IRAQ
Along the Hilly Flanks: Exploring Ancient Wonders in the Mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan
11 Days / 12 Nights
Highlights
- Experience the holy center of the Yazidi religion at Lalish.
- Witness the jaw-dropping beauty of Rowanduz Gorge and its cascading waterfalls.
- Explore the Erbil Citadel, a mound of millennia of occupation at the center of modern Erbil.
- Take a gondola to Korek’s mountaintop villa, a Swiss chalet replica.
- Immerse in Sulaymaniyah’s vibrant youth culture and modern buzz.
Prepare for a once-in-a lifetime trip that your friends will look enviously on as you post highlights on your Instagram account.
This is the cradle of civilization.
This is Iraq.
This is Kurdistan.
Itinerary
Embark on a life-changing odyssey —an 11-day journey into the cradle of civilization where the past whispers through ancient stones and natural wonders beckon.
Welcome to Iraqi Kurdistan, a slice of that world waiting to be explored and a community yearning for connection. This is not your typical trip; this is a journey into the past and an adventure into a land waiting to be explored.
The Grand Kick-off: Erbil
Our adventure starts in the beating heart of Kurdistan, Erbil. A city that’s a living museum, where every street and every archway has a story to tell. You’ll land in the brand-new Erbil Airport, transfer, and settle into your hotel, shaking off jet lag and gearing up for the adventure.
We start with a communal welcome meal, letting you sink into the flavors of Kurdish cuisine, and set the stage for our tour’s ethos: Explore, Discover, Connect. We’ll spend our days in the winding streets of the Erbil Citadel, discovering why it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and it’s thousands of years of continuous history.
The Sacred & The Mystical: Lalish & Duhok
We’ll roll away from Erbil and head to Lalish—the spiritual home of the Yazidi community. From the moment you step onto its sacred ground, you’ll be gripped by its oil-soaked grounds of history and sacrifice. Then, it’s on to Duhok, a city that’s a hybrid of the past and the present.
A Gateway to Antiquity: Amedi
Prepare to have your breath stolen. Amedi awaits. This elevated marvel will force you to re-imagine your understanding of civilization itself. Walk the stones that have witnessed empires rise and fall, and imagine—if these walls could talk. What would they say? We return to Duhok for some downtime or another taste of local life—it’s up to you.
The Elixir of Nature: Soran & Waterfall Wonders
We drive through Akre, a town that defies gravity on its mountainous perch, en route to Soran. We enter the region through the thundering sounds of waterfalls that forged the mighty Rowanduz Gorge. At Gali Ali Beg and Bekhal, let the misty sprays fall over you as you dip your toes into the freezing mountain waters.
An Unexpected Mountain Retreat: Korek Mountain Resort
Leaving Soran, we ascend the vistas to Korek Mountain—a western-style ski resort towering over the region. We’ll reach the resort by traveling thousands of feet up the mountain in a luxury gondola. It’s an experience that feels more like Switzerland than Kurdistan. At night we have the unique opportunity to stay in Swiss chalets, overlooking the vastness below.
High-altitude Harmony: Korek Mountain Resort
Leaving Soran, we climb the vistas to Korek Mountain—a western-style ski resort towering over the region. We’ll reach the resort by traveling thousands of feet up the mountain in a luxury gondola. It’s an experience that feels more Switzerland than Kurdistan. At night we have the unique opportunity to stay in Swiss chalets, overlooking the thousands of people below.
Sulaymaniyah: The City of Culture
Crown jewel of our trip, Sulaymaniyah, or Suli as locals call it, captures the essence of modern Kurdistan. Museums like Amna Suraka narrate haunting but essential stories, while bustling markets and cafés let you sip the vibrant culture in every cup of tea. A full day and night in this cosmopolitan haven will fill your journals with anecdotes and your hearts with gratitude.
This is More Than a Trip
It’s a life-altering experience.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to step outside your comfort zone.
It’s your chance to create memories with new friends.
We invite you to join us in the next chapter in this unfolding story.
What's Included in The Trip?
10 nights of accommodation, in 4 or 5-star western-style hotels. Kurdistan has a very well-developed tourism sector, with dozens of hotels in each major city.
You’ll get every breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner (with 2 days having an option to get lunch & dinner on your own, if you choose).
We will do our best to accommodate vegetarian diets, but we cannot promise vegan options.
Your Guide - Years of Expertise
Marshall Schurtz, PhD
Marshall first traveled to Iraqi Kurdistan 10 years ago, in 2013.
Since then, he’s spent 6-months in the country.
He wrote his dissertation, Like a Snake in Difficult Mountains, about his research and expeditions in the northeastern mountains of Kurdistan. As part of his travels, he’s excavated over five sites in the Kurdistan region.
He’ll be your guide on this adventure, along with local Kurdish guides. When it comes to knowing the past, the history, the story of the region, he’ll take the lead. When it comes to the culture, the food and other highlights in Kurdistan, your local guide will take the lead.
Any questions about safety, logistics, or the highlights of Iraqi Kurdistan? He’s your guy.
Iraq FAQs
Common questions and answers about traveling to Kurdistan.
Is Kurdistan safe?
Yes! While much of Iraq struggled with sectarian violence after the US invasion, Kurdistan continued as a semi-autonomous region with its own border control and military. Today, terrorism attacks are uncommon and tourism has been booming over the last few years.
How do we get there?
Flights to Kurdistan are easy and fairly affordable. The two major airports are in Erbil and Suleymaniah. There are frequent flights from the Gulf and from Europe.
Launching Soon
We are in the planning phases for this inaugural launch.
If you’d like to learn more and be updated when we announce dates, please share your email.
