Short description
Our frequent trips to Iraqi Kurdistan have given us an in-depth understanding of the region. As a result, we've crafted a well-balanced itinerary that covers all the fascinating sites, making this one of the most comprehensive programs available for exploring the area.
Our journey through Iraqi Kurdistan begins in the capital city of Erbil. We will explore the city's central square and visit the Jalil Hayat Mosque. Then, we will enter the citadel of Erbil, which has a history of over 7000 years. We will wander through the labyrinth of the central bazaar, one of the largest in the Middle East, and do many other things in this colourful but almost unknown city.
Next, we will head inland, stopping first at the resort town of Shaqlawa, famous for its pastry shops and sweets. We will also visit the Bekhal Waterfalls and gradually drive into Korek Mountain. There, we will take an elevator up to a small vacation village with a pleasant restaurant and a magnificent view. At Pank Resort, we will ride on the canyon's roller coaster, which offers spectacular views. Then we will walk through the small mountain village of Rawanduz and splash in the Gali Ali Bag waterfalls. At the end of this day, we will return to Erbil on the scenic "Hamilton" road, stopping along the way at Khanzad Fortress, which looks magical at sunset.
The next day, we will head off to St. Matthew's Monastery, located on the former front line of areas controlled by the Islamic State. We will spend more time in the Yazidi village of Lalish with its unique temple. We will also stop at Khinnis, an Assyrian archaeological site notable for its rock reliefs, built by King Sennacherib around 690 BC. The most impressive sight of the day will be the Rabban Hermizd Chaldean Monastery, followed by an unforgettable sunset over the Tigris River.
Continuing on, we will visit the city of Dohuk, where we will explore markets, the Dohuk Dam, Blackstone Cave, and one of Saddam's summer palaces. We will also stop at the Inishke Cave, which has been converted into a restaurant. Then, we will end the day in the ancient city of Amedi, where we will taste the local tahini for which the town is famous.
Before reaching Sulaymaniyah, we will stop at the town of Koya and the artificial Dukan Lake. In Sulaymaniyah, we will visit the "Red Prison," an extensive memorial dedicated to the victims of Saddam Hussein's rule and the Islamic State. In the evening, we will drive up the Goizha Mountains to enjoy the magnificent panoramic views and beautiful sunset over the city. We will also see the Sulaymaniyah Museum, which has the most extensive collection in Kurdistan and Iraq's second-largest antiquities collection.
The small Kurdish town of Halabja will be our next stop, known for the dictatorial regime's chemical attack on the town's residents, which killed more than 5000 people. Finally, we will visit the small village of Byara on the Iran-Iraq border, where we will have time to buy souvenirs and have a late lunch in a unique pub before our return flight from Erbil to Istanbul or your home land.
Basic information
Dates: March 19-26, 2025; October 20-26, 2025;
Duration: 7 nights/8 days;
Group: 7/8 people;
Price for the program in Iraqi Kurdistan without air tickets: 1,470 euros/person (group of 7/8 people). If the group is smaller than seven people, the price increases slightly.
Included in the Price:
Guiding: Tour leader and local guide/driver;
Transportation: Minibus for all route travel; airport transfers;
Accommodation: 7 nights in quality hotels, double occupancy rooms with breakfast;
Not Included in the Price: International airfares; lunches and dinners (the food is inexpensive); entrance tickets (totaling about $20-$30); travel insurance (we can arrange it if you don't have it); visa ($70, available at Erbil airport); and personal expenses.
(1) Flights with Turkish Airlines
Note: The group will travel from Sofia, Bulgaria to Erbil via Istanbul, Turkey. We can book flights from your home country to Erbil via Istanbul, allowing us to meet at the Istanbul airport. If you prefer to travel directly from your home country to Erbil, we'll arrange a transfer to the hotel in Erbil and meet you there. Please contact us to discuss available options.
Departure: Istanbul 00:20 - Erbil (Iraqi Kurdistan) 02:45;
Return flight: Erbil 03:35 - Istanbul 06:25;
Visa: Visa is issued at Erbil airport and costs $70.
This program offers an overview of the key aspects of the trip. If you require customized solutions based on your specific case and circumstances, please contact us via email. We can arrange flight tickets from any location worldwide to the trip's starting point. Furthermore, we can handle hotel transfers and any necessary documents. Our team will provide assistance throughout the entire organization process. Feel free to reach out to us without hesitation via email!
Program
Day 1 Arrival in Erbil and City Tour
We'll arrive early morning at Erbil airport, the administrative capital of Iraqi Kurdistan. After transferring to the hotel and resting until about 10:00 am, we'll enjoy breakfast before embarking on our city tour.
Historians assert that Erbil has been continuously inhabited since the 28th century BC, making it one of the world's oldest cities (UNESCO). Our tour will include a visit to the central square—the hub of the city's vibrant social and cultural life—where locals gather to drink tea and socialize.
We'll also visit the Jalil Khayat Mosque, which opened in Erbil on January 19, 2007, after years of construction. Its architectural style resembles that of the Muhammad Ali Mosque in Cairo and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.
The Citadel of Erbil, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts a history spanning over 7,000 years. In Erbil, we'll explore the sprawling bazaar, savor tea in a unique teahouse, and indulge in kebabs at the city's most renowned restaurant. We'll also visit the fascinating abandoned Arab/Jewish quarter before retiring for the night in Erbil.
Day 2 Shaqlawa, Bekhal Falls, Mount Korek, Pank Resort, Rawanduz Town, and Hamilton Road
After breakfast, we'll journey to Shaqlawa, famed for its delectable sweets and fruits. Our next stop is the Bekhal waterfalls, a favorite spot among Arab tourists. We'll then ascend the Korek Mountains via elevator to a charming vacation village, complete with a picturesque café and ski resort facilities.
At Pank Resort, we'll experience the exhilarating canyon roller coaster, offering breathtaking views. Our journey continues to the picturesque city of Rawanduz, its name derived from Raun, a celebrated local poet, and Douz, meaning "citadel" or "tower." Nestled among mountains, the city presents a truly captivating sight.
We'll then embark on the Hamilton Road, winding through a scenic gorge. We'll take our time to soak in the stunning landscapes and revel in the thrill of navigating this canyon. Construction of this road began in 1928, following British control of Iraq after the Ottoman Empire's fall. Named after its chief engineer, Archibald Hamilton, this route is not only a crucial transport link but also a remarkable feat of engineering. Hamilton later chronicled this experience in his book, "The Road through Kurdistan".
We will make a brief stop at the Gali Ali Bag waterfalls, which are considered the highest waterfalls in the Middle East. After that, we will continue to Khanzad Castle, located on the road between Shaqlawa and Erbil. This castle was built during the Soran Emirate in the 16th century under the rule of Princess Khanzad and her brother Prince Suleiman Beg. The citadel, which is about 40 meters high and located on a small hill, is one of the well-preserved remnants in the area. It retains its original shape and has four round towers at each corner. In the evening, we will return to the hotel in Erbil.
Day 3 St. Matthew's Monastery, the Yezidi village of Lalish, Hanis - the cradle of Kurdish civilization, Raban Hormiz Monastery, Dohuk.
Today, we will visit the monastery of "St. Matthew", which is considered one of the oldest Christian monasteries. It is known for its magnificent library and substantial collection of Syriac Christian manuscripts. The monastery was founded in 363 by St. Matthew.
We will then proceed to the village of Lalish, which was founded thousands of years ago. There is a temple there that was used by the ancient Sumerians and other early Mesopotamian civilizations. The cone-shaped shrine is believed to house the tomb of Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir, an important Yazidi saint. This place is sacred to the Yezidis, who make a pilgrimage here at least once in their lifetime. Although the village itself is uninhabited today, there are many houses that remain unlocked and accessible to pilgrims.
We will also make a stop at Khinnis, an Assyrian archaeological site notable for its rock reliefs that were built by King Sennacherib around 690 BC.
During our journey, we will pass through Yazidi and Syriac (Christian) villages, where only Yazidis and Syrians (Christians) are allowed to settle.
Our next stop is the Rabban Hermizd Chaldean Monastery, a magnificent sanctuary founded around 640 AD. Located 2 km northeast of Alkosh at an altitude of 815 meters, this remarkable structure is carved into the mountains. Hermits once inhabited its network of caves and rock-hewn cells—over 40 in total. Some cells remain difficult to access, while others have been incorporated into the monastery buildings. Like many Middle Eastern monasteries, this intricate system of interconnected caves served as both a refuge from intruders and a secure storage for valuables and provisions.
As day turns to evening, we'll witness a breathtaking sunset on the banks of the Tigris River—a truly magical experience. We'll then retire for the night in the city of Dohuk.
Dohuk is a Kurdish city with a population of approximately 250,000. During our visit, we will explore the market and an ancient mosque located nearby, followed by an overnight stay in a city hotel.
Day 4 Dohuk Reservoir, Blackstone Cave, One of Saddam's Summer Palaces, Inishky Cave, Amedi Ancient City, Erbil
In the morning, we will drive north of the city to the Dohuk Reservoir, which was completed in 1988 to provide the area with water for irrigation.
Near the dam, we will visit the Zoroastrian Charsteen cave. Zoroastrianism was founded in the 6th century BC and was very popular in this area. Inside the cave, we will see signs carved into the walls that refer to the religion. The cave's roof is still covered in hardened soot from the fires that burned inside for many years.
In the nearby mountains, we will also visit one of Saddam's Summer Palaces. During his 24 years in power, the Iraqi president built nearly 60 residences. There are two of them in the Dohuk area, and we will visit the most impressive one located on the mountain.
Next, we will explore Inishky Cave, once inhabited by Neanderthals and later used as a field hospital. Nowadays, it serves as a restaurant.
We will visit the ancient city of Amedi, perched atop a high hill. Dating back to 2500 BC, Amedi was once part of ancient Assyria. The city offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area and, thanks to its natural water sources, remains an almost impregnable fortress. Amedi is one of the most fascinating places in Iraqi Kurdistan and is renowned for its tahini. In the evening, we return to Erbil for our overnight stay.
Day 5 Koya, Lake Dukan, Sulaymaniyah
In Koya town we will visit the 18th-century caravanserai. The next stop will be Lake Dukan—Iraq's largest artificial lake—popular for fishing, boating, and various summer activities.
Our journey continues to Sulaymaniyah, once the capital of the historic Kurdish principality of Baban. This city is not only an important economic center of Iraqi Kurdistan but also a cultural hub for Sorani-speaking Kurds. Since its founding, Sulaymaniyah has nurtured countless poets, writers, historians, politicians, scholars, and singers, making it one of Kurdistan's most remarkable cities.
Our final stop is the "Red Prison," now a museum. This prison-turned-museum symbolizes Saddam Hussein's attempts to exterminate the Kurds. Today, it houses a poignant collection of photos and artifacts of the Peshmerga fighters who battled against the Islamic State.
We will also explore the local market during our trip.
A highlight of the journey will be the breathtaking panoramic view of Sulaymaniyah from the Goizha Mountains. We'll drive up at sunset, when the landscape is bathed in golden light. Our overnight stay will be in Sulaymaniyah.
Day 6 Sulaymaniyah - Museum, Halabja, and Byara village on the Iran-Iraq border
Before lunch, we'll visit the Sulaymaniyah Museum, home to Kurdistan's largest collection and Iraq's second-largest antiquities collection. It showcases numerous Kurdish and ancient Persian artifacts dating from 1792 to 1750 BC.
Next, we'll journey to Halabja, a city near the Iranian border. Halabja is tragically known for the 1988 chemical attack by Saddam Hussein's regime, which claimed over 5,000 lives. We'll explore the city and pay our respects at the memorial honoring the victims. General Ali Hassan al-Majid, infamously known as "Chemical Ali" and the main perpetrator of this atrocity, was executed in 2010.
Our final stop will be the Kurdish village of Byara, situated right on the Iran-Iraq border. This remote village features a small market selling souvenirs, primarily catering to Arab tourists. It's a rare destination for foreign visitors, offering a unique glimpse into border life.
As evening falls, we'll make our way back to Erbil.
Day 7 Departure from Erbil
We'll fly back to Istanbul or your home country from Erbil International Airport.
A map of the tour
How to join us
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!
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