A journey through five of Iraq's great cities, combining ancient Mesopotamian heritage, holy cities, the southern marshes and the historic north. From Babylon and Ur to Samarra, Hatra, Mosul and Erbil, this comprehensive tour shows Iraq's cultures, landscapes and history in one itinerary.
| Day | Route |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Baghdad Airport → Hotel |
| Day 2 | Baghdad → Ancient City of Babylon → Saddam's Palace → Borsippa Ziggurat → Karbala |
| Day 3 | Karbala → Al-Kifl → Najaf |
| Day 4 | Najaf → Uruk → Great Ziggurat of Ur → Nasiriyah |
| Day 5 | Nasiriyah → Garden of Eden Site → Basra |
| Day 6 | Basra → Mesopotamian Marshes → Baghdad |
| Day 7 | Baghdad → Samarra → Hatra → Mosul |
| Day 8 | Mosul → Erbil |
| Day 9 | Hotel → Erbil Airport |
Arrive at Baghdad International Airport, where our representative will meet you and help you through the arrival formalities. A private transfer will take you to your hotel in the city, where you can check in, rest and prepare for the days ahead.
If you arrive in the morning, the day can include a full Baghdad city tour, going straight from the airport to the city's main landmarks.
Visit the renowned ancient city of Babylon with a guided tour of the archaeological complex. Then drive up the hill to the former palace of Saddam Hussein, overlooking the site.
Before heading to Karbala, stop at the Borsippa Ziggurat, also known as Birs Nimrud. Borsippa was an important ancient Mesopotamian city; its temple of Nabu was destroyed in 484 BC during the suppression of a revolt against the Achaemenid king Xerxes. Continue to Karbala for the night.
Leave Karbala for Najaf, stopping at Al-Kifl to visit the Tomb of the Prophet Ezekiel.
In Najaf, visit some of Iraq's major religious sites: the Imam Ali Mosque (Shrine) and Wadi al-Salam, one of the largest cemeteries in the world.
Travel south to the ancient site of Uruk, then on to the Great Ziggurat of Ur, one of the notable monuments of Sumerian civilization. Continue to Nasiriyah for the night.
A long and scenic day of travel south, with a stop at the traditional site of the Garden of Eden, before arriving in Basra for the night.
Visit the Mesopotamian Marshes, then continue back to Baghdad.
Head north to the historic city of Samarra, then on to the ancient fortified city of Hatra, before reaching Mosul for the night.
After visiting the Old City of Mosul, continue to Erbil for a full visit of the city and its main attractions.
After breakfast, a transfer to Erbil airport for your departure. Our services end here.
Send us your preferred dates and the number of travellers, and we will reply with the details of this program.
Arriving in Baghdad? See airport pickup. Need a letter for your application? See the invitation letter service.
