Iraq – Kurdistan & Newroz Festival

Overview

Start: Erbil, Iraq

Finish: Erbil, Iraq

Duration: 8 Days

Max. Group Size: 10

A special 8-day trip to visit the Newruz New Year festivities in Iraqi Kurdistan and take in the highlights of the region.
We begin in the Kurdish regional capital, Erbil, with its 6,500 year old citadel, one of the oldest continuously inhabited places on the planet and visit the city’s bazaars and other sites.

We then continue on into the countryside, weaving through the mountains to the spiritual home of the Yazidi people in Lalish, along with the monastery and churches around Alqosh, the walled hill top town Amedi and Duhok.
We also have chance to drive the famous Hamilton Road, visiting waterfalls along the way, plus the Rawanduz Cayon. Finally we take in the vibrant city of Sulaymaniyah, visiting the notorious Red Prison, which is now a museum, plus other city sites, before we finish the trip back in Erbil.

This tour also includes a trip to the focal point for the Kurdish New Year celebrations, in the mountain town of Akre. Here we will soak up the elaborate displays that take place, with people carrying flaming torches up to the top of local peaks, accompanied by large firework displays, dancing, street food and other celebrations.
In 2026, Newroz will also coincide with Eid al Fitr.

Highlights:

Lalish – spiritual home of the Yazidi people
Visit Mar Mattai monastery, Alqosh and Raban Hormizd monastery
Explore Rawanduz canyon and the Hamilton Road
Celebrate Newruz. The Kurdish New Year

Itinerary

Arrive in Erbil.
Transfer from airport to the hotel for briefing.
Visit the main square and the bazaar in the evening.
Overnight in Erbil.

A late start then a full day visiting Akre for the Kurdish festival of Newruz. The highlight being the torch lit procession at dusk up the mountain.
A late return to Erbil.

Drive from Erbil to Dohuk.
En route we will stop and have lunch in Lalish, the spiritual home of the Yazidi people.
Visit the church in Alqosh and the nearby Raban Hormizd monastery (closed at the time of writing).
Once in Dohuk you will have time to explore the city.
Overnight in Dohuk.

Spend the morning exploring Dohuk and its surrounding area, including Duhok dam and Chwarstoon Cave. Continue the drive to the walled town of Amedi and see the mosque ruins in the valley.

Overnight in Amedi.

Drive between Amedi and Soran through the mountains of Kurdistan. Stop in Barzan and see the Barzani Memorial Centre.
There will be a chance to visit the Shanidar cave as well as passing through the Korek Mountains.

Overnight in Soran.

A day visiting the mountains of Kurdistan including Rawanduz canyon, Bekhal and Gali Ali Bag waterfalls. Part of this day includes driving the famous Hamilton Road before arriving in Sulaymaniyah. Enjoy an evening walk in the city centre in Iraq’s most liberal city.
Overnight in Sulaymaniyah.

You will have time to walk the busy streets and visit the Amna Saraka – the museum dedicated to the terrors of Saddam located in the Ba’ath parties old intelligence headquarters. Stop by the Goizha viewpoint before driving back to Erbil
Overnight in Erbil.

Transfer to airport – end of trip

Dates & Prices

Package Confirmed Dates

Trip Status Current Status

Tour Price in USD

Booking

19th Mar

26th Mar, 2026

Available

$ 2100

Book

Information

We do not directly arrange international flights to Iraqi Kurdistan. However, we can suggest routes and operators.

For most nationalities, a visa is available on arrival in Erbil airport. The visa is valid for Iraqi Kurdistan only and NOT for southern Iraq.
If you have an Iraq visa in advance then it is valid for all of Iraq.

We do not and cannot offer a uniform accommodation standard on our itineraries. Even if we wanted to, the reality is that standards and costs in Erbil cannot be compared to a hotel in Soran. We consider comfort, location, design, character, security, historical interest and whether the money we spend will go into the pockets of the local community when we make our choices of where to stay.
The accommodation will be based on you sharing a twin room.
Optional single supplement is available upon request.

We provide breakfast everyday. We know plenty of places in Erbil & Sulaymaniyah for lunch and dinner. From traditional kebab houses to international restaurants at international prices. When there is an option, we let you make the choice of how much you want to spend.

When we choose our vehicles and drivers we take into consideration the road conditions, the length of journey and the competence of the man behind the wheel. Your comfort, enjoyment and safety of the journey is the first priority.

You will be accompanied by a local English-speaking guide/driver for the length of the trip.