2025 tours
IRAQI KURDISTAN
Every autumn, a spectacle takes place in Iraqi Kurdistan, and on this expedition, we will get to witness it together!
Join us to experience the special Yazidi autumn festival and explore the wonders of Iraqi Kurdistan!
£1,490 4 - 10th oct
The key details:
Duration- 7 days
For 18 - 80 years old
Starts & ends in Erbil
In-depth cultural style
All meals included
English speaking guide
Day 1: Erbil
Arrival in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan - our guide will pick you up and take you to the hotel.
Today is an arrival day so there is time to walk through the main bazaar, exchange money and sip tea with locals in the citadel.
Visit the citadel – the oldest continually inhabited place in the world, take in the views and visit the central masjid.
Optional visits to the textile museum, Kurdish museum, Minaret Park & the Jalil Khayat Mosque.
Rest and group dinner.
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We hit the road early and drive to the second major city of Iraqi Kurdistan – Sulaymaniyah.
We’ll stop at the old Jewish town of Koya along the way before lunch, before visiting the ancient and crumbling Caravanserai.
Walk through the bustling central Bazar right next to our hotel
Tea in a traditional tea house.
At sunset we’ll drive up Goyzha Mountain for the stunning views overlooking Sulay.
Get the cable car back down the mountain!
Dinner and overnight in Sulaymaniyah.
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Visit the infamous “Red prison” – once a torture centre for Saddam Hussein’s regime - the prison is now a fascinating museum.
We drive to Halabja (one hour) This was the scene of a chemical attack on the Kurdish people, perpetrated by the Baathist regime towards the end of the Iran/Iraq war - here we’ll see the memorial and mass grave sites.
Head to Tawela - previously the front line in the Iran/Iraq war.
Drive onto Ahmed Awa waterfall.
We head back to Sulaymaniyah for some leisurely time around the bazaars.
Group dinner.
Overnight in Sulaymaniyah.
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We depart Sulay this morning and head west towards Lake Dokan. Weather depending we’ll take tea, snacks and a boat ride here.
Drive the famous Hamilton road - the road was built by AM Hamilton in the 1930’s for what he hoped would unify the peoples of the region. It linked Iran with Iraq and was an engineering marvel of the time.
Bekhal waterfall.
Continue driving through incredible mountain ranges stopping at various points for photos.
Overnight in Soran.
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Drive to the historic Shanidar cave.
Amadiya – the stunning mountain top village. Walk through the quiet streets and visit the mosque and church here. See the ancient gateway to the town.
Qubahan School – the fascinating ruins of an ancient madrassa
Drive to Saddam Hussein’s former mountain top palace. You’ll know instantly why he choose this site. Explore the ruins and admire the views.
Continue towards Duhok
Tour the Duhok Bazaar and visit a tea house dedicated to Martyrs killed at the hands of ISIS.
Dinner and overnight in Duhok.
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Depart Duhok for one of the world’s oldest monastery’s – Alqosh
We then drive one hour drive to Lalish for Autumn Assembly celebrations. This is the most sacred town for the Yazidi religion. We’ll tour the temple, meet the locals on pilgrimage here and learn about their recent dark history with ISIS.
Spend the afternoon here mingling and joining in on the festivities.
Drive to Erbil – we’ll visit the citadel: the oldest continually inhabited place in the world. Take in the views over the city from the top of the Citadel.
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Tour ends and guests fly home
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Why you'll love this tour
All transport inside kurdistan and incredible access
All meals included
Professional english speaking guide the whole tour
"I thoroughly enjoyed myself, came back with a heaving camera roll and made some beautiful friends for life in the process. I'd say that's a trip done well and an excellent outcome for me! I'm booked on 2 more of Jay's trips for 2025, and I cannot wait to experience these with him and his guides!"
Aisha
United Kingdom