7-Day Northern Iraq Tour

Itinerary

Day 1 | Arrival in Baghdad

Welcome to Iraq. Upon landing at Baghdad International Airport, you’ll be met by our local team and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure, giving you time to settle in before your journey across northern Iraq begins.

Overnight in Baghdad  

Day 2 | Baghdad

Discover the many layers of Baghdad, a city whose history stretches from the Abbasid Caliphate to modern Iraq.

Your day starts at Liberation Square, home to the famous Freedom Monument and one of the capital’s most recognizable public spaces. Cross the Tigris River by traditional boat before arriving at Al-Mutanabi Street, Baghdad’s celebrated literary district, where bookstores, cafés, and historic buildings have shaped the city’s intellectual life for generations.

then wander through the bustling Old Bazaar and nearby Copper Market, where traditional craftsmanship continues to thrive.

Enjoy a break at the historic Al-Shabander Café, a favorite gathering place for locals and visitors alike, while sampling authentic Iraqi tea.

Later, visit Ctesiphon, once the capital of the Sasanian Empire and home to the monumental Taq Kasra, one of the finest surviving examples of ancient brick engineering.

The day concludes in Al-Kadhimiya, where you’ll experience the atmosphere of the lively evening market before visiting the magnificent shrine dedicated to Imam Musa al-Kadhim and Imam Muhammad al-Jawad.

Overnight in Baghdad

Day 3 | Babylon & an Evening in Karada

Leave Baghdad behind this morning and head south to Babylon, where the remains of one of Mesopotamia’s greatest cities stretch across the landscape. Walk through its archaeological remains and reconstructed areas while discovering the city’s importance under King Nebuchadnezzar II, when Babylon became a major center of power, culture, trade, and monumental architecture.

Continue to the site associated with the legendary Hanging Gardens, one of the enduring stories of Mesopotamian history. From here, visit Saddam Hussein’s Palace, perched above the archaeological site and offering broad views over Babylon and its surrounding landscape.

Return to Baghdad later in the day. As evening arrives, head to Karada, a lively part of the capital where cafés, restaurants, shops, and busy streets bring the city to life. Spend the evening experiencing Baghdad beyond its historical landmarks and getting a feel for its contemporary social scene.

Overnight in Baghdad

Day 4 | Samarra – Hatra – Mosul

Leave Baghdad behind and head north toward Samarra, one of the most influential cities of the Abbasid era.

Your first stop is the Great Mosque of Samarra, home to the world-famous Malwiya (Spiral) Minaret, one of Iraq’s most iconic architectural landmarks. Although the minaret is currently undergoing restoration and cannot be accessed, your guide will explain its remarkable history, unique spiral design, and its significance as one of the greatest achievements of early Islamic architecture.

Continue to the nearby Abu Dulaf Mosque, another outstanding monument from the Abbasid period. Known for its impressive layout and distinctive spiral minaret, the mosque offers further insight into the architectural innovation and historical importance of Samarra during its time as the capital of the Islamic world.

Continue across northern Iraq to Hatra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that once prospered as a powerful desert kingdom positioned between the Roman and Parthian worlds. Explore its remarkable temples, fortified walls, and monumental stone architecture that reflect the city’s strategic and religious significance.

Later, continue to Mosul, one of Iraq’s oldest cities.

Overnight in Mosul

Day 5 | Mosul – Duhok

Begin the morning in Mosul’s Old City, where restoration projects are gradually reviving one of the Middle East’s most historic urban centers following years of conflict.

Visit the surviving sections of the Ancient Assyrian Wall, a reminder of the city’s origins within one of history’s greatest empires.

Continue into the Kurdistan Region, where the landscape gradually changes from open plains to mountain scenery as you travel to Duhok.

Overnight in Duhok

Day 6 | Duhok – Alqosh – Lalish – Erbil

Today’s journey explores the religious and archaeological heritage of northern Iraq.

Your first stop is Rabban Hormizd Monastery in Alqosh, an ancient Christian monastery carved into the cliffs above the town and closely linked to the history of the Chaldean Church.

Next, visit Lalish, the spiritual center of the Yazidi faith. Surrounded by peaceful mountain valleys, this sacred sanctuary offers a unique opportunity to learn about one of the region’s oldest living religious traditions.

Continue to the remarkable Khinnis Reliefs, where monumental carvings commissioned by King Sennacherib commemorate the engineering achievements of the Assyrian Empire.

enjoy views of the picturesque town of Akre, one of Iraqi Kurdistan’s most scenic mountain settlements, famous for its hillside stone houses and dramatic setting beneath the surrounding cliffs.

Arrive in Erbil later in the day.

Overnight in Erbil

Day 7 | Erbil

Spend the day exploring the historic heart of the Kurdistan Region.

Begin with the iconic Erbil Citadel, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited settlements. Although currently closed for restoration, its commanding position above the city still provides an impressive introduction to Erbil’s long history.

Continue into the vibrant Qaysari Bazaar, where generations of merchants have traded carpets, spices, jewelry, textiles, and local handicrafts within its maze of covered streets.

Later, visit the Choli Minaret, a beautifully preserved 12th-century monument dating to the Atabeg period. Once part of a larger mosque complex, it now stands within a landscaped park celebrating Kurdish history and culture.

Enjoy your final evening in Erbil.

Overnight in Erbil

Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Erbil International Airport for your departure flight, concluding your journey through Iraq’s ancient capitals, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, historic religious communities, and the cultural landscapes of Iraqi Kurdistan.