visitors a…

7-day travel to Northern Iraq classic tour from Erbil

On this 7-day Northern Iraq tour, you can visit the most famous attractions in Iraqi Kurdistan. On this 7-day Iraq…

4-day Northern Iraq tour » Erbil, Mosul, Al-Qosh

Traveling to Northern Iraq is always a great adventure; you experience friendly people, great food, and impressive historical sites. On…

Full-day Trips from Erbil

Mosul full-day trip from erbil in iraq.

While many people would not think of visiting Mosul after being liberated, there are, in fact, those who like to experience…

Hormizd Monastery, Lalish and Khenis full-day trip from Erbil in Iraq

Day trips from Erbil are an excellent way to explore Kurdistan in Northern Iraq. On this full-day tour, you can…

Chami Razan, Catacomb of Qiz Qapan, Dokan, and Koya full-day trip from Erbil

Day trips from Erbil are an excellent way to visit Kurdistan in Northern Iraq. On this full-day tour, you can…

Akre day trip from Erbil in Iraq

Day trips from Erbil are an excellent way to visit Kurdistan in Northern Iraq. On this full-day tour, you have…

Explore Iraq

Navigate and explore Iraq on other pages of our website that showcase various interesting aspects of this incredible country.

Ancient city of Babylon in Iraq

Ancient city of Ur in Iraq

Flag of Iraq: Exploring the Rich Heritage of a country

Food from Iraq: Savor the Best of Iraqi Cuisine

Geography of Iraq: National Geographic Tapestry

Iraq Culture and Customs » All you need to know

Iraq security form for travel permits and security clearance.

Iraq Tour Guide

Iraq UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Where is Iraq located on the World map?

Highlights of iraq.

Highlights of the most Beautiful Places in Iraq : Babylon, Great Mosque of Samarra, Lalish Temple, Erbil Citadel, Saddam Hussein’s Blood Quran, Bahdinan Gate, The Tree of Knowledge, Qyzqapan Tomb, Mudhif Houses, Aqueduct of Jerwan, Al-Shaheed Monument, Rabban Hormizd Monastery, Taq Kasra, Baghdad Battery in the National Museum of Iraq, Amna Suraka Prison, Pira Delal, Victory Over America Palace, Qshla Koya, Mar Behnam Monastery, Dar Tawfiq Al-Suwaidi, Chamchamal Fire Well, Dair Mar Elia.

Travel in Iraq FAQ

As a travel agency in Iraq , we guarantee that your expedition is both pleasurable and enlightening while also being trouble-free.

Are these trips Iraqi private tours?

Yes, most Iraq tours are made so that only you, your family, and your friends will travel together. You will not be traveling to Iraq along with people you never met. But we also have Iraq group tours available if you’re interested.

At a certain point, while searching on the Internet, you might ask about the difference between private and group tours. The difference is whether you will share transportation with unknown people, family, or friends.

Imagine you buy a tour to Iraq and come with your family. This will be a regular private tour, where you will have private transportation and a guide during the whole trip. Package for Iraq tour prices changes depending on the number of days and the quality of hotels. Consequently, a 3-star or 4-star hotel tour will be cheaper than a luxury tour featuring 5-star hotels. The trip cost gets cheaper depending on the people that travel with you since the transportation price will be divided by everyone.

The second situation is if you buy one place in our guaranteed departures for Iraq group tours. In this case, you will join a group of people traveling along using the same transportation. We set up specific dates with a certain number of open seats so solo travelers can quickly and affordably join our Iraq tour agency.

As a tour agency in Iraq, we offer packages focusing on thematics such as desert, architecture, culture, photography, and nature. Our tour guides in Iraq will ensure your trip follows the plan, and you will have an unforgettable journey. Traveling in Iraq is always one of the best options for your following holidays in the Middle East.

How much is the price of monument tickets in Iraq?

For the most famous attractions, Iraq’s monument and museum entrances range between USD 10 and USD 25.

Iraq has some exciting and critical registered monuments under the Ministry of Tourism. Our tours usually have all the entrances included in the price, so this is something you don’t have to worry about.

The prices of monuments in Iraq differ between destinations. The very high price difference seems unusual, but it is how the government and local authorities compensate for the option of receiving visitors.

Most tourist attractions in Iraq are very well maintained, so expect major tourist sites to be clean and well organized, with proper facilities, available tourist guides, opening times, decent opening hours, etc.

Is Iraq a tourist country?

Iraq is one of the world’s most unique countries regarding historical, natural, and cultural heritage. Being at the junction of different cultures, the country possesses a rich history reflecting the number of Iraq tourist attractions and monuments spread throughout the nation’s massive size within its region.

While you visit Iraq, you can indulge in thousand-year-old ancient monuments of all types and shapes.

There are 6 properties inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in Iraq: Hatra, Ashur (Qal’at Sherqat), Samarra Archaeological City, Erbil Citadel, The Ahwar of Southern Iraq: Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities, Babylon.

In addition to its inscribed UNESCO sites in Iraq , there is a list of more than 14 properties on its tentative list: Nimrud, The Ancient City of Nineveh, The Fortress of Al-Ukhaidar, Wasit, The Site of Thilkifl, Wadi Al-Salam Cemetery in Najaf, Amedy city, Historical Features of the Tigris River in Baghdad Rusafa, which extends from the school Al-Mustansiriya to the Abbasid Palace, Bestansur Neolithic settlement, Nippur, Old City of Mosul, Lalish Temple, Kirkuk Citadel, The Hajj Pilgrimage Routes: The Darb Zubaydah. The perfect example of Iraq’s history can be seen when choosing your itinerary.

Working as a Iraq tour operator, we fully design our packages to fulfill all your needs. We know the country by heart and provide the best services, partners, guides, and accommodations we personally visited and examined.

Is it safe to travel to Iraq?

Yes, Iraq is safe to travel to.

Most people have the wrong idea regarding whether Iraq is safe to travel to. Still, the reality doesn’t match the misleading news we often see on television, picturing Iraq as a dangerous country.

People are extremely friendly and welcome tourists with open arms. Before traveling to Iraq, you must open your mind, go out of your comfort zone, and embrace this fantastic destination. You will realize the country is “normal” just a few minutes after arrival.

The crime rate toward tourists is relatively low. Iraq is one of the safest countries in the region. This Baghdad vacation package for Iraq options is extensive since the country is big and full of monuments and things to do.

Is Iraq safe for tourists? Definitely yes.

Also, if you’re wondering if Iraq tours for US citizens are safe, local people are very welcoming and love tourists from all over the world. People from Iraq learned not to mix politics with personal relations and human interaction throughout history.

Are you asking either if Iraq is safe for Indian tourists? YES, it is.

How can tourists communicate with people in Iraq?

The official language of Iraq is Arabic.

It is highly recommended to have specific knowledge of English. In large cities, the middle and upper class know English as it allows them to have more accessible contact with the rest of the world, making the trip much more accessible. Either way, all our trips optionally include a full-time guide who speaks the local language so that you feel comfortable learning about the culture of Iraq, its history, and traditions.

Iraq Tourist Attractions

Images of Iraq with the most important tourist attractions.

Beautiful Iraq images on Pinterest

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Iraq Travel Agency

Now’s the time to take the Iraq tour you’ve been thinking about. The country is opening up slowly but surely to foreign tourists, and there is a whole lot to see and do right now. As the leading European Iraq Tour Operator, Rocky Road Travel is at the forefront of the Iraqi tourism industry. We have conducted numerous research trips to northern and southern Iraq in recent years. Since 2016 we have safely led dozens of Iraq Tours with hundreds of tourists to Baghdad and beyond.

Travel to Iraq: Getting an Iraqi visa

If you are interested in joining one of our Iraq tours, this is how it works. Simply email us a copy of your passport and let us know where you would like to apply for the visa (we can help advise you here). We apply for letters of invitation on your behalf and forward you a copy when it’s approved. You simply take this letter and a completed visa form to your nearest embassy to apply for your Iraq visa. After collecting your visa, all you need to do is meet us at the airport for your flight to Baghdad!

This is the process for visiting southern Iraq. There are a ton of ancient and modern sites waiting to be explored in here, not least of all the city of Babylon . See it with your own eyes as you travel south of Baghdad with stops in Karbala, Najaf, Nasiriyah, the Mesopotamian marshlands, Basra and ancient Ur. If you only want to travel to Iraqi Kurdistan , then it’s visa-free for many countries. While southern Iraq has many of the ancient Mesopotamian monuments and sites, Kurdistan tours are quite different. This is a stunning land of rolling mountains and valleys. It’s always been a safe haven for Iraq travel. Southern Iraq on the other hand has always been less predictable, but the security situation continues to improve year on year.

Both north and south Iraq have so much to offer. You can’t really say you’ve been to Iraq without having been to both. 

Let’s start planning your trip to Iraq today! If our dates don’t fit, get in touch for a custom-made tour quote. Contact your number one Iraq travel agency today – Rocky Road travel on +4915114575768.

📞 +491635158517 ✉️ [email protected]

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Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

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Iraq Travel Advisory

Travel advisory april 24, 2024, iraq - level 4: do not travel.

Updated to reflect the termination of Ordered Departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and eligible family members.

Do not travel to Iraq due to terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest, and Mission Iraq’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens.

On April 1, 2024, the Department terminated the Ordered Departure status for U.S. Embassy Baghdad and U.S. Consulate General Erbil. However, the Travel Advisory level for Iraq remains at Level 4, advising that U.S. citizens not travel to Iraq.

Country Summary:  U.S. citizens in Iraq face high risks to their safety and security, including the potential for violence and kidnapping. Terrorist and insurgent groups regularly attack Iraqi security forces and civilians. Anti-U.S. militias threaten U.S. citizens and international companies throughout Iraq. Attacks using improvised explosive devices, indirect fire, and unmanned aerial vehicles occur in many areas of the country, including Baghdad and other major cities. In an emergency, consular services to U.S. citizens in Iraq are limited due to severe restrictions on the movements of U.S. government personnel.

Demonstrations, protests, and strikes occur frequently throughout the country. These events can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting traffic, transportation, and other services, and sometimes turning violent.

Do not travel near Iraq’s northern borders due to the continued threat of attacks by terrorist groups, armed conflict, aerial bombardment, and civil unrest. U.S. citizens should especially avoid areas near armed groups in northern Iraq, which have been targeted with aerial strikes by neighboring countries’ militaries.

U.S. citizens should not travel through Iraq to engage in armed conflict in Syria, where they would face extreme personal risks (kidnapping, injury, or death) and legal risks (arrest, fines, and expulsion). The Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq has stated that it will impose prison sentences of up to ten years on individuals who illegally cross the Iraq-Syria border. Additionally, fighting on behalf of or supporting designated terrorist organizations is a crime under U.S. law that can result in prison sentences and large fines in the United States.

Because of security concerns, U.S. government personnel in Baghdad are instructed not to use Baghdad International Airport. Due to risks to civil aviation operating in the Baghdad Flight Information Region, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has extended its Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) prohibiting certain flights at altitudes below 32,000 feet for an additional two years. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the   Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions, and Notices.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Iraq.

If you decide to travel to Iraq:

• Establish your own personal security plan in coordination with your employer or host organization or consider consulting with a professional security organization.
• Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney.
• Discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, non-liquid assets (collections, artwork, etc.), funeral wishes, etc.
• Share important documents, login information, and points of contact with loved ones so that they can manage your affairs if you are unable to return as planned to the United States.
• Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas .
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
• Review the Country Security Report for Iraq.
• Visit the CDC website for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist

Travel Advisory Levels

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Young Pioneer Tours

Iraq Travel Agencies

If you are looking for the best of the Iraq travel agencies than you have definitely come to the right place. Young Pioneer Tours ran our first trip to Iraq in 2015 and have representative offices in Baghdad in “mainland” Iraq, as well as Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan in northern Iraq.

We run a number of group tours throughout the year, as well as offering independent packages, all guided by the best tours guides in Iraq. YPT take safety very importantly and our expert guides will help you traverse this wonderful land. 

Iraq Travel Agencies – YPT Travel To Iraqi Kurdistan

Young Pioneer Tours have been running tours to Kurdistan for 7+ years. Often misunderstood Kurdistan has remained out of the maul problems of the rest of Iraq since 1991 and in essence has remanned a bastion of relative peace. When you you pick YPT as your Iraqi Travel Agency we will take you to all the main places from Erbil, to Kirkuk , the Yazidi shrine at Lalish and even Saddam Hussein’s former mountain top palace – a real treat.

Wherever you want to go in Kurdistan we have you covered, with our independent tours offering more scope to get off the beaten track.

To read about our independent tours to Kurdistan click here . 

To read about the places of Saddam Hussein click here . 

YPT The Iraqi Travel Agency for Southern Iraq 

Iraq did;t used to be that easy to get into, but we first managed it in 2017 and have been running groups tours since 2018. While formerly home to not just ISIS, but great instability travel to Iraq is now safe by and large, with YPT and our local Iraqi travel partners always ensuring that safety is of paramount importance.

Of course whit all the major sites, such as Babylon, Najaf and Karbala, ride a boat down the Mesopotamian Marshlands.but we also offer more contemporary things, such as boat trips, historical relics related to the Baath Party And of course other secret stuff that other Iraq travel agencies do not touch!

So why not start planning your tour now! Below we have listed our full 2024 schedule, or if you want to do a bespoke Iraq tour, or are unsure of your dates, then simply get in touch and we can arrange your bespoke Iraqi tour for you. 

Check out our full Iraq Tour schedule here .

Check out our Middle-East and Iraq Tours here .

About Post Author

Gareth Johnson

Gareth Johnson is the founder of Young Pioneer Tours and has visited over 180+ countries. His passion is opening obscure destinations to tourism and sharing his experience of street food.

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