These are the hotels we stay but note they might be subject to availability.
Remember that some country itineraries might not include all the below cities.
The price of the tour includes accommodation in a twin room.
If you are a solo traveler, you will share the room with another like-minded traveler from the group. Please note: we always try to group people of same gender and age but this can’t be always the case.
If you want a single room, you’ll have to pay an additional fee.
Information about the risks and dangers of the trip:
The traveler is expressly informed that the activities included in the travel itinerary are adventurous and/or take place in conflict zones, which entail dangers and imply the risk of physical, and psychological injuries, and/or death for the traveler.
Due to the characteristics of the destination and/or activities, the specific risks and dangers of the trip are, by way of example but not limited to, those listed below:
Injuries due to the political situation in the region, such as terrorism, shootings, and stray bullets in the area of activity; armed conflicts, war, political instability, or social tensions; arbitrary detentions; transportation accidents; exposure to crimes such as robbery, assault, or extortion; injuries from engaging in high-risk activities, including rock climbing in mountainous areas, hiking, trekking, and cave or cavern exploration; isolation in areas without access to immediate assistance and lack of infrastructure; contraction of infectious diseases endemic to the region; contraction of diseases or infections from consuming contaminated water; food poisoning; injuries due to exposure to extreme weather conditions, including disorientation, hypothermia, dehydration, or heatstroke; injuries caused by terrain conditions, such as landslides, avalanches, unstable ground, or seismic activity; injuries and/or contraction of diseases and infections due to bites, attacks by wild animals, or stings, including mosquitoes; injuries and/or contraction of diseases and infections caused by the region’s endemic flora.
Regarding the potential dangers of the destination, travelers are advised to consult the travel recommendations for the destination country provided by their country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For example, in the case of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), these recommendations can be accessed on the following link: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iraq
FCDO advises against all travel to Iraq except to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), where they advise against all but essential travel to KRI.
Yes. If you want to join any of our expeditions, you must purchase travel insurance.
We recommend IATI Insurance.
Against the Compass has been a partner of IATI for a very long time. We personally know their CEO and marketing team, and we collaborate regularly, so in the unlikely event that something happens, we know exactly what to do.
Moreover, IATI Insurance covers all the countries where the FCDO advises against all travel, something that most insurance companies don’t.
You can also benefit from a 5% discount by purchasing it through the link below.
Get a quote here to claim your discount
Yes, you can, but if not IATI, you must show us proof that your travel insurance specifically covers this country.
Please note that ”WORLD” coverage policies are not accepted as proof.
Starting from March 2025, it is recommended to apply for an online visa before arriving at your destination. You can obtain it through this portal.
European Union, Albania, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Canada, China, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, New Zealand, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UK and USA.
It costs 75 USD.
No, if you want to visit Federal Iraq, you will need to obtain another visa for Federal Iraq. You can obtain it through this portal. In that case, we recommend that you start your trip in Federal Iraq and then continue to Kurdistan, as your visa from Federal Iraq will be valid for Kurdistan.
Our expeditions start at Erbil International Airport.
Erbil International Airport (EBL) has plenty of connections.
If you are coming from Europe, Istanbul is the most common stopover. Check Turkish Airlines or Pegasus, the latter being significantly cheaper.
You may also find direct connections with pretty much any city in the Middle East, including Dubai, Doha, Beirut, Amman or Riyadh. Check Fly Dubai, Emirates, MEA, Qatar Airways or Royal Air Jordanian.
Is also possible to arrive by land from Baghdad. You can get a private transport for about 100 – 1300 USD or a shared taxi for about 30 USD.
The day you arrive in Erbil, we will pick you up from the airport despite your arrival time, even if you arrive 1 or 2 days before the start of the trip.
With the e-visa, the process is easy and fast. You’ll have to show your printed e-visa and collect your stamp. After the border control, you can collect your luggage.
Then, you’ll need to take a bus that drops everyone off at the meet and greet area. Someone from our team will pick you up from there.
Important: Only locals with special permits can access the arrival terminal, so Against the Compass staff cannot personally pick you up at the airport.
Most hotels can be booked online so, if you need any additional nights before the start of the trip, you can book directly in Booking.com.
Our recommendation is Erbil View hotel.
Our tours finish with the respective airport transfer to Erbil International Airport on the last day of the tour.
USD and € can be exchanged pretty much everywhere, but Kurds will always prefer USD.
If you have dollars, it’s important to remember that the old 100 note (before 2009) is no longer accepted but only that note that has the blue line.
In our expeditions, everything is included but meals and extra drinks.
For that, we doubt you’ll need more than $30 per day.
On day 1 of the tour, we’ll take you to an exchange office.
If you run out of local currency in the middle of the tour, our local team could exchange it for you as well.
There is Wi-Fi in hotels. It’s not the best Wi-Fi in the world but most of the time, it works relatively fine.
Getting a SIM Card is easy, and prices range from 10 to $30, depending on the GB you purchase. We can help you getting one on day 1 of the tour.
Alternatively, you may also purchase an e-SIM through Airalo.
In Iraq sometimes they use Type C (European standard plug), sometimes Type G (British standard plug).
No. Drones are not allowed.
When it comes to the female dress code, Kurdistan is more tolerant than other parts of Iraq.
It’s fine for women to wear jeans and a fitted T-shirt, but always within modesty. Make sure to carry a headscarf with you for entering holy sites.
For all our trips to Iraq, we recommend the following:
In winter, from November to March
Warmer months, from April to October
We love taking you to remote and authentic places. However, trying unfamiliar local food can sometimes lead to stomach discomfort or diarrhea.
If you’re prone to digestive issues, or simply want to be cautious, we recommend bringing the medications you normally use to treat these symptoms, such as omeprazole, probiotics, loperamide (Imodium or Fortasec), etc.
We travel in small groups, a maximum of 12-13 people
The minimum number of participants required for the package trip to operate is eight (8) people.
If the number of participants registered for the trip is below this minimum, the Organizer reserves the right to cancel the trip. In such a case, the Organizer will refund the traveler the full amount of all payments made, but will not be liable for any additional compensation, including (but not limited to) expenses related to flights, visa fees, travel insurance, vaccinations, or any other costs incurred by the traveler in connection with the trip.
The Organizer will notify the traveler of such cancellation no later than forty-five (45) days before the scheduled start of the trip.
If the minimum number of eight (8) participants is not reached but at least four (4) participants have registered, the Organizer may, at its discretion, decide to operate the trip. In such circumstances, the group will travel without the Against the Compass representative (tour leader) and will be accompanied and assisted exclusively by the local team appointed by the Organizer.
The initial deposit is non-refundable. However, if the customer cancels the trip up to forty-five (45) days before the start date, the full amount paid may be applied as a credit toward any future expedition to any destination.
The remaining balance may be paid either in advance or in cash on day 1 of the tour. In either case, the remaining balance is fully refundable.
Have a look at our Country Guide for Iraq.