JOURNEY THROUGH IRAQI KURDISTAN

• Short description
• Basic information
• Program
• A map of the tour
• How to join us
• Ask for more information

Short description

Through our many journeys to Iraqi Kurdistan, we've developed deep insights into this remarkable region. This experience has enabled us to design a balanced, comprehensive itinerary that showcases all the must-see attractions—making our program one of the most thorough options for exploring this fascinating area.

Our Kurdish adventure begins in Erbil, the regional capital. Here, we'll visit the vibrant central square and the impressive Jalil Hayat Mosque. We'll then explore the ancient Erbil citadel, a site with over 7,000 years of history. Our tour continues through the maze-like central bazaar—one of the Middle East's largest marketplaces—and includes many other highlights in this colorful yet relatively undiscovered city.

Next, we'll journey inland, beginning at Shaqlawa, a resort town renowned for its pastry shops and sweets. We'll visit the magnificent Bekhal Waterfalls before ascending Korek Mountain, where an elevator will take us to a charming vacation village featuring a pleasant restaurant and breathtaking views. At Pank Resort, we'll experience the canyon's roller coaster, which provides spectacular vistas of the surrounding landscape. We'll then explore the picturesque mountain village of Rawanduz and enjoy the refreshing Gali Ali Bag waterfalls. Our day concludes with a return to Erbil via the scenic "Hamilton" road, with a stop at Khanzad Fortress—a site that appears truly magical at sunset.

On the next day, we'll visit St. Matthew's Monastery, situated on the former front line of Islamic State-controlled areas. We'll then explore the Yazidi village of Lalish and its distinctive temple. Our journey continues to Khinnis, an Assyrian archaeological site featuring remarkable rock reliefs created by King Sennacherib around 690 BC. The day's highlight will be the magnificent Rabban Hermizd Chaldean Monastery, followed by a spectacular sunset over the Tigris River.

Next, we'll visit the city of Dohuk where we'll explore its vibrant markets, the impressive Dohuk Dam, the mysterious Blackstone Cave, and one of Saddam Hussein's former summer palaces. We'll also make a stop at Inishke Cave, which has been creatively converted into a restaurant. Our day will conclude in the ancient city of Amedi, where we'll sample the local tahini for which the town is renowned.

On our way to Sulaymaniyah, we'll visit the town of Koya and the artificial Dukan Lake. In Sulaymaniyah, we'll explore the "Red Prison," a comprehensive memorial honoring victims of Saddam Hussein's regime and the Islamic State. As evening approaches, we'll ascend the Goizha Mountains to witness spectacular panoramic views and a stunning sunset over the city. We'll also visit the Sulaymaniyah Museum, which houses the largest collection in Kurdistan and the second-largest antiquities collection in Iraq.

Our next stop will be the small Kurdish town of Halabja, known for the devastating chemical attack by Saddam Hussein's dictatorial regime that killed more than 5,000 residents. We'll then visit the village of Byara, situated on the Iran-Iraq border, where you'll have time to purchase souvenirs and enjoy a late lunch in a charming local pub before our return flight from Erbil to Istanbul or your home country.

Basic information

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 beginning our city tour.

Historians claim that Erbil has been continuously inhabited since the 28th century BC, making it one of the world's oldest cities (UNESCO). Our tour includes a visit to the central square—the heart 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 both the Muhammad Ali Mosque in Cairo and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.

The Erbil Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features an impressive history spanning over 7,000 years. While in Erbil, we'll wander through the vast bazaar, enjoy tea at a distinctive teahouse, and savor kebabs at the city's most celebrated restaurant. We'll also explore the intriguing abandoned Arab/Jewish quarter before returning to our hotel in Erbil for the night.

Day 2 Shaqlawa, Bekhal Falls, Mount Korek, Pank Resort, Rawanduz Town, and Hamilton Road

After breakfast, we'll journey to Shaqlawa, known for its delicious sweets and fruits. Our next stop is the Bekhal waterfalls, a popular destination among Arab tourists. We'll then ascend the Korek Mountains by elevator to a charming vacation village featuring a picturesque café and ski resort facilities.

At Pank Resort, we'll experience the thrilling canyon roller coaster with its breathtaking views. Our journey continues to the picturesque city of Rawanduz, whose name comes from Raun, a celebrated local poet, and Douz, meaning "citadel" or "tower." Nestled among mountains, the city offers a truly captivating sight.

We'll then travel along the Hamilton Road, which winds through a scenic gorge. We'll take time to appreciate the stunning landscapes and enjoy navigating this canyon. Construction of this road began in 1928 after British control of Iraq following the Ottoman Empire's collapse. Named after its chief engineer, Archibald Hamilton, this route serves as both a crucial transport link and a remarkable engineering achievement. Hamilton later documented this experience in his book, "The Road through Kurdistan".

We'll make a brief stop at the Gali Ali Bag waterfalls, the highest in the Middle East. Then we'll visit Khanzad Castle, situated between Shaqlawa and Erbil. Built during the 16th-century Soran Emirate under Princess Khanzad and her brother Prince Suleiman Beg, this well-preserved citadel stands 40 meters tall on a small hill. It maintains its original structure, complete with four round towers at each corner. In the evening, we'll return to our 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'll visit St. Matthew's Monastery, one of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world. Founded in 363 by St. Matthew himself, it's renowned for its magnificent library and extensive collection of Syriac Christian manuscripts.

Next, we'll explore the ancient village of Lalish, which dates back thousands of years. The village features a temple once used by the ancient Sumerians and other early Mesopotamian civilizations. Its distinctive cone-shaped shrine is believed to contain the tomb of Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir, a revered Yazidi saint. Lalish holds immense spiritual significance for Yazidis, who strive to make at least one pilgrimage here during their lifetime. While the village itself remains uninhabited today, many houses stay unlocked to accommodate pilgrims.

We'll also visit Khinnis, an Assyrian archaeological site featuring remarkable rock reliefs created by King Sennacherib around 690 BC.

Throughout our journey, we'll pass through villages exclusively inhabited by Yazidi and Syriac (Christian) communities, where settlement is restricted to these groups.

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'll explore the vibrant local market and a nearby ancient mosque before returning to our hotel for the night.

Day 4 Dohuk Reservoir, Blackstone Cave, One of Saddam's Summer Palaces, Inishky Cave, Amedi Ancient City, Erbil

In the morning, we'll drive north of Dohuk to the reservoir, completed in 1988 to supply irrigation water to the region.

Near the dam, we'll visit the Zoroastrian Charsteen cave. Zoroastrianism, which originated in the 6th century BC, was once widespread in this area. Inside the cave, we'll see religious carvings on the walls. The cave's ceiling remains blackened with hardened soot from centuries of fires.

In the nearby mountains, we'll also explore one of Saddam Hussein's summer palaces. The Iraqi dictator built nearly 60 residences during his 24-year rule. Of the two palaces in the Dohuk area, we'll visit the most impressive one perched on the mountainside.

Next, we'll discover Inishky Cave, which has a fascinating history—first inhabited by Neanderthals and later repurposed as a field hospital. Today, it functions as a restaurant.

Our next destination is the ancient city of Amedi, perched atop a high hill. Dating back to 2500 BC, this former part of ancient Assyria offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. Thanks to its natural water sources, Amedi has remained an almost impregnable fortress throughout history. It stands as one of the most fascinating places in Iraqi Kurdistan and is also renowned for its exceptional tahini. In the evening, we'll return to Erbil for our overnight stay.

Day 5 Koya, Lake Dukan, Sulaymaniyah

In Koya town, we'll visit the 18th-century caravanserai. Next, we'll stop at Lake Dukan—Iraq's largest artificial lake—known for its fishing, boating, and various summer activities.

Our journey continues to Sulaymaniyah, formerly the capital of the historic Kurdish principality of Baban. This city serves as both an important economic center of Iraqi Kurdistan and a cultural hub for Sorani-speaking Kurds. Since its founding, Sulaymaniyah has produced numerous poets, writers, historians, politicians, scholars, and singers, making it one of Kurdistan's most culturally significant cities.

Our final stop is the "Red Prison," now a museum. This transformed facility stands as a powerful symbol of Saddam Hussein's campaign against the Kurds. Today, it houses a moving collection of photos and artifacts of the Peshmerga fighters who defended against the Islamic State.

During our visit, we'll also explore the vibrant local market.

A highlight of the journey will be the breathtaking panoramic view of Sulaymaniyah from the Goizha Mountains. We'll drive up at sunset to witness the city 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, which houses Kurdistan's largest collection and Iraq's second-largest antiquities collection. The museum 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 that claimed over 5,000 lives. We'll explore the city and pay our respects at the memorial honoring the victims. The main perpetrator of this atrocity, General Ali Hassan al-Majid—infamously known as "Chemical Ali"—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. As a rare destination for foreign visitors, it offers 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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