- Short description
- Background information
- Program
Short description
This journey through Iraqi Kurdistan includes climbing Iraq's highest peak, Halgurd (3,607m), spending a day with Kurdish nomads, light hiking, and visiting the region's most important sites.
We arrive in the capital, Erbil, and begin our journey inland from the resort town of Shaklava. We'll visit the Behal waterfall, the Korek mountains, the mountain town of Rawanduz, and the Gali Ali Bagh waterfalls.
Iraq's highest point is Chika Dar at 3,611 meters, located in Iraqi Kurdistan on the Iranian border. Because of its border location, Halgurd—at 3,607 meters and entirely within Iraq—is considered the country's highest mountain. At the foot of Halgurd, we spend the night in a private villa with stunning mountain views. Jeeps take us to about 2,500 meters, where we begin the climb. The trail is steep but not difficult, taking 4–5 hours to ascend and 2.5 hours to descend.
Our program also includes the Monastery of St. Matthew, the Yazidi village of Lalish with its unique temple, and the rock monastery of Raban Hormiz. We'll explore Erbil and the ancient city of Akre. We've dedicated a day to Dohuk, the Dohuk Dam, and one of Saddam's summer palaces, ending in ancient Amedi. We'll spend a day with Kurdish nomads in the mountains—eating, drinking, and hearing firsthand accounts of their nomadic lifestyle. Return flights to Istanbul and Sofia depart from Erbil.
From this video you will get an insight into the mountain climb and the summit
Background information
Dates: 12-22 May 2026; 2-10 October 2026;
Duration: 8 nights/9 days
Group: 8 people;
Price for the program in Iraqi Kurdistan WITHOUT airfare: 1,830 euro/person (group of 8 people); If the group is smaller, the price will increase slightly;
Price includes:
Guides: company guide; local guide/driver;
Transport: minibus transport anywhere on the route; transfers to/from the airport;
Accommodation: 6 nights in nice hotels in rooms for two with breakfast included and two nights in a villa for our group only without breakfast included (more basic conditions);
Tickets.
Price does not include: airfares to/from Erbil (1); two breakfasts at the villa; lunches and dinners (meals are inexpensive); travel insurance; visa ($70, obtainable at Erbil airport); personal expenses.
(1) Flights with Pegasus via Istanbul Sabiha
The group flies to Erbil from Istanbul, typically with Pegasus via Istanbul Sabiha. You can join the group in Istanbul or fly directly to Erbil. Please let us know where you're flying from, and we'll send you a detailed flight schedule with prices. We also arrange flight tickets from anywhere in the world.
Visa: We arrange electronic visas, which are obtained at Erbil airport for $70. We'll confirm the exact price once the group is formed.
Program
Day 1: Flights to Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan
Today we fly to Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan.
Day 2: Arrival in Erbil; Shaklava; Behal Waterfall; Korek Mountain; Pank Resort; Rawanduz; Hamilton Road and Gali Ali Bagh Waterfalls
After breakfast, we head to the resort town of Shaklava, famous for its sweets and sugar-laden fruit treats.
We continue to Behal Waterfall, a popular spot among Arab tourists, then gradually enter the Korek mountains. We'll take a cable car to a resort village with a wonderful café and huge terrace. The area is actually a ski resort with slopes and facilities.
At the Pank amusement park, we'll ride special carts that run along the edge of a huge canyon. Next is the beautiful town of Rawanduz, nestled picturesquely between the Karand Valley and Cala Rash.
We continue on Hamilton Road, a narrow route through a scenic canyon. Construction began in 1928 when the British took control of Iraq after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Archibald Hamilton—the road's namesake—designed this mountain route to the Iranian border.
Along the way, we'll stop at the Gali Ali Bagh waterfalls, believed to be the highest in the Middle East.
Today we'll hike through the canyons for about 3 km. In the evening, we arrive at a private villa reserved for our group at the foot of Halgurd Mountain, positioning us close to where the climb begins. The villa offers wonderful mountain views and is comfortable, though facilities are basic. Showers and toilets are available, but accommodations are not luxurious. Overnight in the villa.
Day 3: Ascent of Halgurd (3,607 m)
We depart from the lodge at 7 am, followed by a 90-minute jeep ride to the village where we begin our hike up Iraq's highest mountain, Halgurd (3,607 m). The climb starts at 2,500 m. The trail is steep but not difficult. Ascent takes 4–5 hours; descent takes 2.5 hours. Overnight in our villa.
Note: This hike is not difficult, but it requires good physical health and hiking experience.
Day 4: Visiting the Nomads
Today we spend the day with Kurdish nomads. We'll visit their camp and share traditional nomadic meals. We'll learn about their way of life—their customs, traditions, and daily routines. It will be a fascinating day with people whose lifestyle differs dramatically from our own.
Day 5: Erbil and Akre
In Erbil, we'll visit the central square where locals gather to drink tea and socialize—the heart of the town's social and cultural life. The Jalil Hayat Mosque, which resembles the Muhammad Ali Mosque in Cairo and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, was inaugurated on January 19, 2007 after many years of construction. It holds 1,500 to 2,000 people. The Erbil Citadel, with over 7,000 years of history, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We'll also explore the covered market, drink tea in a unique teahouse, and eat kebab at the city's most famous restaurant.
Akre is a charming historic town located 100 km from Dohuk. Dating back to the 7th century BC, it's considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Overnight in Erbil.
Day 6: St. Matthew's Monastery, Lalish Yazidi Village, Raban Hormiz Monastery, Dohuk
Today we continue to St. Matthew's Monastery, one of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world. Founded by St. Matthew in 363, it's renowned for its magnificent library and significant collection of Syriac Christian manuscripts.
We continue to the village of Lalish, founded thousands of years ago. Here stands a temple first used by the ancient Sumerians and other early Mesopotamian civilizations. The conical-roofed shrine is believed to contain the tomb of Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir, an important Yazidi saint. This site is sacred to the Yazidis, who come on pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. Today the village itself is uninhabited. Numerous houses remain unlocked and accessible to pilgrims.
We'll pass through Yazidi and Surian (Christian) villages, which can only be inhabited by Yazidis and Surians (Christians) respectively.
Next is Raban Hormiz, a magnificent monastery founded around 640 AD. It's carved into the mountains at about 815 meters, 2 km northeast of Alkosh and 10 km from the eastern bank of the Tigris River. The site was inhabited by many hermits who lived in caves and cells carved into the rocks scattered throughout the surrounding mountains. There are over 40 cells—some difficult to access, others gradually integrated into the monastic buildings. They range from very small to quite large. Like other Middle Eastern monasteries, the interconnected cave system provided crucial protection against invaders and storage for valuables and food. Overnight in Dohuk.
Dohuk is a Kurdish city of about 250,000 inhabitants. We'll visit the market and a very old mosque nearby. Overnight at a hotel in the city.
Day 7: Dohuk Dam, One of Saddam's Summer Palaces, the Ancient City of Amedi
This morning we head to Dohuk Dam, north of the city. It was completed in 1988 to provide irrigation water to the area.
In the mountains near Dohuk, we'll visit the so-called "Summer Palace of Saddam." During his nearly 24 years in power, the Iraqi president built nearly 60 residences across the country. Two are in the Dohuk area. We'll visit the one on top of the mountain—the more impressive of the two—and pass by the other.
We continue to the ancient city of Amedi, perched on a high hill. It dates back to 2500 BC, when it was part of ancient Assyria. From the city, you have a magnificent panorama of the entire surrounding area. Natural springs provide water, making it an almost impenetrable fortress. The place is one of the most interesting in Iraqi Kurdistan, popular for its tahini. Overnight in Amedi.
Day 8: Gali Sherana Canyons and Waterfalls
Today we visit a remote but beautiful part of Iraqi Kurdistan—the Gali Sherana Canyons and Waterfalls. It's a place to relax, swim, and enjoy magnificent scenery. We'll also visit a tahini factory. In the evening, we return to the hotel for a short rest before transferring to the airport. Overnight accommodation is included in the price.
Day 9 Flights back home
Please email us for more information about this trip or to sign up. We'll respond promptly and keep you updated on all organizational details. If you're a group of 5–8 people, we can discuss dates that suit you. You can also join the list for future trips—just send us your names. It's that simple!
☘️ Social Media: Instagram / Facebook / BlueSky / Vero;
☘️ Call us: +359 888 420 160 (WhatsApp/ Viber);
☘️ Subscribe to our newsletter