6-Day Iraq Kingdoms Tour

Itinerary

Day 1 | Arrive in Baghdad

Your journey begins in Baghdad. Once you land at Baghdad International Airport, our team will be there to welcome you and take you directly to your hotel.

The remainder of the day is free to rest, settle in, and get ready for the days of exploration ahead.

Overnight in Baghdad

Day 2 | Baghdad, Ctesiphon & Al-Kadhimiya

Today offers your first introduction to Baghdad, moving between its modern landmarks, historic streets, traditional markets, and the Tigris.

Start at Liberation Square, an important landmark in the capital and a place closely associated with Baghdad’s modern public life. From here, enjoy a short boat ride across the Tigris River before continuing to Al-Mutanabi Street, the city’s celebrated center of books, literature, and intellectual life.

Walk through the Old Bazaar and Copper Market, where traditional shops and craftsmen reflect Baghdad’s long-standing commercial culture. Take a break at Al-Shabander Café, a historic meeting place, and enjoy Iraqi tea and dried lime tea in one of the city’s most atmospheric cafés.

The afternoon takes you outside Baghdad to Ctesiphon, the former Sassanian capital. Here, stand before Taq Kasra, the enormous brick arch that remains the most striking surviving feature of the ancient city.

Return to Baghdad and spend the evening in Al-Kadhimiya. Explore its bustling market before visiting the shrine of Imam Musa al-Kadhim and Imam Muhammad al-Jawad, recognizable by its impressive golden domes.

Overnight in Baghdad

Day 3 | Baghdad, Babylon & Karbala

Leave Baghdad today with a short exterior stop at the Martyr Monument, one of the capital’s most distinctive modern landmarks.

The main journey then continues to Babylon, where the remains of one of Mesopotamia’s most powerful cities reveal the scale and ambition of its former civilization. Explore the archaeological site, hear about the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II, and discover the stories surrounding the legendary Hanging Gardens, traditionally counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Overlooking the archaeological remains is the former Saddam Hussein Palace, now functioning as a museum and providing wide views over Babylon.

From Babylon, continue south to Karbala, an important center of Islamic history and pilgrimage. Visit the Imam Abbas Shrine, associated with Al-Abbas ibn Ali and his renowned loyalty and courage during the Battle of Karbala.

Continue to the Imam Hussein Shrine, the burial place of Imam Hussein ibn Ali and a site deeply connected with one of the most significant events in Islamic history.

Overnight in Karbala

Day 4 | Kufa, Najaf & Return to Baghdad

Continue the journey to Kufa, a city whose history is closely tied to the early development of Islam. Visit the Great Mosque of Kufa, one of the earliest mosques in Islamic history and a major site during the period when Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib made Kufa his capital.

The mosque is also connected with important historical figures and events, including the shrines of Muslim ibn Aqil and Hani ibn Urwa.

From Kufa, proceed to Najaf and visit the Imam Ali Holy Shrine, marking the burial place of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib. For centuries, the shrine has stood at the center of religious scholarship and pilgrimage.

The final stop is Wadi Al-Salam (Valley of Peace), the vast historic cemetery beside the shrine. Its grounds contain the graves of generations of believers, scholars, and religious figures.

After exploring Najaf, return to Baghdad for the evening.

Overnight in Baghdad

Day 5 | Samarra & Hatra

Leave Baghdad behind and head north toward Samarra, a former capital of the Abbasid Caliphate and one of Iraq’s most important Islamic-era sites.

The first stop is the Great Mosque of Samarra, best known for its remarkable spiral Malwiya Minaret. The monument is an outstanding example of early Islamic architecture and forms part of Samarra’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nearby, visit the Abu Dalaf Mosque, distinguished by its enormous rectangular layout and its own spiral minaret, reflecting the architectural influence of Samarra’s Great Mosque.

The journey then continues toward Hatra. Once an important Parthian religious and trading center, Hatra developed into a heavily fortified city whose temples, sculptures, and monumental walls remain remarkably impressive. Its archaeological remains are now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Continue to Mosul for the night.

Overnight in Mosul

Day 6 | Mosul, Nimrud & Erbil

Begin the morning in Mosul with the remains of the Ancient Assyrian Wall, an enduring trace of the city’s long and layered history.

Continue into the Old City of Mosul, where historic streets and surviving structures stand alongside extensive restoration work following the destruction suffered during the conflict with ISIS.

From Mosul, travel to Nimrud, once a major center of the Neo-Assyrian Empire and the capital of King Ashurnasirpal II. Despite extensive damage in recent years, its archaeological remains continue to demonstrate the importance of the site and are the focus of ongoing preservation efforts.

The route then heads into the Kurdistan Region, arriving in Erbil.

End the journey at the Erbil Citadel, the historic heart of the city and one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited settlements. The citadel is viewed from outside while restoration work continues.

Overnight in Erbil

Departure | Erbil

After breakfast, your journey comes to an end. Transfer to Erbil International Airport for your departure, concluding the route from Baghdad through central and northern Iraq and into the Kurdistan Region.