Louise F.
The guide, Dr. Douglas Layton made this a once in a lifetime experience.
I greatly enjoyed the Kurdish Iraq tour because of the quality of the guides; Dr. Layton's expertise. experience, contacts nd commentary made it a memorable experience. However, MTS should have assessed the composition of the group snd removed, or altered the hike and kayak ride. Dr. Layton did the best he could in getting a quality guide for both....but you should have vetted the age and ability of our group, which was your responsibility, and this would have demonstrated to you that those two items could have been eliminated, At the very least the hike should have been a flatland or gentle scenic hike...the hike was scenic but very difficult for everybody...luckily one couple who could not have made it the first 50 feet opted out. Also, the kayak trip...an in snd out paddle - no scenic destination in a kayak was pointless and the shore was very difficult for everybody...snd I was the only experienced paddler. It seems to me when you have a small group you can work more closely to customize with your local guides. Otherwise...due to Dr. Layton, with his knowledge, experience and contcts, made the trip wonderful, And to lend context to this review; I have done USDA work in Iraq for decades so I know the value of the experience we received.



