A Historical and Cultural Tour Through Much 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: Baghdad Ancient Sites

• On this day, we will visit the ancient sites on the suburbs of Baghdad.

• Dur-Kurigalzu ziggurat is the remaining core of what was, 3400 years ago, a 60-meter-high multi-staged temple tower dedicated to the patron god of the city, Enlil.

• Next, we will drive to the largest arch of unreinforced brickwork in the world, Taq Kasra built in the 6th century BC.

• During the night, we will do a tour in Kherada vibrant district on the eastern side of the Tigris to see the statue of the Arabian nights.

• And dine at a Baghdadi restaurant that serves authentic Iraqi cuisine.

Day 3: 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 stamped with cuneiform writing.

• 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).

• Then we will drive to Borsippa. An ancient Babylonian city whose patron god was Nabu, the god of knowledge and wisdom. The city’s proximity to the capital, Babylon, helped it to become an important religious centre. We will explore its tall 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 4: 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 5: 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 tall 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 will visit Shat al-Arab Corniche. Our day concludes with an overnight stay in Basra.

Day 6: 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.

• Walk in al-Ashar Market

• Stroll around the fish market in the old town, witnessing the different varieties of fish.

• Sunset boat tour in Shat 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 7: Ancient Uruk - Baghdad

• The following day, we return to Baghdad.

• On the way 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.

• Overnight in Baghdad.

Day 8: Falluja - Hit

• On 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.

• See the natural bitumen sources.

• We will drive back to Baghdad after our tour in the west.

Day 9: Samarra - Hatra

• 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.

• Next 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.

• Upon reaching Mosul, our evening unfolds with a night tour at Bytna cultural center. Our stay for the night will be in Mosul.

Day 10: A Full Day in Mosul

• Morning walk in Souq Bab Al-Saray bazaar.

• Next, explore Calah ancient site near Ashur. Calah was a prominent Assyrian, established in the 13th century BC, its prime was during the reign of King Ashurnasirpal II (883–859 BC) when it was named the capital of the Assyrian Empire.

• 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 11: 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.

• See the impressive Chaldean monastery of Rabban Hormizd, built upon a mountain ridge northeast of Alqosh in northern Iraq, it dates back to the 7th century.

• In Duhok, we will rest and then drive to the top of Zawa Mountain, gazing at the view of the city while sipping a cup of coffee or tea.

• 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 12: Duhok - Amedi

• We will dedicate this day to Amedi town, situated on top of a high plateau.

• We will enjoy the spectacular view on the surrounding mountains and valleys.

• Visiting an old mosque and church.

• The old gates of the town.

• The old princes cemetery.

• Stroll in the town.

• Relax in Sulav Resort.

• An overnight back in Duhok.

Day 13: 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.

Day 14: Ancient Cave & Waterfalls

• We will drive to Shanidar Cave, famous for its Neanderthal remains — 10 skeletons that date back over 50,000 years.

• Then we will head to Rawanduz to enjoy its picturesque nature.

• Relax in Bekhal & Geli Ali Beg waterfalls.

• Seeing the beauty of Rawanduz Canyons.

• Return to Erbil.

Day 15: Kirkuk - Sulaymaniyah

• A morning departure to Suli.

• Visit Kirkuk city en route to see the Ottoman Kishla barrack, built in 1863.

• See Baba Gurgur, the Eternal Fire, burning for over 4,000 years.

• In Sulaymaniyah, we will visit the Roman Theater.

• Explore the city’s market and walk along the famed Salim night food street.

• Drive to Azmir Mountain to sip a cup of coffee and enjoy the incredible view on the city.

• Overnight in Sulaymaniyah.

Day 16: Sulaymaniyah - Halabja

• Visit Red Security Museum, notorious for Saddam’s regime harsh treatment of prisoners. A former headquarters of the Iraqi Intelligence Service in Sulaymaniyah.

• Drive to Halabja town, to visit Halabja Monument, a memorial to Kurdish victims under the former regime.

• Enjoy its natural surroundings.

• Back to Sulaymaniyah.

Day 17: Drive 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.

• Boat tours in Baghdad’s Tigris River; Marshes of Chibayish; and Basra’s Shatt al-Arab River.

• Superb lunch in the marshes, Masgouf roast carp fish.

• Entry fees and special access to all of the mentioned sites in the itinerary.

• 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.

• Meals.

Starting at $4490 for a group of 1 to 3 people

Note: Extra fees apply for boat tours and entry tickets for each additional member beyond the first.