Frequently Asked Questions

Najaf, Kufa, Hilla, Kadhmain (Kazmain, in Baghdad), Baghdad, Karbala, Samarra, Mada'in and Balad — see the Places of Ziyarat page for the full details on each.

Mashhad (Shrine of Imam Ali ar-Reza a.s.), Qom (Shrine of Hazrat Ma'suma s.a.), Ray/Tehran (Shrine of Shah Abdol Azeem), Neyshapour and Qadamgah.

Madinah (Masjid an-Nabawi) and Makkah (Masjid al-Haram) for Umrah, arriving via Jeddah, with a stop at Ghadeer Khumm and Juhfa on the Makkah–Madinah route.

Yes, the security in Iraq has been under constant progress in the last few years, where different causes for security breaches have been eliminated or severely constrained. The Iraqi government and society are determined not to allow any security breach, especially at the holy sites. Security measures include restricting vehicle access near holy sites (eliminating the threat of car bombs) and thorough checkpoints on the way into holy cities and at the perimeter of holy sites. You are requested to respect those checkpoints and co-operate with them — though annoying and time-consuming, they are very important in maintaining security at the Holy places.

International travel between countries — e.g. Saudi Arabia to Iraq to Syria to Iran — will be by air only.

You will travel by air-conditioned deluxe coaches (bus).

The package includes all airfares (inclusive of luggage up to 30kg on international flights and 23kg on domestic flights), entry visas and other formalities for Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria and Iran, daily meals (mostly buffet, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner), bottled water, hotel accommodation as per schedule, and travel to historical holy sites.

There will be at least one guided ziyarat to each of the holy shrines. Our accompanying Aalim will guide you to the recommended ziyarats and duas at each holy shrine. If you're fluent in reading Arabic, books of ziyarat are available at the shrines. As duas are among the most important a'amaal on ziyarat, we recommend bringing your own book of duas — for example Mafatih al-Jinan, Sahifa-e-Kamela, Call on Me I Answer You, or any other religious book you wish to carry.

Mobile phone facility is available in all the countries. For Syria, Saudi Arabia and Iran, you'll need to present a photocopy of your passport to buy a SIM card from an authorised dealer; in Iraq you can buy one over the counter. Please carry an unlocked GSM handset. Also leave your contact number in each country with your group leader, and note down theirs. Wi-Fi is available at your hotel in Saudi Arabia, Najaf and Qom only — elsewhere you'll need paid internet kiosks.

You'll be provided with bottled water while at your hotels. Please take your provision of bottled water from the hotel for use while out for ziyarat.

Food is included in the price, generally as an open buffet. Take proper care with food and water — it's recommended to eat food provided by the management. You may carry light snacks for personal use.

When reserving hotel rooms in the holy cities, we look for the best hotels for quality and proximity to the shrines, and try our best to include a Western-style WC and bath — though this can't always be guaranteed. Priority is given to the elderly and infirm, and converter commode chairs can be arranged in cases of need. Note that especially in Iraq, bathroom standards can vary even at the best hotels — please be patient, co-operative and let your group leader or hotel reception know if you need assistance.

Whenever you reach a hotel in a city, please take a business card from the hotel and keep it with you. Every person is provided with an ID card containing important group information, and we do our best to prevent people from getting lost — and to find you quickly if it happens.

Yes, exchange bureaus are available in the holy cities — consult your group leader for guidance. US dollars are used in Iraq for foreign exchange; you can use Australian or US dollars in Saudi Arabia, Syria or Iran.

Though the ziyarat schedule is hectic, time is provided for shopping in all the cities — consult your group leader for guidance.

Food, accommodation and travel are part of the package, so only bring what you'll need for shopping, charity, khums and donations. Do not carry valuables such as jewellery, driving licence, credit cards or other important documents while out for ziyarat or in the shrines — store money with the group leader at reception for safekeeping (at your own risk).

Always keep your hotel's business card, a passport copy, a photograph and your ID card with you, along with the equivalent of approximately $20 USD in local currency. Please don't go far without the group leader's permission.

Modest dressing is required. Men should wear full-sleeve tops and long trousers. Hijab is wajib for ladies everywhere — especially when entering the holy shrines, where a head-covering scarf and chador covering the entire body, plus socks, are required.

Don't keep money or valuables in checked luggage. Always carry a spare set of clothes, your book of duas, all important medication, and other valuables in your hand luggage, and always know where it is.

Depending on circumstances, we may check in individually or as a group — your group leader will advise. Please limit checked baggage to 25kg, keep your baggage tags, and put large, visible name tags on your luggage. Excess weight may incur a surcharge. Light baggage is recommended, and your luggage remains your responsibility.

Photography and videography in all the holy shrines is prohibited. In Saudi Arabia, mobile phones and cameras are allowed inside the shrines for men, but may not be allowed in the ladies' section. In Mashhad, only mobile phones are allowed — everything else is prohibited. In Iraq, mobiles, cameras and any electronic gadgets are strictly prohibited inside holy locations; if carried, you'll be asked to deposit them at a safekeeping station and collect them on the way out. All entrants to the holy shrines are frisked at the entry gate, even books are checked — please be courteous to security staff, whose purpose is to protect the holy shrines.