9-Day Iraqi Kurdistan Newroz Festival Tour

Set off on a nine-day journey through Kurdistan, a region in Northern Iraq, to discover its cultural, geographical, and historical treasures and gain a thorough understanding of the local way of life. 

Erbil, with its renowned citadel, serves as your starting point. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in the world at 6,500 years old and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. After leaving the city, the journey takes in a variety of natural attractions, including beautiful waterfalls, rocky gorges, vast caves, and impressive mountains between Dohuk and Soran. This tour will also cover Iraqi Kurdistan’s cultural and ethnic diversity, which includes stops at Christian monasteries, the sacred home of the Yazidi people, and other sights that offer an insight into contemporary Iraq, like the Halabja Memorial and the infamous Red Prison in Sulaymaniyah. The journey's culmination will be a visit to Akre during the Newruz New Year Festival celebrations. 

This journey is perfect for anyone looking for adventure, cultural insights, and breathtaking natural beauty as it takes you to both the region's well-known sites and its hidden wonders that no one else ever gets to see.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Erbil

Arrive at Erbil International Airport. Your local guide will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel. Take time to freshen up before meeting your local guide for a short orientation, then enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 2 - Erbil - Lalish - Dohuk

Travel from Erbil to Dohuk. En route to Dohuk, stop at Lalish, home to a magnificent Yazidi temple. Discover the Yazidi culture by visiting the temple. Continue on to the Mar Mattai Monastery, which is close to Mosul, and then on to Alqosh, an incredible Christian monastery hewn out of the rock. As you make your way to Dohuk, one of the largest cities in Kurdistan, you will also pass by other historical monuments and monasteries, such as Khanis and Raban Hormizd.

Day 3 - Dohuk - Amedi - Dohuk

Drive to Amadiya, which is perched on top of a flat mountain and provides breathtaking views of the valley. The Three Wise Men are said to have stayed in this 5,000-year-old medieval village when they came to Bethlehem to visit Jesus after his birth. Take advantage of the opportunity to meander around the lovely streets, discover the historical sites, and see the ancient gateway. You will also have the chance to visit one of Saddam Hussein's many (yet most stunning) deserted palaces in Iraq, as well as the fascinating Qubahan School, the magnificent ruins of a former madrassa. Then, continue on to Duhok where you may stroll around the Duhok Bazaar and stop by a teahouse dedicated to ISIS martyrs.

Day 4 - Dohuk - Soran

Spend the entire day traveling between Dohuk and Soran through the Kurdish mountains! Visit the historic Shanidar Cave, which became famous for its Paleolithic history after Ralph Solecki discovered Neanderthal remains there in the middle of the 20th century. Along the way, you will also travel by the Korek Mountains and the Barzan Gorge.

Day 5 - Soran - Hamilton Road - Erbil

Depart from Soran early in the morning. This trip is for those who appreciate the great outdoors, mountains, and breathtaking scenic beauty. Navigate the well-known Hamilton Road, which the British constructed in the 1930s with the goal of uniting the regional communities. It linked Iran and Iraq and was considered an engineering marvel at the time. You will also stop at numerous locations to take pictures as you pass through more gorgeous mountain ranges and visit the Rawanduz Canyon, Bekhal Waterfall, and Gali Ali Bag Waterfall along the way. Afterwards, head back to Erbil to spend the rest of the day discovering the highlights of the city, particularly the historic Citadel of Erbil, a UNESCO landmark that is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world, and find out about its fascinating past. You will also visit the renowned Textile Museum in the Citadel, which showcases a huge selection of hand-made rugs from various Kurdish locations and eras as well as traditional Kurdish clothing. Afterwards, wander through the food market and Qaysai Bazaar to see a range of fascinating local goods and delectable local snacks. 

Day 6 - Erbil - Sulaymaniyah

Journey to Sulaymaniyah, the most modern and Westernized city in all of Kurdistan, and head toward Lake Dokan, a favorite summer destination for locals and a wonderful place to unwind. See the settlement of Koya, which has an old caravanserai and several interesting old structures, from the road. When you arrive in the city, you will have time to explore the bustling streets and the Amna Saraka, a museum honoring Saddam's atrocities that is housed in the former intelligence headquarters of the Ba'ath party.

Day 7 - Sulaymaniyah - Halabja - Erbil

Begins with a visit to the notorious "Red Prison," which was used as a torture facility throughout Saddam Hussein's dictatorship, followed by an hour-long trip to Halabja. The Baathist regime deployed chemical weapons against the Kurdish population in Halabja as the Iran/Iraq conflict was nearing an end. Visit the memorial and the mass burial sites to learn more about the horrific incident. You may also visit the city viewpoint from Azmer Hill before heading back to Erbil.

Day 8 - Erbil - Akre - Erbil

Spend the entire day exploring Akre for the Kurdish festival of Newruz!  Known for its Newroz festival celebrations, the city of Aqrah (Akre) is surrounded by spectacular natural beauty. As their biggest celebration of the year, Kurds observe Newroz and take part in activities whenever it is possible and appropriate. With the torch-lit procession up the mountain at dusk as a highlight, find the best vantage location to watch the Newroz events in the evening by navigating the throngs of people in the early afternoon. Thousands of people flock to Akre for this celebration from all across Kurdistan. Watch as a lengthy procession crosses a valley and climbs the mountain to light the traditional fire atop the peak. Following the celebrations, you will travel back to Erbil.

Day 9 - Erbil

Check out from the hotel after breakfast, then transfer to Erbil International Airport for your journey back home.

Inclusions

• Airport Pick Up and Drop Off

• 8 Nights Accommodation in High International Standard Hotel 

• Breakfast (8)

• English-Speaking Local Guide

• Transportation as Per Itinerary

• Entrance Fees as Per Itinerary

Exclusions

• Local and International Flights

• Meals Not Mentioned

• Drinks

• Visas

• Travel Insurance

• Personal Expenses

• Gratuities (Optional)

Additional Information

• A visa or stamp to Israel or the self-ruled territories, used or unused/valid or invalid, will lead to an immediate entry refusal at all Iraqi ports of entry, even if the traveler is carrying a valid entry visa, and even if traveling on a group visa.

• The tour operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.

• When visiting the holy cities of Karbala and Najaf, there are strict rules of faith. Men need a pair of trousers and t-shirt to wear and women will need long sleeves and a scarf. Please also be advised that alcohol is prohibited in these cities. 

• A moderate amount of walking is involved; Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

• Depending on the political situation, the length of the tour and the order of visited places may change. In a situation of a serious threat to travelers’ safety, the tour may be canceled. 

• Itinerary is subject to change and the attractions may be closed due to traffic, weather, and force majeure. An alternative itinerary may also be omitted depending on the situation.

• Delays, shortening of the tours, or omissions to the itinerary due to traffic, weather, or other unforeseen circumstances are not subject to refund.