Buying snow Nasiriyah

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Buying snow Nasiriyah

February 18th to 28th, This country is truly an adventure, and this guide contains absolutely everything you need to know to travel to Federal Iraq , including visa procedures, how to move around, where to stay, going through checkpoints, budget, money, security tips, and much more. For that, read our Kurdistan travel guide ,. After decades literally of being pretty isolated from the outside world, Iraq finally decided to open its borders to international travelers, making a dream for many come true. This is the cradle of modern civilization and the heart of Ancient Mesopotamia, home to Babylon, the City of Ur and Nineveh, once the center of the world, and today epic archaeological sites awaiting to be discovered by intrepid adventurers. The country, however, is much more than just archaeological sites; Iraq is made of its people, kind-hearted Iraqis who will accompany you in your journey, offering you unprecedented doses of Arab hospitality and generosity. Jaw-dropping shrines, the lively streets of Baghdad, and a surprisingly elaborate local cuisine: there are many reasons to travel to Iraq. For your information, you can travel to Iraq since March , when they finally introduced a very long-awaited Visa on Arrival VOA regime. Warning: The Turkey-Iraq border is also open but that border takes you into the region of Kurdistan. If you are not one of the lucky countries, you can still travel to Iraq, but you will need approval from the respective Ministry, something which you must arrange through an authorized Iraq tour company. Once you are in possession of an Iraqi tourist visa, you can travel freely all over the country, from Baghdad to Erbil , including by land. Therefore, given that the visa for Federal Iraq is only available if flying in, you will have to fly from Erbil to Baghdad. Traveling with a group and an expert local guide will make things much easier, and more fun! Against the Compass has several Iraq expeditions scheduled all year long, and the next one is on:. Also, click here to learn more about our Iraq Tours. No problem, just shoot us an email at hello againstthecompass. And we will try to find other travel buddies you may travel with. Otherwise, know that we can also organize private, tailored trips. If you follow my blog, you will see that I always recommend Bradt guides for all destinations, so Iraq will be no different. They have the most insightful guidebook to Iraq. In this book, he gives an extremely perceptive introduction to the origins of ISIS, with many references to Iraq, of course. A really useful book to understand the complexity and origin of the conflict. My friends and fellow travelers Sian and Bob just published this pictorial guide to Iraq which also contains fresh and actionable advice to the country. This has been recently proved by the visit of Pope Francis in March , thanks to whom — no kidding — Iraq finally opened its borders for tourism. I traveled around Iraq independently, moving around by public transportation and I was particularly surprised by how calm and peaceful everything seemed to be, especially Mosul and around, an area occupied by ISIS just a few years ago. Except for the endless checkpoints, everything else seemed pretty normal when traveling in Iraq, with the particularity that Iraqis, in general, were always extremely kind, helpful, and generous, like nowhere else you might have been to. Nevertheless, remember that religious sectarianism still exists across the country and that occasional bombings may happen from time to time, in Baghdad in July Always stay up-to-date with the latest security updates but, instead of reading biased newspapers or the Iraq travel advice FCDO , do contact the local people. What about the Kurdistan region? Kurdistan is a different story. The region has always been safe, which is why it has been open to international tourism for quite a while now. For a better understanding, read: Is Kurdistan safe? Wanna travel to Iraq with Against the Compass? For most people, Iraq is perceived as a challenging country to travel to, a destination only aimed at experienced backpackers, the reason why most travelers tend to visit Iraq with a local guide or on an organized tour group. You would be surprised to know that independent travel in Iraq is completely doable, in fact much easier than in countries like Pakistan or Afghanistan. More on checkpoints later. Nevertheless, some previous experience traveling alone in Arab countries like Palestine or Lebanon is highly recommended. Remember to read my Iraq itinerary. With its bustling bazaars and lively districts, Baghdad is a thrilling city with so much going on, the destination within Iraq where you need to spend at least one day. The Arab Marshes are a wetland ecosystem in south Iraq, a huge aquatic landscape in the middle of the desert, home to a distinct cultural group named the Marsh Arabs. Going through the Marshes on a traditional boat, visiting the different islands and the local people is a great experience. The city of Karbala, along with Najaf and Samarra, are the holiest cities for Shia Muslims, cities that every year receive millions and millions of pilgrims from all over the world , especially from Iran. Iraq was the heart of Ancient Mesopotamia, the people who developed the first cities, writing and agriculture, between 10, and 3, BC. Before traveling to Iraq, I expected Iraqis to be very generous, similar to their Arab neighbors, but what surprised me the most is that they could be perfectly equal to Pakistanis , Afghans or Iranians — you know, the most hospitable countries in the world — unprecedented hospitality in the Middle East. Local Iraqis will always be super happy to hang out with you, to show you around, something truly appreciated in a country where chances to meet other travelers are scarce. They can, however, be over-protective sometimes, and will always want to pay for all your meals and buy you souvenirs. Arabic is the common language throughout Iraq, understood by pretty much everybody, except for a large portion of Kurds. English is relatively commonly spoken among highly educated people but not the rest of Iraqis, especially at checkpoints, so learning some Arabic words can prove very useful. Before traveling to Iraq proper, I had spent two weeks in Kurdistan running two expeditions, eating nearly the same thing every single day. In the north, I found the food to be more sophisticated, more varied, probably because of their proximity to Syria and also because the land is more fertile. The classic Syrian foul for example, which is like hummus but made of beans, could be found everywhere in Mosul. In the south, I ate mandi on a few occasions, consisting of rice with meat on top, and the national dish in Yemen , but also in neighboring Saudi Arabia. Alcohol in Iraq You would be surprised that liquor shops in Iraq abound, especially in Baghdad and Mosul, where you find the largest Christian populations. Drinking in the street is technically not allowed in Federal Iraq, but you can do it in your hotel and in Baghdad there are many Western-style bars. Kurdistan on the other hand, is way more permissive than Federal Iraq, with far more liquor shops. Kubba — Consisting of a couscous paste filled with meat. It comes in plenty of different sizes and shapes, depending on the region in Iraq. Masgouf — An old Mesopotamian dish consisting of a huge fish from either the Tigris or Euphrates, which they grill for hours sometimes. Kahi with Geymar — The national breakfast, consisting of a sweet pastry with honey or syrup, covered with a creamy, thick white cream made from buffalo milk. Gus — Similar to shawarma but eaten with broth and floating pieces of bread. Typical from Mosul. Read: Places to visit in Syria. The south is warmer but it can also get chilly at night so, if you are traveling in Iraq during winter time, do bring some warm clothes. What about Kurdistan? Kurdistan is a mountainous region, with extremely cold winters and extremely hot summers. In December-January, most of the region is covered by snow but in spring, the whole region is covered in lush green and colorful meadows, making it a visually appealing season to travel to. Autumn is a great season too, with pleasant temperatures and beautiful fall colors. Remember to check my Kurdistan itinerary. Erbil , the capital of Kurdistan, has an international airport too, with similar connections to Baghdad. Getting from Baghdad International Airport to the city center At the arrival terminal, there are branded official taxis that can take you to the city for 40,IQD. To make it cheaper, you can take the bus 9,IQD that takes you out of the airport security zone. From there, you can take a taxi for 12,,IQD. Now that you can finally get a visa for Iraq at most landborders, things have improved a lot when it comes to overlanding into Iraq. There are direct buses from the city of Diyarbakir to Zakho, the first Kurdish town, and a visa is available on arrival. However, remember that Turkey only connects with the Kurdistan region and that a Kurdistan visa is not valid for traveling in Iraq proper. I once crossed from Iran into Kurdistan at Bashmak-Penjwen. Read my Saudi travel guide. The border is closed. Read my Syria travel guide. You can buy a SIM Card in a phone shop but not all of them can sell one, you will have to enter and ask. I recommend Zain. Typically, they have 1-week or 1-month plans, the 1-week plan starting at 10,IQD, more or less, for GB. Do buy a SIM Card to stay connected. Moreover, you will be able to access content that is typically censored in Iraq. Kurdistan lies somewhere in between and the rest of Iraq is pretty affordable. These are the cost of the most typical things:. Typically, most towns and cities are connected with either local shared taxis or minibuses. I only took shared taxis and I recommend you do the same. Iraq Travel tip — garage is the word used for referring to a bus or taxi station. If you wish to go to Nasiriya, just ask for the Nasiriya garage and Iraqis will point you in the right direction,. Does that count as hitchhiking? As mentioned, military checkpoints are the one challenge travelers need to face when backpacking in Iraq. Nasiriya is a big city in southern Iraq and an unavoidable destination for anyone heading to Basra or the Marshes. Its main peculiarity is that this is home to al-Hoot prison , an American-made high-security prison, today filled with ISIS fighters, and the reason why the Nasiriya checkpoint is a tricky one. Basically, in order to enter Nasiriya, you are supposed to have a local to sponsor your visit. I gave his phone number to the authorities and after 45 minutes, they let me go. During those 45 minutes, all we did was have friendly chats, mainly about Spanish football. In , the city of Samarra was affected by a suicide bombing targeting Al-Askari mosque , one of the holiest shrines in the world for Shia Muslims. Since then, the armed group and Shia militia Sarayat al Salam has taken control of Samarra, establishing checkpoints all over the city, closing all hotels, and making Samarra the worst city to live today in Iraq, according to local Iraqis. Sarayat al Salam is a paranoid group which is suspicious of everyone, especially foreigners. If you come to Samarra by yourself, without a local Iraqi, chances are that you can be waiting at the checkpoint all day before they let you through. I visited Samarra with two local Iraqis actually from Samarra and even with them, we had to wait minutes at each checkpoint before they let us through. In Baghdad, they can be expensive for what you get but, in the rest of the country, they are pretty affordable. In cities like Baghdad, Mosul, or Nasiriya, you will see all sorts of women dressing in all different ways, some of them apparently quite liberal. However, do always dress modestly in order to avoid unwanted attention, and bring a headscarf with you, since you may need it depending on the area you are visiting. On the other hand, in Karbala and Najaf — two very holy cities — a full abaya covering your whole body is mandatory. For more information, read this Iraq travel guide for females. You will also like our Libya travel guide. You will also be interested in: Where in the Middle East is safe? I hope you enjoyed this article, which I believe is the best travel guide to Iraq available on the internet. Any questions or concerns, kindly let me know in the comments section. Hi Joan! Hey man! No, no chance. Your posts are always riveting. Truly inspiring and eye-opening article. I have become motivated to venture into Iraq and see it from a completely different lens. How many group tours are you planning on running in Iraq this year and for the future? Can you recommend other group tours if yours runs out of space? Hi Joan Another excellent, and useful, guide. It is good to know that other parts of Iraq are now safe to visit. Having been to Kurdistan using information supplied by yourself, it is great to have this new one. These guides are invaluable; thank you so much! How would you recommend visiting the Mesopotamian Marshes? Is it possible to arrange a tour of the marshes from within Federal Iraq? I just showed up in the city of Chibayish, went to the spot where boats departed from and asked for a boat tour. Otherwise, you can also contact an Iraqi travel agency, but that will come with an extra cost. Did you also arrange the homestay on the spot or was that through the Iraqi travelers Cafe. Also is there direct transport between Chibayish and Baghdad? I arranged it on the spot itself No official direct transportation between Chibayish and Baghdad as far as I know but you must change in Nasiriya. I am thinking they would be worth a trip — but fear that they would both be private taxi trips… unless I get my thumb-out and hitch the road! Cheers Andy. But here it says that there is no way to cross the border from Jordan to Iraq by land. Does someone have a recent experience here? Your blog posts are great thank you! I was wondering if there is any other way to get a VOA or visa for federal Iraq crossing by land from Iran. Does anyone have any insight into this? What I do need is a good guide who can explain, no 5-star accommodation, just clean and as much integration as possible. But unfortunately no trekking or hitchhiking, too old! Muchas gracias de antemano. Hi Suzanne, any guiding-related stuff, kindly write me at joan againstthecompass. Hi Joan, I have — as you have requested — sent you an email at the address above last week. Have you received it yet? We are considering the option of crossing Iraq on our way home UAE. The tricky part is that we are traveling with a 4 y. Any insights on foreign travelers with kids in Iraq? Gracias por adelantado. Hi Joan, Thanks so much for a fantastic post. We are travelling in our campervan covert transit van. We are currently in Turkey, we are waiting on visas for Iran, apparently for Irish people it is now mandatory to have a guide in Iran? We expect the visas for take another three weeks and are thinking of heading to Iraq for the three weeks, do you know what the situation is like for travelling in a campervan? Also would we need to come back to turkey to drive into Iran or is it possible from Iraq? Is the carnet de passage necessary for Iraq? Thanks a million. Hi Meabh, are you planning to visit southern Iraq or just Kurdistan part? Kurdistan definitely not a problem, many people drive there. No problem overlanding in and out of Iraq, especially in Kurdistan part. Hi Joan, Really happy to read your story about iraq. I plan to visit iraq also as solo female. Are there any other contacts you know of that can help me get a local contact to help me get through the checkpoints? As I understand this might completely block my visit visa issuance by the USA state. Any insights on this? My family 2 adults, 2 young kids and I are spending the summer in Jordan and are thinking of visiting Iraq for a short trip, maybe a week or less. Do you think this is enough time to visit these places? Are there other places in Iraq you would recommend for a short visit? Is this info valid for April ? I plan to go first to Kurdistan and then by land to Iraq so your answer is extremely important for me. Hi Joan, many thanks for so fast reply. I assumed that the border is more or less official with Iraqi authorities able to issue a visa. So in practice I can enter proper Iraq through Kurdistan, even without visa, but at the first checkpoint I will be stopped and then the consequences can be severe for me… Am I right? Yes, clear. As I see I will have to start from Baghdad. The only problem is the price of the tickets which are expensive… Sunny day! Hi John! There are several bars on Sadoun street, around Baghdad Hotel. Hi Joan, as a British Iraqi, I am very happy to see such a great blog albeit with a few errors! Many of them lost their lives with little recognition from the so-called government. Anyone spreading hate for them, do so for political reasons as they tend to be supporters of Iranian groups who believe Iraq belongs to the land of Persia. Hi Sara! Hi Joan, Has the visa situation improved since Iraq opened for tourism 2 years ago? Can you get a visa at the Jordanian land-border? Is there still a requirement to book hotels prior to your visit and show the receipt at the border? For how long are you allowed into the country? Thanks in advance, Yuval. Thanks for the amazing blog — this is so useful. Firstly how much planning before do you recommend? Secondly, as a solo traveller but no backpacker dorms in Iraq — will it be difficult to make friends? Hi Joan We have a security question. However, after what happened in Gaza, we hesitate. As a student, I spent the revolution in Iran, we were caught up in the riots in Pakistan, we have been travelling around the world in very different conditions. Roughly, we have been travelling for over 40 years. What are we afraid of? That some hidden ISIS cells will be reborn, etc. What is your opinion? And thanks for the suggestion about the hotel in Baghdad. Can you suggest accommodation in Kufa and Basra? Greetings from Krakow Poland Elizabeth. Hello Elisabeth, we did cancel ours tours to Syria since you enter via Lebanon but our Iraq tours still go on, and we have a group there as we speak, all is normal there! Do you know how to get invitation letter for all Iraq? I from Serbia and I need tourist visa before travel. I would like to travel without tourist guide. I will always ask on site whether my planned route is considered safe and adjust it if necessary. Do you think this is sufficiently safe or would you advise against driving alone in these areas? Hi Joan, Thank you this page has been massively helpful in my research. Beginning in Baghdad through Basrah and finally ending Kuwait to fly home. In terms of security given the current situation in Gaza and West Bank, would it be too dangerous for one to attemps a solo trip through Iraq? Hey Finnian! We are currently running many group expeditions into Iraq. Actually, we have one group there as we speak, life there is going on as usual! Have a safe trip to Iraq! We were independent travellers. Any additional they charge, they are trying to scam you. Hi Joan Currently in bagdad coming from kuweit. Could you tell me where I can get the shared taxi to Amman in bagdad. Thanks Ludo. How can I go through Iraq by car if I arrive from Turkey? Do I then need to first fly from ex. It seems like a very very complicated thing. You can either do as you say or also fly from Erbil to Bagdad. You may also get it at the embassy, but not entirely sure how the process works. Your email address will not be published. Notify me when new comments are added. From Syria to Iraq in Pakistan, Against the Compass is finally running expeditions to the most epic and off-the-beaten-track countries. In this Iraq travel guide, you will find:. Introduction: why visit Iraq? Which countries can get a visa on arrival VOA for Iraq? Bonus: What happens with the rest of the nationalities? How to get an LOI for traveling to Iraq. How long is the Iraq VOA valid for? How much does the Iraq VOA cost? How to get your VOA at the airport: procedures. Is the Iraq travel visa valid for the Kurdistan region? Private and bespoke tours for Iraq. Traveling in Iraq independently — aka backpacking in Iraq. Traveling in Iraq with a local guide or on a group tour. Touring the Mesopotamian Marshes on a boat. Witness one of the largest pilgrimages in the world. Getting to know local Iraqis. Best season to travel to Federal Iraq. Worst season to travel to Federal Iraq. How to travel to Iraq by air. How to travel to Iraq by land. Traveling from Turkey to Iraq. Traveling from Iran to Iraq. Traveling from Jordan to Iraq. Traveling from Kuwait to Iraq. Traveling from Saudi Arabia to Iraq. Traveling from Syria to Iraq. Connecting to Wi-Fi in Iraq. Get a VPN for traveling in Iraq. Get a vpn. How much does it cost to travel in Iraq independently? Taxis to move around Baghdad. What to wear as a solo female traveler in Iraq. All guides and articles for traveling in Iraq destination. Travel guides to other countries in the Middle East. Hey Paul! I will run more next fall, around November, definitely! Many thanks Mike Robinson. Can you cross into Iraq from Kuwait and vice versa? Can you email me and let me know how to reserve my spot if there is still one left? Thank you!!! Hi Ana, Thanks for reaching out. Cheers, Julia. Hi Joan Your blog posts are great thank you! Thanks Adrienne. Thank you. Thank you in advance. Hi Joan, My family 2 adults, 2 young kids and I are spending the summer in Jordan and are thinking of visiting Iraq for a short trip, maybe a week or less. Hello Joan! Wonderful web site. How did you book this? Maybe they stopped appearing on booking. Do we need permits? Hey John! Thanks Joan. Any tips for a good place for a cold Farida in Baghdad? Hi Matthias, I think anywhere in Iraq is nowadays safe. I had a few questions: I am a British citizen, do you know if the VOA is still applicable to British citizens, as I have heard mixed things. Will I need a letter of invitation? Would it be wise to contact the Iraqi embassy? Yes, it totally possible, they are really easing things for foreigners! We travelled to Iraq — Feferal and Kurdistan November Travelled with a British Passport. Leave a Comment Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Join our Expeditions. We have scheduled expeditions for every month of the year. Latest posts.

A guide to traveling in Iraq in 2024

Buying snow Nasiriyah

February 18th to 28th, As an American millennial woman, my visions of Federal Iraq were filled with destruction and barren wasteland deserts. The violent scenes that filled the TV screens for much of my childhood. So I went. That does not mean Federal Iraq is a good destination for everyone. Iraq is still raw. A country without a solid backbone of tourist infrastructure to lean on. This guide is based on my first-hand experiences visiting Federal Iraq. This guide can also help foreign men understand how to better interact with local women. I loved Iraq. The mosques, ancient history, and adventure are unmatched. But rose-colored glasses help no one. All advice below is simply my honest opinion of solo female travel in Federal Iraq. Unless you are joining a fully-guided tour, you need extensive independent travel experience. Specifically, in the Middle East. This is not a beginner-level destination. English is not widely spoken and some regions are not safe for travelers of any kind. Women do not typically travel alone here. I cannot in good faith, recommend that all solo females are ready to visit Iraq. Having been to Turkey, Jordan , and Egypt previously, I felt confident in my knowledge of devoutly religious customs, but still, I struggled. The rules and norms for women are not as simple as throwing on a headscarf like elsewhere in the region. To travel semi-comfortably in Federal Iraq as a solo woman, I would recommend these prerequisites…. This list is by no means meant to scare you away from booking a trip to Iraq. If any of these situations are deal breakers for you, Iraq is probably not a destination that you will enjoy alone. This is a guest post written by Geena Truman, A full-time traveler, blogger, and freelance writer with a passion for adventure travel. She loves visiting misunderstood destinations and uncovering hidden gems in well-traveled places. You can follow her journey on Instagram. At no point did I feel like I was at risk of bodily harm. Pickpocketing and outright mugging are virtually non-existent in this part of the world. I did feel like a spotlight was on me at all times. And if I had diverged from the proper-clothing choices or customs, I feel like it could have provoked a potentially dangerous response. I think in most instances, countries become dangerous for women when we do not follow the cultural norms. ISIS, may or may not, still exist in the far-reaching corners of the desert. Surrounded by tourist attractions and bustling local life. Local women stay home. Tourist women, can mingle in the tea shops and push through crowded street markets. For now, when we are a new and exciting spectacle, we get treated with more kindness and acceptance than local women do. Read: Syria travel guide. I found that in major cities like Baghdad and Mosul , I was warmly welcomed. Locals seemed to be more accustomed to tourists and therefore, more willing to strike up a conversation and treat you a little less like a pariah. Draped in a headscarf and wearing lots of long-sleeved billowing dresses, despite the suffocating heat, you will almost always be the only woman on the street. You might find yourself eating in a separate section of the restaurant from the men. You may not be permitted to enter certain mosques. Overall, I found this to be an exaggeration. Iraqis are still re-adjusting to this period of safety and stability inside their borders. Whether we like it or not, traveling as a woman in the Arab world comes with a completely different set of rules. Dictating everything from dress code to your intersex greetings. Solo female travelers are a fiercely independent bunch. Iraq is in a constant state of fluctuation. Then, suddenly, rules changed, and we could visit freely. Iraq changes every day. Stay up to date on where you are allowed to go and when. I stayed through both and found the added difficulty of finding food when the entire world around you was fasting a frustrating daily hurdle. Also, Eid celebrations can get out of control. The small town I was in on the final day of Eid erupted in celebratory machine-gun fire that lasted all evening. Eid is also oddly enough, the time when female travelers experience the most sexual harassment on the streets. This applies to all travelers. Federal Iraq is filled with military and police checkpoints. You should be wary of giving out your social media or WhatsApp info to everyone you meet. I still get middle-of-the-night phone calls from persistent Iraqi men with promiscuous intentions. Couchsurfing is extremely popular in this region of the world. People around you will come to your aid. Confrontation among men is common enough to see in Iraq and is typically how social problems are handled. The man will probably be surprised to be told off by a woman but also far less likely to do it again in the future. Saying you have a husband back at the hotel or at home also helps keep you safe. Women in Iraq have kids early. Even when you have GPS. Breaking the habit of hugs and handshakes is difficult for some visitors. But in Iraq, a simple nod of acknowledgment and smile is the typical greeting between men and women. I think the safest bet is to always let the locals go first. If they offer a hand, feel free to shake it. Brush up on local customs before you go. Dress code is, unfortunately, a huge part of traveling in Iraq as a woman. Make sure you come prepared with or prepared to buy these items. The abaya is the typical garb for Iraqi women, and you should use it in the most conservative destinations. Karbala and Najaf are holy cities. In all other circumstances, a simply wrapped headscarf is more than enough. Flowy long pants are acceptable. Dresses with shoulders covered and long skirts are better. I would stay far away from jeans or leggings. Depending on the time of year, Iraq is hot. Really hot, not to mention dusty. But you still need to dress modestly. You are going to visit loads of holy sites while in Iraq. Obviously, you need to have your hair covered. A headscarf is the absolute bare minimum. You should also wear long skirts and long sleeves, preferably with socks, but that is excusable at most mosques. It should be a private moment for worshippers uninterrupted by tourists. Mosques and shrines inside the holy cities have even stricter rules. Men and women are required to go through separate entrances where they will be inspected before admittance. Women must wear a full abaya carefully tucked so not a stray strand of hair shows. You must also wear socks. No nail polish, not a swipe of make-up including chapstick , no camera, no phone banks, and no make-up in your purse. Considering you can get anywhere in Iraq in about hours maximum, all are relatively affordable. The minibusses are the most budget-friendly. Expect them about every hour down the highway, sometimes more. Although guns can be rather intimidating, just know that the presence of this security makes Iraq safer. Wanna travel to Iraq with Against the Compass? The absolute easiest and best places to visit in the country solo are Baghdad, Babylon, and Mosul. In Babylon, when I reached the security checkpoint at the entrance, the police called the on-site minister of cultural tourism who then proceeded to give me a completely free private tour of the grounds. I got the impression this kind of reception is commonplace for solo female visitors. At least for now, while tourism is low. The most difficult places to visit alone are Karbala and Najaf because they have the most sacred religious sites and therefore, the most rules for women. They also have the most devout inhabitants. The moment my abaya slipped, revealing even a sliver of hair, I was promptly reminded to cover up. Nasiriyah is also difficult to travel solo because Southern Iraq seems to be much less hospitable to foreign visitors. Read: A Guide to traveling in Iraq. Me, for example. Come say hi at Beyond the Bucketlist. This Facebook group is the best resource for real-time information about travel in Iraq. But I can say that I think even an under-prepared traveler will leave the country no worse for wear. The people are kind and courteous. Not dangerous. Most days locals went out of their way to help me feel welcome. Iraq changed me. I left the country with a renewed thirst for adventure and a better understanding of the Arab world. Dear Joan, this is definitely not a guide for solo female travelers. She is writing so much BS that I cannot even believe that this is published on your website. This article literally hurts. No solo female traveler in Iraq would ever write so much BS. You should ask Agnes from Voice of Guides to write about solo female travel in Iraq. She is from Hungary, she is extremely educated and intelligent, traveled Iraq solo and she has times better English. If you feel there is something that I specifically got incorrect about Iraq culture I would love to correct it! I do know that Turkey is not an Arab nation not all of Iraq considers themselves Arabs either , but it is a nation where you typically follow Islamic customs. I thought this was an excellent article and it sums up a lot of my own travel in the Middle East; keep covered, be very respectful and the locals will come chat. I would also advise that you wear full length leggings underneath long skirts and dresses. Your email address will not be published. Notify me when new comments are added. From Syria to Iraq in Pakistan, Against the Compass is finally running expeditions to the most epic and off-the-beaten-track countries. In this solo female travel guide to Iraq you will find:. Table of Contents Is previous travel experience required? Is it Safe For Women? Is previous travel experience required? Here foreign women are allowed much of the same leisure as men. Research the current places you are allowed to visit in the country. Never leave your hotel without your passport. Trust your instincts always. But do take advantage of the famous Iraqi hospitality. Download these essential apps to keep you safe. Getting Around Iraq as a Woman. Is public transport safe for women in Iraq? Resources for Solo Female Travelers in Iraq. Join an Against the Compass Expedition. More information for solo female travel in Iraq. More solo female travel guides. Leave a Comment Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Join our Expeditions. We have scheduled expeditions for every month of the year. Latest posts.

Buying snow Nasiriyah