Join us to the autonomous region of Kurdistan

Itinerary

Day 1 – Erbil

• Arrival in Erbil on your own.
• Or arrive from Iraq with our Iraq Highlights Tour.
• Exchange money on the local market (if needed).
• Meet your fellow travellers.
• Overnight stay in Erbil.

Day 2 – Erbil – Lalesh – Algosh – Duhok

• Highlight: After breakfast, we drive to the Monastery of St. Matthew (Mar Mattei), one of the oldest continuously operating monasteries in Iraq.
• We stop at the hill of Gaugamela, where Alexander the Great defeated the Achaemenid Empire.
• We continue north to Lalish.
• Lalish is the holiest site for the Yazidis: a unique village we enter without shoes.
• Afterwards, we drive on to Duhok, a charming old city.
• Explore the local bazaar and enjoy an evening in Duhok.
• Overnight in Duhok.

Day 3 – Duhok – Amadiya – Rawandas

• After breakfast at the Peshmerga Martyrs Café, we head to Amadiya.
• Highlight: Visit the ancient town of Amadiya, spectacularly perched on a mountain top. Once an impenetrable fortress, now known for its old city gate (Bab Zebar) and a 30-meter high minaret.
• Continue to Barzan, home of the influential Barzani tribe that still plays a key role in Kurdistan.
• Visit the Barzani Memorial Center.
• Drive towards Rawanduz, with regular scenic stops along the way.
• Stop at the Shamarda Cave, where remains of Neanderthals were found. Optional short hike to the top.
• Arrive at Shingelbana Resort: a mountain resort with stunning views.
• Overnight at Shingelbana.

Day 4 – Rawandas – Sulaymaniyah

• After breakfast, we visit the Bekhal Waterfall and Gali Ali Bag Waterfall (which appears on local currency).
• Highlight: Walk along the famous Hamilton Road.
• Continue (approx. 3.5-hour drive) to Sulaymaniyah, the cultural heart of Kurdistan.
• Stroll through the local souks and try street food.
• Overnight in Sulaymaniyah.

Day 5 – Sulaymaniyah – Halabja – Suleimaniya

• Highlight: After breakfast, dive into history at Amna Suraka (Red House Prison): once a torture prison, now a museum about Saddam’s regime and the fight against ISIS.
• Drive to Halabja and visit the Genocide Museum and its moving memorial site.
• Back in Sulaymaniyah, we end the day on Mount Goizha with sunset views over the city.
• Optional: Try paragliding (weather permitting)!
• Optional: Visit Chavyland, the largest amusement park in Kurdistan.
• Overnight in Sulaymaniyah.

Day 6 – Sulaymaniyah – Erbil

• After breakfast, we head back to Erbil.
• Highlight: On the way, we stop at an old caravanserai in Koisinjak and step back in time.
• Visit the Koya Fortress.
• Weather permitting, we take a boat ride on Lake Dukan.
• Once back in Erbil, we stroll through the ancient Citadel.
• Farewell dinner near the bazaar: and for those who want, we end the evening with a drink at a local café!
• Overnight in Erbil.

Day 7 – Erbil

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• End of the tour.
• Travellers continuing on our Iran Highlights Tour depart from Erbil today (flight not included).