Overview

Iraq Tours 2023-2024

Do you want to have an outstanding vacation experience in Iraq? There is no need to look any further! Aknaf Al Sawary is here to make your journey one to remember. Our professional travel and tourist services cater to both groups and individuals, guaranteeing that everyone has the opportunity to discover Iraq’s treasures. We have you covered whether you are traveling alone or in a group.

Here’s a taste of the incredible schedule we provide, along with the possible dates for various groups:

SEP GROUP: September 23, 2023 – September 30, 2023

OCT GROUP: October 7, 2023 – October 14, 2023

NOV GROUP: November 4, 2023 – November 11, 2023

DEC GROUP: December 2, 2023 – December 9, 2023

JAN GROUP: January 8, 2024 – January 15, 2024

FEB GROUP: February 12, 2024 – February 19, 2024

MAR GROUP: March 4, 2024 – March 11, 2024

APR GROUP: April 22, 2024 – April 29, 2024

MAY GROUP: May 13, 2024 – May 20, 2024

SEP GROUP: September 16, 2024 – September 23, 2024

OCT GROUP: October 7, 2024 – October 14, 2024

NOV GROUP: November 4, 2024 – November 11, 2024

DEC GROUP: December 2, 2024 – December 9, 2024

DAY 1 | BAGHDAD:

When you arrive at the airport, we will greet you and transport you to your Baghdad hotel. Take some time to unwind before embarking on an adventurous excursion. Stay in Baghdad for the night.

DAY 2 | BAGHDAD:

We will begin our exploration of Baghdad after breakfast. Our first stop is Liberation Square, a famous landmark that has played an important role in the city’s countless uprisings and revolts. From there, we’ll take a short boat ride across the Tigris River to Al-Mutanabbi Street, a well-known cultural bazaar where books of all types thrive.

Following that, we’ll go to the Abbasid Palace, followed by a trip through the Old Bazar, where you can soak up the vivid atmosphere and see the bustling copper market. We’ll stop for traditional Iraqi tea and dried lime tea at Al-Shabander, one of Baghdad’s most famous ancient cafes.

In the evening, we’ll go to Al-Kadhimiya, an important Baghdad neighborhood noted for its stunning night market. Explore and wonder at the Al Kadhimiya sacred Shrine (golden Dome), which holds the tombs of Twelver Shiites Imam Musa al-Kadhim and Imam Muhammad al-Jawad. Enjoy a delicious dinner before returning to your hotel for the night.

DAY 3 | KARBALA – BABYLON:

Check out of the hotel and proceed to the Martyr Monument, a mournful homage to Iraqi troops who valiantly gave their lives during the 1980s Iraq-Iran war. This monument is very important to Iraqis since it commemorates all of Iraq’s martyrs.

Following that, we’ll have a fascinating tour of Babylon’s ancient remains, which are generally regarded as the cradle of Mesopotamian culture. These historical ruins, which date from the 18th to the 6th centuries BC, contain the renowned Hanging Gardens, which were thought to be associated with King Nebuchadnezzar’s Palace. Despite the fact that the Hanging Gardens are commonly regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the Hellenic World in numerous literary sources, their physical presence has yet to be established.

Our tour continues to Saddam Palace, which is now a museum. This palace, perched atop Babylon, was inspired by the magnificence of King Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylonian palace. Explore its halls and galleries, being immersed in its history and architectural marvels.

We will next travel to Karbala, where we will choose a fantastic dinner and a pleasant hotel for a well-deserved rest. The next day, we’ll go to two important shrines in Karbala.

First, we’ll go to the Imam Abbas Shrine, which holds Al-Abbas ibn Ali’s grave. Al-Abbas is regarded as one of the most important personalities in Islamic and historical history. During the Battle of Taff, he demonstrated real brotherhood by sacrificing himself to safeguard his family and preserve the Islamic beliefs and ideals of Ahlul-Bayt, which were under assault from Yazid’s repressive regime.

Following that, we will visit the Imam Hussein Shrine, which houses Imam Hussein’s tomb. Imam Hussein, the second son of Imam Ali and the Prophet Muhammad’s second grandson, is an important figure in Islamic history. His unrelenting dedication to justice and resistance to oppression have made him an icon of bravery and righteousness.

We will spend the night in Karbala, allowing you to immerse yourself in the spiritual atmosphere and ponder on this precious city’s rich history and tradition.

Day 4 | Najaf Ur

On the fourth day of our vacation, we will check out of the hotel and go to the fascinating city of Najaf. Witnessing the spectacular sunset from a high building overlooking the Najaf cemetery, known as Wadi-us Salaam, will be one of the highlights of our tour. This cemetery is extremely noteworthy since it is the most important tomb site in Najaf and the world’s largest cemetery. It has even been recognized and added to the World Heritage List, with approximately six million burials.

After taking in the breathtaking scenery, we’ll continue on to Nasiriyah City. We will have the opportunity to explore the amazing Ziggurat of Ur while we are here. Ziggurats are classic architectural structures that originated in the Ancient Near East and are distinct from Egypt’s smooth-sided pyramids. These tiered structures served as religious and administrative centers for the region’s ancient cities. The Ziggurat of Ur is a magnificent example of this architectural innovation, and it stands as a witness to the ancient civilization that built it. We will learn about this ancient civilization’s rich history and achievements while we marvel at its magnificence.

We will check into our hotel in Nasiriyah, where we will spend the night, in the evening, around 6:00 p.m. This will give us a nice and restful stay, allowing us to recharge for our next travels.

DAY 5 | MARSHES OF IRAQ- BAGHDAD

On Day 5, we’ll start by leaving our current position. Our next stop will be the famed Marshes of Iraq, which are the largest wetlands in the Middle East. These marshes are noteworthy not just for their ecological importance, as they provide habitat for many bird and fish species, but also for their cultural significance as the historical heartland of the Marsh Arabs. Many Marsh Arabs have returned to this region in recent years.

During our excursion, we will take a break and drink some traditional tea while conversing with the people. This will be an excellent opportunity to hear captivating stories from the past. Following that, we will have a boat ride through the complicated maze of the marshes. Our boat, known as a “shakhtura,” will adhere to ancient customs, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the experience. We will have the pleasure of partaking in a classic lunchtime treat: masgouf, as we travel through the marshes. This grilled fish dish is famous for its distinct and delectable flavor because it is made with reeds rather than wood. This exquisite lunch will be served to us in one of the houses made completely of reeds, known as “almutheef.”

Following our exploration of the Iraqi Marshes, we will return to Baghdad. We will check into our Baghdad hotel, where we will spend the night. This will serve as a pleasant and accessible home base as we continue our adventure through this fascinating country.

DAY 6 | SAMARRA – MOSUL

We will leave the hotel at 8:00 a.m. to begin our day. The spectacular Samarra spiral tower, one of Iraq’s most recognizable and distinctive features, will be our first stop. Its remarkable design is distinguished by an ascending spiral conical structure.

Following that, we will go to Al Burqa Palace, a renowned historical palace built by Caliph Abu al-Fadl Jaafar al-Mutawakkil. Originally intended as a haven for recuperation, relaxation, and recreation, the palace has historical value dating back to the time it was built.

Following that, we will travel to Mosul City, our next stop. Mosul has a rich historical and cultural legacy, as well as captivating attractions to visit.

We will spend the night in Mosul, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the city’s ambiance and prepare for the experiences that await us the next day.

DAY 7 | MOSUL BAGHDAD

We will start our day by leaving the hotel and driving towards Mosul City. Bash Tapia Castle, a remarkable 12th-century ruin and one of seven castles within Mosul’s city wall, will be our first trip. Despite being damaged by Timur in 1393, the castle was later rebuilt during the Ottoman Empire’s control.

Following that, we will visit Mosul’s Old City, one of the Middle East’s oldest neighborhoods. Unfortunately, this neighborhood served as ISIS’s last stronghold and was heavily destroyed, with centuries-old buildings utterly destroyed in a matter of weeks.

We will continue our adventure by visiting the ruins of the 3000-year-old Assyrian wall that once existed in Nineveh. Though in ruins, this wall provides insight into the region’s past history.

Hatra, an old and walled caravan city that served as the capital of the little Arab Kingdom of Hatra, will be our final destination for the day. Hatra flourished in the second century before dying and being abandoned in the third. Its spectacular ruins, however, were unearthed in the nineteenth century, demonstrating the former grandeur of this key historical monument.

As the day draws to a close, we’ll make our journey back to Baghdad for the night. This will give us time to reflect on the day’s discoveries and prepare for the adventures that lie ahead.

DAY 8 | BAGHDAD

Departure.

PRICE LIST

Service	Person(s) Total Trip for one person
Package	1 1550$

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

ACCOMMODATION:

7 nights of accommodation in 3/4-star hotels, with double room sharing

Breakfast included

HOTEL DETAILS:

Baghdad: Shanashel Palace

Karbala: AwladAl Hasan Hotel

Nasiriyah: Somerion Hotel

Mosul: Modern Plaza or Royal City

TRANSPORTATION:

• Greetings and pick-up from inside the airport, as well as return transportation to the airport
• Car transportation included
• Airport taxes included

TRANSLATION:

Full-time translator and guide team

TEAM FEES:

Accommodations for the team outside Baghdad

NOT INCLUDED:

• All fees and entry requirements for monuments (25$ each)
• Dining expenses
• Flights
• Visa entrance fee
• Dining and boat trip in the marshes (25$ per person)
• Insurances
• Spiritual drinks or smoking shisha
• Dining inside hotels
• PCR test

VISA REQUIREMENTS:

For countries not included in Visa on arrival, the following applies:

• An invitation letter approved by the MOI is needed, which takes 15 working days to process and costs 400$ per person.
• Invitation letters will be sent to the nearest Iraqi embassy for visa issuance.
• Visa fees range between 50$-70$ per person for the invitation letter and 77$ per person for a visa on arrival or in the embassy.
• Required documents include passport copies and proof of two doses of vaccination as QR codes.

For countries included in Visa on arrival, the following applies:

• Visa fees of 77$ per person are paid upon arrival.
• Required documents include proof of two doses of vaccination as QR codes and hotel reservations.

COMPANY POLICIES:

• Any addition of a new place not included in the itinerary will incur an extra fee.
• Customers must adhere to the specified time schedule of the itinerary.
• The travel agency holds no responsibility for the following:
• Closure of sites or monuments due to governmental policies related to security, COVID-19, maintenance, violence, or any other reason, as Iraq is a politically unstable country.
• Delays at checkpoints.
• Road closures or protests.
• The program may be adjusted or delayed based on trip conditions, including arrival and departure times, traffic congestion, or other unforeseen circumstances.
• The company is not liable if certain places are closed during the trip for maintenance or COVID-19 reasons.

Things to Know About Iraq:

SAFETY:

Tourism in Iraq has increased, notably with the announcement of Visa on Arrival for 36 countries. It’s emerging as a desirable location just waiting to be discovered.

The destinations indicated in the itinerary are regarded safe to visit, and our trips are held in secure towns.

However, it is vital to understand that Iraq is experiencing political instability, which has resulted in nonviolent protests and periodic road or site closures. As a result, minor adjustments to the schedule may be made if we become aware of restricted roads or locations.

PHOTOS:

• Taking photos and making video recordings at military and police installations, as well as airports is strictly prohibited.
• Photography of individuals in military/police uniforms is not allowed unless expressly permitted by the subjects. Unauthorized photography may lead to aggressive responses.

MONEY:

• The official currency in Iraq is the Iraqi dinar. Currency exchange services are available at Baghdad airport, while ATMs can be found in Baghdad, although they may be scarce in other areas.
• Credit cards may not always work efficiently due to security procedures between banks.
• US dollars generally offer a better foreign exchange rate than euros.

WEATHER:

Expeditions to Iraq are best conducted between November and the end of March. Temperatures rarely reach +30°C during the day and can dip to roughly +12°C at night during this time period. Rain may fall on occasion, but it is usually light. Dust particles are abundant, and sandstorms are possible. The air in southern places, like as Basra, can be quite humid, exacerbating the impression of heat.

COMMUNICATION, WI-FI, AND ELECTRICITY:

Most towns and villages have mobile network coverage. A local SIM card can be purchased, however, your presence and passport will be required for the transaction. Before departing, check with your cell network provider to see if they have collaborated with Iraqi carriers and to inquire about roaming call and SMS rates. Hotel and restaurant Wi-Fi is often accessible. We also recommend bringing a high-capacity power bank with you. Iraq’s power sockets are type G, with a voltage of 220 V and a frequency of 50 Hz.

CUSTOMS, CULTURE, RELIGION:

Iraq is a diverse country with several ethnic and religious groups. Shia Muslims predominate in Iraq’s southern region. It is feasible to visit sites of devotion, particularly the sanctuaries in Najaf and Karbala. Women, on the other hand, should cover their feet with a large scarf and stockings in these areas. In other regions, walking without a scarf is often okay, however, we urge women to wear long skirts and shirts with elbow-length sleeves. It is best to avoid wearing clothing that draws too much attention, as this may result in requests for photos from locals.

Men are allowed to wear shorts in public, but not in religious buildings.

Public demonstrations of affection, such as kissing and snuggling, are prohibited.

Respecting local norms and following local laws is critical. In this regard, your local guide or tour leader will offer you suitable information.

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