Experience a unique blend of ancient history and natural beauty in Iraq during this 6-day tour. From the bustling city of Baghdad to the tranquil Mesopotamian marshes, this itinerary offers a diverse range of cultural, historical and scenic experiences. Each day is carefully planned to allow you to experience the country’s diversity in the best possible way – with private transport and expert guides to enhance your experience.
This six-day itinerary will take you on the footsteps of ancient Mesopotamia.
You will start in Baghdad, a city with a rich historical heritage, and end your journey at the Ziggurat of Ur near Nasiriyya - one of the oldest monuments of the Sumerian civilization. The highlight will be a visit to the Mesopotamian Marshes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will experience the rhythm of life of the first inhabitants of Iraq.
We will spend the last two days in Baghdad, as described in more detail below.
The tour price includes
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flights from Your City to Baghdad and back
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airport pick-up and drop-off
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small group of up to 6–9 participants
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7 nights accommodation in quality hotels of category 4*
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English-speaking tour guide throughout the tour
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transportation by modern air-conditioned minivan (Private 8-seater SUV 3-4 people, 33-seat passenger car 5-12 people)
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entrance to the Iraqi Museum
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entry fees to all visited ancient sites
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breakfast during the trip
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maximum individual approach and care for each participant
The tour price does not include
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meals other than breakfast
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checked baggage fee
The tour will be confirmed after reaching the minimum number of 4 participants. The exact date will then be determined.
After making a reservation, and before you make any payment , we will meet with you in person and provide you with all the details about the trip.
Tour map
We work with the best tour providers in Baghdad to provide you with a full and comfortable experience that will enrich your life.
Tour Program
Day 01
Baghdad
Tour starts at 9 am.
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We will visit Liberation Square, one of the main squares in Baghdad, which has played an important role in some of the revolutions, marches and uprisings that have taken place in Baghdad. Then we will take a short boat ride in the Tigris River and cross the river to Al-Mutanabbi Street. Al-Mutanabbi Street is considered the oldest cultural market for the people of Baghdad, where trade of books of all kinds and disciplines flourishes. Then we will walk through the old bazaar and visit the copper market. Then we will rest and have traditional Iraqi tea and dried lime tea at Al-Shabander Cafe, one of the oldest and most famous cafes in Baghdad.
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Visit to Ctesiphon.
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Visit Al-Kadhimiya, one of the most important neighborhoods of Baghdad, and enjoy the beautiful night market and the Al Kadhimiya Shrine (golden dome).
Overnight stay in Baghdad
Day 02
Babylon and Karbala
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Visit to the Al-Shahid Memorial (closed for maintenance, but we always visit it and try to get as close as possible).
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Tour the ancient ruins of Babylon, the cradle of Mesopotamian civilization from the 18th to 6th centuries BC, with the Hanging Gardens, which were said to be attached to King Nebuchadnezzar's palace.
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Saddam's palace, now a museum, is located on top of Babylon, as the palace was inspired by the Babylonian palace of King Nebuchadnezzar.
Drive to Karbala.
Day 02
Karbala
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Rest in a restaurant and then in the hotel.
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Lunch with traditional Iraqi cuisine.
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Visit the shrine of Imam Hussein and the shrine of al-Abbas (important spiritual and architectural monuments).
Overnight stay in Karbala.
Day 03
Najaf
Morning:
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Drive to Najaf (approx. 1 hour).
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Visit the Najaf Cemetery (Wadi As-Salam), the largest cemetery in the world, containing nearly six million graves and has been inscribed on the World Heritage List.
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Visit to the shrine of Imam Ali (an important spiritual and architectural site).
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Lunch with traditional Iraqi cuisine.
By Aziz1005 - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48855927
Day 03
Ur & Nasiriyah
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Drive to Nasiriyah (Ur) (approx. 3.5 hours).
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Visit Uruk (not possible on rainy days), one of the oldest cities in the world and the cornerstone of the ancient Mesopotamian civilization. Founded around 4000 BC, Uruk was a major urban center of the Sumerians and is renowned for its contributions to writing, architecture, and public administration. Uruk is famously associated with the invention of cuneiform and the epic story of Gilgamesh, its legendary king. Archaeological finds include impressive ziggurats, temples, and evidence of early urban planning, reflecting its role as a cultural and political center of the ancient world.
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Visit the Ziggurat of Ur Ziggurat, one of the most striking architectural inventions of the ancient Near East. Like the ancient Egyptian pyramid, the ziggurat has four sides and rises into the realm of the gods. Unlike the Egyptian pyramids, however, the exterior of the ziggurat was not smooth but stepped to accommodate the labor involved in the construction, as well as the administrative oversight and religious rituals that were essential to ancient Near Eastern cities. Ziggurats are scattered throughout what is now Iraq and Iran, and they are an impressive testament to the power and skill of the ancient culture that gave birth to them.
Overnight stay in Nasiriyah
Day 04
Mesopotamian Marshes
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Drive to the marshes (Al-Chibayish area, approx. 1.5 hours)
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The Mesopotamian Marshes are the largest wetlands in the Middle East. Not only do they provide habitat for hundreds of species of birds and fish, they are also home to thousands of Marshes Arabs who are increasingly returning to their historic homeland. We will stop to rest, have a traditional tea, meet and chat with the locals about old stories. Then we will take a boat trip in old traditional boats called “shakhtura” through the maze of marshes and taste the famous masguf (fish grilled on reeds instead of wood, inside one of the houses built of reeds called “almutheef”).
Drive back to Baghdad.
Overnight stay in Baghdad
By (Ahmed Abdul Amiralem)احمد عبدالاميرلازم - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=95311993
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By Aliraad22333 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72623219
Day 05
Samarra
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Drive to Samarra (125 km, approx. 1.5 hour drive).
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Visit the Minaret of Samarra, also known as the Malwiya Tower, which is a stunning spiral minaret built in the 9th century as part of the Great Mosque of Samarra. It stands about 52 meters tall and features a unique spiral ramp that winds its way to the top, offering panoramic views of the ancient city. Built during the Abbasid Caliphate, it remains one of Iraq's most famous architectural landmarks.
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Visit Abu Dalaf, an important historical site. The mosque features unique Islamic architecture, including a large rectangular floor plan and a spiral minaret similar to the famous Malwiya minaret of the Great Mosque of Samarra.
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Drive back to Baghdad
Overnight stay in Baghdad
Day 06
Baghdad
Morning/afternoon:
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Visit some of the sights in Baghdad, the bazaars and the Baghdad Tower.
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Lunch.
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Free time and last minute shopping.
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Return to the hotel.
Evening:
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Walk along the Tigris River Corniche and have a traditional Iraqi dinner.
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Rest and prepare for departure.
10:00 p.m. we head to the airport.
By Am0e3er - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=156951971
How it works
First of all, take a look at our tours. After you have decided which tour you are interested in, it's time to learn more about it.
STEP 02
We hold a face-to-face or virtual meeting so that we provide you with a consultation regarding your trip and more information about the service and what to expect.
STEP 04
We book the flights and make all necessary preparations as soon as we reach the minimum number of 4 travelers.
STEP 05
You should pay the remaining 40% of the tour price no later than 15 days before departure.
And finally, we will meet you at the airport just before your flight to answer all the questions you may have.