15-Day Ultimate Iraq Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Baghdad – Welcome to Iraq

Welcome to Iraq. Upon your arrival at Baghdad International Airport, our team will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel.

Take some time to relax after your journey and prepare for the incredible historical adventure ahead.

Overnight in Baghdad  

Day 2: Baghdad – Culture, History & Ctesiphon

After breakfast, we will start exploring the capital city of Iraq, Baghdad, one of the most historically important cities in the world and the center of the Abbasid civilization.

Our tour begins with a visit to Liberation Square, one of Baghdad’s most famous landmarks and a place that has witnessed many important historical events, demonstrations, and social movements throughout modern Iraqi history.

We will then enjoy a short boat trip on the Tigris River, crossing the river and continuing our walk through Al-Mutanabbi Street, Baghdad’s oldest cultural market. The street has been a center of knowledge, literature, and book trading for centuries and remains one of the most vibrant places in the city.

walk through the traditional bazaars and exploring the Copper Market.

Later, enjoy a relaxing break at Al-Shabandar Café, one of Baghdad’s most famous traditional cafés, where you can experience Iraqi tea culture and taste traditional dried lime tea.

Continue the tour with a visit to Ctesiphon (viewed from outside the fence), two important historical landmarks near Baghdad.

End the day in Al-Kadhimiya district, one of Baghdad’s most important religious and cultural areas. Explore the lively night market and see the famous Al-Kadhimiya Shrine, known for its golden dome and its religious significance.

Overnight in Baghdad

Day 3: Baghdad – Babylon – Karbala

we will leave Baghdad and travel to the ancient city of Babylon, one of the greatest civilizations of ancient Mesopotamia.

Explore the archaeological site of Babylon, the legendary city that flourished between the 18th and 6th centuries BC. Discover the remains of this powerful civilization, including the ancient city walls and areas connected to the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II.

Visit Saddam Palace, built on top of the ancient city of Babylon and inspired by the architecture of King Nebuchadnezzar’s palace. Today, it offers panoramic views over the archaeological site.

Continue to Karbala and check in at the hotel.

In the afternoon, visit the holy shrines of Imam Abbas and Imam Hussein, two of the most significant religious sites in Iraq. Learn about their deep historical and spiritual importance and the events surrounding the Battle of Karbala.

Overnight in Karbala

Day 4: Karbala – Najaf – Nasiriyah

Continue your journey to Najaf, one of Iraq’s most important religious cities.

Visit the city and enjoy a panoramic view of Wadi Al-Salam Cemetery from a high location during sunset. Considered one of the largest cemeteries in the world, Wadi Al-Salam holds great historical and religious importance.

Continue towards Nasiriyah and visit Uruk, one of the oldest and most influential cities of ancient Mesopotamia.

Dating back to approximately 4000–3000 BCE, Uruk is considered one of the world’s first major cities and played a crucial role in the development of writing, administration, and urban civilization.

Continue to the Ziggurat of Ur, one of the most impressive surviving structures of ancient Mesopotamia. Built by the Sumerians, this massive temple complex represents one of the greatest architectural achievements of the ancient Near East.

Overnight in Nasiriyah.

Day 5: The Marshes of Iraq – Basra

Today we explore one of Iraq’s most unique natural and cultural landscapes, the Iraqi Marshes.

The Mesopotamian Marshes are among the largest wetlands in the Middle East and have been home for thousands of years to the Marsh Arabs, who developed a unique way of life connected to the waterways.

Enjoy a traditional boat trip through the marshes using the local boat known as Shakhtura, passing through the waterways and experiencing the peaceful environment of this ancient ecosystem.

Meet locals, learn about their traditions, and enjoy traditional Iraqi tea while hearing stories about life in the marshlands.

Experience a traditional lunch featuring the famous Masgouf, Iraq’s national dish of grilled fish prepared using traditional methods, served inside a traditional reed house known as Al-Mudheef.

Continue to Al-Qurnah, where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers meet to form the Shatt Al-Arab River.

Visit the famous Tree of Adam, a location associated with local historical and religious traditions.

Continue to Basra and check in at your hotel.

Overnight in Basra

Day 6: Basra City Tour – Baghdad

We will take a boat trip on the Shatt Al-Arab and enjoy the views from the riverside, including a view of Saddam Palace.

We will also visit the Shanasheel houses, which represent the fragrance of the past and the charm of heritage. These traditional houses reflect the cultural identity of Basra and are known for their beautifully crafted wooden balconies, large courtyards, stained-glass windows, and high ceilings.

Return to Baghdad.

Overnight in Baghdad

Day 7 | Samarra-Hatra – Mosul

Visit the Great Mosque of Samarra, a unique 9th-century mosque built during the Abbasid Caliphate.

The mosque is famous for its distinctive spiral minaret, known as the Malwiya Minaret, which was designed for the call to prayer (Adhan). Its remarkable corkscrew structure allows visitors to climb the exterior, making it one of the most recognizable examples of early Islamic architecture.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site remains one of Iraq’s most important historical landmarks.

Visit Abu Dalaf Mosque, an important historical site featuring unique Islamic architecture, including its large rectangular layout and spiral minaret, which resembles the famous Malwiya Minaret of the Great Mosque of Samarra.

Drive to Mosul.

Visit Hatra, an ancient city known for its impressive ruins and unique combination of Greco-Roman and Eastern architectural influences. During the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, Hatra was a major religious and trading center and served as the capital of the first Arab Kingdom.

Overnight in Mosul

Day 8: Mosul – Erbil

Visit the remains of the Assyrian Wall.

Explore the Old City of Mosul, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the Middle East. The area suffered extensive destruction, with many centuries-old buildings damaged or completely destroyed. Visit the mosques and churches in the Old City and walk through the Bazaar.

Visit the remains of Namrud, an important city of the Neo-Assyrian Empire (9th–7th century BCE) that served as the capital during the reign of King Ashurnasirpal II. The site was heavily damaged in recent years, but restoration efforts continue to preserve its historical and archaeological significance.

Drive to Erbil.

Overnight in Erbil.

Day 9 | Erbil

Visit the Citadel of Erbil (viewed from Outside, as it is currently closed for maintenance).

Explore the food market and Qaysari Bazaar, where visitors can find jewelry, gold and silver, carpets, antiques, and many other interesting items, along with traditional sweets and local delicacies.

Continue with a visit to Choli Minaret, one of Erbil’s most famous landmarks, dating back to the Atabag period (12th century). The structure was built using burnt bricks and tiles imported from Egypt, a region historically connected with Kurdistan. .

Overnight in Erbil.

Day 10 | Duhok

Visit Mar Mattai Monastery (St. Matthew’s Monastery/4th century), one of the most important sites of Eastern Christianity, with a tour conducted by the monastery’s monks.

Visit Jirwana, the oldest aqueduct and bridge ruin in the world, built during the time of Sennacherib (690 BC). The site was once part of a large complex built to provide water for the gardens of Nineveh. The huge stones transported from distant quarries are inscribed with the story of this remarkable achievement.

Visit Lalish, the pilgrimage site of the Yezidis, who are descendants of the Zoroastrians. Learn about the ancient rituals of this people, considered by many to be the remaining followers of one of the original religions of Kurdistan. Lalish is a unique cultural and religious destination, offering a peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty.

Visit Khinnis Reliefs, an Assyrian archaeological site known for its rock reliefs, built by King Sennacherib around 690 BC.

Visit Alqosh and see the outdoor museum showcasing traditional life and how people used to live.

Drive to Duhok.

Overnight in Duhok

Day 11 | Amadiya – Barzan – Soran

Visit the ancient city of Amadiya, dating back to the Assyrian era. The city is located on a high promontory overlooking a breathtaking landscape and is supplied by a geothermal spring originating deep beneath the mountain.

Drive to Barzan through breathtaking scenery and the traditional homeland of the Barzani tribe. The current President and Prime Minister of Kurdistan are from this region.

Stop at the Mullah Mustafa Memorial, dedicated to the father of modern Kurdistan.

Continue to the famous Shanidar Cave, discovered in the 1950s by archaeologist Solecki. The discovery changed the understanding of Neanderthals, as it was found that Neanderthals buried their dead with rituals, including the use of flowers and medicines.

Overnight in Soran

Day 12 | Sulaymaniyah

Drive to Sulaymaniyah, passing through the town of Rawanduz

and the incredible Hamilton Road, one of the great engineering achievements of the past centuries. Alexander Hamilton created this route from Shaqlawa to Iran despite many challenges and difficulties.

See Bekhal and drive to Shaqlawa for lunch.

Drive to Sulaymaniyah.

Overnight in Sulaymaniyah.

Day 13 | Sulaymaniyah – Halabja

Drive to Halabja, where on March 16, 1988, Saddam Hussein ordered the use of chemical weapons against at least 24 villages in the Kurdish region, with Halabja being the most notorious. At least 5,000 people died as an immediate result of the attack, and many others were injured or suffered long-term illnesses.

Visit the Halabja Museum and Memorial Cemetery, which provide a moving insight into this tragic event.

Drive back to Sulaymaniyah.

Overnight in Sulaymaniyah.

Day 14 | Sulaymaniyah – Erbil

Visit Sulaymaniyah Museum, Kurdistan’s largest collection and Iraq’s second-largest collection of antiquities.

Visit the Red House, where Saddam’s regime tortured and killed thousands of Kurds. Normally, a former inmate of the prison is available to accompany guests. The entrance to the prison features a cavern-like passage covered with small mirrors representing the more than 185,000 people who disappeared during Saddam’s rule.

Visit Qz Qapan Cave, a rock-cut tomb located near the Paleolithic cave of Zarzi in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Drive to Erbil.

Overnight in Erbil.

Day 15 | Departure

Transfer to the airport for departure