9-Day Best of Iraq Tour

Itinerary

Day 1 | Arrival in Basra

Your journey begins with your arrival in Basra. Our team will welcome you at the airport and take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is open for you to settle in and recover from your travels.

Overnight in Basra

Day 2 | Basra’s Heritage & Shatt al-Arab

Spend the day getting acquainted with Basra and its history. Start at the Basra Museum, where the collections provide an introduction to the heritage of southern Iraq.

Later, take to the water for a boat ride along the Shatt al-Arab. The cruise offers a different perspective of Basra, including views towards the riverside Saddam Palace.

Back on land, explore some of the city’s surviving Shanasheel houses. Their projecting wooden balconies, courtyards, colored glass, and intricate details are characteristic of traditional Basra. Although many historic houses have deteriorated over time, those that remain provide a glimpse into the architectural character of the old city.

Overnight in Basra

Day 3 | Al-Qurnah & Life in the Marshes

Leave Basra behind and travel towards Al-Qurnah, situated near the northern end of the Shatt al-Arab.

The first stop is the Tree of Adam, a site surrounded by local traditions connecting it with Prophet Adam and Prophet Abraham. The location also has cultural significance for some Jewish and Christian visitors.

Continue to Al-Multaqa (Meeting Point), where the Tigris and Euphrates converge before continuing together as the Shatt al-Arab.

From here, enter the Iraqi Marshes and experience one of southern Iraq’s most distinctive landscapes. Reed beds, waterways, wildlife, and traditional settlements form the backdrop as you meet local residents and learn more about life in the marshes. Enjoy traditional Iraqi tea before setting out by shakhtura, a traditional boat used to navigate the narrow waterways.

Lunch brings another local experience: masgouf, Iraq’s famous grilled fish, served inside an al-mutheef, a large reed-built guesthouse. The fish is traditionally cooked over reeds, giving the meal a distinctly Iraqi character.

Continue to Nasiriyah for the night.

Overnight in Nasiriyah

Day 4 | Ur, Uruk & Najaf

Check out at 09:00 and set out for a day focused on the archaeological heritage of southern Iraq.

Begin at the Ziggurat of Ur, the monumental stepped temple complex that stands as one of the most recognizable remains of Sumerian Mesopotamia.

The route then continues to Simawaha, before reaching Uruk (not possible on rainy days). Among the earliest major urban centers in Mesopotamia, Uruk is closely connected with the development of early writing, monumental architecture, Sumerian culture, and the legendary story of Gilgamesh.

After visiting Uruk, travel onward to Najaf.

In the city, visit Wadi Al-Salam Cemetery, the vast Valley of Peace adjoining Najaf and one of the world’s most extensive historic burial grounds.

The day concludes at the Imam Ali Holy Shrine, a major religious landmark and the burial place of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib.

Overnight in Najaf

Day 5 | Babylon & Karbala

After checking out at 09:00, head towards Babylon.

Explore the remains of this renowned Mesopotamian city, once a powerful center of political and cultural life. Its legacy is closely associated with monumental architecture and the legendary Hanging Gardens, traditionally listed among the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, although their existence has not been definitively proven.

Above the archaeological area stands Saddam Palace, whose design drew inspiration from the royal palaces associated with King Nebuchadnezzar.

Continue onwards to Karbala, where the afternoon is dedicated to two of the city’s most significant landmarks. Visit the Imam Abbas Shrine, honoring Al-Abbas ibn Ali, followed by the Imam Hussein Shrine, marking the burial place of Imam Hussein ibn Ali.

Overnight in Karbala

Day 6 | Ukhaider Fortress & Baghdad

Check out at 09:00 and leave Karbala for Baghdad.

Along the way, make a stop at Ukhaider Fortress, a remarkably preserved early Islamic stronghold dating to around 775 AD. Its imposing walls and surviving structures provide an insight into the military architecture of the Abbasid era.

Continue towards the capital. In Baghdad, see the Martyr Monument (from outside the fence), one of the city’s most recognizable modern landmarks.

Continue to Liberation Square, an important public space that has played a role in many of Baghdad’s major modern events.

The route then leads to Firdous Square, remembered internationally for the events surrounding the removal of Saddam Hussein’s statue in 2003.

After checking into the hotel, take some time to relax before heading out again in the evening.

As night falls, explore Karada Market, where shops, food stalls, cafés, and local crowds bring a lively atmosphere to the streets. Sample Iraqi favorites such as shawarma and kebabs and enjoy a cup of traditional Iraqi tea along the way.

Overnight in Baghdad

Day 7 | Baghdad, Tigris River & Ctesiphon

Check out at 09:00 and begin with a short boat crossing of the Tigris River, offering a brief view of Baghdad from the water.

Continue into the heart of the city on Al-Mutanabbi Street, a historic meeting place for books, literature, and Baghdad’s intellectual life.

From there, wander through the Old Bazaar and Copper Market, where traditional commerce and craftsmanship remain part of the character of the area.

Pause at Al-Shabander Café, a historic Baghdad coffeehouse, for traditional Iraqi tea and dried lime tea.

Later, leave the city and travel towards Ctesiphon (from outside the fence). Once an important imperial center of the Parthian and Sassanian worlds, the site is best known today for Taq Kasra, the enormous brick vault that remains as its defining monument.

Return to Baghdad and spend the evening in Al-Kadhimiya, a historic neighborhood known for its busy streets and night market. Here, see the Al-Kadhimiya Holy Shrine, recognizable by its golden dome and associated with the tombs of Imam Musa al-Kadhim and Imam Muhammad al-Jawad.

Overnight in Baghdad

Day 8 | Samarra & Hatra

Travel north from Baghdad to Samarra, once a major Abbasid capital.

The first stop is the Spiral Minaret, an extraordinary 9th-century structure distinguished by its unusual form and external winding ramp. Restoration work is currently being carried out at the site.

Continue to the Abu Dalaf Mosque, another surviving example of Samarra’s monumental early Islamic architecture. Its extensive remains reflect the scale of the city during its Abbasid period.

The journey then continues towards Hatra, a fortified city that developed into an important religious and commercial center during the Parthian period. Walk among its monumental temples, sculptures, and defensive structures before continuing to Mosul.

Overnight in Mosul

Day 9 | Mosul & Return to Baghdad

Begin the final day in Mosul with a visit to the remains of the Ancient Assyrian Wall, a surviving element of the city’s much older history.

Continue into the Old City of Mosul, where historic architecture and restored areas sit alongside buildings still bearing the effects of the conflict with ISIS. The area offers an opportunity to see both Mosul’s historic identity and the continuing process of reconstruction.

After the visit, begin the drive south towards Baghdad. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Baghdad

Departure from Baghdad

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and transfer to Baghdad International Airport for your departure flight. This marks the end of your journey.