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!

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

Awesome tour of Southern Iraq with Rocky Road Travel! Great communication regarding the new visa on arrival. The itinerary was well planned including historic sites with knowledgeable local guides. I hope to do another trip with them soon.

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.

I just returned from a 2-week trip throughout all of Iraq/Kurdistan (south and north, respectively) and I was so pleased with the entire nature of the tour, from guides to hotels to the variety of sights, ruins, shrines, restaurants, cafes, landscapes and museums we visited. I had heard great things about Rocky Road travel before, but had never used them for a trip of my own...but I am certainly intending to work with them again in planning future trips. Shane was always responsive and patient with my many questions and emails leading up to the trip, and answered them quickly with all the information I needed. An additional bonus was going from 3-star hotels to 4-star accommodations, a slight difference but one that can really impact your restful nights which are important (e.g. reliable power, consistent hot water in the showers, cleanliness, security). I would make sure to specify you would like the 4-star hotels if you're planning a trip to Iraq, it may not be a huge price increase and Shane will work with your budget to accommodate if possible. The guides in both Iraq and Kurdistan were terrific. Madhi and Balin were knowledgeable, patient, full of information and most importantly, well connected in making sure our journey ran smoothly and efficiently without incident (it helps to have well known guides when navigating the multiple checkpoints on the road, or having access to a museum which might be closed for a national holiday!). I am really pleased with the economy of the tour too--the overall quality and service (the experience altogether) seemed like a great 'bang for your buck' deal-and I have traveled extensively. Will definitely be going back to Rocky Road Travel and I appreciate their commitment to impactful travel too!

Our family of four did the full Iraq tour in December 2021/January 2022. The trip was fantastic, and since it was low season - we had most of the historic sites to ourselves! Shane customized the tour for us (we booked it as a private tour) and the additions were perfect. The itinerary was extensive and we had very full days that took in many historic sites, important religious shrines, and a nice taste of Iraqi culture. The hotels were better than expected (most were 3-4 star establishments) and wifi was readily available at all of them. Our guides were very good, and the sites were awesome. Favourite places? Uruk, Babylon, Ur, Hatra, Mosul, Acre...too many to list. What a great opportunity to see Iraq in the early days of its tourism industry! If historic sites are your interest, you cannot select a better destination. Rocky Road Travel/Shane arranged everything and was highly responsive to all of my questions ahead of time. Highly recommended!

Travelled to Socotra with Rocky Road travel and had an amazing trip! Had to change flights and Shane was so accommodating. I had lots of questions before the trip and he answered them with ease, and always replied promptly. Highly recommend them for your next adventure! Already looking up other trips to do with Rocky Road!

Freewheeling grand tour of Southern Iraqi & Kurdistan. 27th Aug 8th September 2021. In a nutshell, if you want the best experience before it becomes more popular, a place in which you can still find, empty sights, together with amazing foods, ancient and modern history, remaining in tact. Iraqi has it covered. Its people make it special. You discover that only by going. Iraqi is a very relaxed and enjoyable must see location a discovery that is overlooked by the modern traveller, yet it was once a hot destination and you can see why after you arrive. Is Mesopotamia on your Radar. Do we come from a alien race? Have you a interest in a post conflict country, or ongoing one ? Does the name Saddam Hussain mean anything. Do you enjoy foods and not worried about the diet, be willing to try all that presents itself. How about a live visit to a wonderful Shia Mosques, followed by a motorised trip into the wildlife wet lands with the Mash Arabs. Eating bread & honey drinking tea as the sun rises. Had enough of the heat, how about heading North to the Mountains of the Kurd region. Here you find the ancient Yazidi religion together with Christianity still holding onto to its traditions. Mixing that up, you discovery cool lakes, with old and modern shopping experience. Dont overlook your local guide Balin who can complete the landscapes with his remarkable story matching it. Grand tour is possible just dont tell the others.

I went on a 7 days Syria 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 in Syria, 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 in Damascus, and hammam. Our group got to experience helping out at an NGO, partying with locals in a Syrian 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!

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.

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!

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…

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Had a wonderful trip with Rocky Road last week! 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!!

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. :)

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!

Went on a wonderful Iraq tour with Shane. Coordination & logistics are essential for travelling in this part of the world, Shane and his team definitely did a splendid job. The guides are resourceful, react to unexpected situations with ease, all with a smile & loads of energy. Highly recommended for your next adventure to wherever Shane & his team can bring you.

I travelled with Rocky Road to Iraq in June 2021. The tour was fabulously organised, enjoyable and safe. All accommodation was comfortable and the itinerary was top notch. I’ve tried several independent travel companies and this ranks amongst the best.

Great experience traveling throughout East Africa for 3 weeks. Shane was a great help in organizing this trip for me. Highly Recommend!

The best choice possible. Our trip to Somalia was great. Highly recommended!

Great service, everything worked out perfectly. I would definitely recommend for swift communication and helpful advice

I ran the 2018 Pyongyang Marathon in North Korea and Rocky Road Travel made it happen. Once in a life time expierence. Trip had it all, hotels, brewerys, stadiums and more. Fantastic tour highly recommended to all. Shout out to Miss KIM for making it unforgettable.

I booked a tour to Lebanon in January 2020 and it was awesome! The local guide was so knowledgable and made me and my friends feel welcome. Khaled went above and beyond my expectations. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a fun, cultural and pleasant experience.

My husband and I just came back recently from a private tour in Socotra booked with Shane and it was 1 of the best trips we've undertaken! Being the outdoor enthusiasts that we are, Socotra was just amazing. Pre trip admin was a hassle free process and Shane was nothing but friendly, professional and prompt to respond to all our queries. The Socotra FAQ and packing list provided was also very helpful. We also appreciate that Rocky Rock strives to be eco-friendly and sustainable in it's practices. During the trip, we were very well taken care of by our wonderful crew. Our guide Adnan was especially knowledgeable, and he made our trip so much more enriching and insightful with his sharing about the island, people, culture, flora and fauna. His extensive network also meant that we had access to places that other tour groups didn't seem to have ie. chilling out with the locals at their hideouts, and spending a night at a local's home when wind was too strong to set up camp etc, while being warmly received by the hosts and sharing a community meal with them. The beauty of some of the wild pristine places on the island is just unparalleled, and made all the more special when we had the places to just ourselves most of the time! From stunning beaches with clear blue waters, to breathtaking vista of a valley filled with Dragon blood trees, and swimming in a pool in a canyon, seeing the resident pod of dolphins in action and snorkeling and seeing a wide variety of sea creatures just offshore, everyday in Socotra was an adventure. Will strongly recommend a trip to Socotra with Rocky Road for those up for a dose of sun, sand, sea and nature and with an adventurous spirit!

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 :)

I had incredible tour in Iraq and Kurdistan with Rocky Road Travel. The guides were so autentical and genuise. Traveling with them opened so many doors to sites we otherwise wouldn’t have had access to. All tour people were so intresting. Now I have more friends. Shane made planning and booking the tour so easy. Already booked for my next trip.

I had an incredible time in Socotra with Rocky Road Travel. The guides were fantastic, great people, great conversations, and the fresh seafood was delicious- definitely the best camping food I have had! Shane made planning and booking the trip so easy. Our itinerary for the week went above and beyond my expectations, we were able to do and see everything, and more, while still having time to enjoy it all. I look forward to checking out their other tours!

Shane and Rocky Road were amazing to work with! We booked two tours through them - Syria and Kurdistan and everything was better than we could have asked for. Shane was very responsive, helpful and professional while the local tour guides were amazing. They were knowledgeable, entertaining, and helpful the whole way through. Would definitely recommend Rocky Road for any of the off the beaten path tours as they took a lot of the stress away from travelling here!

We joined the 14 day entire Iraq Tour, and my goodness did we have a good time! Excellent guides, well organised and informative tour which shows you a truly authentic and local side to Iraq. The trip is curated perfectly. If you are wondering whether to book through Rocky Road, I would 100 percent recommend them and will definitely travel again with them

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.

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.

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.

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!

I had a trip with rocky road travel everything was incredible