English 
NederlandsWelcome to Kurdistan!
Kurdistan feels like a world apart from the rest of Iraq. The province has an autonomous status within Iraq and therefore has also it’s own rules (to a certain extend). During our tour you will experience Kurdish hospitality and see all the highlights that this province has to offer. From big cities like Sulaymaniyah and Erbil to the unique culture of the Yazedis. On top of this, you’ll join the Newroz Festival, the biggest holiday in Kurdistan.
General info
| Start date | Thursday 16 March 2023 |
| End date | Wednesday 22 March 2023 |
| Days | 7 days / 6 nights |
| Price | € 1,195 € 3,990 (Iraq Tour combo) |
| Including | Accommodation (shared) Transportation on the ground Western & local guide Breakfast Entry fees |
| Excluding | International flights Single room (€ 300) Insurance Visa Lunch & Dinner Tips for the guide Personal expenses |
This offer is covered by the STO Garant guarantee. You can find the conditions for this guarantee scheme on STO Garant’s website.
Itinerary
Thursday 16 March – Erbil
- Arrival in Erbil on your own.
- OR: Arrive from the Grand Iraq Spring Tour.
- Exchange money on the local market (if necessary).
- Meet the group.
- Overnight stay in Erbil.
Friday 17 March – Erbil – Sulaymaniyah
- Drive to Sulaymaniyah.
- Visit to the Red Prison, where Kurds were imprisoned and abused in the time of Saddam Hussein. It’s now a museum.
- Sulaymaniyah Museum, a place with artifacts from the prehistoric to the Ottoman period.
- Walk over to the local souk.
- Short drive to the Goizha Mountain, from here you’ll have a spectacular view of the city.
- Evening walk in the city center.
- Overnight stay in Sulaymaniyah.
Saturday 18 March – Sulaymaniyah – Rawandas
- Drive to Rawandas, with regular stops along the way for photos.
- We drive via Dukan Lake, if we have time you can make a boat trip to see the dam.
- Stop at Geli Ali Beg, a waterfall that’s featured on the 500 Iraqi Dinar note.
- We regularly stop along the way for photos of the special landscape.
- Highlight: Walk along the famous Hamilton Road.
- Overnight stay in Rawandas.
Sunday 19 March – Rawandas – Amadiya – Duhok
- Drive to Amadiya.
- Highlight: Former palace of Saddam Hussein. Nowadays there are only a few walls but the views are still spectacular.
- Continue to Duhok.
- City walk through this bustling town.
- Overnight stay in Duhok.
Monday 20 March – Duhok – Akre – Erbil – NEWROZ FESTIVAL
- Drive to Lalesh.
- Highlight: Guided tour of Lalesh, the holiest place for the Yazidi people. A special population group that has its own religion.
- Drive to the 4th Century Dayro d-Mor Matay Monastery (St. Matthew’s Monastery).
- We hit the road for a drive to Akre. This is the best and most famous place in Kurdistan to celebrate the Newroz Festival.
- See the old fortress and mosque of Akre.
- Picnic at the Sipa Waterfall, a perfect place to mingle with the locals and enjoy the festives.
- Highlight: Watch a big procession make it’s way up a big mountain across the valley. On top of the mountain a big fire will be made.
- Return to Erbil.
- Overnight stay in Erbil.
Tuesday 21 March – Erbil
- Walk through the Citadel of Erbil, including a visit to the textile Museum.
- The bazaar of Erbil (also known as the Qaysari Bazaar)
- Big farewell dinner.
- Overnight stay in Erbil.
Wednesday 22 March – Erbil
- End of tour.