MIDDLE EAST EXCURSION

MIDDLE EAST EXCURSION 2027

KURDISTAN REGION OF IRAQ, 10–19 MARCH 2027

Our study and cultural exchange trip visits important historical, cultural, religious and political sites across the Kurdistan Region.

Planned itinerary

1. 1 Erbil (Hewlêr) Erbil is the starting and finishing point of our journey through the Kurdistan Region. In the historic centre we visit the citadel and Qaysari Bazaar and gain insights into the contemporary political life of the regional capital. Show on map →
2. 2 Shaqlawa Shaqlawa lies at the foot of the Safeen Mountains and is known for its green surroundings and orchards. The excursion offers a first impression of the mountain landscape north-east of Erbil. Show on map →
3. 3 Sulaimaniyya Sulaimaniyya is regarded as an important cultural and intellectual centre of the Kurdistan Region. Museums, universities and local encounters offer insights into history, society and the present. Show on map →
4. 4 Halabja Few places embody the consequences of the chemical attack of 16 March 1988 as powerfully as Halabja. In conversations with contemporary witnesses, we explore remembrance, responsibility and reconstruction. Show on map →
5. 5 Hawraman Hawraman is a mountainous cultural landscape on the Iraqi-Iranian border, characterised by terraced villages. The area offers a distinctive insight into Hawrami culture, architecture and everyday life. Show on map →
6. 6 Barzan Barzan lies on the Great Zab and holds central importance in modern Kurdish history. The visit provides an entry point into political development, remembrance and regional identity. Show on map →
7. 7 Dohuk Dohuk lies in a valley surrounded by mountains and is an important centre in the north-west of the Kurdistan Region. From here we explore several religious, historical and scenic destinations nearby. Show on map →
8. 8 Sanctuary of Lalish Lalish is the most important sanctuary of the Yazidi religion and a destination for religious pilgrimage. On site we learn about its distinctive architecture and central traditions and rituals of the Yazidi community. Show on map →
9. 9 Alqosh and Rabban Hormizd Alqosh is a historic Christian town on the Nineveh Plain. Above the town, we visit the rock-hewn Rabban Hormizd Monastery and explore Mesopotamia’s Christian heritage. Show on map →
10. 10 Akre Akre is a historic mountain town whose old houses rise in terraces along the hillside. A walk combines urban history, traditional architecture and sweeping views of the surrounding area. Show on map →
11. 11 Amediye (Amedi) Amediye sits dramatically on a high plateau above the surrounding valleys. The historic Badinan Gate and old town illustrate the centuries-old cultural diversity of northern Kurdistan. Show on map →

Return sections to Erbil and via Sulaimaniyya and Dohuk are included in the map line but are not counted as additional stops. The trip ends at Erbil International Airport.

The trip also includes planned discussions with various institutions and ministries in the Kurdistan Region.

The line is a schematic representation of the itinerary and does not show the exact roads travelled.

The itinerary may be changed to reflect local circumstances.