Testimonial
Amazing trip with Balin!
A few years ago i was visiting Kurdistan – north Iraq. A wonderful country with troubled history and an unclear future. South Iraq, in my mind, was always connected with military conflicts. I didn’t fell sorry for a second that this year i overcame my fear and under the leadership of Balin Zrar i stepped on the land of Gilgamesh!
“When you dig in Iraq you can find a few different things – 1.Oil 2.Water 3.Achielogical sites 4.Burial ground“
I hope some day after archeological research in Uruk, Ur, Babilon… we can recreate the life of the people there 7000-8000 years ago. I knew a lot about the rivers Tigris and Euphrates, but for the first time i saw them in the south part of Iraq.
The Man-dan tribe, modern life, holy shrines, Baghdad… there are a lot of sites to see here!
Our travel turned into a paradise thanks to our precious guide Balin. A man with an amazing life story, full of optimism and joy!
Would recommend to anyone who would like to visit!
NEVA C
Bulgaria April 2024
life changing Kurdistan
Six people from different nationalities and backgrounds went on a five day trip together in the autonomous Kurdish region. We left our Western glasses at home to experience this world from a different perspective to get to know the true story, which was told and shown to us by Balin. He definitely is the best guide I’ve ever met! Balin knows everything about Kurdistan’s history and culture. He has already shared the story of his country with many, but his way of telling the chronicle is unique and anything but a standard tune. It is amazing how he can tell the (hi)story of Kurdistan in an objective way, so that you can form your own judgment and still be touched in your heart. Balin is a historian, a professional, caring like a friend. And above all, he is the best ambassador of a country that is labeled as hell on earth, but turns out to be a paradise. This trip was life changing, unforgettable and incredibly fun. It was my first, but certainly not my last trip led by Balin!
RIK ALEXANDER
Germany March 2024
Newroz Festival
An amazing experience, our guide Balin was both competent and amicable and never hesitated to help us when necessary. Perfect organization and a perfect short-term solution finding whenever some plans had to be adjusted due to factors out of our control (mainly weather). Great choice of hotels and restaurants along the way as well as great travel route. Can’t recommend it enough.
FLORIAN NIEDERMAIR
Italy March 2024
Safe and Great 8 days adventure in North Iraq. Great travel tour guide/driver. Interesting culture, history and geography. Kurdistan ExpeditionS is definitely highly recommended.
BASA K
Germany February 2024
Reliable company. Thanks to Balin, I had an unforgettable trip to Kurdistan. He showed me some of the most beautiful places I’ve seen and ate a lot of good food. Balin was an excellent guide/driver. I’m already planning my next trip to Iraq and of course it will be with Kurdistan Expeditions 🙂
ABBERY M
USA February 2024
Oct 2023 • Friends
We did 7 day tour with Balin. My friends and I were in Erbil for the marathon. We decided to do some sightseeings while we were here. It was a good decision. We visited many beautiful and interesting places. Balin has an excellent knowledge of places we visited. Before we came, there was some safetyconcern as there was news about drone bombing right before we traveled to Erbil. We evaluated the situation and felt that we still could make the trip without jeopardize our safety. After we arrived and went around, not once we felt any danger. People are friendly. Someone even paid for our tea when we stopped at the teahouse in Amedi. I highly recommend people to visit Kurdistan and book the trip with Kurdistan Expeditions.
KEI A
USA October 2023
Breathtaking Kurdistan.
I did the tour of Kurdistan for the Newroz celebration in March 2024. What an amazing experience!
We travelled the whole country covering Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok, Akre 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 & 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 ton the top of the mountain to take part in the preparations, then watched the stunning torchlight procession and firework display from the town. It was like nothing I’d ever experienced.
Our guide Balin was the best. He was so knowledgeable and helpful. Anything we needed, he arranged immediately. There wasn’t a question he couldn’t answer and the programme was arranged so well.
As a female solo traveller I felt so safe and people across Kurdistan were so friendly and welcoming.
I would definitely come back.
MARIA S
UK March 2024
Kurdistan for young women! Learn about the Yazidi’s and Kurdish people’s strength!
I had a wonderful time with our tour guide Balin on our tour of Kurdistan. I was part of a group tour which continued on from a separate tour in Federal Iraq. I found the Kurdish people hospitable, kind and polite.
Balin was a highly professional guide that clearly had a great deal of experience in the Kurdistan region. As a young woman visiting the region for the first time, Balin put my mind at ease and took us to many historical places. We had some irritating people in the group but Balin was able to handle these people professionally.
It was very moving to learn about the Kurdish genocide and the Kurdish people’s experience under Saddam Hussein – a history that I believe is often overlooked. We were fortunate to visit the Yazidi’s in Lalish and learn more about their beliefs and their recent dark history under Daesh occupation.I would highly recommend reading Ms Nadia Murad’s book before coming to Kurdistan!
Overall I had a wonderful time in Kurdistan – the food, clean air, hospitable people and safety especially as a young woman made the whole experience more positive as a whole.
SIOBHAN
Australia October 2023
Balin has the ability to make you feel at home and not like a tourist. Impeccable guide.See you soon on the next trip.Spas
MICHELA
Italy October 2023
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.
DAWN FINE
USA June 2023
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.
JULIE BISHOP
USA June 2023
Balin is the most incredible host, tour guide and individual. He met us in Erbil, took us to Dokan, Sulaymaniyah, Halabja, Koysinjaq, and the beautiful Yazidi town of Lalish. We were blown away by the knowledge, hospitality and kindness of Balin. I could not recommend his tours highly enough. Don’t miss out, book today.
REBECCA FARMER
USA 2022
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!
CHRISTOPH HEUMANN
Germany December 2023
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
HANS KEMETHOFER
Austria November 2023
We had a trip to Iraq to join the Erbil Marathon and try to find a tour to spend some time to see the beautiful part of this country. We had a 2-day trip from Erbil out to Dohuk and visited Amedi city. We also had a 1-day trip to Hamilton Road and visited couple waterfalls. It was amazing. Our tours were just what we need. The car was comfortable and everything was easy-going.