Iraq highlight Tour Itinerary

8-Day Iraq Highlights Group Tour

Day 1 – Arrival in Baghdad

Welcome to Iraq! 

Upon arrival at Baghdad International Airport, our team will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in the city. After check-in, you will have time to relax after your journey and settle into your accommodation. The evening is kept free so you can rest and prepare for the exciting days ahead.

Overnight: Baghdad

Day 2 – Exploring Baghdad & Ctesiphon

Today we begin discovering Baghdad, Iraq’s historic capital and one of the great cities of the Middle East. We start around Liberation Square, an important landmark in modern Iraqi history, before heading towards the Tigris River. A short boat crossing takes us towards Al-Mutanabbi Street, Baghdad’s famous literary and cultural quarter, known for its bookshops, cafés and lively atmosphere. We continue to the Abbasid Palace, an important surviving example of medieval Baghdad’s architecture, before exploring the traditional Old Bazaar and Copper Market, where craftsmen and traders continue the traditions of Baghdad’s historic markets. Later, we leave the city centre and travel to Ctesiphon, the former capital of the Sassanian Empire. Here we see the enormous Taq Kasra, one of the most impressive surviving structures of ancient Mesopotamia. We finish the day at the Imam al-Kadhim Shrine, one of Baghdad’s most important religious landmarks, admired for its magnificent golden domes and detailed decoration.

Overnight: Baghdad

Day 3 – Baghdad, Babylon & Karbala

Our morning begins with a journey through Iraq’s ancient history at the National Museum of Iraq, where archaeological collections represent civilizations including Sumer, Babylon and Assyria. We then continue south to Babylon, one of the most famous cities of the ancient world. We explore the archaeological remains and learn about the city’s extraordinary importance during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II. The visit includes the famous Ishtar Gate area, ancient processional way and major archaeological remains, as well as the large modern palace built by Saddam Hussein overlooking the ancient site. After Babylon, we continue to Karbala, one of the most important pilgrimage cities in Iraq. Here we visit the magnificent Imam Hussein Shrine and Imam Abbas Shrine, two of the most significant religious landmarks in the city, while learning about the history and traditions connected with Karbala.

Overnight: Karbala

Day 4 – Karbala, Najaf & Ur

We leave Karbala and travel towards Najaf, one of Iraq’s most important religious centres. Our visit includes Wadi Al-Salam, the enormous historic cemetery surrounding Najaf, which holds immense religious and cultural importance for Shia Muslims. From Uruk, we continue to Ur, one of the best-known archaeological sites in southern Iraq. Here we explore the impressive Ziggurat of Ur, a monumental religious structure dating back thousands of years and one of the most recognisable surviving monuments of ancient Sumer.

Overnight: Nasiriyah

Day 5 – Mesopotamian Marshes & Return to Baghdad

Today we experience one of the most distinctive landscapes of southern Iraq: the Mesopotamian Marshes. We travel through the wetlands and spend time with local communities, gaining an insight into the traditional lifestyle of the people who have lived among these waterways for generations. A traditional shakhtura boat ride takes us through the marshes, offering an opportunity to experience the landscape from the water and observe its wildlife and traditional settlements. We will also enjoy a traditional southern Iraqi lunch, including the famous masgouf, Iraq’s traditional grilled fish, served in a traditional reed house known as a mudhif. After our marshlands experience, we return towards Baghdad.

Overnight: Baghdad

Day 6 – Samarra, Hatra & Mosul

We leave Baghdad early and travel north towards Samarra, one of the most important archaeological and Islamic heritage sites in Iraq. Our first major stop is the Great Mosque of Samarra, famous for its extraordinary spiral Malwiya Minaret. Built during the Abbasid period, it remains one of the most distinctive examples of early Islamic architecture. We then visit Abu Dulaf Mosque, another remarkable Abbasid monument located in the Samarra archaeological area. Continuing north, we make our way towards Hatra, an ancient fortified city that flourished between the Parthian and Roman worlds. Hatra is particularly famous for its monumental temples and the fascinating mixture of Mesopotamian, Greek, Roman and Eastern architectural influences found throughout the site. After exploring Hatra, we continue towards Mosul.

Overnight: Mosul

Day 7 – Discovering Mosul & Journey to Erbil

Today is dedicated to exploring Mosul, one of northern Iraq’s most historically and culturally important cities. We begin with parts of the ancient Assyrian defensive system, before entering the historic centre of Mosul. In the Old City, we explore the streets and historic areas that have undergone enormous destruction and reconstruction in recent years. The area provides an opportunity to understand both Mosul’s long history and its remarkable ongoing recovery. Depending on accessibility, we visit historic mosques, churches, markets and other important landmarks, experiencing the city's diverse cultural heritage. Later, we leave Mosul and drive towards Erbil

Overnight: Erbil

Day 8 – Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Erbil International Airport for your departure flight. This marks the end of your journey through Iraq.

End of the tour.

Tour Price

€2,300 per person