11-Day Cultural and Historical Tour to explore the heritage, archeological and religious sites and to experience the daily life in different parts of Iraq
Day 1: Baghdad
• Our tour commences at the Iraqi Museum, immersing ourselves in ancient Mesopotamian antiquities.
• The tour continues with a captivating walking tour through the old quarters of Baghdad, visiting al-Mutanabbi Book Market street—an intellectual haven.
• Mustansiriyah Madrasah, one of the earliest universities in the world.
• A stop at the century-old Shabandar Cafe for a glass of lime tea, a speciality in Baghdad.
• Our path leads to the Abbasid Palace on the Tigris riverbank with its beautiful ornamental designs and carvings.
• Another century-old juice shop that serves refreshing raisin juice which was visited by Iraqi kings and presidents.
• A walk in Khan Al Mudallal Antique Market shops.
• A boat tour on the Tigris River follows.
• Lunch at an old Baghdadi restaurant offering Kubba, a dumpling-like Iraqi dish.
• Strolling through bustling bazaars of Copper Market, Stationery Market and Clothing Market.
• A walk through historical Rashid Street, the center of Baghdad in the past century, seeing several important old mosques and buildings.
• Visiting Firdos Square where Saddam bronze statue was pulled down.
• Marvel at the Martyr Monument, a blue split dome built as a memorial for the fallen Iraqi soldiers and officers.
• We end the tour at the iconic Freedom Monument.
Day 2: Babylon - Karbala
• We head to Babylon, exploring the original lower part of the Ishtar Gate and The Lion of Babylon, a 2600-year-old black basalt statue of a lion trampling a man.
• Strolling through the reconstructed palace of Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II, seeing some ancient bricks with cuneiform inscriptions.
• Following the ruins, we walk to Saddam's abandoned palace, exploring its grandeur and encountering the last standing portrait statue of Saddam.
• Walk to see the remains of the Tower of Babel (the Etemenanki Ziggurat).
• Our path then leads us to Karbala, where we embark on a walking night tour, marveling at the magnificent shrines of Imam Hussein and Abbas.
• Immersing ourselves in the vibrant nearby bazaar. The night concludes with a stay in Karbala.
Day 3: Karbala - Najaf - Nasiriyah
• The following morning, we head to Najaf to explore the holy shrine of Imam Ali.
• A visit to the immense Valley of Peace graveyard, with over 6 million graves. Gaining a panoramic view from the top of a multistory garage, we gaze at the vastness of the cemetery.
• Continuing our travels, we drive to Nasiriyah province to marvel at the well-preserved Ziggurat of Ur, a pyramid-like stepped temple tower dating back to 2100 BC, during the time when this ancient city served as the capital of the Neo-Sumerian Empire.
• Explore the Great Pit of Ur, the royal tombs cemetery, including that of Queen Puabi, where golden jewelry was found. Discovered by Sir Leonard Woolley in the 1920s.
• See Dub-La-Mah temple which served as the entrance to the passage that leads to the ziggurat.
• A special access to the house of the biblical prophet Abraham.
• The day concludes with an overnight stay in Nasiyriah.
Day 4: Nasiyriah - Chibayish Marshes - Basra
• The next morning, we venture to the Chibayish Marshes, home to a community living in reed houses, embracing a way of life dating back to the ancient Sumerians. After interacting with the local Marsh Arabs, we go into an exhilarating boat tour through the marshes, witnessing reeds, swimming buffaloes and various bird species.
• Following the tour, a delightful lunch of masgouf fish awaits us in a reed house and a glass of hot tea comes afterward.
• Continuing southward to Basra, we pause at al-Qurna town to witness the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and take a look at the ancient Adam tree.
• When in Basra, we’ll visit Shat al-Arab Corniche and al-Ashar Market. Our day concludes with an overnight stay in Basra.
Day 5: A full day in Basra
• During the day, our itinerary starts with visits to several places in Basra. Starting at the Basra Museum, once one of Saddam’s palaces.
• Wander through the historic old town to marvel at the Shanasheel houses, former residences of affluent aristocrats.
• Our tour continues with stops at al-Hasoun Antique Museum and Cafe.
• Stroll around the fish market in the old town, witnessing the different varieties of fish.
• Sunset boat tour in Shatt al-Arab River.
• See Saddam’s yacht, which he didn’t have the chance to sail.
• Visit the 19th-century Church of St. Thomas.
• Dinner at Shatt al-Arab restaurant with a view of Shatt al-Arab river and the Italian Bridge.
• Get to the top of 16-story hotel for tea and hookah and enjoy the spectacular view of the city.
• End the tour at the statue honoring the renowned poet in Basra, al-Sayyab, one of the pioneers of free verse poetry in the Arab world.
Day 6: Basra - Ancient Uruk - Baghdad
• The following day, we return to Baghdad, dedicating our time to exploring the vibrant Karada District on the eastern side of the Tigris.
• On the way back to Baghdad, we will make a stop at ancient Uruk to explore its ruins. Uruk is an ancient Sumerian city-state known as the birthplace of the first writing system, cuneiform, and the home of the legendary king, Gilgamesh. We will explore ziggurats, temples, and clay tablets inscribed with cuneiform writing.
• In Baghdad, we will do a walking night tour along Abu Nuwas Corniche.
• Admiring the statues of the Arabian Nights.
• And pausing at a church visited by Pope Francis.
• Our tour concludes with a stop at Darbuna restaurant, offering authentic Iraqi traditional cuisine.
Day 7: Falluja - Hit
• In this day, we will explore Anbar province to the west of Baghdad. Our first destination will be Fallujah city, which witnessed intense battles between rebels and the US occupation forces following the Coalition Invasion in 2003. The city has been reconstructed nicely. Known as the City of Mosques, we will visit some of them.
• Lunch at the famed Al-Badia Restaurant.
• From Falluja, we will drive to Hit. An ancient town that served as a source of bitumen during Mesopotamia ancient history. It has beautiful waterwheels, used in the past to irrigate the land, which are considered important relics of Iraq’s heritage.
• We will drive back to Baghdad after our tour in the west.
• Day 8: Baghdad - Samarra - Mosul
• In the morning, we set out for Mosul with a stop at Samarra city to explore the UNESCO Heritage Sites, including the spiral Malwiya Minaret of the Great Mosque of Samarra.
• Visit the Abbasid Pond Palace, and Abu Dalaf mini spiral minaret.
• Upon reaching Mosul, our evening unfolds with a night tour at Bytna cultural center. Our stay for the night will be in Mosul.
Day 9: A full day in Mosul
• In the morning, we will drive to Hatra ancient ruins. This was one of the first Arab kingdoms in Iraq, reaching its zenith in the 2nd century AD. Here, we'll explore mesmerizing temples and buildings featuring a distinctive blend of Roman-Greco and Eastern architectural elements.
• Al-Nouri Mosque and its famed Leaning Minaret, al-Hadba’ Minaret.
• Visit Nineveh archaeological site and see Adad Gate, one of the fifteen gateways of ancient Nineveh.
• One of Mosul old churches, al-Tahira.
• Al-Mosul unfinished Grand Mosque.
• Mosul Heritage Center.
• Walk in the fish market and witness the destruction on the Right Side of Mosul, which experienced intense battles. We will stay there for another night.
Day 10: Duhok
• In the morning, we will drive to Duhok and visit Lalish temple, the most sacred site to the believers in Yazidism.
• Then we will explore Khinnis canal, which dates back to the 7th century BC and was carved out of rock by the Assyrian monarch Sennacherib, whose ancient reliefs and inscriptions we will see on the cliffs.
• In Duhok, we will rest and then drive to the top of Zawa Mountain, gazing at the view of the whole city while sipping a cup of coffee.
• Then we will head to Dam Lake Duhok and enjoy the picturesque view.
• A night tour in the city local market.
• End the tour at Akre Restaurant that serves superb Iraqi dishes. An overnight in Duhok.
Day 11: Akre - Erbil
• Next day, we drive to Erbil.
• On the way to Erbil, we will make a stop and tour Akre beautiful nature, where Nowruz Celebration is held.
• Once in Erbil, our tour kicks off at Erbil Citadel, a World Heritage Site and one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited settlements.
• Within the Grand Bazaar surrounding the castle, we'll stroll through roofed market lanes, explore diverse shops.
• Pause for tea in a historic cafe adorned with portraits of local figures.
• Later, we'll visit the Choli Minaret and the impressive Jalil Khayat Mosque.
• During the night, we will walk in Eskan Food Street. An overnight in Erbil.
The trip ends with a drop-off to Erbil Airport.
The Tour includes:
Experienced tour guide with a deep interest in Iraq’s history.
Modern car and a private driver for transportation.
Airport Pick-up and Drop-off.
A pre-trip video call to explain the details of the trip and to learn basic Iraqi phrases and cultural practices.
It doesn’t include:
Accommodation.
Entry fees.
Meals.