Rocky Road Travel

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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!)

Positive Erfahrung: South Sudan’24 - Overall, a unique experience of visiting 6 tribes in a single trip, but few aspects fell way below expectations Pros: * Good selection of villages, they all were sufficiently different and showed the variety of tribes and their customs * A very caring team of drivers who were making sure we’re comfortable and safe. Worked very hard 20h per day and tried to accommodate all our asks * Food definitely above expectations, we had a great chef * Tents, vehicles - all very comfortable. Although vehicles required 3 repairs over just 7 (?) days of driving which is a bit surprising. Juba hotel was good too Cons: * Basically the absence of guiding. Those people who were meant to be our guides were more of translators and at best just answered our questions. For someone who grew up in a city in Europe, it’s hard to know what to ask. The tribes definitely required some introduction and a story. Secondly, guides often answered our questions with completely made-up facts, contradicted each other and simply lacked basic knowledge about the tribes and the country. Also, some spoke very poor English which didn’t allow them to understand what we ask and reply. Probably, the least important part of the trip, but the city tour on the last day was a complete disaster, the guide was absolutely unaware what’s on the agenda and was confusing sights * Very poor communication combined with some internal disorganisation. Guides throughout the trip were randomly changing. I was first introduced to one guide who simply left us at one of the checkpoints, then at the same time introduced to guide #2 who turned out to be our chef and then guide #3. For second half, we also got a guide who was different from the one initially planned. None of these were somewhat explained to us, half of the time I was just struggling to understand what’s going on there. Lack of communication was also related to other aspects, e.g. expected length of driving, why we’re held up at check points longer than expected, etc. These might be hard to estimate and unexpected happens in a country like South Sudan, but no one even tried to communicate with the group on any of these matters and didn’t want to answer questions * Guide provided by RR has never been to South Sudan before and unfortunately wasn’t of much help with any of the points above

Fantastische Erfahrung: Just back from a trip to Socotra. Matty our tour leader and the local team made our trip memorable.

Fantastische Erfahrung: Amazing tour in Iraq with Rocky Road travel. The tour guy Sajjad was the best

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: Socotra classic tour - October 2024 Would 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!

Fantastische Erfahrung: Classic Socotra Tour - October 2024 The 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!

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: Excellent experience with Rocky Road, above all the outstanding communication and professionalism from Shane.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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!

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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!

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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 :D The 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! :)

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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!

Fantastische Erfahrung: Fantastic trip. Don't expect 'things' to go to plan. Highly recommend it.

Fantastische Erfahrung: Very well organized and professionally run tour agency. Totally recommended!!!

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: One of the most remarkable travel experiences! Socotra is an island so remote that it felt a world apart from anything. A land of impressive mountains, deep valleys, desert plains with large sand dunes and limestone caves, and above all the most hospitable people. All of this was made possible by Rocky Road Travel, which I cannot recommend enough. The most reliable travel agency for this type of journey. Everything was organised very well. The communication was swift and efficient. I intend to travel to other off-the-beaten track destinations with Rocky Road Travel.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: I'm usually not the type to do group tours, but I had a great time and met some amazing people with this company on a trip to Iraq. The local guides Ahmed and Brusk were fantastic and Alex was a great tour leader, they all knew their stuff and Shane is easy to communicate with. If you are thinking of going, go with this company.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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 ! Hans from 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!

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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!!

Fantastische Erfahrung: A really good travel agency That i see working in Iraq (my country) And with one of the best guides Ahmed around Iraq!

Fantastische Erfahrung: Joined a great tour to Socotra with the best guide (Alex) I have ever met! @Rock Road Travel: Make sure you keep Alex!

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: Did the North Iraq / Koerdistan tour and it was amazing. The people are so friendly and the nature was beautiful. Highly recommend it :D The 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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!

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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!

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: Rocky Road Travel was a pleasure to travel with. Kept in contact and were very responsive during the booking process as well as updates leading up to the departure. Their group leader Neil and the crew on Socotra were incredible and made us feel welcome and safe. Everything from the vehicles, camp supplies, food, etc. I would highly recommend using them for your tour and will be using them in the future!

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: Our tour exceeded our expectations! Ahmed and his team were great, highly recommend Rocky Road!

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: I had a trip with rocky road travel everything was incredible

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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!

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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 :)

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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)

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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 !

Fantastische Erfahrung: I did the Mauritania tour and everything was great. I had an amazing experience and met lovely people.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Negative Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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!

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: Excellent trip with a great group of likeminded people and great tourguides.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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!

Negative Erfahrung: Iraqi Kurdistan Autumn Tour - 2023 If 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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. :)

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: Fantastic communication from the start. Highly recommended if you want to travel safely to the lesser known parts of the world.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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

Fantastische Erfahrung: Great tour company, knowledgeable guides, fun tour leaders. Enjoyed my first tour ever, happy to choose this company (^_^)

Fantastische Erfahrung: Without a doubt, Shane is one of the favorite tour leader to work with. He brought many groups to Iraqi Kurdistan in the past 8 years. Balin Zrar Kurdistan Expeditions

Fantastische Erfahrung: Socotra was my second trip with Rocky Road. Shane (the owner) is extremely professional and responsive and offers a very personalised service . He is available to answer any questions - nothing is too much trouble! The local operator Rafat was very good and the drivers were fantastic. Overall an amazing experience .

Fantastische Erfahrung: I spent one week on Socotra with a small group tour organised by Rocky Road Travel. It was my first time travelling with a group (I usually travel on my own or with a friend or two), and I was definitely a bit worried about that – but it turned out to be one of the best trips I have ever done! The group itself, our tour leader and local team were all fantastic, and I was happy with the trip that I am already planning another Rocky Road trip. Shane was really responsive and helpful when booking the tour, and arranging for the flight from Abu Dhabi and the visa was super easy. The packing list provided was very useful too, though on hindsight I wish I brought a few extra items on the island: maybe some presents for the lovely kids we met around (they were particularly keen on inflatable footballs) and extra portable chargers and other essential items that cannot be found on Socotra to leave as gifts. Someone in our group also suggested rubber gloves to help clean up the camping sites and beaches from rubbish before moving on to the next site (our group was very good at doing this everywhere we went, and I wish more people would do that – it would make a huge difference!). As soon as we arrived on Socotra, we were welcomed by the most fabulous local team, who was truly the highlight of the trip for me. Sahmed, Abdulbaset, Mubarak and all the brilliant drivers and chefs took excellent care of us, and were just an absolute joy to be with. They truly went above and beyond to keep us safe, well fed and happy – including during Ramadan, when they were all fasting. Sahmed spent days tracking down my bag pack all around the island after another group had mistakenly taken it at the airport; Mubarak took me shopping in Hadiboh to buy some t-shirts; Abdul insisted on hiking with us even in the scorching heath to make sure we didn't get lost; and our sous chef Rami caught a fish with his own hands when he couldn't buy any for dinner from the local town. Matty Dias, was just the funniest, most easy-going and most helpful tour leader we could hope for. There are no words to describe Socotra, it is just out of this world – it is easily the most beautiful place I have ever seen and I feel so lucky to have traveled there. Tourism definitely feels like it's picking up, and I hope the various tour agencies on the island will work together to protect the beauty of this island as tourist numbers inevitably go up. Some things that could be done to reduce the problem of trash in the absence of any waste disposal and management infrastructure on the island: enforce a no-plastic bottle rule on all tours, introduce proper rubbish bins at each camping site (instead of rubbish bags, which birds and goats can easily open) and encourage everyone to do a beach/camping site rubbish sweep before moving on to the next site. Thank you so much Shane, Matty and the whole local team in Socotra for the most wonderful trip!

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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!

Fantastische Erfahrung: I've recently come back from my first group tour, which was a 7 day tour in Syria, the local guides, tour leader (Matty) and the tour in general was amazing, Syria is a truly underrated country and I felt as safe as I would when being home, I highly recommend visiting. The Rocky Road website was clear on what was included and what wasn't, and Shane answered all of my questions I had, he made it clear what would happen on the run up of the tour with visa etc. Any additional info like currency and clothing was emailed to the group before going and a group meet up was arranged which was great. I look forward to travelling with Rockyroad again as I'd love to travel to Socotra, Iraq and North Korea.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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…

Fantastische Erfahrung: Top Organisation der Socotra Tour. Die Kommunikation war schnell und professionell.

Fantastische Erfahrung: One of the best travel experiences I’ve have was with Rocky Road Travel. From the beginning they’ve been helping me get my documentation ready. My situation was different from the other travelers, but I’m so grateful for the work they went through to make sure I was able to travel. I felt 100% safe the entire time of the trip, they have many locals to help with getting around Syria. I had some family in Syria, but I never been before so I wasn’t sure if I would have been able to see them. Rocky Road Travel insisted I visit my family, and helped me to find them. I never traveled with a tour company like Rocky Road Travel before but I look forward to booking more tours with them in the future. Thank you for making the March Syria 2023 trip one to remember! ❤️ ❤️

Fantastische Erfahrung: Excellent tour and guide! I loved my time in Syria.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 8 Days Iraq Tour This was my first and definitely not the last experience with Rocky Roads.... I picked the Iraq trip because of the relatively low price and was immediately impressed with the whole organization before and during the tour. You always got immediate answers to your questions - via email or Whatsapp. The 8 days went great, the local tour guide and the guide from Rocky Roads were great and did a great job. Also traveling in a well mixed international group was very pleasant. I would book again immediately (which I also plan to do next year at the latest). Thank you for the wonderful experience!

Fantastische Erfahrung: I did a 1 week trip through Iraq with RockyRoad travel. It is only my second organized group trip of my lifetime. It exceeded my expectations. I think several things contribute to the success of a group trip. 1. Itinerary. 2. On the ground services and coordination (choice of hotels, transport) 3. Quality of tour leader and support team 4. Type of people attracted to be your traveling companions. RockRoad knocked it out of the park on all fronts (even #4, which is outside their control). As with any trip there were a few things that could have been better or, in hindsight, I would change on a redo but overall it was an amazing trip with an amazing team of professionals who managed to organize, keep us on track and keep 10 people, who all have different wants and needs happy

Fantastische Erfahrung: I joined Rocky Road Travel on their Syria tour and my expectations were exceeded! The booking was smooth and Shane responded to all of my questions very quickly, which already gave me a good feeling from the start. I normally don’t travel with groups and wasn’t sure what to expect beforehand but I loved every minute of it! The local guides as well as Matty from Rocky Road Travel were fantastic guides. Knowledgable, fun and very well organised. I didn’t have to worry about anything during my trip because the hotels, incredible sights, restaurants and whatever else you might need were carefully selected and taken care of. Although Syria isn’t exactly known for being a safe country, I felt extremely safe during the whole tour. I can’t recommend Rocky Road Travel enough and can’t wait to join them on more tours in the future!

Fantastische Erfahrung: I traveled with Rocky Road Travel to Socotra Island, Yemen, early 2023 and had a fantastic experience. Shane and his team responded to my emails within hours, provided ample details prior to the trip (including a full packing list), and took care of all the logistics. While the trip was billed as a camping trip (there is virtually no infrastructure in Socotra), it was truly glamping. We had a crew of nine attending to just ten guests. These folks worked tirelessly to setup and tear down camp, prepare hot meals, and drive us around. Logistics aside, Socotra is sublime, and it's super safe despite being technically part of Yemen. I couldn't be happier with Rocky Road Travel and would recommend them 100%.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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.

Fantastische Erfahrung: Shane was my tour guide for many trips to different corners of the globe and I highly recommend this professional to lead your next sojourn to the hidden frontiers. February 2023 edit: This was not my first trip with Shane and his wealth of knowledge and experience in the industry are reflected in the well organised and perfectly run tour, this time to Socotra. Email/others communications were on point and queries answered to super quickly, and whatever concerns I had were allayed. On site, there was much flexibility to cater to individual needs/preferences amongst a group of like-minded easy going travellers. Shout out to the local guides/crew that RR engages - they were fantastic! I definitely recommended Rocky Road and Shane for your next journey!

Fantastische Erfahrung: Just returned back from Socotra through Rocky Road - what an unforgettable trip. From my initial email reaching out about the tour through to the final drop off at the airport on the way back - everything was so well organised and taken care off, with such prompt responses to emails/questions and during the trip itself fantastic guides both local and through Rocky Road. Will be booking a few more trips for later this year!

Fantastische Erfahrung: Rocky Road and Shane are both great! Loved the trip to Socotra. Really amazing group and place to visit. Highly recommend both :)

Fantastische Erfahrung: Without a doubt one my best tours ever. The group was great, the sites breathtaking, and the Rocky Road team ( tour leaders, guide, cooks and driver) exemplary.

Fantastische Erfahrung: I’ve had the utmost wonderful times doing 2 trips with Shane and Rocky Road, Iraq and Kurdistan and just returned from incredible Socotra. I have been so blown away by everything, I have 2 more trips scheduled for this year. Excellent communication, coordination and can orchestrate an unforgettable trip. I’ve never had as much fun traveling as I have with Rocky Road. Looking forward to all the adventures ahead.

Fantastische Erfahrung: 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!

Fantastische Erfahrung: Ich war in Syrien mit Rocky Road. Es war jeden Penny wert und ich habe mich unglaublich wohl gefühlt was die Organisation der Tour angeht. Der local Guide hat sehr viel Wissen und Euphorie im Erzählen gehabt, auch kritische Fragen durften wir ausnahmslos fragen. Somit haben wir Syrien als sehr offenes, schlaues Land kennen gelernt und ich empfehle jeden es im Rahmen der Tour zu besuchen. Auch wenn ich gerne alleine Reise ist es für Syrien sehr viel simpler (und momentan nicht anders möglich) mit einer Tour+Guide zu reisen. Die Soldaten an den zig Checkpoints waren sehr freundlich aber ohne syrischen Guide hätten wir uns auf Englisch einfach nicht verständigen können.

Fantastische Erfahrung: I have worked and traveled with Shane. He is a knowledgeable and passionate tour guide. Going on a tour with Rocky Road Travel would take you to places you couldn't go to otherwise. The trip of a lifetime guaranteed!

Fantastische Erfahrung: Shane and his team have been amazing. I really enjoyed the tour with them. Everything was well organized. If you are looking for an experienced tour operator for countries like Somalia, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, this is the company you have to look at!!!

Fantastische Erfahrung: arish rohan

Fantastische Erfahrung: just travelled to socotra with rocky road travel and it was amazing! shane was extremely helpful with all the administrative processes, giving timely updates of flight ticket status, providing info on things to bring/pack etc. the team of local guide (samed)/drivers/cooking crew and our tour leader matty were wonderful. so much to see and learn of the island and it's culture/traditions. went on this trip with an open mind and got treated to an unforgettable fantastic experience. enjoyed every moment and i couldnt have asked for a better group to do this tour with :)

Fantastische Erfahrung: I’ve just returned from Socotra with Rocky Road (Nov 2022). Shane was incredibly helpful in the leadup to booking the tour & very quick to respond to questions. The trip logistics were seamless (visa & charter flight from Abu Dhabi), and once on the island, our local guide (Samed) and tour leader (Matty) were absolutely fantastic. This trip was over 20 years in the making, and Rocky Road made it absolutely unforgettable in the best ways possible exceeding my expectations in every way (e.g. our camp cooks Abdullah & Ali were phenomenal!). I will definitely travel with them again, and highly recommend Rocky Road if you’re planning to visit Socotra!

Fantastische Erfahrung: excellent tour at a very competitive price. Fast response, perfect organization, excellent local partner and tour leader Pier. An agency to trust.

Fantastische Erfahrung: This the the only kinda travel I will do from now on.

Fantastische Erfahrung: Hello Intrepid Travelers, I’ve just returned from back to back tours of Iraq and Syria with Rocky Road and it was an eye opening, sometimes not pretty yet amazing experience. I won’t go on about how easy and professional Shane was to deal with nor will I mention how knowledgeable, friendly and fun the guides and drivers were and don’t get me started on the amazing places we visited, people we met and adventures we had and seriously I could go on and on and on and on but I shan’t. I’ll simply say if you’re keen to visit these less travelled countries just go and go with Rocky Road. Reggie

Fantastische Erfahrung: Full of great impressions from the budget Syria tour from last september. The organization from Shanes side was excellent, all you have to do is to book a flight to Beirut (which is luckily well connected with many airports around the globe) and an overnight stay. Next day you will be picked up and from then on everything is perfectly organized. Our guide, Hussein, was incredible, it is like spending time with a 5 star-tour guide, a university professor and a fun guy to hang around with at the same time. His English is much better than mine, the same can be said about Khalid who was our driver and excellent as well. Definitely miss Syria and hope I will be travelling there again as well as doing other Rocky Road trips.

Fantastische Erfahrung: I had the pleasure of taking the Rocky Road Syria trip last week and can only heartily recommend the company based on my experience. Communications with Shane were excellent, clear and the response time was always tremendous. The cost was great value. All aspects were smooth - pick-up/drop-off from/to Beirut, beyond exceptional tour guide in Mari, fantastic driver, understated but faultless tour leader in Pier, a plethora of unexpected extras added to the itinerary, brilliant link-up with their Damascus connection, nice hotels, small travel group. Can't fault in any way with nothing going awry at any stage due to all parties efficiency and attention to detail. Sincere thanks.

Fantastische Erfahrung: Fantastic outlet, smooth communication, good vibes, would and will join a tour by Rocky Road again. Highly recommended.

Fantastische Erfahrung: Super gelungener Rundtrip auf Socotra.Dem Team von Rockyroad inkl dem Einheimischen Guide auf Socotra gebührt mein herzlichster Dank für die rundum gelungene Woche. Von der super freundlichen Kontaktaufnahme per Email (Visa, Flüge und Organisation) hat alles perfekt geklappt.Ich werde auf jeden Fall wieder mit Rockyroad reisen und empfehle jedem dieses Reiseunternehmen. Nochmals Vielen Dank aus Deutschland sendet Marco

Fantastische Erfahrung: I just went to Socotra Island with Rocky Road and it was one of the best holidays I have ever been on, I would totally recommend this company. Everything about the trip was amazing and exceeded my expectations, can’t wait to book my next one.

Fantastische Erfahrung: Rocky Road Travel is AWESOME. I just returned from a week Syria tour and I have not enough words to describe the whole experience I had with them. From day 1, when I frist wrote asking for more information about the trip, to this day, Shane has been professional, friendly and ready to reply all my questions. He was also very patient when I had some issues with my bank and one payment was delayed for more than a couple of days. In Syria we were treated with the best of the best: Rami, the local guide with so much passion and knowledge about his country and more connections I could count; and Bjorn, the partner team leader. Both made sure that our time in the country would be unforgetable and they certainly accomplished their mission. Syria was definitely the highlight of my three weeks in the Middle East and safety (for those wondering about this detail) was never remotely an issue. Syria actually was the place I felt more safe and welcomed in the region. As others have commented here, travelling with Rocky Road is not only great value for money. It is an impactful experience. I high recommend them for trips to unusual destinations and I can't wait to be on the road with them again!

Fantastische Erfahrung: Syria tour, Amazing experience! Since the booking process till the goodbye at the end of the trip, Shane and his team did a great job to assist, organize and managed it. They made sure to answer to all my question and to make me feel confortabile with it. “On the field”, Bjørn (tour leader) and Rami (local guide) did they’re best to let us enjoy the country at its fullest: having a nice balance between free time and tour schedule; showing us as much things as possible (without resulting tiring nor stressful); letting us engage with locals during the visit; assuring that everyone was having good time. Highly recommended ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️