Iraqi Kurdistan Tours for 2025 and 2026

YPT Tours to Iraqi Kurdistan

YPT was one of the first travel companies to organize Iraqi Kurdistan tours, the autonomous region of Iraq run by the Kurdish people. This region has experienced remarkable stability in comparison to the region of Federal Iraq, and it offers a completely unique cultural experience.

We are currently offering the following Iraqi Kurdistan Group Tours for 2025 and 2026, but keep watching this page as we are always looking to add more Iraqi Kurdistan tours. Due to logistical restraints, we can only hold spots up to 16 group members, so be sure to book quickly as our Iraqi Kurdistan Tours are very popular and places fill up quickly.

We are currently looking to add more Kurdistan tours that will take in Turkish Kurdistan, Iranian Kurdistan and Syrian Kurdistan – follow the page and our social media for updates.

Group Tours To Iraqi Kurdistan

Iraqi Kurdistan Newroz Festival – March 16th-22nd 2025 – $1145

Experience Iraqi Kurdistan in a completely different way during our Iraqi Kurdistan Newroz Festival tour. In addition to exploring all of the historical and cultural sites of Iraqi Kurdistan, we’ll also celebrate Newroz, the most important Kurdish holiday of the year that celebrates the beginning of spring and the start of new beginnings. As the streets explode with Kurds celebrating the beginning of the Kurdish New Year, we’ll join in all of the festivities.

Iraqi Kurdistan Newroz Festival Tour

This tour is the adventure of a lifetime, and for those who are wishing to explore even more, it combines perfectly with our Southern Iraq Ultimate Tour. Those who wish to combine the two tours receive a discount as part of the Whole Iraq Spring Combo.

Iraqi Kurdistan Spring Tour – May 15th-21st 2025 – $1145

Enjoy the best that Iraqi Kurdistan has to offer before the summer heat sets in on our Iraqi Kurdistan Spring Tour. On this tour, we’ll explore the Mountains of Kurdistan, mingle with the locals in Erbil, and get the chance to meet with the Peshmerga, the Kurdish military that have kept this region safe, despite the intense persecution of Kurds under ISIS in recent years.

Iraqi Kurdistan Spring Tour

This tour offers the perfect opportunity to explore all that Iraqi Kurdistan has to offer, and for those who are wishing to explore even more, it combines perfectly with our Southern Iraq Spring Tour. Those who wish to combine the two tours receive a discount as part of the Whole Iraq Spring Combo.

Iraqi Kurdistan Autumn Tour (October 22nd-28th 2025) $1145

Our Iraqi Kurdistan Autumn Tour takes us to the paradise on Earth that is Iraqi Kurdistan. Home to more than 3500 archaeological sites and one of the most ethnically and religiously diverse communities in the Middle East, Iraqi Kurdistan is a site to behold. From meeting with the Yazidis, one of the most misunderstood and persecuted religious groups to enjoying drinks with Kurdistan’s Christian community, this tour offers and unparalleled look at one of the most fascinating and historical regions of the world.

Iraqi Kurdistan Autumn Tour

Iraqi Kurdistan New Year Tour – December 26th 2025 – January 1st 2026 – $1145

Ring in 2025 in the most memorable way possible. Spend the end of 2025 exploring the only remaining Yazidi shrine in Lalish, exploring the deepest Gorge in the Middle East, and chatting with locals about their struggles with Saddam Hussein and ISIS. Celebrate the new year with local friends at one of the best cafes in Erbil while you watch fireworks from Erbil’s citadel, the oldest continuously inhabited building on Earth. Together, we’ll celebrate not only the most memorable News Year’s possible, but we’ll also cheers to the future of Iraqi Kurdistan in a new era of peace, beauty, and stability.

Iraqi Kurdistan New Year Tour

Our Iraqi Kurdistan tours combine well with our Southern Iraq tours. By combining these tours, you not only are able to see and understand the fascinating diversity and culture of Iraq, but you also receive a discount as part of our Whole Iraq Autumn Combo.

Independent Tours To Iraqi Kurdistan

If a group tour does not fit your calendar or if you require something more specific for yourself or your group, then YPT can arrange a bespoke tour to Iraqi Kurdistan for you.

Prices depend on the number of people and what level of accommodation you require, but YPT can arrange everything you need for a perfect independent tour to Iraqi Kurdistan.

Tours to Iraqi Kurdistan can also be combined with trips to other places in the region, such as Federal Iraq, Iran, or Kuwait.

Eample of an Iraqi Kurdistan Itinerary (7 days)

Below is our sample Kurdistan Tour, this be done as is, combined with other destinations, or shortened. We list this as an example of what we can do on an Iraqi Kurdistan Tour.

Day 1 – Erbil

Arrive at your convenience into Erbil – the capital and most populated city in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq which is well connected from many countries within Africa and most of Europe.
Those who arrive early can use this time to check out Erbil’s bazaar or visit the Erbil citadel, one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the whole world, with an opportunity to shop for souvenirs.

Day 2 – Erbil – Duhok

We then drive to St. Matthew Monastery (Mar Mattei) – the oldest Christian monastery in all Iraq and one of the oldest still in existence. Built into the side of Mt. Alfaf in 363AD, it has a long and storied history of war and turmoil, yet somehow it has survived to the modern day.
We’ll stop at the hill of Gaugamela – where Alexander the Great famously defeated the Achaemenid Empire.

Afternoon

After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll continue the journey to up north to Lalish – this is the most sacred town for the Yazidi people and is extremely interesting as it is now maintained by only a few families, waiting for the Yazidi refugees spread out all over the world to come back. To enter the town, we must remove our shoes.
Arrive in Duhok, a pleasant old town with its roots in the Dasini tribe of Yazidis.
Explore the local bazaar, and head out for dinner and experience the nightlife.
Overnight in Duhok

Day 3 – Duhok – Rawanduz

In the morning, we’ll be having our breakfast at the Peshmerga Martyrs Cafe. The Peshmerga are the Kurdish military and have kept this region safe from the likes of ISIS, and the cafe has started to honour the martyred Peshmerga and to raise money for the deceased’s families.
We’ll make our way along the Gara Mountain – here you’ll catch a glimpse of one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces. Today, the palace has been taken over by the Peshmerga, and they continue to use it as a base for occasional battles that take place between Turkish and Kurdish forces today.
We’ll then head to the ancient city of Amadiya which is located on a high promontory above a breathtaking landscape. It was once an almost impenetrable fortress. The city Gate (Bab Zebar) is on the eastern side of the city of Amadiya built by Imaduddin Al-Zanki 600AD. A minaret 30 meters high stands in the middle of Amadiya.
Continue onto the town of Barzan – home to the Barzani tribe, whose members control Iraqi Kurdistan today.
You’ll visit the Barzani Memorial Center – built to honour the 8,000 members of the Barzani tribe killed in a genocide led by Saddam Hussein, it is a sombering look at the violence experienced by the Kurdish people.
We’ll then embark on one of our longer journeys to Rawanduz.

Afternoon

Along the way, we’ll stop at a locally famous fish restaurant that serves a traditional Kurdish dish of fried river fish.
Stop by the Shamarda cave and partake in a short hike to the top – here is an important archaeological site where the remains of 10 Neanderthals were found between 1957 and 1961.
Walking tour of Rawanduz before we head for dinner and drinks.
Overnight in Rawanduz

Day 4 – Rawanduz – Sulaymaniyah

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll head to one of the waterfalls that is located in the deepest gorge in the Middle East.
Drive the famously scenic Hamilton Road. The road was built by AM Hamilton in the early 1930s for what he hoped would unify the peoples of the region. In fact, the road has been fought over many times, especially during the 1980s war with Iran.
We continue our journey stopping at various waterfalls and lookouts for pictures.

Afternoon

Lunch at a countryside restaurant.
We take another scenic drive of around 3.5 hours to the second major city of Iraqi Kurdistan, and the most important regarding tourism, Sulaymaniyah. We will be stopping along the way for refreshments and picture opportunities.
In the evening, we take a walk around this historical city visiting its parks and landmarks.
Sulaymaniyah has a great street food scene so we go to the bazaar to try some of the local specialities for dinner.
Overnight in Sulaymaniyah.

Day 5 – Sulaymaniyah – Halabja – Sulaymaniyah

After breakfast we visit the Red House Prison (Amna Suraka) – this is where Saddam’s regime imprisoned and tortured Kurds suspected of being anti-Baath. You’ll visit the prison and torture cells used at the time. Military vehicles from tanks to jeeps are displayed outside. There is also a new extension of the museum dedicated to the war against ISIS.

Afternoon

Lunch at a local joint in Sulaymaniyah.
Drive one-hour to Halabja – this was where the mass chemical attack on the Kurdish people perpetrated by the Baathist regime took place. Here, you’ll look at the various shrines to the scene of this atrocity, as well as visit a local museum that goes into further detail.
Return to Sulaymaniyah.
Head to Goizha Mountain to see the stunning view of Sulaymaniyah below as the sun sets. Depending on the weather, paragliding is an optional way down which we highly recommend.
Dinner at one of Sulaymaniyah finer restaurants
Optional evening endeavour, we’ll head to Chavyland Amusement Park – one of the largest amusement parks in Kurdistan with an equally iconic moniker.
Overnight in Sulaymaniyah.

Day 6 – Sulaymaniyah – Erbil

After breakfast, we again hit the road, this time back to Erbil.
On the way, we’ll stop by the old Koya Caravanserai and the Koya Fortress – fortress towns in Kurdistan of when the Ottoman Empire had control over almost the entire Middle East.
If time and weather permits, we’ll head to Dukan lake for a short boat ride towards the dam (optional cost). For a long time, this dam was nonoperational because the Iraqi army stole a crucial computer chip used for monitoring the dam as they left.

Afternoon

Complete the scenic two-hour journey back to Erbil, again, stopping for refreshments and photos along the way.
Explore the Citadel for a gorgeous sunset, which, although it has seen better days, is still worth a look. We then head into the bazaar where your local guide will help you find some last-minute bargains.
We have a farewell dinner near the bazaar.
It is fair to say you do not know a country until you have done a bar crawl, so we finish our time in Iraqi Kurdistan by seeing it off with a last night celebration
Overnight in Erbil.

Day 7 – Erbil

Breakfast at hotel
Tour concludes

BESPOKE IRAQI KURDISTAN TOURS

As part of our travel packages in the Middle East, we can offer bespoke and independent tours to Iraqi Kurdistan.

History Tour – Visit the Erbil Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the Lalish Temple, the spiritual center of the Yazidi religion, and the historic town of Al Qosh, a center of Christianity for centuries. Visit ancient churches like Mar Gorgis and admire the intricate stone carvings and frescoes. Explore the ancient city of Amadiya perched atop a dramatic mountain peak and visit the historic town of Barzan.

Kurdistan Adventure Tour – Embark on a challenging trek through the Rawanduz mountains, where you will encounter nomadic shepherds, and camp under a star-studded sky. You can also kayak through the pristine waters of Dohuk Lake, surrounded by dramatic mountains.

Cultural Immersion – Experience Kurdish hospitality firsthand by staying with a local family in a homestay. Learn about their daily life, traditions, and cuisine. This is a unique opportunity to connect with the Kurdish people on a deeper level.

Religious History Tour – YPT can help you explore the religious diversity of Kurdistan, offering a glimpse into Islam, Yazidism, Christianity, and Judaism. In Erbil, explore the citadel’s religious layers, bustling Minaret Bazaar, and the Kurdistan Museum for historical context. Then, head to Lalish to visit the Temple, meet a Yazidi leader, and potentially observe a ceremony. Drive to St. Matthew Monastery (Mar Mattei), the oldest Christian monastery in all Iraq, and head to Akre to explore the Great Synagogue ruins and savour Kurdish-Jewish cuisine.

Combo Tour with Southern Iraq: Before you dive into Iraqi Kurdistan, why not combine it with Southern Iraq? Add on Baghdad, the Mesopotamian Marshes, Basra, Najaf, Karbala, Mosul, Babylon, Ur and so much more!

Filming in Iraqi Kurdistan: Through our media arm Pioneer Media we can make arrangements for productions, journalists, or others to film within Kurdistan from big budget to guerrilla productions. We can also arrange meetings in country, as well as correct visas for journalist wishing to do projects within Kurdistan.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TRAVEL TO IRAQI KURDISTAN

Do I need a visa to go to Iraqi Kurdistan?

Yes, most nationalities need a visa to go to Iraqi Kurdistan. There is an e-visa service through which a vast majority of nationalities can submit their application online and paying the e-visa fee of $75USD. Official e-visa website: https://visit.gov.krd/ The following nationalities can use the e-visa service: European Union countries, USA, UK, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland, etc. Since the introduction of the e-visa platform, Kurdistan immigration has been transitioning to no longer accept visa on arrival. For most nationalities that are not listed above - we can arrange your e-visa for $250. This includes Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, and Serbia for example. However, some countries, such as India and South Africa, are blacklisted by the Kurdish Regional Government.

Can I travel between Southern Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan with the same visa?

If you are travelling from Southern Iraq (Federal Iraq) on the same trip, your Southern Iraq visa includes your stay in Kurdistan, and you won’t need a new visa when entering Kurdistan. As such, your time in Kurdistan should be within the validity period of your Southern Iraq visa which is 30 days. On the other hand, the Kurdistan e-visa or the Kurdistan visa on arrival stamp is not valid for travel elsewhere in Iraq outside of Kurdistan including Baghdad – it is only valid for the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Both parts of the country are working on unifying it.

Can I get a SIM card in Iraqi Kurdistan?

Most hotels and restaurants have Wifi, but if you want to stay connected throughout your trip, you can buy a SIM card. They are widely available in Iraqi Kurdistan, particularly in major cities like Erbil, Sulaimaniyah, and Dohuk. You can purchase them at Erbil International Airport and official stores of major operators like Korek Telecom, Asiacell, and Zain Iraq. Many convenience stores, phone shops, and authorized dealers in city centres also sell SIM cards. A SIM card typically costs from IQD 5,000 to IQD 15,000 (approximately USD 3 to USD 10), depending on the provider and included benefits. Data plans start from around IQD 10,000 for smaller bundles, with larger data volumes available at higher prices. You'll need to provide identification to register your SIM card, which is a legal requirement in Iraq, including Kurdistan. The registration is typically quick, done at the point of purchase, and involves providing your details and a passport copy.

What currency is used in Iraqi Kurdistan?

The currency of Iraqi Kurdistan is the Iraqi Dinar (IQD), the same money used elsewhere in Iraq. International ATMs can be difficult to find in most places. You will need to bring US dollars which can be exchange at currency exchanges and hotels in the cities and major towns. EUR is possible to exchange but not accepted by all.

Is it safe to travel to Iraqi Kurdistan?

Iraqi Kurdistan is generally considered safer than other parts of Iraq due to its autonomy and the relative stability provided by the Kurdish Regional Government. Cities like Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Dohuk are often highlighted as safer for tourists. The crime rate in these cities is relatively low compared to many Western cities, with incidents of petty crime being less common. However, the region has experienced tensions with neighbouring countries, particularly Turkey due to the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) activities, leading to occasional military operations near border areas. Avoid areas close to borders, especially with Turkey and Iran, where there might be military activities.

Is Iraqi Kurdistan LGBT-friendly?

Homosexuality is illegal in Iraq, and while the Kurdistan Region has some autonomy, it does not have separate laws explicitly protecting or criminalizing homosexual acts. While some might argue that Iraqi Kurdistan is relatively safer than other parts of Iraq for the LGBT community, it's still fraught with danger. Many LGBT individuals in the region live discreetly due to fear of reprisal from family, society, or authorities. Societal attitudes in Iraqi Kurdistan towards the LGBT community are generally conservative, influenced by traditional Islamic and cultural values. There have been efforts by organizations like Rasan in Sulaymaniyah to advocate for LGBT rights. These groups have tried to foster dialogue and awareness, but they face significant challenges. Rasan, for instance, has encountered legal and societal pushback, including having its license revoked for advocating for LGBT rights.

What is the food like in Iraqi Kurdistan?

Iraqi Kurdistan's was influenced by many cultures, including Kurdish, Arab, Turkish, Persian, and Armenian culinary traditions. Various types of kebabs are prevalent, including shish kebab (meat skewers), kofta kebab (minced meat shaped around skewers), and doner kebab (rotisserie meat). You can also find Dolma, stuffed vegetables, often grape leaves or peppers, filled with a mixture of rice, herbs, and sometimes meat. Biryani, an aromatic rice dish, often mixed with meat, spices, and sometimes dried fruits or nuts, is also a staple of Iraqi cuisine. Meals are often communal, with large dishes meant for sharing and breakfast might include flatbread, cheese, olives, and eggs. Meals can be heavily spiced, with an emphasis on fresh herbs like parsley, mint, and coriander.

Is Iraqi Kurdistan vegetarian-friendly?

Iraqi Kurdistan, like many other parts of the Middle East, traditionally has a cuisine centred around meat, particularly lamb, chicken, and beef. However, there are vegetarian options available, though they might not be as abundant or varied as in more vegetarian-friendly cultures: Dolma (stuffed vegetables) can be made without meat using rice, herbs, and spices. Biryani is a rice dish that can be made without meat, focusing on spices, herbs, and sometimes dried fruits. Falafel is a common fast food option, made from chickpeas or fava beans, widely available in cities. Vegetarian options might be limited in small, local eateries but are more likely to be found in larger cities like Erbil, Sulaimaniyah, or Dohuk, especially in places that cater to tourists or expatriates. As awareness grows, some places, particularly those oriented towards Western tourists or expats, are starting to offer more vegetarian or vegan options on their menus. Please note that Kurdish meals are often communal, so dining with others might involve explaining your dietary preferences more than once.

Is alcohol legal in Iraqi Kurdistan?

Alcohol is legal in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. You can find it in bars, restaurants, and some shops, particularly in larger cities like Erbil, Sulaimaniyah, and Dohuk. Howeber, while legal, public consumption might not be as openly practiced as in Western countries due to cultural sensitivities. It's more common in tourist areas or among expatriates. Establishments that sell alcohol usually need a special license to do so, which means not every restaurant or bar will have alcohol on offer.

Do I need insurance to travel to Iraqi Kurdistan?

We do strongly recommend that travellers to all our destinations have travel insurance. Accidents or medical conditions can happen anywhere and it’s best to be prepared since medical facilities in Algeria may be very basic. A proper travel insurance should include coverage for (medical) evacuation/repatriation costs by helicopter, plane or ship. You should always do your own research about insurance, but we at YPT use IATI. Using our referral link below will give you a 5% discount off their usual price: https://www.iatitravelinsurance.com/en/?r=23612524710385

Why travel to Iraqi Kurdistan with Young Pioneer tours?

Having organized trips to Iraqi Kurdistan since it opened to tourism, YPT are experts in the country. That’s why we can show you the unseen and undiscovered Iraqi Kurdistan that few travellers get to see, while navigating the complexities of traveling in this region, from visa arrangements to understanding local customs and safety. Joining a YPT tour also means becoming part of a community of travelers interested in similar adventurous, yet safe, travel experiences.