IRAQ & Kurdistan 8 days tour

Our 8-days tour will be a comprehensive deep dive into the country. You’ll be exposed to Iraq’s rich and storied history, culture, cuisine, and magnificent sites.

First Day — Baghdad

Arrive at your convenience into Baghdad, the capital city of Iraq. Transfer to your hotel using registered airport taxis waiting for you at the airport.

Explore Tahrir Square, the National Museum of Iraq, Al-Mustansiriya School, Al-Mutanabbi Street, the copper market, and Al-Shaheed Monument. Enjoy a lunch break in town to try popular Iraqi dishes such as kubba and mandi. In the evening, we can visit the modern part of Baghdad for travelers interested in purchasing a local SIM card.

National Museum of Iraq

The National Museum of Iraq houses archaeological treasures from Mesopotamia, including collections connected with some of the earliest urban civilizations in history.

Martyr’s Monument

Al-Shaheed Monument, also known as the Martyr’s Memorial, is one of Baghdad’s most iconic landmarks. Its split turquoise dome commemorates Iraqi soldiers who died in the Iran–Iraq War.

2nd Day — Babylon – Karbala

Travel from Baghdad to Karbala. On the route, visit the remains of the ancient city of Babylon and an old palace of Saddam Hussein.

Walk through the legendary city of Babylon, once one of the most prominent cities of the ancient world. Visit the reconstructed Ishtar Gate and learn about Nebuchadnezzar II, the Hanging Gardens tradition, and the historical connection of Alexander the Great with Babylon.

Continue to Karbala, one of the holiest cities for Shia Muslims and the site of the shrines associated with Imam Hussein and Imam Abbas. Overnight in a hotel in Karbala.

Karbala

Karbala is a major religious destination and the location of one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings, commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein in 680 AD.

Babylon

Babylon was a major metropolis and kingdom in Mesopotamia. The city flourished especially under Nebuchadnezzar II, and its reconstructed Ishtar Gate remains one of the most recognizable symbols of ancient Babylon.

3rd Day — Uruk & Marshes

Visit the ancient city of Uruk, one of the most important Sumerian cities and a key center in the development of urban life and cuneiform writing. Uruk is also associated with the legendary king Gilgamesh.

Then head to the Mesopotamian Marshes for an overnight stay in a local house with a local family. For this night, we recommend bringing a few essentials and your own towel, especially for larger groups.

4th Day — Marshes sunrise & Ur Ziggurat

Wake up around 4:30 AM to see sunrise over the Marshes, explore the wetlands, and learn about the Ma’dan people, also known as Marsh Arabs, whose traditional lifestyle is closely connected to the water and reed landscapes.

Afterward, visit Ur, a Sumerian city-state dating back thousands of years and often associated with the biblical Ur of the Chaldees. Explore the famous Ziggurat of Ur, built in honor of Nanna, the moon god. In the afternoon, return to Baghdad for an overnight stay.

5th Day — Samarra – Hatra – Mosul

Take a day trip to Samarra to visit the Great Mosque of Samarra and its iconic spiral minaret, an archaeological landmark and UNESCO World Heritage site. Continue toward Mosul, with visits depending on access, local conditions, and permissions.

The Great Mosque of Samarra was completed in 851 under the Abbasid caliph Al-Mutawakkil. Its famous Malwiya minaret rises in a distinctive spiral form and remains one of Iraq’s most recognizable monuments.

6th Day — Mosul – Lalish – Erbil

Visit the destroyed old city of Mosul, its historic streets, heritage areas, markets, and places connected with the city’s rebuilding. Then continue to Lalish, the holiest temple and pilgrimage center of the Yazidi faith.

On the way to Lalish, visit a Christian town in the Nineveh Plains before heading to Erbil for an overnight stay.

7th Day — Erbil

Explore the main square of Erbil, the Erbil Citadel, and Qaysari Bazaar. Visit Jalil Khayat Mosque, enjoy the city’s local streets, and spend the evening on Askan Street. Overnight in Erbil.

8th Day — Departure

Departure day. We recommend booking your return flight from Erbil International Airport when possible.