Great Iraq Tour!

12-Day Iraq Tour Itinerary: From Basra to Erbil 

Day 1: Arrival in Basra & City Exploration  

- Morning arrival in Basra, check-in at the hotel.  

- Explore the Old City and its historic streets.  

- Enjoy a boat trip on the Shatt al-Arab River.  

- Visit the Basra Museum, housed in a former Saddam Hussein palace.  

- Overnight in Basra.

Day 2: The Mesopotamian Marshes Adventure

- Depart for Chibayish, home to the Arab Marshes, a unique wetland ecosystem.  

- Stop at the confluence of the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers.  

- Visit the legendary site of Adam’s Tree, believed to be from the Bible.  

- Take a boat tour through the Marshes, experiencing the Marsh Arab culture.  

- Overnight in Nasiriyah.

Day 3: Ancient Ur & The Holy City of Karbala

- Explore the Ziggurat of Ur, one of the world’s oldest cities and the birthplace of Abraham.  

- Travel to Karbala, the holiest city for Shia Muslims.  

- Visit the stunning shrines of Imam Hussein & Abbas after sunset.  

- Overnight in Karbala.

Day 4: The Fortresses of Al-Ukhaidir, Babylon & Saddam’s Palace 

- Discover Al-Ukhaidir Fortress, an 8th-century Abbasid marvel in the desert.  

- Explore Babylon, home to the legendary Hanging Gardens & Ishtar Gate.  

- Visit Saddam Hussein’s Palace, overlooking the ruins of ancient Babylon.  

- Overnight in Baghdad.

Day 5: Baghdad – The Heart of Iraq

- Enjoy a traditional Baghdadi breakfast.  

- Visit the National Museum of Iraq, home to some of the world’s oldest artifacts.  

- Stroll through the historic book market, copper bazaars, and Shabandar Café.  

- Stop by the Martyr’s Monument and, if possible, explore the Green Zone.  

- Wrap up the day at Dar Al Atraqchi Heritage Café.  

- Overnight in Baghdad.  

Day 6: A Journey to Fallujah

- Day trip to Fallujah, a city that has endured war but is now rebuilding.  

- Explore its key sites and hear firsthand accounts from locals.  

- Overnight in Baghdad.  

Day 7: Samarra, Hatra & Arrival in Mosul  

- Visit Samarra’s Spiral Minaret, a UNESCO landmark controlled by militias.  

- Stop at Hatra, an ancient city and former ISIS base, where ruins and graffiti tell a story.  

- Arrive in Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city.  

- Overnight in Mosul.

Day 8: Mosul – A City Rising from the Ashes  

- Explore the war-torn Old City, witnessing both destruction and reconstruction.  

- Visit the Grand Mosque of Al-Nuri, lively bazaars, and local hotspots.  

- Meet friendly locals and hear their inspiring stories of resilience.  

- Overnight in Mosul. 

Day 9: From Mosul to Kurdistan – Mar Mattai, Lalish & Duhok  

- Cross into the Kurdistan region and meet our new Kurdish team.  

- Visit Mar Mattai Monastery, near former ISIS frontlines.  

- Explore Lalish, the holiest temple for the Yazidis.  

- Enjoy dinner and overnight in Duhok. 

Day 10: Amedi & The Scenic Road to Erbil 

- Discover Amedi, a 5,000-year-old mountain town linked to the Three Wise Men.  

- Drive through Iraq’s most scenic landscapes, stopping in Barzan, a key Kurdish nationalist site.  

- Arrive in Erbil and relax.  

- Overnight in Erbil. 

Day 11: Erbil – The Ancient Kurdish Capital  

- Visit Erbil’s 7,000-year-old Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

- Wander through the vibrant bazaar & Jalil Khayat Mosque.  

- Enjoy drinks in Ankawa, the city’s Christian district Optional

- Overnight in Erbil. 

Day 12: Departure from Erbil

- Enjoy a farewell breakfast before heading to Erbil International Airport.  

- Transfers arranged.