6-Day Iraq Heritage Wonders Tour

Itinerary

Day 1 | Arrival & Welcome to Basra

Your Iraq journey begins in Basra. Once you land at Basra International Airport, you will be welcomed by our team and accompanied to your hotel.

The rest of the day is intentionally unhurried, giving you time to recover from your flight, settle in, and get your first feel for life in southern Iraq.

Overnight in Basra

Day 2 | Basra, Shanasheel & the Shatt al-Arab

Today offers a closer look at Basra’s waterways and historic character.

Set out on the Shatt al-Arab by boat and enjoy a different perspective of the city from the water. Along the riverbanks, you will also see the former riverside palace dating from the era of Saddam Hussein.

Back on land, enter some of Basra’s older neighborhoods, where the distinctive Shanasheel houses provide a glimpse into the city’s architectural past. Their projecting wooden balconies, decorative glass, internal courtyards, and finely worked details reflect the influence of Basra’s long history as an important trading center.

Many of these historic houses have deteriorated over the years, yet their surviving features still make them an unmistakable part of Basra’s identity.

Overnight in Basra

Day 3 | From Basra to the Marshes & Nasiriyah

Before leaving Basra, stop at the Basra Museum, which is closed on Fridays and Saturdays.

The journey then continues toward Al-Qurnah, with a stop at the Tree of Adam. Local tradition associates the site with Adam’s descent to Earth and with Abraham’s prayers. These traditions are local beliefs rather than part of mainstream Islamic doctrine, and the site is also visited by Christian and Jewish pilgrims.

Continue to Al-Multaqa, the point where the Tigris and Euphrates come together before continuing as the Shatt al-Arab.

The landscape changes as you enter the Mesopotamian Marshes, a vast wetland environment recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, meet members of the Marsh Arab community and step inside a Mudhif, a traditional reed house. Over Iraqi tea, learn more about the communities and traditions shaped by life among the marshes.

A traditional Shakhtura boat will then take you deeper into the waterways. Glide between the reed beds while observing the natural surroundings and local wildlife.

Lunch is served in a traditional reed house, with Masgouf—the region’s renowned grilled fish—prepared over burning reeds.

Following the marshes experience, proceed to Nasiriyah for the night.

Overnight in Nasiriyah

Day 4 | Sumerian Cities, Ur & Najaf

Leave Nasiriyah behind and head toward one of southern Iraq’s most recognizable archaeological monuments: the Ziggurat of Ur.

Rising above the surrounding landscape, this impressive stepped structure belonged to the Sumerian city of Ur and was dedicated to the moon god Nanna. Its scale and preservation offer a striking introduction to the achievements of Mesopotamia’s early civilizations.

The route continues to Uruk, subject to weather conditions as the site cannot be accessed during rainy periods. Often regarded as the world’s first major city, Uruk became a center of urban development more than 5,000 years ago. Its history is linked to the emergence of monumental buildings, early writing, and the legendary figure of King Gilgamesh.

After exploring Uruk, drive to Najaf.

In Najaf, visit the Imam Ali Holy Shrine, a major landmark of Shia Islamic heritage. The shrine stands over the burial place of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib and has made Najaf an important destination for religious scholarship and pilgrimage for centuries.

Overnight in Najaf

Day 5 | Babylon to Baghdad

Today takes you from the archaeological landscape of southern Iraq toward the capital.

Travel to Babylon, the celebrated city that once stood among the most influential capitals of the ancient world. Walk through its archaeological remains, including the former ceremonial processional route and surviving foundations connected with the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II.

Babylon is also traditionally associated with the Hanging Gardens, counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Their precise location, however, has never been conclusively established.

Continue to the Saddam Hussein Palace, positioned above the Babylon archaeological site. The former palace now functions as a museum and offers elevated views over the surrounding ruins.

From Babylon, continue onward to Baghdad.

In the capital, head to Al-Kadhimiya, a historic district known for its religious importance and bustling streets. Spend the evening exploring the local market before entering the Al-Kadhimiya Shrine, recognizable by its golden dome and the tombs of Imam Musa al-Kadhim and Imam Muhammad al-Jawad.

After dinner, settle into your Baghdad hotel.

Overnight in Baghdad

Day 6 | Baghdad’s Streets, Heritage & Ctesiphon

Use your final full day to experience Baghdad through a combination of public spaces, historic streets, traditional commerce, and major landmarks.

Start at Liberation Square, where the well-known Freedom Monument commemorates an important chapter in Iraq’s modern history.

From there, cross the Tigris River by boat before continuing to Al-Mutanabi Street. Famous for its connection to books, literature, and intellectual life, the street has long been a meeting place for Baghdad’s writers, readers, and booksellers.

Continue on foot through the city’s traditional bazaar and into the Copper Market, where local craftsmen maintain the tradition of working with copper and producing handmade goods.

Take a break at Al-Shabander Café, a historic Baghdad coffee house, and enjoy Iraqi tea in an atmosphere closely associated with the city’s traditional café culture.

The final sightseeing stop is Ctesiphon. Once an important imperial capital under the Parthians and Sasanians, the site is dominated by the immense brick arch of its former palace complex, one of the most remarkable surviving examples of large-scale ancient masonry.

Return to Baghdad for your final night.

Overnight in Baghdad

Departure | Baghdad International Airport

your tour concludes with a transfer to Baghdad International Airport for your onward flight.