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From the most mind-blowing landscapes in the Middle East to breathtaking Christian monasteries and some of the oldest cities in the world, Iraqi Kurdistan is a particularly safe, autonomous region within Iraq that will definitely break all stereotypes you may have about any Middle Eastern destination of this kind.
In this EXPEDITION, we will explore beautiful remote mountains, visit endless historical, cultural, and religious sites and, of course, learn about the Kurdish culture.
It’s a unique, exclusive itinerary only offered by Against the Compass.
But most importantly, this tour will take place during Nowruz, the Kurdish/Persian New Year, which is celebrated in the city of Akre and attended by hundreds of thousands of Kurdish people, quite a unique experience.
March 17th to 24th, 2026
$1690 US dollars
8 days
Led by Oriol López
Note that we always keep the itinerary flexible, and it may be subject to change, depending on the political situation.
1 – Mar 17th: Arrival in Erbil
2 – Mar 18th: Sulaymaniyah
3 – Mar 19th: Halabja & Iran border
4 – Mar 20th: Erbil & Nowruz in Akre
5 – Mar 21st: Mar Mattai, Lalish, and Duhok
6 – Mar 22nd: Amedi, Barzan & Soran
7 – Mar 23rd: Rawanduz & Hamilton Road
8 – Mar 24th: Departure
The expedition begins upon arrival at Erbil International Airport, where we will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.
Once everyone has settled in, we’ll head out for dinner and drinks, most likely in the Christian district of Ankawa.
Overnight in Erbil.
In the morning, we will drive to Sulaymaniyah, the most Westernized and modern city in Kurdistan. Here, we will visit the Red Security Museum (also known as Saddam Hussein’s House of Horrors) housed in the former headquarters of Saddam’s regime.
After lunch, we will explore Sulaymaniyah’s bustling bazaars and mosques.
We’ll end the day with a few beers atop Mount Goyzha, where you can enjoy magnificent views over the entire city.
Overnight in Sulaymaniyah.
Drive to Halabja, a city tragically known for the chemical attack carried out by Saddam Hussein’s regime in 1988. We will visit the sobering Halabja Memorial and Museum, dedicated to the victims and the city’s resilience.
Afterwards, we will continue into the mountainous area near the Iranian border, reaching the town of Byara, where we’ll have the chance to stand just a few meters away from Iranian territory.
After lunch, we will return to Erbil.
Overnight in Erbil.
Before heading to Akre, we will spend the morning exploring Erbil.
Erbil is a 7,000-year-old city—one of the oldest continuously inhabited in the world—rich in history and home to some of the most hospitable people in the Middle East, the Kurds. We will visit the Old Citadel, the bazaar, and Jalil Khayat Mosque.
Then, we will head for Akre, the most photogenic town in Iraqi Kurdistan, to experience the celebration of Nowruz, where every year hundreds of thousands of people gather around bonfires and fireworks.
We will also witness hundreds of Kurds wearing traditional clothes and climbing down the mountain with torches, a visual spectacle.
Overnight in a local homestay near Akre.
We will wake up in a traditional house and enjoy breakfast with a local family, taking things slow in the morning.
Then, we will hit the road again to visit the Christian monastery of Mar Mattai, located only 20 km from Mosul and very close to the former front line against ISIS.
Afterwards, we will continue to Lalish, the holiest place for the Yazidis, a religious group mainly living across the Middle East, the Caucasus, Turkey, and Russia, with the largest population in Iraq.
We will finish the day in Dohuk, the third-largest city in Kurdistan.
Overnight in Dohuk.
Today, we will drive to Amedi, one of the most beautiful towns in the Middle East, built on top of a flat mountain with incredible views of the valley.
It is a 5,000-year-old historical village and is believed to be the home of the Three Wise Men, who made a pilgrimage to Bethlehem to see Jesus Christ after his birth.
After lunch, we will drive along the most scenic road in all of Iraq, stopping in Barzan, a village considered the epicentre of Kurdish nationalism.
Overnight in Soran.
Day 7 of the expedition is about jaw-dropping canyons, fairy meadows, deep gorges, and traditional Kurdish villages.
That’s Rawanduz, a small town surrounded by some of the finest and most beautiful landscapes in the region, where we will spend the whole afternoon exploring its natural wonders—not without first driving along the Hamilton Road, an internationally famous route built in the 1930s.
If possible (not 100% guaranteed), we’ll also have the chance to meet some Kurdish nomads.
Overnight in Erbil.
After enjoying breakfast together, we will arrange your transfer to Erbil International Airport.
If your flight is later in the afternoon or evening, no problem, we can spend the day together exploring Erbil Old Town.
Airport transfer to Erbil International Airport
6 nights of accommodation (twin shared)
Private transportation and driver around Kurdistan
Breakfast
English-speaking knowledgeable local guide
International tour leader
Entrance fees to all sites listed in the itinerary
International flights
Visa fees
Lunch & dinner
Single supplement. Having your own private room costs $165
Travel insurance (from €36)
March 17th to 24th, 2026
$1690 US dollars
8 days
Led by Oriol López
For security reasons, the name of the hotels we stay will only be shared upon booking your spot.
The price of the tour includes accommodation in a twin room.
If you are a solo traveler, you will share the room with another like-minded traveler from the group.
If you want a single room, you will have to pay an additional $165.
Since March 2025, it is recommended to get an e-visa. The cost is $75.
Pretty much all Western nationalities can join.
Erbil International Airport (EBL) has loads of connections, the most common being via Istanbul (Pegasus and Turkish Airlines), Doha (Qatar Airways) and Dubai (Emirates).
We will be a group of maximum 12-13 people.
To secure your spot on the tour, we require a deposit.
We accept payments in both Euros and US dollars. All details will be shared upon booking your spot.
Information about the risks and dangers of the trip:
The traveler is expressly informed that the activities included in the travel itinerary are adventurous and/or take place in conflict zones, which entail dangers and imply the risk of physical, and psychological injuries, and/or death for the traveler.
Due to the characteristics of the destination and/or activities, the specific risks and dangers of the trip are, by way of example but not limited to, those listed below:
War; terrorism; political instability; arbitrary detentions, gunfire in the activity area; and/or violent crime.
Regarding the potential dangers of the destination, travelers are advised to consult the travel recommendations for the destination country provided by their country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For example, in the case of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), these recommendations can be accessed on the following link: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iraq
FCDO advises against all travel to Iraq except to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), where they advise against all but essential travel to KRI.
Yes, if you want to join any of our expeditions, you must purchase travel insurance, this is non-negotiable, and it must be with IATI.
Why do we have to book it with IATI?
Against the Compass has been a partner with IATI for a very long time. We know their CEO, the marketing team and we do a lot of collaborations together so in the unlikely case something happened, we’d know what to do.
Moreover, IATI Insurance covers all the countries where the FCDO advises against all travel.
You may also benefit from a 5% discount if purchasing it from the below link.
Get a quote here to claim your discount
Please check our General Conditions.
However, specific conditions might apply depending on the destination. Example: when the trip includes airfare.
Full details will be shared upon booking your spot.