Explore Mesopotamia Terms and Conditions

A note to all passengers regarding health precautions: We work closely with the airport and healthcare officials, as well as high-level officials in the government's security apparatus, to obtain the latest information and best procedures to make your journey safe and as easy as possible.

Health-Related Protocols In Effect as of September 2024

On the first day of your adventure, your Guide will meet with the group for an orientation. They will provide details regarding the trip's daily operations, including health and safety protocols for all participants. 

*​  ​Alcohol-based hand sanitizer will be available on transfer vehicles and at meals.
*​  ​Our guides will wash their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after handling any guest items, including luggage, food preparation or distribution, and picnic makings.
*​  ​We do not provide shared snacks (e.g., trail mix, nuts, shared chocolate bars).
*​ ​ We avoid passing objects of interest around during talks and instead hold items up to be viewed. 
*​  ​We will avoid unnecessary physical contact.
*​  We will clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in common areas (e.g., vehicle seats, door handles, steering wheel, etc.) 
*​  ​ We will respect and follow the sanitation protocols established by local government agencies.

Cleanliness is paramount. Our staff works with hotel staff to ensure rooms are safe and clean before arrival and during our guests' stay. However, we are not in control of hotel procedures but have chosen hotels that are committed to working with us to make the guest experience the best it can be. If the guest discovers issues with the hotel, whether from a cleanliness perspective or with any of the hotel staff, we request the guest bring the matter immediately to the attention of the Guide, and we will do our utmost to correct the situation. 



IMPORTANT: ​Let your Guide know immediately if you are feeling ill. Screening for COVID symptoms can be administered to all participants, including guides and guests, and, if necessary, appropriate measures will be taken to distance the affected from other guests. If the guest is too ill to continue the journey, we will assign a staff member or other appropriate personnel to assist the guest as long as necessary.

Guests should have sufficient medical insurance coverage to cover any hospitalizations or other medical necessities that may arise. 

Visas regulations for Kurdistan (current status as of 2024)

Citizens of the USA, EU nations, and many other countries can obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport. The cost of the visa is approximately $75-80 USD and is obtained prior to passport control at the Visa Window (the cost fluctuates with currency exchange rates). 

For Kurdistan, many guests can obtain a visa online at www.krdevisa.gov. The site will also provide information on those countries requiring a visa prior to arrival. 

Some nationalities require a visa prior to arrival. If in doubt, CONTACT US. We will check the status of your nationality and advise you accordingly. Some nationalities are on a 'no issue' list, and visas cannot be obtained for these nationalities.

A visa to enter Iraq for those nationalities requiring a visa before arrival process can take up to three weeks, longer in some cases. The visas can be obtained directly from an Iraqi consultant. Our company can also arrange a visa if the nationality is on the approved list of countries able to get visas for Iraq. If our company arranges a visa, the cost is relatively high ($2-300 USD +/-) and varies from time to time. This is done through our network of visa brokers in-country. Our company does not profit from visas. The visa broker must post a bond for the applicant, and the amount covers the broker's fee and government charges. Please request the latest information when making a booking. We only facilitate visas for those who have booked a tour with Explore Mesopotamia. 

Note: Explore Mesopotamia may be able to arrange an e-visa for Guests to South Iraq. This visa will be awaiting the guest at the airport upon arrival and costs the same as a normal visa. The fee must be paid in advance. Please enquire for details. 

Booking policy

Please note that high seasons are heavily booked, some as much as a year or more in advance, and early booking is advisable.

*​ ​A $500 deposit per passenger usually is required to secure the dates at the time of booking. Any waiver of this deposit by individual passengers or travel agencies must be obtained in writing by Explore Mesopotamia at the time of booking. This deposit will secure the hotel rooms for the passengers. All major hotels in the region are often fully booked; early booking is the only way to ensure a reservation. Reservations are not confirmed until payment/deposit is made.

*​ ​Full payment is due 45 days before departure. Any payment not received within 45 days of departure will result in the cancellation of all reservations. There is a $100 per passenger re-booking fee – subject to availability. Please make payments on time to ensure the availability of hotels, etc., and to avoid any re-booking fees. 
 
Tour price includes: ·       

*​ Best available hotels in Kurdistan per the itinerary chosen by the client. Accommodation is based on double occupancy. 
*​ All meals per the itinerary at the best available restaurants, including bottled water and soft drinks at meals and on the bus. Guests have a choice of Bed and Breakfast only or Full Board.
*​ All tours, including entrance fees.      
*​ Transportation including air-conditioned bus, airport transfers, and professional driver.      
*​ Experienced Local Guide who will take care of all logistics on the tour.       
*​ Gratuities (porters, waiters, etc.), except for traditional tips to the Guide/Driver, which is optional and entirely at the discretion of the guest.     
*​ Luggage transfers.

Options at additional cost (please contact us for details):

*​ Single accommodation.
*​ Experienced Tour Scholar who will accompany the tour from beginning to end and lecture on all sites and other subjects as required (such as local politics and economy).       
*​ Special Security, if requested above that typically supplied by Explore Mesopotamia. Explore Mesopotamia has relations with top-tier security firms which handle all special requests for our company. We do not accept any liability for extra security options. These types of precautions are rarely requested and seldom needed and are usually employed by VIPs whose company or sending agency requires such added security.   

Tour cost does not include:

*​ ​Travel to and from Kurdistan, visa fees, alcoholic beverages (unless otherwise specified), long-distance telephone calls, laundry, room service or personal items, and travel insurance.
*​ Any related expenses should a guest test positive for COVID-19, including hotels for quarantine, medical, PCR tests, etc. 

Cancellation Policy

We urge all guests to acquire trip cancellation insurance before departure for the tour. Failure to do so may result in significant personal loss.
*​ Cancellation: 60-31 days before departure will result in a loss of deposit.
*​ Cancellation: within 30 days before the date of the departure will result in loss of the entire tour cost.

Note: Within this 30-day window, Explore Mesopotamia does not offer cash refunds for any reason beyond the control of Explore Mesopotamia. At 30 days, our company begins to incur expenses for the client, which, in many cases, are not refundable to us. It is also virtually impossible for us to book another tour on such short notice. Hence late cancellations result in a significant loss to Explore Mesopotamia. 

Travel credits for certain circumstances: ​In certain instances, beyond the control of either Explore Mesopotamia or the client, up to a two-year credit may be issued at the sole discretion of Explore Mesopotamia, for example, in the case of the outbreak of a COVID-19 type pandemic, war, airport or border closures due to political or other reasons, natural disasters or what are commonly referred to as "Acts of God," force majeure, or issues not in the control of the company or due to any fault or decision of the client. 

This credit can be used on any tour to the same destination within two years as long as the tour group is of similar size (or larger) to the tour initially booked. The credit can also be used toward a smaller tour, but the client must pay the difference in cost. The larger the group, generally, the less expensive the tour. Travel Credits are not transferrable. 

Travel credits will not be given for cancellations that Trip Cancellation Insurance would typically cover. This includes normal health issues, other personal emergencies, or a decision by the guest not to travel at the time of the booking for any reason. 

Canceled Trips: Explore Mesopotamia reserves the right to cancel any trip due to inadequate enrollment or other cause that makes the trip unfeasible for us to operate but will inform you at least 45 days before departure, if possible. In such a case, a full refund will be given. However, Explore Mesopotamia is not responsible for additional expenses incurred by members preparing for the trip (e.g., non-refundable advance purchase air tickets, visa fees if applicable, clothing, equipment, or medical costs).  Do not purchase your air tickets before confirming your tour with Explore Mesopotamia. 

Delays: The cost of delays is not included if any trip is delayed due to bad weather, road conditions, transportation delays, government intervention, sickness, or other contingencies for which Explore Mesopotamia cannot make provisions.

Unused Services: No refunds will be given for unused hotel rooms, meals, activities, or other arrangements for any reason whatsoever. Land Cost is quoted as a package, and credits are not given for services not used. 

Payment

Upon booking a tour, an invoice is sent via email to the client. Prices are in US dollars, and all payments must be made in US Dollars. Payment can be made by any of the following: 

Wire Transfer:

Account Name: Explore Mesopotamia
Account number: 7439435855
Routing numbers
• Direct deposits, electronic payments: 021101108
• Wire transfers – domestic: 121000248 
International Wires: SWIFT/BIC Code WFBIUS6S

Company Address:
Explore Mesopotamia
C/0 Douglas Layton
999 Pinon Ln., 
Big Bear City CA 02314

Square UP: 
If the client chooses this payment option, a separate invoice will be sent via Square. The service provider will charge a 3% fee, which will be added to the cost of the tour.

Ccashier check or money order: 
This facility is only available to US-based passengers. Checks must be received 45 days before departure and should be made out to:
Explore Mesopotamia
999 Pinon Ln #2850
Big Bear City, CA 92314

Arrival gateways 

All guests' preferred arrival/exit site is Erbil International Airport (EIH) in Kurdistan, Baghdad, or Basra International Airport in South Iraq. Explore Mesopotamia has relationships with these airport administrators/staff that can sometimes assist if any difficulties arise upon arrival. 

If requested, it is possible to enter/exit via Sulaimaniyah International Airport in Kurdistan or Kirkuk International Airport in the South, but this may incur extra charges for transportation.

Note: Explore Mesopotamia takes no responsibility for guests until they have officially entered Iraq. We are not responsible for, nor do we have any influence over the political situations in other countries/regions such as Turkey, Iran, Jordan, etc. We do not facilitate entry into Kurdistan by land crossings. We will meet passengers choosing to enter via these portals on the Iraq side of the border/checkpoint. 

Passengers attempting land crossings may be delayed or denied entry due to reasons such as a current security situation or other concerns on the part of authorities—some with and some without apparent reason. The guest may then be required to seek another point of entry or, most likely, return to a major city and book a flight to a major city in Iraq. 

Costs associated with these delays, the need to reroute, or any delays in the tour are not covered in the tour cost.  

Assumption of Risk

Adventure travel involves hazardous activities, some in remote areas of the world, with a risk of illness, injury, or death which may be caused by forces of nature, animals, insects, or flora, the negligence of Explore Mesopotamia, or other persons and companies known or unknown, or of the willful or criminal conduct of third parties. Weather conditions may be severe, adverse, or unpleasant. Medical services or facilities may not be readily available or accessible or consistent with standards in the United States or Europe during some or all of the time during a trip, and that, when available, may not be of the quality that exists in the United States or Europe. 

To partake in the enjoyment and excitement of an adventure travel trip, participants must be willing to accept the risks and uncertainty involved as being an integral part of the adventure. 

Participants must accept and assume full responsibility for any and all risks of illness, injury, or death and agree to hold harmless and release Explore Mesopotamia both from claims of third-party negligence and claims concerning negligence on the part of Explore Mesopotamia.

Note: Those booking tours to Iraq should be aware of the State Department or other travel advisories for the region and any recent political developments that may affect travel to the region. Booking a tour despite these risks is an acknowledgment of the risks. 

By booking a tour with Explore Mesopotamia, the guest/client implicitly and without reservation agrees to the following waiver of liability and all of the terms of booking, including Explore Mesopotamia's cancellation and booking policies. 

Waver of liability

Explore Mesopotamia does not own or operate hotels or other lodging facilities, airlines, vessels, buses, vans or other transportation companies, food service or entertainment providers, etc., utilized for any tour. All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result, Explore Mesopotamia is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person or entity or of any other third party.

Without limitation, Explore Mesopotamia is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property, death, delay or inconvenience in connection with the provision of any goods or services occasioned by or resulting from, but not limited to, acts of God, acts of government, force majeure, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, or the threat thereof, overbooking or downgrading of accommodations, structural or other defective conditions in hotels or other lodging facilities, mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other means of transportation or for any failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart timely or safely, financial insolvency or cessation of services by suppliers, dangers associated with or bites from animals, pests or insects, marine life or vegetation of any sort, dangers incident to recreational activities such as horseback riding, kayaking, canoeing, whitewater rafting, hiking, bicycling, fishing, camping, 4×4 Jeep/ATV tours, hot air ballooning, para gliding, parachuting, mule riding, cross-country skiing, rock climbing, hiking, etc., sanitation problems, food poisoning, lack of access to or quality of medical care, difficulty in evacuation in case of a medical or other emergency, illness, epidemics, pandemics, or the threat thereof or for any other cause beyond the direct control of Explore Mesopotamia. In addition, the client (s) booking a tour with Explore Mesopotamia releases Explore Mesopotamia from its own negligence and assumes all risk thereof. 

Explore Mesopotamia reserves the right to change hotels or other features of the trip's itinerary if it believes it will enhance the journey's safety, comfort, or enjoyment. 

Site closures

Explore Mesopotamia is not responsible for the closure of any site on the itinerary due to reasons beyond its control. We will endeavor to the best of our ability to substitute a similar site if such a situation arises. 

Special requests

Please let your Guide know if there is anything special you would like to acquire on your journey, and he/she will do his best to help. If you make purchases that you wish to ship, the only reliable shipping companies are DHL, UPS, and FedEx. DHL is the most reliable but very costly. Shipping a small package or even an envelope can cost hundreds of dollars. Your Guide can assist you if you need this service. 

Drinking water

All guests are provided with free bottled water both on the bus and in restaurants. Extra bottles can be obtained from your Guide for room use if requested. While drinking local tap water is safe in many places in Kurdistan, we recommend only drinking bottled water as bacteria differ from place to place, and unfamiliar bacteria can cause stomach issues. 

Safety and security

The safety and well-being of our clients is our first concern. We believe profitability is a long-term issue and that our reputation for the care of our clients brings long-term success. Our staff receives training in basic first aid and is intimate with the nearest and best medical facilities on the tour route should the need ever arise. Each guest should have medical travel insurance before arrival that would cover the cost of any significant medical expenses, including evacuation. These situations, while very rare, can be very costly and are not covered by the tour cost. 


TRANSPORTATION

When groups are more than three persons, a small bus is used to transport the guests. Three or fewer passengers are transported in Land Cruiser-type vehicles where seating is more confined. In all but a few of these cases, groups of three or fewer travelers are related or close companions, hence distancing is not an issue. Bus seating arrangements will aim to give each passenger the maximum room possible. Couples or traveling companions will be seated together if they wish, and single travelers will have one place between them and the next passenger if space allows and they desire to have this space. 

There is no guarantee that spaces can be provided, as the tour buses are, by law, small in Kurdistan (maximum 24 passengers), as some sites and inner cities cannot be traversed with larger buses. 

Our standard group size is limited to 15 passengers unless the sending agency requests a larger group. In this case, the sending agency should inform the guests that seating may be more confined than is usually the case. We are not responsible for spacing in these cases but will still endeavor to do our best to make the client as comfortable as possible. 

General security

We constantly contact government members and receive regular/daily briefings on the region's security. If we deem a part of the itinerary unsafe for any reason, we will reroute the tour or alter the itinerary accordingly. 

Kurdistan and Iraq are "Adventure Destinations," those visiting the region should understand that while Kurdistan is considered the safest region in the Middle East, no place is 100% secure. 

Southern Iraq is less secure than Kurdistan, and those joining tours to South Iraq should be aware of this. However, we only use the best hotels in South Iraq and go to great lengths to avoid any area that may experience disruption or unsafe circumstances. 

Please note that itineraries are subject to change if the Guide determines it is unsafe to continue as planned. Please read the above liability waiver. Upon booking a tour, clients agree to the above liability waiver and all terms of booking, including the cancellation policy.  

Our Partners

Apart from its Custom Tours, Explore Mesopotamia Tours is also the agent for several large Adventure Tour Companies. If you prefer to travel in a larger group on a scheduled tour, we can introduce you directly to the companies we represent. This may be a more economical way to book, as the larger the group, the less expensive the tour becomes. 

Keep in mind that these companies have fixed schedules and itineraries, and you will need to fit into their schedule rather than design your own. Contact us for more details on this option. 

Medical and health

Other than Covid-19, there are no specific health issues in the areas we visit at this time. We advise tour participants to carry necessary medications in their carry-on in case of lost luggage. Some medicines are unavailable in Kurdistan. Persons with medical problems must make them known to us well before departure. The trip leader has the right to disqualify anyone at any time during the trip if he or she feels the trip member is physically or mentally incapable or if a trip member's continued participation will jeopardize the individual involved or the group. Refunds are not given under such circumstances. Hospital facilities are often unavailable, and evacuation can be prolonged, complicated, and expensive. Explore Mesopotamia assumes no liability regarding the provision of medical care. 

Baggage

Explore Mesopotamia assumes no liability for loss or damage to baggage in transit to and from an Explore Mesopotamia trip or while on an Explore Mesopotamia trip. We recommend purchasing the supplemental travel protection plan. 

Photography

Explore Mesopotamia may take photographs and videos of its trips, and by booking a tour with Explore Mesopotamia, participants grant Explore Mesopotamia permission to do so and for it to use the same for promotional or commercial use without payment of any compensation to the participant. Notwithstanding, Explore Mesopotamia will seek to respect the wishes of any guest who does not want his/her photo or image taken, but no guarantee is given or warranted. 

Insurance

Please make sure your insurance covers the cost of the inland tour as well as the costs of international travel. Please acquire insurance to avoid a personal loss, as Explore Mesopotamia does not issue cash refunds within 30 days of departure for any reason. Some prefer to take the risk rather than purchase insurance, but it is at their own risk should they choose not to opt for insurance or insurance that does not cover a particular circumstance.

Venue for resolution of disputes

Explore Mesopotamia's primary place of business operation is in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). The relevant legal authority or courts in Erbil, the capital of the KRI, will, in accordance with the rules and regulations governing Tour Companies operating in the KRI, decide any disputes arising from any tour conducted by Explore Mesopotamia. This applies to all tours, whether conducted within or without the KRI. By booking a tour with Explore Mesopotamia, the client agrees to this venue and will not pursue the resolution of any dispute in any other venue.