9-Day Iraq Explorer Tour

Itinerary

Day 1 | Arrival in Baghdad

Upon arrival at Baghdad International Airport, you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and prepare for the journey ahead.

Overnight in Baghdad

Day 2 | Discovering Baghdad

After breakfast, begin your exploration of Baghdad, a city that has been a center of culture, learning, and commerce for over a thousand years.

Your first stop is Liberation Square, an important symbol of modern Iraq, before crossing the Tigris River by a traditional boat. On the opposite bank, you’ll arrive at the famous Al-Mutanabbi Street, Baghdad’s historic cultural quarter. Lined with bookstores, cafés, and historic buildings, it has long been the city’s gathering place for writers, artists, and intellectuals.

wander through the city’s old bazaar and the traditional Copper Market, where skilled craftsmen continue to produce handmade copperware using techniques passed down through generations.

Take a break at the iconic Al-Shabander Café, one of Baghdad’s oldest cafés, where you can enjoy traditional Iraqi tea or dried lime tea while soaking up the atmosphere.

In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Arch of Ctesiphon (Taq Kasra), one of the largest single-span brick arches ever built and a remarkable reminder of the ancient Sasanian Empire.

Finish the day in Al-Kadhimiya, one of Baghdad’s most important religious and cultural districts. Explore the lively evening market before visiting the beautiful Al-Kadhimiya Shrine, an important pilgrimage site renowned for its golden domes and intricate Islamic architecture.

Overnight in Baghdad

Day 3 | Samarra – Hatra – Mosul

Depart Baghdad and travel north to the historic city of Samarra, once the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate and one of the most important centers of the Islamic world during the 9th century.

Your first stop is the iconic Malwiya Minaret, the spiral tower of the Great Mosque of Samarra and one of Iraq’s most recognizable landmarks. Built in the 9th century, its unique design has made it a lasting symbol of early Islamic architecture. Continue to the nearby Abu Dulaf Mosque, another remarkable Abbasid monument known for its vast courtyard and distinctive spiral minaret.

Leaving Samarra behind, continue towards Mosul, stopping along the way to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hatra. Once a prosperous city of the Parthian Empire, Hatra flourished as a major trading and religious center. Wander among its impressive temples, towering defensive walls, and beautifully carved stone architecture, which reflects a fascinating blend of Eastern and Greco-Roman influences.

Arrive in Mosul in the evening and check into your hotel.

Overnight in Mosul

Day 4 | Mosul – Erbil

This morning, discover Mosul, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Middle East and an important crossroads of civilizations for centuries.

Begin with a visit to the remains of the ancient Assyrian Wall, once part of the legendary city of Nineveh. Continue into Mosul’s Old City, where you’ll walk through its narrow streets, traditional bazaar, historic mosques, and churches. Although much of the area was damaged during the conflict with ISIS, ongoing restoration efforts have begun bringing parts of this remarkable city back to life, making it a powerful place to witness Iraq’s resilience.

The day continues with a visit to Nimrud, the ancient Assyrian capital built under King Ashurnasirpal II. Its surviving ruins and ongoing conservation work offer a glimpse into the power and artistry of the Neo-Assyrian period.

From Nimrud, continue south toward Erbil. As the landscape changes, so does the atmosphere of the journey, marking the transition from the historic sites of northern Iraq to the heart of Iraqi Kurdistan.

Overnight in Erbil

Day 5 | Erbil -Back to Baghdad

Begin the day at the iconic Erbil Citadel, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited settlements. While the citadel is currently closed for restoration, its elevated position and distinctive silhouette remain an important part of Erbil’s historic character.

From here, explore the lively Qaysari Bazaar, a traditional market filled with narrow covered lanes and long-standing shops selling carpets, spices, jewelry, textiles, and local handicrafts.

After exploring Erbil, begin the drive back to Baghdad, enjoying the changing landscapes along the way.

Overnight in Baghdad

Day 6 | Babylon – Karbala

After checking out of the hotel, begin the day with a visit to the Martyr Monument, one of Baghdad’s most striking modern landmarks. Although the monument is currently closed for maintenance, we’ll stop nearby to appreciate its unique architecture and significance.

Continue south to the legendary city of Babylon, one of the world’s most celebrated archaeological sites and the heart of ancient Mesopotamian civilization. Walk through the remains of this remarkable city, once ruled by King Nebuchadnezzar II, and learn about its role in shaping the history of the ancient world. Discover the reconstructed Ishtar Gate area, the Processional Way, and the remains traditionally associated with the legendary Hanging Gardens.

Overlooking the archaeological site is the former Saddam Palace, now converted into a museum, offering panoramic views across the ancient city.

In the afternoon, continue to the holy city of Karbala. After checking into your hotel and taking some time to relax, visit the magnificent Imam Abbas Shrine and the nearby Imam Hussein Shrine. Beautifully illuminated in the evening, these two sacred shrines welcome millions of pilgrims each year and are among the most important religious sites in the Islamic world.

Overnight in Karbala

Day 7 | Najaf – Uruk – Ur – Nasiriyah

After breakfast, travel to the holy city of Najaf, one of the most important spiritual centers in Iraq.

Visit Wadi Al-Salam, the world’s largest cemetery and an important pilgrimage site with millions of graves stretching across the landscape. The cemetery reflects centuries of Iraqi history and remains one of the city’s most significant landmarks.

Continue south towards Nasiriyah, entering the heartland of ancient Mesopotamia. Weather permitting, visit Uruk, considered one of the world’s earliest cities and widely regarded as the birthplace of urban civilization and cuneiform writing. It is also traditionally associated with the legendary King Gilgamesh, whose story is among the oldest surviving works of literature.

The journey continues to the magnificent Ziggurat of Ur, one of the finest surviving monuments of the Sumerian civilization. Rising above the surrounding plain, this impressive stepped temple has stood for more than 4,000 years and remains one of Iraq’s most iconic archaeological treasures.

Arrive in Nasiriyah in the evening.

Overnight in Nasiriyah

Day 8 | Mesopotamian Marshes – Basra

This morning offers a completely different perspective on Iraq as you journey into the Mesopotamian Marshes, the largest wetland ecosystem in the Middle East and home to the unique culture of the Marsh Arabs.

Meet local families, enjoy traditional Iraqi tea, and learn about a way of life that has existed for thousands of years. Board a traditional shakhtura boat and glide through the maze of waterways surrounded by reed beds and water buffalo, experiencing one of Iraq’s most distinctive landscapes.

Lunch is served inside a traditional reed-built mudhif, where you’ll enjoy the famous Iraqi dish Masgouf, freshly grilled over an open fire using reeds rather than wood.

Later, continue to Al-Qurnah to visit the legendary Tree of Adam, a site connected to local traditions and visited by people of different faiths. Nearby, stop at Al-Multaqa, where the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers join together to form the Shatt al-Arab, creating one of the region’s most important waterways.

Continue to Basra.

Overnight in Basra

Day 9 | Basra

Spend the day exploring Basra, Iraq’s southern gateway and one of the country’s oldest trading cities.

Begin with a relaxing boat trip along the Shatt al-Arab, offering a different perspective of the city and views of the riverside Saddam Palace.

Continue to the historic Shanasheel district, where beautifully carved wooden balconies overlook narrow streets lined with traditional merchant houses. These distinctive homes, with their stained-glass windows and elegant façades, reflect Basra’s rich architectural heritage and its centuries of maritime trade.

Take time to wander through the neighborhood, soaking up the atmosphere and discovering another side of Iraq’s diverse cultural landscape before returning to your hotel.

Overnight in Basra

Departure

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight, bringing your 9-Day Iraq Explorer Tour to an end.