Friday 26th December – 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 to meet your fellow travellers and YPT guide.
• Dinner and drinks, overnight in Erbil.

Saturday 27th December – Erbil – Koya – Sulaymaniyah

Morning

• The day starts with breakfast at the hotel, followed by early morning departure to Sulaymaniyah
• 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.
• Subject to availability, meet the family that lives above the Caravanserai and see the restoration project from this bird’s eye view.
• Then we head for Sulaymaniyah or “Suly”, as it is affectionately known to residents, which was founded in the late 18th century, and so compared to Erbil is a very young city.

Afternoon

• Lunch at Kosrat restaurant for traditional food
• We will then walk in the Bazaar and interact with locals, including a visit to the bazaar’s famous teahouse.
• 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 one of Sulaymaniyah finer restaurants
• Optional evening endeavor, we’ll head to one of the many Amusement Parks in Sulaymaniyah to enjoy the rides and games! 
• Overnight in Sulaymaniyah

Sunday 28th December – Sulaymaniyah – Rawanduz

Morning

• After breakfast, we’ll 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.
• 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

• Picnic lunch nearby the lake and feast on famous Iraqi Mazgouf fish and other local dishes for lunch.
• 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.
• You’ll have the opportunity to walk along one of the oldest parts of Hamilton Road.
• Afterwards we stop off at Bekhal Waterfall and enjoy over a relaxing cup of tea or coffee.
• We then visit the deepest gorge in the Middle East – Kharand gorge.
• 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.

Monday 29^th of December – Rawanduz – Barzan – Amadiya – Dohuk

Morning

• Early morning and breakfast at hotel
• 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

• Lunch at the famous fish restaurant in Rezan Village in Barzan
• 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.
• 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. 
• Head to Duhok and have dinner
• Overnight in Dohuk

Tuesday 30^th December – Dohuk – Alwush – Lalish – Erbil

Morning

• 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 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.
• Next, we visit Lalish – a pilgrimage site of the mysterious and fascinating Yazidi people. This is the most sacred town for the Yazidi people and is extremely interesting. We sometimes encounter Peshmerga along the trip and may have the opportunity to engage them in an interesting conversation about the war with ISIS.

Afternoon

• Lunch at local restaurant and begin the drive back to Erbil via the scenic landscape!
• Overnight in Erbil and get ready for a big following day

Wednesday 31^st December – Erbil

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel and get ready for a big final day of the year!
• Our first stop is at the 7000-year-old Citadel of Erbil the oldest continuously inhabited city on earth (There are other cities perhaps as old but not continuously inhabited!).
• Explore the food market and covered Qayasari Bazaar – said to be one of the oldest covered markets in the world. We encourage you to get lost as you follow the maze of narrow lanes further into the abyss where countless designs of jewellery, carpets, antiques and street food are sold.
• Visit ‘Shexallah’ Bazaar, one of the oldest bazar in Erbil and food markets. Here you’ll be able to experience the traditional way of browsing and haggling in Erbil.

Afternoon

• Head to Christian suburb of Ainkawa and visit some of its many cafes and bars.
• Join a rooftop party at the one of the best restaurants in Erbil to welcome the New Year. Watch an amazing firework display from the Citadel of Erbil while having dinner and drinks.
• Overnight in hotel

Thursday 1st January – Erbil

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

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