Iraq
What to Know Before Traveling to Iraq | Guide
What to know before traveling to Iraq? This comprehensive guide comes from our years of experience leading travelers to one of the world’s most misunderstood
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Rocky Road Travel specializes in small group and independent travel to some of the planet’s least understood countries. We offer a different kind of travel experience – one that challenges your preconceptions and opens your mind. We take pride in our sustainable model by taking you way off the beaten track, beyond the rhetoric, and straight into the hands of our local experts so you can see these incredible places with your own eyes.
Break free from the typical travel mould with our unique destinations and take the Rocky Road less travelled today!
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All our tours are guaranteed departures regardless of how many people are confirmed. We also cap each tour at between 8 - 12 people which adds flexibility and comfort to every group.
Real Experiences
As well as hitting the usual sights, we'll also focus on local experiences like visiting cafes, local restaurants, parks and other "normal" places where we can mingle and chat with locals.
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We have 9 years experience of operating in our destination countries with a 5 star Google rating. All tours have been meticulously researched & perfected over time.
Specialized & Bespoke tours
We take pride in our specialized tours like cycling tours to North Korea and camel trekking tours in Socotra. Want to design your own tour? Just let us know.
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We plant 25 trees per client and donate 3% of all net sales monthly to Women for Women International & the UNHCR to support their programs in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan & others.
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The entire booking process is done by email. It's that simple! We're here when you need us and will reply instantly to emails & WhatsApp messages and calls.
Our trip leader, Irmante, was extraordinary! I can’t say enough great things about Rocky Road and the whole team. There are so many amazing places around the world that folks don’t even think about visiting. Rocky Road and their amazing crew of trip leaders (like Irmante) go so far above and beyond to make every aspect of adventure travel safe, easy, and fun. 10/10, would recommend!
I recently took a trip to Algeria with Rocky Road Travel, and it was an intense but incredibly rewarding experience. The journey was rich with history—I learned so much about the country’s past and culture. I met wonderful, welcoming people along the way and enjoyed some truly delicious food. The absolute highlight of the trip was visiting the desert town of Djanet—an unforgettable, otherworldly landscape that left me in awe. This trip challenged me in the best ways and gave me lasting memories. I would definitely recommend Rocky Road Travel to anyone looking for a unique and meaningful adventure.
I'm hard pressed to find a section to begin my compliments on my first trip with Rockyroad: the food was delicious, the transport was easy, Abbas and Housein were welcoming and knowledgeable, they always took care of our needs, and counting down the New Year's Eve together in Erbil was the pinnacle of the trip, and something that will always remind me of Iraq and this trip (don't worry about your lack of Middle Eastern travelling and group tour experience - Iraq was only my 27th country!)
Just back from a trip to Socotra. Matty our tour leader and the local team made our trip memorable.
Amazing tour in Iraq with Rocky Road travel. The tour guy Sajjad was the best
I had the most fantastic trip to Socotra with them and Matty is literally the best tour leader one could want with a patience of an elephant:) Tour was organized to a perfection and exceeded all my expectations! Will recommend any day:) I had both opportunity to loose weight due to offered nature hikes (and killer dunes) and gain weight due to offered feasts 3 times a day.
Socotra classic tour - October 2024Would highly recomend Socotra in general and Rocky Road in particular. The tour was very well organized from start to finish. Our tour leader Zoe as well as out local guides, cooks and drivers lead by Ruslan all did a phenomenal job at creating an amazing experience for us. I thought the itinarary was planed nicely having a good mix between organized activities and some free time in between. Obviously the touristic infrastructure in Socotra is still in very early stages which we all knew beforehand. Having said that I personaly was positvely surprised by the „comfort level“ overall. We only had one campsite without any sort of toilet/shower facility. The cooks also did a great job of mixing up the meals.Thanks again for the great time!
Classic Socotra Tour - October 2024The adventure of a lifetime! This trip has been one of my favourite group tours ever for its authenticity, ease and the overall experience. Communication with Rocky Road was easy and straight forward from the get-go. The itinerary was phenomenal, hitting all the best places Socotra has to offer. This tour is definitely catered towards nature-lovers with constant exposure to the unique flora, fauna and marine life of this island, but it also has a certain flare of adventure, with an abundance of opportunities to hike, swim, cave, climb sand dunes, as well as embracing the nature by camping in tents for the majority of the trip. For the traveler who wants to see something you can’t find anywhere else in the world, who isn’t afraid of a little sun, sand or dirt, this is absolutely the tour for you!We are certainly still in the early days of tourism on Socotra which can be seen in the limited facilities and infrastructure from a tourist perspective. This is without a doubt the charm to this island, and I hope it continues to preserve its authenticity for future intrepid travellers. However, it is clear that efforts are already being made to improve comfort such as the development of bathrooms at campsites. I suggest that any traveller considering a trip to Socotra is prepared to camp in tents and to go a couple of days without bathroom facilities. I also suggest to bring extra sunscreen!A huge shout out to our phenomenal tour leader Zoe who really helped make our experience on Socotra Island a smooth, fun and exciting journey. I am so grateful for all of her insights into the local community, and she really encouraged us to engage with the people and the culture which helped us to feel a genuine connection with this special place. I hope to do more trips with you and Rocky Road in the future!
Had a wonderful time on the Yemen mainland tour, big thanks to Kai and Lana for their expertise and fun-loving guidance. Prior to the trip, communication with the office was quick and efficient. Already lookin' forward to the next trip.
Excellent experience with Rocky Road, above all the outstanding communication and professionalism from Shane.
Travelling with Rocky Road may have been the best decision I ever made. Everything was taken care of, I received all the information I could have wanted before the trip. The guides were extremeley knowledgable, accomodating, just really friendly people overall. I will definitely be recommending RRT to friends and family and will definitely travel with them again in the future.
I did the August Syria tour with Rocky Road and had a great time from start to finish. The itinerary was excellent; we hit the major cities and UNESCO sites but also the Syrian Riviera on the Mediterranean and a vibrant carnival celebration.Zoe, the tour leader, and Tambee, the local guide (who seemed to know everybody in Syria), were both fantastic.If you have any interest in the cradle of civilization, Biblical history, the Umayyad Caliphate, amazing Roman ruins, the hugest intact Crusader castle you can imagine, the Syrian civil war, amazing food or world class hospitality, get yourself to Syria.
Excellent experience especially with Ahmed and Alex in Iraq. Had a blast. They were efficient, organized and easy to get along with 🙂 Will use RRT again in the future
I had an amazing experience in Federal Iraq during my very first tour with Rocky Road! The booking process with Shane was smooth and hassle-free, we got all the necessary info before the trip and how to deal with visa on arrival, and the transfers to and from the airport in Iraq were efficiently taken care of.Alex, our international guide, ensured our comfort throughout the trip and made sure we were always well-informed about our daily itinerary and such; while Ahmed, our super knowledgeable Iraqi local guide, enriched our journey with fascinating insights and history. Ammar, Ahmed’s sidekick, was equally friendly and did a fantastic job as our photographer, capturing beautiful moments and excellent shots for the ‘gram :DThe itinerary was well-planned, and both transportation and accommodation were great. The group itself was diverse and friendly, and everybody got along just fine.Iraq is a truly beautiful country, with so much history, and despite the challenges and tumultuous events the country has faced in more recent years, I never felt unsafe during my week there. The vibrant culture, welcoming locals, and well-organized tour made it an unforgettable experience.I’m currently in the process of booking my second trip with Rocky Road, so it's safe to say I recommend their services! 🙂
I did the Syria Tour and I did the full Iraq tour right after it. All of it was amazing, although I do have my preferences. Syria with my tour guide Tambee and Driver Mahmoud. Getting in, around and out of Syria was smooth. I definitely recommend this tour agency. The guide is definitely passionate about sharing their country with you. That’s really important. The connections they have with the people who are in charge of the places, sometimes grants you certain privileges because you are with the guide. We really saw that in Iraq tour. The people on the tour were also amazing people to be with. They are just as curious as you about visiting these places. I highly recommend this tour agency and I will book future trips with them!
Fantastic trip. Don't expect 'things' to go to plan. Highly recommend it.
Very well organized and professionally run tour agency. Totally recommended!!!
Just returned from a two-week tour of both Federal Iraq and Kurdistan (May 2024). I will admit that I didn’t quite know what to expect before arriving, particularly as regards the attitude towards Western visitors. Would we be met with sullen glares or outright hostility on the street, considering the recent memories of the US invasion? From our very first evening walk through Baghdad, however, we were met with only enthusiastic greetings and affable curiosity (“Welcome to Iraq, my friend! Where are you from?”).For the next two weeks we covered the length and breadth of the country from the Marshes in the south to the Zagros mountains in the north, and I am still trying to process the volume of things I saw. The sheer depth of history in Iraq is unparalleled, from the paleolithic (Shanidar cave) to the ancient (Ur, Babylon, Hatra) to the religious (Karbala, Najaf) to the modern (Saddam’s palace, the recent damage in Mosul). Then of course there’s the autonomous region in the north, which in many regards feels like a different country in terms of language and landscape (and the ease of finding a cold beer after a long day????).The guide teams in both regions were superb. In Federal Iraq, Ahmed, his brother Ammar, and driver Habib were always ready with information and effortless good humour. In the north, Brusk – cool, calm, and collected – produced hidden stashes of baklava at opportune moments. Passing through checkpoints and gaining access to historical sites was always easy with them doing the talking. And our Rocky Road representative, Alex, always made sure that the itinerary ran smoothly, suggesting small improvisations when necessary.If you’ve ever been interested in Iraq, now’s the time to check it out. There is a palpable feeling of hope in the country – a sense that things might finally be heading in the right direction after almost 40 years of bad times. Foreign investment is pouring in, and there are construction and infrastructure projects happening everywhere. Some day in the not too distant future, the streets of Babylon could (deservedly) be as busy as the Colosseum or the pyramids at Giza. Right now you can see them all by yourself.
Efficient, professional, authentic, well-researched with great people.I originally booked a one-off trip to Afghanistan and have since traveled to Yemen, Mauritania, and Libya with Rocky Road Travel. Each country and experience was more unique than the last.Everything is well organised so much so, that I no longer check the itinerary. I just hop in the vehicle, enjoy amazing sites, take plenty of photos, well fed and watered along the way. The days are packed from morning to night.The owner, a man of few words and much common sense, personally researches each trip in country, collaborating with the best local guides to ensure quality and authenticity. The number of returning customers I have met speaks volumes about the company and its tours.For a seamless, once in a lifetime adventure(s) in lesser traveled countries go with Rocky Road. They handle everything, steering you through the process from visas to logistics, so you can sit back, enjoy the journey with lots of laughs.
Visiting Socotra was a once in a lifetime trip! Everything went so smoothly working with Shane and Rocky Road Travel! We had a blast exploring the island: from sand dunes to beautiful beaches and of course the dragon blood trees! Would highly recommend!!
A really good travel agencyThat i see working in Iraq (my country)And with one of the best guides Ahmed around Iraq!
Shane, from Rocky Road, is a man of few words. Every email I sent him was answered in a sharp “to the point” manner. My trip to South Sudan was planned at the very last minute. It would be short in terms of duration (just for 3 days, over the Easter holiday) and intense in terms of itinerary (as many of my trip usually are). Shane kindly assisted me with the visa process and I got my South Sudanese visa in less than a week (a world record for “exotic” destinations!). As I boarded my plane to Juba, I confess I was still a bit skeptical of how my experience was going to be. From the moment I arrived at the airport, though, I was constantly proved time and again that this would be a trip for the books! Rocky Road’s local partner, BomaHills Tourism, was amazing! David, the owner himself, greeted me up at the airport. He is a very humble funny man, despite his masters degree and diplomatic background. David’s intelligence was felt not only during our deep political and cultural discussions, but also by how he handled every single situation. Whenever we needed time to process documentation, for example, he would lead me to a nice cafe where I would be waiting comfortably with WiFi, coffee and AC, without raising a single eyebrow of worry. When I needed to buy anti-malarial medication, he promptly took me to a drugstore, even though it was a Saturday evening. He went far and beyond to make sure I would exchange my money in a fair rate. My encounter with the Mundari tribe was nothing short of extraordinary. It was emotional and unforgettable. The camping conditions were as comfortable as possible, with the chef cooking us delicious meals (worthy of a restaurant if you ask me). When I reached my hotel in Juba, I was positively surprised to notice that it wasn’t too fancy (bordering pretentious) nor too simple (bordering uncomfortable). I spent many hours just eating the restaurant’s delicious food while overlooking the Nile. Even on my last day, David took me to the airport and followed me every step of the way, until I boarded my plane taking the best possible memories of my trip with me. If you’re thinking of booking a trip to South Sudan, look no further! Shane may be sucynt, but believe me, his actions speak way louder than words!
Joined a great tour to Socotra with the best guide (Alex) I have ever met! @Rock Road Travel: Make sure you keep Alex!
I went to Socotra with Rocky Road and I plan to go on more trips with them! Shane was easy to work with pre-trip (make sure to check your junk folder, I missed an important email), you get a wonderful local guide, and a team of drivers and chefs who take good care of you from tents to the delicious food. Visa was taken care of and it was just a smooth, safe, and authentic experience. Our itinerary order was even modified to have a better experience with fewer run ins with other groups and well separated campsites.I've only been to Socotra so I can only speak on it but it mattered that I booked with Rocky Road. Due to the kind of tours they offer, that attracts a certain type of traveler and that makes a difference when you're going to a beach destination like Socotra haha. I had a fantastic group and we all got along well, everyone was flexible, respectful, curious, nuanced and ready to participate. Even our local guides noted the difference. I highly recommend Rocky Road, it'll make your mom nervous but you'll have a great time and an eye opening experience. You'll end up wanting more though so beware haha.
Did the North Iraq / Koerdistan tour and it was amazing. The people are so friendly and the nature was beautiful. Highly recommend it :DThe tour was well organized and we saw a lot. The best had to be Nowruz in Aqrah. Despite the rain it was the highlight of the tour.Will book again.
I have been at the Iraqi Kurdistan Tour with Rocky Road Travel. It was an amazing experience with a guide who was both competent and amicable and always ready to help. I cant recommend this enough as it was an experience I will never forget in a part of the region that is beautiful and despite its bad reputation is very safe.
I had a wonderful time during the March Socotra tour. The sights were incredible, and the crew and guide were knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. Looking forward to my next Rocky Road adventure!
The tour of Kurdistan was amazing. The booking and preparation was really well organised.The tour took us to Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok, Akre, Rawunduz and Lalish. It was a great combination of the hustle and bustle of the cities venturing through the bazaars and tea houses and then exploring the beautiful mountains, lakes and caves in the countryside.The highlight was the Newroz celebration in the mountain. It was a magical experience.Our guide Balin was a legend. He took was to all the hidden nooks and was so knowledgeable. Anything we needed, he arranged immediately.As a female solo traveller I felt so safe and people across Kurdistan were so friendly and welcoming.I would definitely come back.
Did a private solo tour of Socotra with rocky road travel. The trip was perfect. Shane was efficient with getting all the logistics (visa,plane tickets) sorted out before the trip. Communication was timely, information provided was sufficient and I was reassured of my safety given the current political climate in the region. The people from their local partner "I love socotra" provided some of the best Arabic hospitality I had experience. Abdullah my guide is always going all out to ensure that I am well taken care of. Ali the driver is skillfull behind the wheels. The trip covered basically everything you need to see on the island at a comfortable pace across a week.Accomodation may be just a basic tent but trust me nothing beats sleeping under a sky full of stars or waking up among the dragon trees. Clean pillow, blanket, mattress with sheet were provided.Meals provided may get repetitive (Eggs done many ways +bread for breakfast, Fish + rice/pasta for lunch/dinner) but you can tell that the cooks take great care with preparation. Never had issue with the stomach. There was endless supply of tea throughout the day and they even have cold drinks available too. Tea time snacks were a plus.Thanks for making this such an amazing trip for me to remember for ages to come. Highly recommend. 10/10.
I had the best week of my life with Rock Road Travel and their amazing, fun and professional guides in Socotra! Stunning place, an amazing group of people that like to go beyond and travel to hidden gems. Communication with Shane before the trip was efficient and quick and he is super helpful and good at leaving us with all information at the right time in order for us to get ready and prepared. Our guide from Rocky - Neil was super knowledgeable and amazing at keeping us all organised, together and happy. Ruslan - our local guide of 'I love Socotra' - is an absolute legend and made this trip memorable!Highly recommend it to any traveler who likes to travel to undiscovered, rough and authentic places, far away from tourists.
This trip to Socotra has been incredible. Everything was well organized and the itinerary had the perfect balance between adventure and relax time.Throughout the whole booking process, Shane was very helpful by answering all our questions very quickly.The food was exceptional and abundant (gained a few kilos) and our driver was super professional.Special thanks to:- Neil, our tour leader. He was very helpful and made sure that the tour ran smoothly. Since he is very experienced, it was very interesting to hear his stories about the countries he has travelled to.- Our local guide, Ruslan, who knows everything about the island, We learned a lot from him, he is happy to answer any questions about Socotra anytime. He is an absolute legend, a very fun and upbeat person.After having had such a great overall experience, we are already looking into our next tour with Rocky Road, can't recommend them enough!
Just got back from a trip to Socotra organized by Rocky Road Travel and their local partner, I Love Socotra. Our trip leader, Neil, and our local guide, Ruslan, were both super knowledgeable and helped ensure that our entire group got the most out of our experience. The trip far exceeded my expectations and would definitely recommend them to anyone considering traveling to Socotra. I look forward to traveling again with Rocky Road in the near future.
Just had a fantastic holiday, everything was very well organised. I had updates by email before the trip as well as I felt look after each day of it. Hardly recommending !!!! You must choose Rocky Road you will not be disappointed
Just recently finished a tour of Iraq. Ahmed and his team took very good care of us. We saw so many sites for such a short period of time. Highly recommend Rocky Road we felt safe and well taken care of.
Our tour exceeded our expectations! Ahmed and his team were great, highly recommend Rocky Road!
Went with two other friends on an eight-day tour of Socotra, with Matty as our guide, and Samed as the lead local partner. Highly recommend and would love to consider Rocky Road for a future trip. From start to end, Shane, the owner/founder, and his team were responsive to our questions via email and WhatsApp, even fixing a minor visa hiccup of our own (accidental) making. We left on the trip well informed on the itinerary and packing. On the ground, Matty was skilled in balancing creating a warm group experience with giving everyone the space to move at their own pace/mood. He provided an unassuming but notable social "glue" that made our group of eight gel. Samed did a great job of providing local context and knowledge, and led a team of cooks and drivers who were hospitable and diligent. There was no point on the trip when I was left wanting of anything. The team paid attention to details, down to re-arranging plans on the fly to find overnight spots away from other groups (not always easy on a small island of limited infrastrucuture), as well as some very sweet birthday celebrations for travelers. Thanks for leading us through a spectacular and awe-inspiring corner of the planet!
Just visited Socotra with Rocky Road Travel. It's been such an unique and exceptional experience; not only because of the captivating landscape but the tour guides and crew in general.There was nothing to worry about as it was perfectly organized, to the point we almost felt like we had the entire island to ourselves.
The Rocky Road and the local Socotran team made my trip one of, if not the most, memorable experiences I've ever had. Not only is Socotra full of beauty you would never think you would encounter on this Earth, but Rocky Road delivered an unforgettable experience in all regards. The logistics were seamless from end to end, the itinerary was thoughtfully designed to avoid crowds and maximize our experience, and the local staff (from drivers to cooks to assistants) were attentive beyond expectation and even became friends. The trip leader not only ensured we got the most out of our experience but also thoughtfully created a community among us. As for Socotra itself, it's indescribably beautiful, intriguingly varied, and very safe. This was my first time trying Rocky Road, and I will undoubtedly be a repeat customer for one, if not several, of their other unique adventures.
Had one of the most magical weeks of my life in Socotra thanks to Rocky Road Travel! They were super accommodating and did absolutely everything they could to make sure I had a blast.
The Socotra tour with Rocky Road Travel exceeded my expectations, providing a seamless experience from start to finish. All helpful information has been shared in advance and during the trip at any time requested. Flawless organization, knowledgeable local guides, and attention to detail made the trip truly exceptional. Highly recommended for an adventurous and enriching travel experience. Future tours with Rocky Road definitely made it on my bucket list 🙂
I had a really nice tour with Lana and our local guide Rafat in Socotra Island ! It was an amazing experience. I really enjoyed my trip there and I strongly recommend it.Alexia (France)
Excellent trip to Socotra. Top marks to tour leader Matty Dyas who took care and interest in every member of group and to the local crew of "I love Socotra " for their care, great driving on non existing roads and most of all amazing food throughout!A wonderful experience on a beautiful island. Much surpassed my expectations - Well done to Shane and Rocky Road !
I did the Mauritania tour and everything was great. I had an amazing experience and met lovely people.
Amazing well organized tour.I did the Mauritania package and was very happy with RockyRoad Travel. Communication upfront was very good - my tailored requests have been considered and fulfilled (with a fair pricing: had a.o. one additional night in the beginning, but split of at the end - and instead of extra charge this was simply balanced out - thx for that again) and with the local guides and general organization I felt very well.If time and destination matches, I definitely will come back to RockyRoad since my personal experience was really great with them.
My friend and I booked a private tour in Iraq with this company. I warn you to stay away at all costs. Firstly, let me say that Iraq is beautiful, steeped in history with some of the friendliest and most welcoming people I have ever met. By all means, go to Iraq! But avoid this agency and its tour guides at all costs. Shane the owner, failed to communicate properly with us as customers and with the local guide he hired. Shane has never met the guides and did not communicate our pre-trip questions to the guide. Ahmed was our guide and it has been a complete nightmare dealing with him. He provides minimal information and terrible service. He is constantly on his phone and is busy coordinating the other trips his brothers are running for him. Without our consent or prior knowledge he insists to bring along his girlfriend on our private tour. At first we had no issues but when we expressed concern about the space in the car with our luggage and his girlfriend he became aggressive and demanded that he needed his girlfriend with him for the ride home. We informed him that he was being disrespectful and that we would not tolerate his aggression. When we agreed to allow her to come if he could fit all the luggage in the trunk, he proceeded to pout for the entire rest of the trip - sulking about, not doing basic guiding, and speaking to his girlfriend on Arabic. Ahmed is rude, entitled and arrogant. There were several other issues that were more minor. One was the lack of communication between Shane and Ahmed about this being a private, custom tour. They simply tried to deliver a standard itinerary that their company offers as a group tour. That is completely unacceptable when we paid $5680 USD for two people. They also tried to nickle and dime us for small things, the tour includes all entrances tNot once in my time as a full-time traveller who has been to 40+ countries on every continent, have I ever experienced service as poor as I did with Rocky Road Travel.
I recently had the opportunity to visit Syria with Rocky Road Travel. Syria is known for its rich history and culture, warm and welcoming local people, and an abundance of tasty and diverse local cuisine. My journey through this beautiful country was unforgettable. Highly recommend!
A great travel experience. I highly recommend choosing Rocky Road Travel for your travels in Syria. I will definitely travel with them again. The tour guide Katie was great, as was the local tour guide and driver. Everything went smoothly.
I visited Syria with Rocky Road this past week and had a great time. This was my first time traveling with a tour group and it was an amazing experience. Shane is very helpful in answering any questions I had about the tour before I left and he was even able to arrange a solo-excursion to Bosra for me. The tour guides were very knowledgeable about the various locations we visited and made sure that the group stayed together and involved. I look forward to the next trip with Rocky Road.
I recently went on the Basra to Erbil tour of Iraq with Rocky Road Travel. Coincidentally, our tour concluded the same week that fresh hostilities broke out in Israel and Palestine. Seeing how much the response to these events by world leaders, the media, and in general rhetoric has been strongly reminiscent of the world post 9/11 & through the 2003 invasion of Iraq, has underscored for me the importance of experiencing a place firsthand.There is probably no region other than the Middle East with a starker contrast between western perceptions & government actions, and the culture & history of the people who live there. Even though I have spent the better part of 15 years studying and traveling to the Middle East, I never would have expected to experience the incredibly rich mix of ancient Mesopotamian history, modern history, and vibrant & welcoming culture that we found in Iraq. RRT ran a great itinerary to showcase all of these things.Tour operators such as Rocky Road, that provide access to uncommon destinations and empower local guides to share their passion for their homelands, provide a valuable service that more people should take advantage of. I look forward to traveling again with RRT very soon.
Just finished my Syrian tour with Rocky Road; the timing wasn't the best with the problems in the middle east right now ! BUT I must say ,Shane , the owner was very supportive and I felt perfectly safe with his team , Ayoub the boss in Syria, Akel the local tour guide and Katie the " Aussie tour guide " ; I am not a big fan of tour groups , having travelled by myself to 100 countries but with Rocky Road the numbers are small and easy to manage; I was so impressed that I booked another tour with them , to IRAQ in February !!!!Thanks Shane , keep up the good work !Hansfrom Cairns, Australia*************"*"********""****""*Finished my private tour to IRAQ, this time I also took my son along, and we both had a brilliant time, thanks to our amazing guide,I Can highly recommend ROCKY ROAD and have just booked another tour with them to LIBYA!!!!!Thanks Shane!
Had a wonderful trip with Rocky Road last week (October 23)! A whole lot of places to see, history to learn and people to meet. Wish the trip was longer, but every trip have to end at one point :)Thank you to Katie (international leader), Akel (local guide) and the group for a good and safe trip!!An update:After my trip to Syria in October 2023, I have joined a couple other trips as well as having a few more trips planned with Rocky.Communication is great. The trips have been wonderful, and the guides have showed us their country in a good way. The group I have been a part of have also been a good group every time, and have also always been a small group.I would also comment on being a young woman travelling to countries “you are not supposed to go”. The guides have always been considerate, and made it a lot easier to go to countries and places it could be a lot more difficult to travel to as a woman and places women have a lot less rights. I really appreciate that.Would highly recommend Rocky Road Travel!
Excellent trip with a great group of likeminded people and great tourguides.
Phenomenal travel company with ethical morals and mission! The itineraries for Syria, Iraq and Kurdistan are very informative, adventurous and positively impactful for both travellers and local communities. The guides are professional, insightful and inspiring, and the clientele attracted by RRT are very well travelled, responsible and curious people that are pure pleasure to be around with. Highly recommended!
Iraqi Kurdistan Autumn Tour - 2023If you want positives, read the other reviews. This is a different take.1. The tour is 5.5 days, not 7 as advertised, so an expensive tour just got more expensive.2. Oddly, we had a chaperone, apart from the guide. A competent guide can do the job.I was told the chaperone was to help out with any issues we had, but if I was paying for this extra 'assistance', I don't want it.Those on the previous South Iraq understood the chaperone was sent by Rocky Road to quality check the tours in Syria, South Iraq and Kurdistan (North Iraq). So, Rocky Road it seems, lacked confidence in their own tours.These concerns came to fruition as the South Iraq guide was sacked. Ironically it seems, as although he was young, and there were a few rough edges, his enthusiasm, general ability and potential was worth perusing. Sure this is second hand information, but it gave a better understanding of the 'assistants' role.3. We were told we had to bring our own water. When questioned this was reversed. In a hot climate it's a duty of care to do so and it costs nothing.4. One of the tour members got badly drunk (and maybe more) one night. It took days to recover. Yet it was up to the other tour members to get him up so we weren't late to sites, to watch him at the back of the bus, in case he choke vomited, and most dangerously to stop him jumping off a boat.The latter occurred during a lake boat trip. There were two boats. Despite having two Rocky Road employees, none got on with the obviously inebriated bloke. As we stopped in the lake's middle for photos, the individual stripped off and said he was jumping in. There was no way to get him back in and we were way of the shore.Again, we, not the Rocky Road reps (as they weren't on the boat) talked the guy down. He initially said 'I am beholden to no man', a massive red flag, but did back down the end.He was Rocky's responsibility. To me negligence.5. We were taken to a waterfall. It amounts to not much but the interest is in the local's excitement. Then we went to another and another. We came across the world to this?Ditto, the lookout at Erbil is marginal and the associated gondola lift across an amusement park is not. The latter is an obvious filler..The aforementioned lake tour was being driven to the middle of a lake, by ourselves, left for 30 minutes to take photos, and returning.This is rubbish, lazy tourism. If there are not enough attractions, then shorten the tour or can it.6. There are refugee camps all over. Someone suggested we visit one. So we were driven overlooking one to take some token photos. Sure, maybe there wasn't enough time to organise a proper visit. Not the dark tourism type but a get to know the people behind the fences one.As serendipity had it, an old refugee couple were sitting on the hill. They wanted to engage and appreciated the interest, but we didn't have the language. I had to get the guide out of the bus to interpret and what they had to say was enlightening. The guide wasn't proactive.The guide had been doing this a long time and gave the impression of going through the motions. Jaded? There was no individual, get-to-know engagement with the tour members. A complete contrast to a Syrian guide (another company) I had, who had also been a guide for a long period.7. The Rocky Road in the South extends to the North.
I have been on two Rocky Road adventures this year, Iraq and Syria. Both trips were absolutely amazing. They were very well organised with outstanding guides who were full of knowledge. I recommend Rocky Road 100% to anyone with a sense of adventure.
I travelled to Syria with Rocky Road Travel in August 2023. I had an amazing time, made lovely new friends and visited a lot of fascinating places.During my time in Syria I absolutely fell in love with the culture, the warm-hearted people and the diversity of this country.Our accommodations were super stunning and the food was some of the best I ever had. A highlight was that we visited the Marmarita Carnival, which was really unique and very atmospheric.Our guides Bjørn and Bashar were super friendly, had a lot of knowledge and always made sure we had the best experience possible.They were also very flexible so that individual wishes could be fulfilled.The communication in advance was very pleasant and I always got a fast reply.I couldn’t imagine a better trip and I’m very very happy that I went with Rocky Road Travel. I’m sure I’ll be back on another trip with them. 🙂
Fascinating, insightful, varied and informative tour with great bunch of explorers. Syrian’s were warm and welcoming and are blessed with a vast historical legacy covering thousands of years.
Fantastic communication from the start. Highly recommended if you want to travel safely to the lesser known parts of the world.
Amazing experience with a top local guide. You’re able to see and experience different parts of Syria with its history, culture, food and day to day life in a beautiful country. I felt completely safe at all times and it was an unforgettable experience. Rock Road Travel was excellent.
Just fantastic! Every place I’d long dreamed of seeing, every experience included. A wonderful, friendly and hospitable country with expert guiding from the Rocky Road team. Delicious food throughout with the best shawarma ever to be had in Damascus. Highly recommended to anyone with an adventurous spirit
Great tour company, knowledgeable guides, fun tour leaders. Enjoyed my first tour ever, happy to choose this company (^_^)
I went on a 7 days tour with RockyRoad. I dont do tours usually, but this is the kind of tours that is for travellers who dont like tours. I had my most amazing time, definitely super underrated and eye-opening as you will experience lots of things that the media dont show. The tour also included a comfortable minibus, some nights in a 5 star hotel, and hammam. Our group got to experience helping out at an NGO, partying in a local winery, hitting some bars and had lots of delicious food! Our group was led by Lana and a local guide Bashar!As for the booking process, Shane was very quick to respond with our queries and visa was easily settled with them. Highly recommend hitting RockyRoadTravel up!
I went to Iraq with Rocky Road Travel in 2022, and again to Socotra in 2023. Both trips are amazing! I really enjoyed the history and culture in Iraq and the natural scenery in Socotra. Tbh, if Shane hadn’t told me about Socotra when we were in Iraq, I would miss such gem. The itinerary covers everything that I want to see and even offers more surprises. Highly recommended!
I travelled with Rocky Road both in Syria and Iraq, and it was two incredible experiences!Every question was answered prior to the tour, and once it starts, you’re in for an action-packed adventure!The small size of the groups allows everyone to be integrated, and every need is taken care of.Local guides, drivers and accommodations are of great quality, and the itinerary is well-thought out.I absolutely loved my experience with Rocky Road and hope to go on another tour soon…
I joined Rocky Road Travel (“RRT”) for the spring tour to Socotra 2023 and I am glad I did. Shane is super responsive from the outset and is able to answer all my questions based on his own experiences in Socotra. The advantage of using RRT over a local operator is the fact that they know what RRT type travellers are looking for and hence, they will work with a local team on the ground to meet those expectations. I have seen what local operators offer and it seems to cater to the more average tourist. The whole process prior to the trip and on the trip itself was seamless. The local team provided excellent support especially with the logistics and with the food to ensure a very comfortable experience. The food was excellent and very fresh. Iced water, canned drinks and copious amounts of tea were provided for throughout the 8 days. Socotra is exactly how you see it in photos, raw, untouched and beautiful. It’s people are exceptionally friendly especially the kids and the place feels very safe. I highly recommend a visit there with RRT. I look forward to future trips with them.
I've just returned from a trip to Syria with Rocky Road and honestly could not recommend this company more highly. Shane was great with communication when booking the trip and the tour itself was incredible.We stayed at hotels that had clearly been carefully selected in terms of location and authenticity, and every detail of the tour had been well thought out with comfort and security in mind. Syria itself is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, but our guide Rami was professional, thoughtful and able to bring a lot of fun to the experience.If you're looking for an authentic travel experience that's a bit off the beaten track, but still want to feel safe and in good hands, this is 100% the company to use. Our tour ended 3 days ago and I'm already hoping to book my next one!
A lifetime experience, totally worth it. I would like to highlight Shane’s willingness and openness to speak several times before my trip to Syria. Everything went as agreed and planned. I highly recommend Rocky Road Travel and their local team, including guide and drivers. Many thanks!
Shane organized a 7 days private tour to Syria on May. Its impressive how everything was so well organized. The guide that was chosen was great and explained a lot about the history. Definitely worth the visit and recommend going with Rocky Road.
Shane and Rocky Road were amazing to work with! We booked two tours through them - Syria and Kurdistan and everything was better than we could have asked for.Shane was very responsive, helpful and professional while the local tour guides were amazing. They were knowledgeable, entertaining, and helpful the whole way through.Would definitely recommend Rocky Road for any of the off the beaten path tours as they took a lot of the stress away from travelling here!
My husband and I just came back recently from a private tour in Socotra booked with Shane and it was 1 of the best trips we've undertaken! Being the outdoor enthusiasts that we are, Socotra was just amazing.Pre trip admin was a hassle free process and Shane was nothing but friendly, professional and prompt to respond to all our queries. The Socotra FAQ and packing list provided was also very helpful. We also appreciate that Rocky Rock strives to be eco-friendly and sustainable in it's practices.During the trip, we were very well taken care of by our wonderful crew. Our guide Adnan was especially knowledgeable, and he made our trip so much more enriching and insightful with his sharing about the island, people, culture, flora and fauna. His extensive network also meant that we had access to places that other tour groups didn't seem to have ie. chilling out with the locals at their hideouts, and spending a night at a local's home when wind was too strong to set up camp etc, while being warmly received by the hosts and sharing a community meal with them.The beauty of some of the wild pristine places on the island is just unparalleled, and made all the more special when we had the places to just ourselves most of the time! From stunning beaches with clear blue waters, to breathtaking vista of a valley filled with Dragon blood trees, and swimming in a pool in a canyon, seeing the resident pod of dolphins in action and snorkeling and seeing a wide variety of sea creatures just offshore, everyday in Socotra was an adventure.Will strongly recommend a trip to Socotra with Rocky Road for those up for a dose of sun, sand, sea and nature and with an adventurous spirit!
I had incredible tour in Iraq and Kurdistan with Rocky Road Travel.The guides were so autentical and genuise. Traveling with them opened so many doors to sites we otherwise wouldn’t have had access to.All tour people were so intresting. Now I have more friends.Shane made planning and booking the tour so easy.Already booked for my next trip.
I spent 6 days in Syria in May 2022.I have visited incredible places, met nice people and eaten incredible food. ?Shane and Ayoub have organized everything perfectly and my guide, Shamel, was the real added-value of the tour, always kind and giving interesting insights.I strongly recommend Rocky Road Travel!
Travelled to Socotra with Rocky Road travel and had an amazing trip! Had to change flights and Shane was so accommodating. I had lots of questions before the trip and he answered them with ease, and always replied promptly. Highly recommend them for your next adventure! Already looking up other trips to do with Rocky Road!
Great tour to Socotra! From Transit, food to tents everything was very well organized.Shane and the local guides were fun and professional.Over all very nice experience
Great once in a lifetime Socotra experience with Rocky Road Travel. Beautiful shore and sea excursion in the alien Socotra environment. The whole island is stunning and the organization is perfect, good food and fun with people from all over the world!Stefano
Went on a wonderful Iraq tour with Shane. Coordination & logistics are essential for travelling in this part of the world, Shane and his team definitely did a splendid job. The guides are resourceful, react to unexpected situations with ease, all with a smile & loads of energy. Highly recommended for your next adventure to wherever Shane & his team can bring you.
An epic Iraq tour not to be missed! Action packed, all inclusive, giving you the historical, cultural, religious and everyday life experience in Iraq. This trip created memories beyond my imagination! Well done Rocky Road Travel!
Just returned from one of the most wonderful adventures through Iraq with Rocky Road Travel. Shane and his team make sure to not only show you the historic sights but also fabulously interweave experiences with the locals. I’ve been around a lot but this easily made my top 3 and that has almost all to do with Rocky Road. Thanks, Shane!
Never being a person for tours but gave rockyroad for Syria a go, I was super worried about doing a tour in case I got stuck with a group I didn’t like or if the tour was bad in generalBut from day one of the tour everyone in the group became great mates and the flexibility of the tour from the guides was unbelievable. I had always heard the stories of “you can’t walk around Syria alone” but with Rockyroad if you want free time to go walk anywhere you want you have it and any time a person on the tour asked to see something that wasn’t in the tour the guides did their best to make it happenAbsolutely would recommend Rockyroad anyone wanting to do a off the beaten trail country!
I have been on the March Syria tour. The group was wonderful, the experiences intense and the tour guide very professional. Highly recommended, Hans
Travelled to Socotra with Rocky Road and practically everything about the tour exceeded my expectations. Fantastic organisation in a destination which is difficult to reach, but so rewarding. Highly recommended.
We've just returned from our trip to Socotra with Rocky Road Travel. Needless to say that travel during the covid restrictions has been rather 'testing' as we needed to time everything to actually get on our flights to the island. Shane was extremely prompt with responding to my huge number of queries especially since our flights were 'up in the air' due to cancellations and offered a variety of solutions for a variety of scenarios. He made everything feel smooth and easy despite things on the ground being just the opposite.Socotra is an amazingly beautiful place. Our itinerary was brilliant, we had fantastic guides, fabulous food and a unique experience! The entire Rocky Road Travel team enhanced the trip by making it all run super smoothly and we have had such fun being able to enjoy the experience with our lovely fellow travellers and now have memories for a lifetime!This was our first trip with Rocky Road Travel and we will definitely be travelling with them again soon!
Our family of four did the full Iraq tour in December 2021/January 2022. The trip was fantastic, and since it was low season - we had most of the historic sites to ourselves! Shane customized the tour for us (we booked it as a private tour) and the additions were perfect. The itinerary was extensive and we had very full days that took in many historic sites, important religious shrines, and a nice taste of Iraqi culture. The hotels were better than expected (most were 3-4 star establishments) and wifi was readily available at all of them. Our guides were very good, and the sites were awesome. Favourite places? Uruk, Babylon, Ur, Hatra, Mosul, Acre...too many to list. What a great opportunity to see Iraq in the early days of its tourism industry! If historic sites are your interest, you cannot select a better destination. Rocky Road Travel/Shane arranged everything and was highly responsive to all of my questions ahead of time. Highly recommended!
I'm so glad I chose Rocky Road to guide me through Iraqi Kurdistan! Shane's responses were spot-on; there were no stresses or concerns before the trip. Every part of the itinerary felt smooth and organised, from the airport pick-up to taking off. The best part?.. The local guide was a legend! I would not hesitate to recommend this trip, and any others that Rocky Road provide, to my friends, family and even strangers I haven't met yet. I hope to travel with them again! And as for Iraqi Kurdistan, what are you waiting for? It's beautiful out there!
I just returned from a 2-week trip throughout all of Iraq/Kurdistan (south and north, respectively) and I was so pleased with the entire nature of the tour, from guides to hotels to the variety of sights, ruins, shrines, restaurants, cafes, landscapes and museums we visited.I had heard great things about Rocky Road travel before, but had never used them for a trip of my own...but I am certainly intending to work with them again in planning future trips.Shane was always responsive and patient with my many questions and emails leading up to the trip, and answered them quickly with all the information I needed.An additional bonus was going from 3-star hotels to 4-star accommodations, a slight difference but one that can really impact your restful nights which are important (e.g. reliable power, consistent hot water in the showers, cleanliness, security). I would make sure to specify you would like the 4-star hotels if you're planning a trip to Iraq, it may not be a huge price increase and Shane will work with your budget to accommodate if possible.The guides in both Iraq and Kurdistan were terrific. Madhi and Balin were knowledgeable, patient, full of information and most importantly, well connected in making sure our journey ran smoothly and efficiently without incident (it helps to have well known guides when navigating the multiple checkpoints on the road, or having access to a museum which might be closed for a national holiday!).I am really pleased with the economy of the tour too--the overall quality and service (the experience altogether) seemed like a great 'bang for your buck' deal-and I have traveled extensively. Will definitely be going back to Rocky Road Travel and I appreciate their commitment to impactful travel too!
My Iraq trip was amazing, everything I hoped it would be and way more. It touched on the highlights, which for me where historical sites like Ur and Babylon. The Shanigar Cave was extraordinary. Kurdistan was a huge geographical surprise.As a solo female traveler I never felt unsafe, quite the opposite. I’ve never met kinder people. Iraqs were curious but respectful and genuinely happy to see a tourist. Security was everywhere with multiple checkpoints in both north and south Iraq but courteous and efficient.My guides were exceptional. The agenda was covered but they all added unexpected surprises, like a spontaneous picnic at the Euphrates.I would not have changed anything and can only encourage more people to visit.
Traveling with Rocky Road Travel was a blast doing their full Iraq tour! Shane is prompt and knowledgeable answering pre-trip questions and arranged amazing local guides. Traveling with them opened up so many doors to sites we otherwise wouldn’t have had access to. Already booked for my next trip!
I had an amazing week in Socotra with Rocky Road. Every day was a new adventure with a fun and diverse group of people. Highly recommend!!
I traveled to Iraq (southern Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan) with Rocky Road Travel in Oct/Nov 2021. I had an amazing time and really felt it was one of those special once in a lifetime experiences.The trip booking process was easy and straight forward, with Shane available by email or WhatsApp. Payment was simple and all the necessary visa information etc was provided promptly.The local guides were incredible, warm and welcoming, knowledgeable and informative, and alot of fun. You never forget how someone makes you feel and the Iraqi and Kurdish people are what really make this a special experience. Their warm welcoming hospitality will make you want to return for more.The trip itinerary was well planned and covered alot of ground. There is a large variety of sites to see and experience and never too much of any one thing. It's a great mix.The accommodation was better than expected with clean modern hotels for the most part. The food is worth visiting for alone. Absolutely delicious ( I'm still dreaming of the chicken liver sandwich in Sulaymaniyah ?). The many tea houses we visited were beautiful and unique and always came just when we needed to rest and refresh.Overall I highly recommend Rocky Road Travel and will travel with them again. As for Iraq, it a beautiful and special place that will capture your heart.
I had an incredible time in Socotra with Rocky Road Travel. The guides were fantastic, great people, great conversations, and the fresh seafood was delicious- definitely the best camping food I have had! Shane made planning and booking the trip so easy. Our itinerary for the week went above and beyond my expectations, we were able to do and see everything, and more, while still having time to enjoy it all. I look forward to checking out their other tours!
If you like Popcorn and old coins, Socotra is the place. Everybody is happy to help with whatever weird request you have. Best peas for dinner I‘ve ever had. Tour leader is a bit sloppy with his sunglasses though and doesn’t really grasp the concept of time.Would highly recommend it all.
Freewheeling grand tour of Southern Iraqi & Kurdistan. 27th Aug 8th September 2021.In a nutshell, if you want the best experience before it becomes more popular, a place in which you can still find, empty sights, together with amazing foods, ancient and modern history, remaining in tact. Iraqi has it covered. Its people make it special. You discover that only by going.Iraqi is a very relaxed and enjoyable must see location a discovery that is overlooked by the modern traveller, yet it was once a hot destination and you can see why after you arrive.Is Mesopotamia on your Radar. Do we come from a alien race? Have you a interest in a post conflict country, or ongoing one ? Does the name Saddam Hussain mean anything.Do you enjoy foods and not worried about the diet, be willing to try all that presents itself. How about a live visit to a wonderful Shia Mosques, followed by a motorised trip into the wildlife wet lands with the Mash Arabs. Eating bread & honey drinking tea as the sun rises.Had enough of the heat, how about heading North to the Mountains of the Kurd region. Here you find the ancient Yazidi religion together with Christianity still holding onto to its traditions.Mixing that up, you discovery cool lakes, with old and modern shopping experience. Dont overlook your local guide Balin who can complete the landscapes with his remarkable story matching it.Grand tour is possible just dont tell the others.
I travelled with Rocky Road to Iraq in June 2021. The tour was fabulously organised, enjoyable and safe. All accommodation was comfortable and the itinerary was top notch. I’ve tried several independent travel companies and this ranks amongst the best.
Awesome tour of Southern Iraq with Rocky Road Travel! Great communication regarding the new visa on arrival. The itinerary was well planned including historic sites with knowledgeable local guides. I hope to do another trip with them soon.
Great experience traveling throughout East Africa for 3 weeks. Shane was a great help in organizing this trip for me. Highly Recommend!
The best choice possible. Our trip to Somalia was great. Highly recommended!
Great service, everything worked out perfectly. I would definitely recommend for swift communication and helpful advice
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Behind the Scenes: How We Build Tours to Unique Places
In South Sudan we once had to cross a river to visit a tribe on the other side. There was no bridge, so we had
Iraq
New Iraqi e-Visa
Iraq’s new visa policy On 1 March 2025, Iraq revised its visa policy, moving from visa on arrival to a more streamlinedelectronic visa (e-Visa) system
