I had not much idea about Soran and Rawanduz. I didn’t find any information about them online. I just found out about everything on the go. Generally, I got to know about all the places that I’m going to write about in this blog from locals such as my Couchsurfing hosts.
Now, let me introduce you two amazing places that I discovered while traveling in Iraqi Kurdistan, a very interesting region in the Middle East.
- Soran
- Day Trips from Soran
2.1. Rawanduz Canyon, Geli Ali Beg Waterfall, Bekhal Waterfall
2.2. Hiking in the canyon of Rawanduz
2.3. Hiking the highest mountain of Iraq, Halgurd
2.4. Aqreh - Prices and ATMs
- What to do after Soran
- All my Iraqi Kurdistan Travel Guides
- All my Iraq Travel Guides
- Middle East Travel Guides
Map for Soran and Rawanduz Canyon
1. Soran
Soran is one of the most interesting places in Iraqi Kurdistan with loads of things to do around the city. I stayed in Soran for an entire week. I didn’t plan in this way but this is the way it happened. So, you can imagine how much I enjoyed it. :-)
Soran is a small town and it’s surrounded by surprisingly beautiful mountains. Some of them I just found are behind Soran University.
Mountains in Soran – Iraqi Kurdistan Travel
2. Day trips from Soran
1. Rawanduz, the Bekhal Waterfalls, and the Geli Ali Beg Waterfalls
As you see it on the map, Soran is very close to Rawanduz, the Bekhal Waterfalls, and the Geli Ali Beg Waterfalls.
From Soran, you can take a day trip to visit all these three places. This would be about 42 km driving. When you want to double-check the distance, write City Center Square, Soran.
This could be your route: City Centre Square, Soran – Rawanduz viewpoint – Bekhal Waterfall – Geli Ali Beg Waterfall – back to Soran
Rawanduz viewpoint
So, let’s hit the roads of Kurdistan and drive to the famous Rawanduz Valley. It’s also referred to as Rawanduz Canyon or Rawanduz Gorge.
I pinned on the map where we parked the car. On the map, it’s indicated as Rawanduz viewpoint.
This point is about 8 km from the City Center Square in Soran. From this point, we walked to the photo spots I’m going to show you now.
Epic view over the canyon of Rawanduz – Iraqi Kurdistan Travel
Bekhal Waterfalls
If you drive another about 7 km from the Rawanduz Viewpoint, you get to the Bekhal Waterfalls.
I must be honest. I didn’t really like this place that much. I didn’t even take a photo there.
This place is super touristic and I felt that nature here is kind of exploited. There are just way too many restaurants and hotels build around the waterfalls.
But it’s on the way to the Geli Ali Bag Waterfall. So, why not stopping shortly.
Geli Ali Beg Waterfall
The way to the Geli Ali Beg Waterfall is absolutely spectacular. It’s about 9 km / 6 mi from the Bekhal Waterfall.
The Geli Ali Beg Waterfall is a very touristic place. Expect it to be crowded when the weather is bright and shiny. People from all over Iraq like to visit this waterfall.
I’ve seen many waterfalls in my life but I still liked it. What I loved about the place is that the water is everywhere and you can walk barefoot in the cold water. Prepare flip-flops and a towel for this lovely adventure.
The entrance fee is 1000 Iraqi dinars (~ 0.70 € / 0.80 USD). If you are on the way to Rawanduz, it’s worth shortly stopping by. There is a restaurant there where you can also eat and drink.
This is basically it. You will not see much more in this place.
Geli Ali Beg Waterfall – Iraqi Kurdistan Travel
From the Geli Ali Bag, you can go back from Soran which 11 km / 7 mi from there.
2.2. Hiking in the Rawanduz Valley
I pinned on the map where I started the hike and until which point I hiked with red. It was an incredibly beautiful hike that I can highly recommend.
Hiking is fun! – Iraqi Kurdistan Travel
Perfect place for hiking and photography – Iraqi Kurdistan Travel
2.3. Halgurd Mountain
Soran, is also very close to the highest mountain in Iraq, Mount Halgurd.
From Soran, you can drive about 50 – 55 km before you start hiking to the top of Halgurd, 3,607 meters. I have an entire travel blog about. Feel free to check it out.
On a side note, on Google Maps, Halgurd is indicated as Hallgord Mountain.
2.4. Aqrah (Akre)
Aqrah is an old town in the mountains about 77 km from City Center Square in Soran. I also have a full guide about how to get to Aqreh and what you can do there.
3. Prices and ATMs
Prices
Here, you can find some prices that I noted in Soran:
Chicken Shawarma: 1000 IQD (~0.70 € / 0.80 USD)
1 kg apple: 1500 IQD (~1 € / 1.20 USD)
Taxi for 13 km: 6000 IQD (~4.20 € / 5 USD)
ATMs
There is only one ATM in Soran. The name of the bank is Cihan Bank. This ATM didn’t accept my VISA card only my Mastercard.
Rawanduz has a kind of touristic park where there is one ATM but it didn’t work when I was there.
If I were going to Soran again, I would definitely take enough cash with me.
4. What to do after Soran?
This is what I did:
I hitchhiked to Az Zibar, hiked in the Zoragvan National Park, stayed with a Kurdish family, next day I visited a canyon close to Barzan and then hitchhiked to Amedi.
Check out the full story here: Travel Stories from Kurdistan, Hitchhiking, Homestay and Hiking
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