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.

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!

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!

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.

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 sites visited: Baghdad, Al Mutanabbi Street, Shahbandar Cafe, Ctesiphon/Taq Kasra, Kerbala, Babylon, Al-Ukhaidir fortress, Ezekiel’s tomb, Najaf, Imam Ali Mosque, Wadi Al-Salam, Ziggurat of Ur, Mesopotamian Marshes, Nasiriyah, Dur-Kurigalzu, Firdaus Square, Liberation Square/Freedom Monument, Martyr Monument, Samarra, Mosul, Bash Tapia Castle, Erbil, Al Tahira Church, Dohuk, Akre, Jerwan Aqueduct, Lalish/Yazidi community, Hormizd monastery, Alqosh, Martyr Cafe, Shanidar Cave, Rawanduz Gorge, Hamilton Road, Bekhal and Gali Ali Beg waterfalls, Sulaymaniyah, Dokan lake, Red Prison, Azmer lookout, Halabja Monument, and more...

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.

Kurdistan Expeditions made our trip amazing. They helped us pack so much into the 2 short days we had. Our guide Brusk made us feel very welcome, nothing was too much for him. His English was excellent, and his knowledge about the history and culture was impeccable. Thank you Brusk and Kurdistan Expeditions! Highly recommend visiting Kurdistan and using Kurdistan Expeditions to show you around.

Had a trip with Kurdistan Expeditions in May. 6 days through most of Kurdistan. Various attractions, from beautiful nature to cultural sights. The destination feels safe and confortable (in comparison to the rest of Iraq). Knowledgable and professional guiding by Balin.

Had a magical trip through Iraqi Kurdistan, which was in large part due to Balin at Kurdistan Expeditions, our insightful and gracious host, who always went out of his way to make sure our group was well looked after. Highly recommended for any travels through Iraq, you could not be in better hands!

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.

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!

top tour!!! did 10 days southern iraq and kurdistan with Balin Zrar and his company Kurdistan Expeditions. Startet in Baghdad and did all the famous places and some off the beaten track too. Balin did excellent work was ever friendly and full of knowledge in every place we visited. Every time I felt save and had the feeling that i missed nothing. Highlight was to meet Balins family in Erbil, felt totally welcomed. Think of coming back again in april 2025 and never would go without Balin. Great, thank you Bali unforgettable and unbelievable

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.

Do not hesitate to contact Balin and Kurdistan Expeditions for an unforgettable adventure in Iraq and Kurdistan. Balin and his team gave our group of 5 American women a whirlwind tour of Iraq and Kurdistan in 7 days. Without question he's one of the best travel guides I've ever encountered. He was a perfect blend of expertise, patience, and humor. His extensive knowledge of the region, along with his personal stories, brought each destination to life. He was extremely attentive and accommodating to all our needs and requests and was a constant pleasure to be around, all while making us feel completely safe. He's truly the best!

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.

Balin Zrar and his team from Kurdistan Expeditions made our 7 day Iraq trip a spectacular experience. From historic sites to understanding the socioeconomic and political landscape and interacting with the warmth of the Iraqi people, we experienced a bit of it all. Thanks Balin.

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.

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 interesting knowledge that you simply cannot find elsewhere.

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 narrative that breathed life into the ancient ruins we encountered along the way. Despite the hot temperatures, we rode comfortably in comfortable van to the many sites explored and indulged in the delicious local Iraqi cuisine throughout our travels. Throughout our journey, Balin displayed an unparalleled dedication to preserving Iraq's rich heritage. Some of highlights included, walking through Baghdad markets, Liberation square, Martyr Monument, Rasheed Street and Al Mutanabbi then travelling south to Babylon's archaeological site and Saddam's palace. Overnight in Karbala, stopping in Nasiriyah to visit Iman Ali Shrine and Wadi Al-Salam cemetery- One of my favorites was visiting Ziggurat of UR and the Marshlands where we visited with Marsh Arabs for lunch then canoed through the Marshes. If that wasn't enough, we visited the Garden of Eden, and the supposed birthplace of Abraham. Continued exploration of Samarra and Hatra, Mosul, Erbil. Our final day we visited the holy Yazidi of Lalish. I can't express enough gratitude for our exceptional guide who enrich out travel through Iraq and Kurdistan. Our guide's meticulous planning allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the wonders of ancient Iraq without any concerns. If you seek a transformative and immersive experience in a land where the echoes of the past resonate profoundly, I wholeheartedly recommend embarking on an expedition with Balin of Kurdistan Expeditions. Prepare to be captivated, enlightened, and forever changed by the timeless allure of ancient Iraq.

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 no problems with any check points, hotel bookings, food etc. Super safe country and Brusk is an easy going guy to be around, he will take good care of you!

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.

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! :)