Sunday 16th March – 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 the Middle East 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.
• Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of Karwan Saray Hotel at 6:00pm once the Southern Iraq group members arrive to discuss tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and YPT guide.
• Dinner and drinks will be in Erbil’s Christian neighbourhood.
• Overnight in Erbil.

Monday 17th March – Erbil – Sulaymaniyah

Morning

• We begin the day by taking a 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.
• Stop to explore 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.
• Here we will 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. One of the most interesting aspects about this museum is seeing the array of pictures of fallen Kurdish soldiers. Here you can learn in-depth about the Peshmergas role in deterring ISIS and the importance of female Peshmerga officers in this process.

Afternoon

• Sulaymaniyah has a great street food scene to try some of the local specialities for lunch.
• After lunch we will walk through the busiest and most hectic Bazaar in Iraq where you can purchase and browse some Kurdish traditional clothes or other antiques as a souvenir.
• Head to Goizha Mountain to see the stunning view of Sulaymaniyah below as the sun sets with an option to drink tea and listen to the local musicians playing Kurdish music. Depending on the weather, paragliding is optional on your way down.
• Dinner at a local restaurant serving Sulaymaniyah’s best and overnight at hotel in Sulaymaniyah.
• Optional evening endeavour, we’ll head to Chavyland Amusement Park – one of the largest amusement parks in Kurdistan with an equally iconic moniker.

Tuesday 18th March – Sulaymaniyah – Rawanduz

Morning

• We make our way to Rawanduz but on the way we’ll drive the famously scenic Hamilton Road built by A.M. Hamilton in the early 1930’s for what he hoped would unify the peoples of the region. In fact, the road had been fought over many times, especially during the war with Iran.
• We continue our journey stopping at various waterfalls and mountains for pictures. These include the ‘Geli Ali Beg’, so famous that it’s on the 5000 Iraqi dinar note.
• If time and weather permits, we’ll head to Dukan lake for a short boat ride towards the dam (optional cost). The Dam was built in 1959 to provide water storage, irrigation and hydroelectricity for nearby townships. 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

• Lunch at a countryside restaurant.
• We will pass through the town of Shaqlawa where you can buy locally made Kurdish wine most famous for being made by one particular woman who’s been doing it for decades.
• We’ll 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.
• In the evening, we will arrive to Shingelbana resort – a popular mountain top theme park! We will stay overnight in cabins and can enjoy some rides – including a mountain-side toboggan that shows incredible views but is not for the faint hearted!
• Overnight at Shingelbana resort.

Wednesday 19th March – Amadiya – Dohuk

Morning

• After breakfast we’ll 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.
• We spend a few hours exploring and admiring the breathtaking views and possibly getting to chat with some of the armed Peshmerga guards who keep the area safe from would-be invaders.
• 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.

Afternoon

• Visit a locally famous fish restaurant along the river for a traditional Kurdistan lunch.
• Continue our drive onwards to Duhok, which is a pleasant old town for our overnight stay.
• Dinner at one of our most favourite restaurants of the tour for the best selection on lamb and chicken
• Overnight in Duhok

Thursday 20th March – Dohuk – Lalish – Akre: Newroz Festival – Erbil

Morning

• Head 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.
• Visit the fourth century Dayro d-Mor Matay Monastery (St. Matthew’s Monastery) and explore of one of Christendom’s most important ancient sites in almost continuous operation for nearly 200 years.
• Trip highlight – We hit the road, this time heading to the city of Akre, famed for its celebrations of the Newroz festival which just happens to be today! The city is believed to have been continuously inhabited since at least the 7th century. Here we’ll get to see the old fortress and the grand Mosque, one of the oldest in Iraq.

Afternoon

• Lunch at the 30-meter high Sipa waterfall, just a mile outside of Akre.
• Newroz is the most important holiday of the year for Kurds and we will be joining in celebrations where possible and appropriate
• In the early afternoon we will make our way through the gathering crowds to situate ourselves in at the best location for viewing the evening festivities of Newroz. Thousands of people from throughout Kurdistan visit Akre for this festival. We will watch as a long procession makes it way up a mountain across the valley to light the traditional fire at the top of the mountain and a spectacular fireworks performance. Entrance fee not included.
• Late in the evening, we’ll head back to Erbil.
• Overnight in Erbil.

Friday 21st March – Erbil

Morning

• We will visit the 7000-year-old Citadel of Erbil – the oldest continuously inhabited city on earth. Erbil Citadel was once a Sumerian City called Urbellum or Arbella and it is believed that Abraham passed through this city on one of his journeys.
• Visit the Textile Museum within the Citadel. The museum features ancient Kurdish fighting tools, traditional dresses, handmade rugs from different regions and eras of Kurdish history, jewellery, and photos.

Afternoon

• Explore the food market and covered Qaysari Bazaar as well as many interesting items as well as tasty sweets and delicacies.
• Meet up for dinner and go to one of the most famous rooftops bars in the Christian district for a farewell event!
• 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

Saturday 22nd March – Erbil

• Breakfast at hotel
• Tour concludes – YPT is also able to arrange post-tour accommodation or advice for flights.

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