Tuesday 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.

Wednesday 27th December – Erbil – Koya – Sulaymaniyah

Morning

• The day starts with breakfast at the hotel, followed by early morning Departure for Sulaymaniyah
• 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
• Next, we pass through the incredible lake Dukan and take some photos of the breathtaking, rarely seen sceneries along the way.
• We will then walk in the Bazaar and interact with locals, visit the famous teahouse.
• Next, we will go to Goizha Mountain for sunset where you can see Sulaymaniyah city from above
• Overnight in Sulaymaniyah at Rawaz hotel

Thursday 28th December – Sulaymaniyah – Rawanduz

Morning

• Today we have breakfast in a local tea house in Sulaymaniyah.
• Our first stop is at Sulaymaniyah’s infamous Amna Suraka or Red House. The cavern-like entrance of this prison-turned museum is covered with tiny mirrors representing the more than 182,000 Kurds who Saddam Hussein “disappeared” during his bloody reign of terror and lights representing the 4000 villages he destroyed.
• Visit the archaeological site of Zarzi cave
• Drive to Dokan Lake – located next to the city of Ranya – it acts as a reservoir on the Little Zab created by the construction of the Dukan Dam. The Dam was built in 1959 to provide water storage, irrigation and hydroelectricity for nearby townships. He’ll we’ll take a boat ride.

Afternoon

• Picnic lunch nearby the lake and feast on famous Iraqi Mazgouf fish and other local dishes for lunch.
• Following we will pass along the incredible Hamilton Road– one of the great engineering feats of the past centuries.
• Then having the opportunity to hop out and walk along one of the oldest parts of Hamilton Road. Get your camera ready!
• Afterwards we stop off at Bekhal waterfall and enjoy over a relaxing cup of tea or coffee.
• Finally, we visit the deepest gorge in the middle east – Kharand gorge.
• Overnight in Soran hotel.

Friday 29^th of December – Barzan – Shanidar – Amedi – Dohuk

Morning

• Early morning and breakfast at hotel
• We then venture to Shanidar cave and explore one of the most important Neanderthal sites in the world – for the daring you will have the opportunity to climb the cave.

Afternoon

• Lunch at the famous fish restaurant in Rezan Village in Barzan
• Then hit the road to 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 in 5-600 AD. A 30 meters high minaret is in the middle of Amadiya
• Head to Duhok and have dinner
• Overnight in Dohuk and staying at Maria hotel

Saturday 30^th December – Alwush – Lalish – Erbil

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel and depart for the remarkable St. Matthew monastery in Jabal Maqloob which was built in 363AD.
• 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
• Overnight at Karwan Saray hotel and get ready for a big following day

Sunday 31^st December – Erbil

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel and get ready for a big final day of 2023
• 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 Karwan Saray hotel

Monday 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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