Back due to popular demand, I’m organising another Iraq (Baghdad and Babylon trip. This time in October 2023. It’s short, and sweet. I have great contacts in Iraq, and I can manage everyone’s visa in advance (yes including Americans!) without having to send your passport off or visit an embassy. Pretty cool huh? 

So if you have a dream to visit every country in the world, or you just want to see a place that most tourists never venture, then join me. And besides, who doesn’t want to sit in Saddam Hussein’s bathtub for a quick photo huh?

Good question. For me personally, originally it was two things, one was to see the real side of a place that I’ve heard about in the news since I was a kid. I’m fed up hearing about Baghdad and not truly understand what’s happening. So I want to check it out for myself. Secondly, I had visited Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan as part of my ‘every country in the world’ thing’, and I knew that wasn’t the ‘real’ Iraq. So I wanted to put that right.

Of course, Iraq is a beautiful country too. Misunderstood for sure, but full of so much history, culture and warmth. The Iraqi people are so grateful to see tourists, to share their food, their traditions. It’s truly a magical experience. And to know you’re one of just a handful of tourists each year makes it all the more special.

Safer than you think. That’s for sure. There is no need to travel with a security detail, Baghdad and Babylon are in the ‘safe’ areas of Iraq under full control of the new Iraqi government.

It’s much, much safer than my trip to Mogadishu, Somalia, or that stupid time I took my mum to Afghanistan! Our guides are local, trustworthy professionals who work with all the large multinationals when they send people to Baghdad. You’re in safe hands.

Also, the last time I took my mum! So that should vouch for how safe I think it is!

In theory, yes. However, if you're from a country other than the 38 countries listed below, then you'll have to get separate permits AND visit an Iraqi embassy. Possible, but expensive (and time consuming!). Message me if you'd like to discuss. 

Also, with arrivals, visas and airport transfers in Baghdad being a sensitive issue, we need people to arrive in Baghdad on one of these flights (they're generally the flights you'd be coming in on anyway!) 

Boarding the plane on October 14th:

• Via Beirut: ME322 12.30-15.00 (THIS IS THE FLIGHT I'M ON)
• Via Istanbul: TK7692 @ 23.55 or TK302 @ 21.55 (the second one will require a wait in Baghdad airport, no probs there though)
• Via Doha (boarding the flights on October 15th): QR458, 01.15 to 03.15

*Note, if you fly via Istanbul or Doha you'll miss the  briefing, dinner, and city walk on Day 1. Not the end of the world, but please be aware. 

And then depart on one of these flights on October 17:

• To Beirut: ME323, 15.00 TO 16.35 
• To Istanbul:TK7693 @ 04.30 or TK803 @ 05.50
• To Doha: QR459 @ 04.15
• If you'd like to spend the full day in Baghdad on the 17th, and fly out to either Doha or Istanbul on the 18th morning, that's ok too. There'll just be the cost of an extra night at the hotel. 

If you really need to fly on a different airline, or at a different time, please message me. We can possibly facilitate it at an additional cost. 

Applicable Countries:

1. Bahrain 
2. Kuwait 
3. Lebanon 
4. Oman 
5. Qatar 
6. Saudi Arabia 
7. United Arab Emirates Citizens
8. European Union European Union citizens 
9. United States 
10. United Kingdom 
11. Russia 
12. China 
13. Japan 
14. South Korea 
15. New Zealand 
16. Canada 
17. Australia 
18. Switzerland 
19. Kuwait