Kurdistan Expeditions

Kurdistan Expeditions is one of the best tour operators in Kurdistan. Balin is a highly professional guide as well as a reliable person whom we felt so comfortable to be with when we visit this region. He is also a very kind person that we could feel when we did a tour around Kurdistan with him. Highly recommended!

One of the most memorable experiences we had in Kurdistan!! We had a day trip with a lovely group, where we travelled to Deraluk near the Duhok province. The natural landscape here was absolutely mesmerising. We had a real adventure hiking up the mountains to get to the final point where we had the most rewarding view of clear blue water. This was by far one the most memorable things I did in Kurdistan, and I would highly recommend to everyone! Thanks to Balin for being the best guide and providing us all with an amazing experience.

Thanks to our tour guide, Balin, and his attention to detail and organization, we had all of the important sites of Iraqi Kurdistan brought to life. He made everything feel comfortable and safe as well as culturally insightful with personal stories. Would definitely recommend this company for any traveler.

I did the tour of Kurdistan for the Newroz in March 2024. What an amazing experience! We travelled the whole country covering Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok, Akre, Rawunduz and Lalish. It felt like several holidays in one. In the cities we explored the bazaars and tea houses. In the countryside we navigated the mountains, lakes and caves. I learned so much about Kurdish culture and other communities such as the Yazidis. The Yazidi town of Lalish where you walk barefoot, was incredible. The Newroz celebration in the mountains of Akre was breathtaking. We hiked to the top of the mountain to tak

Great 3 days on the best Kurdistan trip we could imagine with my daughter. Totally recommending Kurdistan Expeditions. Knowledge, ideas of places to visit, best yime ever.

Balin is an excellent guide, he takes pride in showing Kurdistan as it is, a land of amazing beauty, great history but somehow dysfunctional. We took successive tours of Federal Irak and Kurdistan, as soon as we crossed the physical border one felt the difference for the better up north. I especially enjoyed Balin’s humor, which comes naturally even in the middle of some descriptive narrative. He took good care of us through and through. Along with our tour coordinator, the chemistry we had as a group and mostly good weather it was an unforgettable experience.

I was in contact with Balen, who put me in touch with Bakhtiar. Both were very friendly, responsive, and always quick to reply. We took a trip to Mosul, which was amazing and very interesting. Thanks to both!

If you come to Kurdistan, it is a must that you book a tour with Kurdistan Expeditions. We did our first day tour with our guide Bakhtiar to different historical sites like St. Matthew’s in the Nineveh Mountains and to Lalish and the excitement has lasted for days. Bakhtiar makes sure that no question goes unanswered, he speaks great English and is supportive in every way. The day was very familiar, even though we had only just met. An all-round successful experience. We are now looking forward to our second tour with him and are already planning our next trip to Iraq 🙏🏽so stay tuned …

I had a unforgettable day tour with Balin to Mor Mattai Monastery, Lalish and Alqosh. Balin‘s extensive knowledge and years of experience truly impressed me. Balin was very flexible and understanding, making the tour enjoyable. The Visit of Lalish still affects me, Balin‘s insights added depth to the experience, allowing me to appreciate the cultural and historical context of the area. looking forward to come again.

Balin is everything you would expect from a tour guide: reliable and professional, absolutely well informed and still funny with a great sense of humour. I had great times in Kurdistan, saw whatever there is to see and simply very much enjoyed my trip with Balin.

A group of Greek friends had the pleasure to use their service. Amazing hospitality, professionalism even when the weather conditions were severe. Definitely recommended. Thank you for the unique experience 🙏 …

I want to express our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible tour provided by Kurdistan Expeditions through Federal Iraq and Kurdistan. Balin Zaras deep knowledge of history, culture, and local traditions made every moment unforgettable. The breathtaking sights, delicious food, and warm hospitality left a lasting impression. Most importantly, your professionalism and care made us feel welcome and safe throughout the journey. You truly went above and beyond, ensuring a smooth and enriching experience. We highly recommend your services to anyone seeking an authentic and well-organized tour. Tha

Looking to travel to all of Iraq then this is your company to go with. The best experience of my travels was with Kurdistan Expeditions! Balin knows the best places to see, eat and sleep. Cannot ask for a better tour guide than him!

I travelled with Brusk for 5 days! I had an incredible experience in Kurdistan! We departed from Erbil on the way to Dohuk we stopped in a few places including Mar Mattai, Lalish and my favorite Rabban Hermizd. The next day we departed from Dohuk to Barzan and had great morning in the mountains and a fantastic lunch on top of a lake! Suli was very impressive given its history and vibrant community. Definitely would highly recommend this tour to anyone thinking of visiting KRI and spend a unique time discovering all its places with a local guide like Brusk. He is very detail orientated, we had

My parents were coming to visit me after a year of me living in Kurdistan. Balin designed an jam-packed plan for us to explore the Northern parts of the region in 3 days. We discovered the hidden secrets that you would never find in guidebooks from ancient aqueducts to fresh falafel. He made it memorable for each of us by paying attention to what each of our interests were and ensuring we made the most of it, which was not an easy task considering all the rain! We truly felt looked after. Thank you Balin for making our holiday so memorable, fingers crossed to another exploration in the South o

It wasn’t just a super good tour. It was a life experience for me. Balin shared many stories about the history of Kurdistan and Iraq. But also he was so honest about his life experience. He is very attentive, genuine and gorgeous. I want to repeat this journey again. Highly recommended.

I run a small travel agency in India and when. I heard that Iraq was finally open for tourists…it was a dream that was coming true…We planned our tour with all ladies for March 2024…for whatever unexpected events, we had to change the tour dates…we weren’t even sure if we would be able to operate it…And then came Balin (I call him my Angel / my Saviour)…he made the impossible- Possible I don’t want to go into too much details..But if you are planning a trip to Iraq..look no further…He is a man of his words, his commitment to his work is flawless. He delivers more than he promises and No One c

As an avid traveler with a fascination for ancient history, I embarked (June 2023) on an extraordinary expedition through Iraq's ancient sites, with four other women, led by our exceptional travel guide- Balin Zrar of Kurdistan Expeditions. This journey was unlike any other, Balin, magically unlock the secrets of the cradle of civilization, revealing the wonders of ancient Iraq. From the moment we set foot on this enigmatic land, Balin's expertise and passion for the subject became evident. His knowledge of Iraqi history, culture, regional politics and archaeology provided a captivating narra

For new year 2024, I came to Irak for the second time with Balin. I am from Argentina, living in France and I was always interested in Middle East. I didn 't come with much expectations and now I can Say Irak is on my Top 5 favouriste destinations. We visited Baghdad, Basra, Najaf, Karbala, Ur, Uruk ,Mosul. And even Agatha Christie 's house. I think I will come back in a near future with Kurdistan Expeditions again to this part of the world

Unforgettable trip to Kurdistan in October 2021. Balin laid out the red carpet and we saw everything we wanted and more! Can't wait to return again soon.

Balin and Kurdistan Expeditions are the absolute best. I chatted with every guide in Kurdistan before choosing him and I promise there is no one better. You will be in very good hands in Kurdistan and in the South.

I've travelled to a few countries and met multiple tour guides and tour companies, very few are as professional and organised as Kurdistan Expeditions. With Kurdistan Expeditions you can expect your tour to go like clockwork and the guides offer fascinating points of view. Truly the right way to visit Kurdistan.

I had the good fortune of being looked after for a few days in Kurdistan by Balin of Kurdistan Expeditions - and I only have a million good things to say! Balin was not only a total professional, but also a good guy you could share a laugh with / have a good chat with as we spoke about everything Kurdistan and Iraq, whether it be history, archaeology, politics, culture, the people and more. He took me to all of the amazing sites of Kurdistan, gave me all sorts of useful tips (including calmly sorting things out for me when by bag broke just when I was about to leave), and also included all sor

Best experience in Kurdistan, loved it

Iraqi Kurdistan ,a wonderful unforgettable experience with our guide Balin

Traveled with Balin from Kurdistan Expeditions throughout of Iraq and Kurdistan. Unforgettable journey!

The tours were amazing!

Professional approach, feeling of security, knows his country perfectly. Thanks!

Balin - the King of Guides. We have just done a 7 week trip in 12 countries so lots of guides, but Balin was hands down the best. Not only was he very knowledgable, which you expect guides to be, but he quickly ascertained what our interests were and customized the week for us. We felt as though a friend was proudly showing us around and not merely a guide. He has a great personality and we sure laughed a lot. In addition to the main sights he took us to great restaurants.

I was part of a group tour to the Kurdistan region of Iraq lead by Balin. He was the best Tour Guide for this area and his knowledge was incredible...several other Tour Guides we met along the way also revered Balin. Apart from knowing absolutely everything about the area, he was a warm and generous Tour Guide and I loved hearing all the tales he told about his family life growing up and about life in Kurdistan now. He was very amusing and a delight to travel with. I would highly recommend booking a tour with Balin for the best (and safest) tour of Kurdistan 💯

Enjoyed my tour with Balin - was always on time, knowledgeable, and drove safely in icy/snow conditions. Would deff use Kurdistan Expeditions again!!

The Kurdistan expedition is an incredible journey with stunning destinations, each offering unique experiences. I would like to especially highlight the kindness and professionalism of our tour guide, Mr. Balin. He went above and beyond to ensure that my needs were met, answering all my questions with a warm smile and making the trip even more enjoyable. His dedication and hospitality truly enhanced the experience, and I highly recommend this expedition to anyone looking to explore the beauty and culture of Kurdistan!

Given the short notice and my tight schedule, Balin was able to effortlessly coordinate and plan itineraries for both Kurdistan and Southern Iraq(Thank you to Adil) What an amazing trip and I was able to check mark every locale/ sight. I highly recommend contacting Balin @ Kurdistan Tours. You will not be disappointed.

The hospitality in Kurdistan is unmatched… We feel certain that no one other than Balin could have provided us with such an amazing experience in Kurdistan. Not only did we feel extremely welcome, but we felt comfortable and safe in this beautiful region. Balin is very genuine and sincere with the work he does, and this is essential when travelling to new places - you simply must book with him if you are visiting Kurdistan! :)

With a group of nine we spent 7 days in Federal Iraq with Kurdistan expeditions. It is truly an amazing place with  ancient history, people and culture. But what made it truly a memorable experience was Balin  Zrar ,our guide. Balin treated us like friends, making us feel really comfortable and excited. He is a great guide and is the one you have to experience Iraq with. Very knowledgeable in history and culture, good story teller,excellent sence of humor and at the same time very tactful and polite. We visited all the amazing places in Iraq - from Baghdad, Babylon to Karbala, Najaf, Nasiriyah

Balin is an excellent guide - punctual, knowledgeable, perfectly fluent in English, and a general joy to be around. Anybody hoping to visit the KRG or Iraq in general should definitely consider having Balin accompany them. I will surely consider having him join us again on any future adventures in the region. Thanks so much again, Balin!

Kurdistan Expeditions means perfection! Traveling through whole Irak with perfect equipment, excellent hotels, delicious meals and flexibility. Balin has a lot of knowledge in history. In combination with excellent English skills and a warm hearted person the best Tour Guide I’ve ever met. Always looking for customer satisfaction and providing the most attractive solution. Never felt uncomfortable, there‘s no better tour guide than him!

Highly recommend Kurdistan Expeditions for your Kurdistan tour! Balin, our tour guide, was amazing from start to finish! He was always available for us and shared his knowledge, as well as personal stories, willingly. The tour was the perfect mix of nature, history, and tradition. Hope to return in the future!

We had such an incredible time in Kurdistan! It’s such a versatile destination - great food, interesting culture, world class museums! Our guide Balin made our tour really fun and educational. Definitely will be back!

We are a couple from Greece that we travel around the world. We visited Iraqi Kurdistan recently with our cousin. It was an amazing experience! We did the 3 days tour with Kurdistan Expeditions. Our guide Bakhtiar was very helpful, witty and informative. We had great time together. Five stars gor sure 🥇 …

We had the best time in Kurdistan Iraq with Balin. He was very professional throughout the entire trip planning process, answering our questions and giving us a customized itinerary. Once in Kurdistan, Balin was good company and very informative throughout the whole trip. My friend and I learned so much about the country and have left with fond memories that’ll last a lifetime. I highly recommend Kurdistan Expeditions and I can’t say enough good things about our trip with them!

Such an incredible trip largely in part to our amazing tour guide Brusk who went over and beyond. He showed us the Kurdish hospitality while going deep into all aspects of Kurdish history, politics and society. Though a short trip we saw so much and learned even more! If you are going to visit highly recommend him and this business. Your experience here is only as rich as the stories behind all that you see, eat and do. Thank you Brusk for an unforgettable me experience!

Companions are one of the biggest variables and risks of travel. I spent 12 days traveling with Balin, and I could not have asked for a better companion. He made everything feel easy. From pre-trip planning and communication to the day-to-day details of the trip itself. He's knowledgeable, experienced, and great to be around. Bonus points for kindly helping me navigate every menu as a vegetarian. I would absolutely tell anyone interested in a trip to Kurdistan/Iraq to connect with Kurdistan Expeditions. I feel confident that I'll be booking future travel with Kurdistan Expeditions. A few site

Travelling to the small historical town Koya and city Hawler nearby was one of the best parts of my trip in Kurdistan. Koya is home to famous classical and modern Kurdish poets, so it is truly a hub of history! We visited some local shops here which had the most delicious sweets and pastries (including baklava, which is my favourite). Everyone was so lovely and welcoming, which made me feel very happy with my decision to travel to Kurdistan. I know for a fact that I will be returning soon. Thank you very much to Balin for showing us around these historic towns and sharing with us such interest

Balin was very nice! He had great knowledge of Kurdistan, very experienced and funny. Made the Iraq trip very memorable! Highly recommend. The views were spectacular and we saw a good amount of the North with trips to Duhok, Lalish and Sulamani. Very adaptable and helpful.

This was a trip of a lifetime. Iraq and Kurdistan. The only regret is that we did not stay longer. You must see the Martyrs monument, Kerbala, the old civilization of Ur, the marshes, Babylon, and then make your way north up to Mosul and then to Kurdistan. So many more sites to see than what I have listed. So much history to understand. Balin did an amazing job of helping us better understand this region of the world and why it is so special and also better understand the struggles. If you’re headed to Iraq, I would book with this outfit as they are solid and well-connected.

I recently had the privilege of embarking on an unforgettable journey with Kurdistan Expeditions, and I can't express enough how exceptional the experience was. Our guide, Balin, played an indispensable role in turning what could have been a challenging trip into a seamless and enriching adventure. From the moment we set foot in the region, Balin's warm and genuine hospitality set the tone for the entire expedition. He effortlessly blended a wealth of information about the cultural heritage of the area with his deep knowledge of the religious sites we visited. Balin's insightful explanations