Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan

Customised and Open Registration 9 - 25 August 2025

Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan Off Road
A grand 4x4/4wd (also motorcycle) adventure through untouched eastern Turkey and the heart of Iraqi Kurdistan. Travel from deep gorges and ancient temples to mystical villages and hospitable Kurds.
A unique blend of rugged nature, off-road adrenaline, and millennia-old culture.

Brief Details
DATES: August 9, 2025 - August 25, 2025
Participants: Minimum 12
Accommodation Types: Bivouacs, Hotels, Campsites
Duration: 17 days - 16 nights
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Distance: 5500 km

THE JOURNEY – 4x4 or Motorcycle
There are journeys you take to explore, and others to seek the unknown. This is an epic adventure along legendary roads, through towering mountains and villages that seem frozen in time. A journey that begins in the depths of Turkey and leads to the heart of Iraqi Kurdistan – an immersion in mythical mountains, ancient cultures, and wild landscapes, where asphalt gives way to dust and the wind carries stories of proud peoples and lost civilizations.
It’s the perfect route for those who love 4x4 adventures and want to venture into areas barely touched by mass tourism.
We leave behind the chaos of Istanbul and head towards the Dark Canyon, a place that hovers between legend and reality. This impressive gorge, carved by the Euphrates River, is a paradise for adventurers: thousand-meter-high cliffs, natural tunnels, and moon-like landscapes form the backdrop for a road that delivers pure adrenaline. An ideal route for 4x4 drivers, including challenging unpaved sections.
Next, we make our way to one of the world’s most fascinating archaeological sites: Mount Nemrut, the sacred mountain of the ancient kings of Commagene. Here, at over 2,000 meters above sea level, giant stone-carved heads have gazed over the horizon for centuries, guarding a land full of secrets.
From there, the journey continues to southeastern Turkey, passing through Diyarbakır with its ancient basalt walls, all the way to the Iraqi border. We cross a frontier that was closed to tourism for years, gaining the freedom to explore a land full of history, culture, and breathtaking scenery – ideal for our 4x4s.
We traverse vast and surprising landscapes: mountains that vanish into the horizon, green valleys, and ancient towns. We stop in Dohuk, a lively city surrounded by imposing mountain ranges. Here, among natural waterfalls and bustling markets, you’ll get your first real taste of Kurdish culture.
But the true spiritual gem lies just beyond: Lalish, the holiest sanctuary of the Yazidi religion. A small village hidden in the hills, it is a mystical and timeless place. You enter barefoot as a sign of respect, while the cone-shaped domes of the temples stand out against the sky – creating a truly unique atmosphere.
We arrive in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, where the ancient citadel – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – dominates the landscape with its towering walls, and the bazaars in the city center offer an authentic glimpse of daily life.
We continue to Rawanduz and its spectacular canyons, along the legendary Hamilton Road – one of the most scenic routes ever built. The landscape becomes increasingly rugged: steep rock faces, rushing rivers, and breathtaking panoramas follow one another. A paradise for those who enjoy driving extreme routes, with challenging gravel tracks and dizzying hairpin bends.
Along the way, we’ll stay partly in city hotels, but also camp under the beloved starry sky. Each night we set up camp in remote, wild areas to fully embrace the adventure and immerse ourselves in unspoiled nature. Every night is a unique experience – camping in the wilderness, with only the crackling campfire and the vastness of nature for company.
But the true heart of this journey isn’t just the breathtaking landscapes, deep canyons, or adventurous roads. It’s the people. The Kurdish people – here, as a traveler, you’re not a tourist but an honored guest. Every encounter becomes a story worth telling, every village adds a new chapter to this unique experience.
After our exploration of Iraqi Kurdistan, we return to Turkey, where Göbekli Tepe awaits – a place that rewrites human history. Considered the oldest temple ever discovered, more than 12,000 years old, this archaeological site offers a journey back to the origins of civilization – with mysterious carved pillars and circular structures that challenge all known theories.
We also explore Cappadocia, a landscape that feels otherworldly: wind-sculpted rock formations, surreal valleys, and underground cities telling tales of vanished peoples and empires. The rock-hewn homes of Göreme, the enchanting valleys of Pasabag, and the depths of the underground city of Derinkuyu offer a final taste of the timeless charm of this region.
Watching the sunrise over Cappadocia from a hot air balloon or getting lost in the streets of troglodyte villages is the perfect conclusion to this journey – an experience that blends the adrenaline of exploration with the allure of thousands of years of history.
We return to Istanbul via a mixed route with off-road sections.
It won’t be a journey of constant hardcore off-roading – we prioritize the most beautiful places… without, of course, forgetting our love for four-wheel drive!
For those who wish, the journey can begin together in Italy, traveling overland via comfortable highways through former Yugoslavia to Istanbul, or by ferry via Greece.

ITINERARY
DAY 1 – AUGUST 9:
Arrival in Istanbul and meet-up at the campsite with everyone arriving via ferry from Greece.
DAY 2 – AUGUST 10:
We head towards Amasya, known for its picturesque Ottoman houses along the river. Overnight in the open countryside.
DAY 3 – AUGUST 11:
We reach Divrigi, where the Dark Canyon begins. Wild camping (bivouac).
DAY 4 – AUGUST 12:
From Divrigi, we take the fully off-road track through the Dark Canyon. We then continue toward Mount Nemrut, where – depending on arrival time – we can enjoy either sunset or sunrise. Wild camping or campsite overnight.
DAY 5 – AUGUST 13:
From Mount Nemrut we drive to Mardin, Hasankeyf and finally Cizre, with a stop at the Tigris River in Hasankeyf. Wild camping.
DAY 6 – AUGUST 14:
We leave Cizre and head to the border with Iraqi Kurdistan (Habur/Zakho). After border formalities and visa processing, we visit the Delal Bridge and continue to Lalish, the holy city of the Yazidis. Hotel overnight.
DAY 7 – AUGUST 15:
From Lalish we visit the Rabban Hormizd Monastery and the Mar Mattai Monastery. We also stop at the Ziggurat of Nemrud, then continue to the Citadel of Erbil. Hotel overnight.
DAY 8 – AUGUST 16:
In the morning we visit the Erbil Citadel, then head into the mountains and set up camp near Gali Ali Bag.
DAY 9 – AUGUST 17:
From Gali Ali Bag we travel to Amadiya, said to be the birthplace of the Three Wise Men. We visit the fortress, the Mar Gewargis Church, and the local souk. Then we return to Turkey via the Ibrahim Khalil border crossing and reach Mardin. Wild camping or campsite.
DAY 10 – AUGUST 18:
We visit Göbekli Tepe, one of the most important archaeological sites reshaping human history. We continue to Şanlıurfa for the night. Wild camping or campsite.
DAY 11 – AUGUST 19:
We leave Şanlıurfa and head to Cappadocia, where we stay at a campsite.
DAY 12 – AUGUST 20:
Today we explore Cappadocia (Urgup, Derinkuyu), with opportunities to visit underground cities, watch hot air balloons at sunrise, and admire the surreal rock formations. Campsite overnight.
DAY 13 – AUGUST 21:
We head to Tuz Gölü, the second-largest salt lake in Europe, then continue to Konya, the city of the Sufis. Wild camping or campsite.
DAY 14 – AUGUST 22:
We leave Konya, stopping at the ancient city of Galassos before continuing to Lake Salda. Wild camping or campsite.
DAY 15 – AUGUST 23:
From Lake Salda we drive to Pamukkale, where we can bathe in the natural travertine terraces or visit the ancient formations. We then continue to the fascinating archaeological site of Ephesus. Wild camping or campsite.
DAY 16 – AUGUST 24:
We visit Ephesus and then head to Troy. Wild camping or campsite.
DAY 17 – AUGUST 25:
From Troy we reach Çanakkale and begin the return trip to Italy at your own pace.
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Please note:
Due to the nature of this journey and the fact that it passes through sensitive areas, there may be significant changes to the itinerary or route due to weather conditions, safety concerns, or permit restrictions. In such cases, the organizers will consult with local authorities and make the necessary adjustments, always prioritizing the safety of the participants.

PRICES

• Driver + own vehicle: € 2,690.00
• Passenger in own vehicle: € 1,890.00
• Passenger in organization’s vehicle: € 2,850.00 (subject to availability)
• Single room supplement: € 250.00

ADDITIONAL COSTS

• Round-trip ferry Italy/Greece – price determined at time of booking
• Mandatory visa for Iraqi Kurdistan
• Optional flights to/from Italy – prices depend on booking choices

PRICE INCLUDES

• Accompaniment by English-speaking guides
• Support vehicle
• Emergency use of satellite phone
• Medical baggage insurance by AXA (or similar)
• Warm dinners and breakfast:
  • Breakfast: tea, coffee, biscuits, jam, Nutella, honey
  • Dinner: hot meal (typically pasta or risotto) + dessert
• Participants with their own 4x4 must provide their own lunch/snacks en route
• The cooking service applies only on days when traveling with the organization’s vehicles. During independent travel to/from the destination, each team is responsible for their own needs. No discounts apply in this case.
• For passengers in organization vehicles: tables, chairs, plates, cups, and cutlery
• Technical assistance (in exceptional cases and within reasonable limits of time, severity, and parts availability)
• Logistical support throughout the journey, including basic navigation training with compass and GPS
• All hotel nights (where planned) in double rooms

Note: The above services are guaranteed with a minimum of 12 participants. If fewer people register, the organization reserves the right to cancel or adapt certain services. This will be communicated via email without affecting the core travel experience.

EXTRA INCLUSIONS FOR PASSENGERS IN ORGANIZATION VEHICLES ONLY

• Transport in a 4x4 with driver/guide
• Tables, chairs, plates, cups, and cutlery for outdoor dinners
• Packed lunches (when provided)
• Mineral water throughout the trip
• Transport of camping equipment and luggage (max. one 60-liter bag)

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
​Everything not explicitly mentioned above, especially:

• Ferry Italy/Greece round trip (price on request)
• Mandatory visa for Iraqi Kurdistan
• Optional flights to/from Italy (price on request)
• Fuel for your own vehicle
• Toll roads and highway fees
• All beverages
• Tables, chairs, plates, cups, and cutlery not provided for participants with their own 4x4
• Lunches – only included for passengers in organization vehicles if a lunch pack is planned
• Routine maintenance of your own vehicle (support and instructions are provided if needed)
• Mandatory Green Card – if unavailable, it must be purchased at the border
• All accommodations and meals (outside bivouac) during the outbound and return journey through Greece and Turkey. Participants usually choose between campsites or tourist accommodations, payable on site
• Any cancellation or additional travel/health insurance (price on request)