10 DAYS IRAQ – THE BIRTH OF A CIVILIZATION

Transfer: Airport to Hotel with Sightseeing

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred approximately 30min to Basra to begin your tour before checking into your accommodation.

Basra Museum Visit

Visit Basra Museum (open Sun-Thu, 9am-2pm). Once a palace of Saddam Hussein, the museum now showcases artifacts from Mesopotamian, Babylonian, Persian civilizations, and Basra’s own history. Thousands of artifacts, some dating back to 6,000 BCE, are now on display. The museum features bilingual labels in English and Arabic across its four galleries.

Mystical Al Multaqa

Located approximately 1.5hrs from Basra, you will visit the ancient Mesopotamian town of Al-Qurnah. Arrive at Al Multaqa, where the Tigris (Dijla) and Euphrates (Al-Furat) rivers meet. In a modest park by the confluence, you’ll encounter a desiccated tree sheltered by protective walls. This is the shrine of Cidra el Muntaha, or the Tree of Knowledge, believed to be the very tree which forbidden fruit led to Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden.

Note: Please be prepared to pass through multiple checkpoints today, where you will be required to present your passports for inspection.

Journey Through the Mesopotamian Marshes

You’ll visit a model mudhif, a traditional reed house that dates back to the ancient Sumerians around 4500 BCE, mentioned in The Epic of Gilgamesh. After a 1hr drive, arrive at the marshes and embark on a 2hr boat ride in a traditional “Shakhtura,” gliding through the stunning aquatic landscape. This area is also inhabited by the Marsh Arabs (Ma’dan), descendants of the Sumerians, who have maintained their unique culture and lifestyle despite past challenges, including the drainage of the marshes in the 1990s under Saddam Hussein’s regime.

Transfer to Nasiriyah

After exploring the marshes, you will be transferred approximately 2hrs to Nasiriyah.

The Magnificent Ziggurat of Ur

Located approximately 30min from Nasiriyah, the Ziggurat of Ur (UNESCO) is a remnant of the ancient Sumerian metropolis that gained prominence in the 17th century BCE. Often referred to as “Iraq’s answer to the pyramids”, the ziggurat showcases an impressive structure dedicated to the moon god Nanna that dates back to the Sumerian era.

Discovery of the World’s First City

Located approximately 2hrs from Ur, Uruk (UNESCO) is often regarded as the world’s first city as it has been inhabited since 4000 BCE. Associated with the epic poem of Gilgamesh, who may have been a king of this Sumerian city-state, Uruk features ruins that include a large ziggurat and the remnants of temples and palaces, some adorned with a striking blue glaze.

Note: This activity is available if the weather permits. The site is not accessible during a rainy day.

Views of the Valley of Peace

Visit a viewpoint overlooking the Wadi Al-Salam Cemetery, also known as the Valley of Peace. This is one of the world’s oldest and largest Islamic cemeteries, developed over 1,400 years ago near the shrine of Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib, the fourth Sunni caliph and the first Shia Imam. Many Shi’ites wish to be buried here, with the cemetery containing millions of burial places in communal crypts, estimated to hold nearly eight million bodies. Spanning approximately 2,300 acres, it covers about 13% of the city.

Note: Ladies must wear an abaya for this tour.  

Imam Ali Shrine Visit

Located approximately 2.5hrs from Uruk, Najaf is one of Iraq’s holy cities and a hub of Shi’ite political power. Pay a visit to the Imam Ali Shrine, where you’ll experience a masterpiece of Islamic architecture, featuring a splendid golden dome surrounded by courtyards and halls. The intricate mosaic tiles, inlaid calligraphy, and grand mirrored hallways create an atmosphere of joyous excitement and somber devotion as you join countless devotees in prayer and reflection. Many people wait a lifetime for the opportunity to visit this sacred site.

Note: Ladies are required to wear an abaya, a full-coverage garment, throughout your time in Najaf.

After your visit, you will be transferred to your hotel to check in and rest.

Transfer: Najaf to Baghdad via Babylon

You will be transferred approximately 1 hour (74km) to Babylon. From Babylon, it is approximately 1.5 hours (98km) to Baghdad.

Echoes of Babylon

Babylon (UNESCO) is known as the ancient capital of the Babylonian Empire. A visit to the site blends ancient history with Iraq’s more recent narrative, as Saddam Hussein invested heavily in its reconstruction, inscribing his name alongside Nebuchadnezzar’s. The rebuilt palace features the Processional Way leading to the Ishtar Gate’s foundations, which now resides in Berlin’s Pergamon Museum. Looming over the site is Saddam Hussein’s former palace.

Baghdad Walking Tour

Enjoy a short boat ride across the Tigris River to Al-Mutanabbi Street for a walking tour through Old Baghdad. Named after a 10th-century Iraqi poet, this famous street has long been considered the city’s intellectual heart. Conclude your walk at Shabandar Café, a historic establishment that has served as a hub for Baghdad’s intellectual life for over a century, drawing poets and politicians to its wooden benches adorned with photos of the past.

Evening in Al-Kadhimiya

Visit the Al-Kadhimiya holy shrine, renowned for its stunning golden dome and four striking golden minarets that rise majestically into the sky. If time permits, you can explore the vibrant night market and make a brief stop at the roundabout of the historic Al Tahrir (Liberation) Square.

Notes:

• Ladies are required to wear an abaya in Al-Kadhimiya.
• There is increased police presence at Al Tahrir Square. Please take care not to photograph the police during your visit.

After your tour, you will be transferred to your hotel to check in and rest.  

Iraqi National Museum Tour

Visit the Iraqi National Museum (closed on Sat & Sun), which houses a stunning collection from Sumer, Assyria, ancient Persia, and various Islamic traditions. Since reopening to the public in 2015, the Iraq Museum has reaffirmed its status as one of the world’s premier collections of antiquity.

View of the Martyr Monument

Enjoy a quick visit to the Martyr Monument, constructed in 1981 as a memorial to Iraqis who lost their lives during the Iran-Iraq War. Over time, it has evolved into a tribute to all who have died for Iraq, including victims of Saddam’s regime. The monument features two enormous blue half-domes, symbolizing life and death. A twisted metal flagpole rises from the underground museum nestled between the half-domes, while a fountain symbolizes the blood of the fallen.

Photos at the Iraqi Culture Monument

Make a quick photo stop at the Iraqi Culture Monument, a significant structure commissioned by the mayor of Baghdad. The striking cylinder seal monument is inscribed with cuneiform that reads “writing began here,” symbolizes Mesopotamia’s foundational role in the development of writing and serves as a celebration of Iraq’s rich cultural heritage.

Ancient Marvels of Ctesiphon

Proceed to Ctesiphon, also known as Taq Kasra, the impressive remains of a Sasanian-era Persian monument dating back to the 3rd to 6th centuries. This architectural marvel is renowned for its massive vaulted arch, which is one of the largest of its kind in the world and a stunning example of ancient engineering. Once the capital of the Sasanian Empire, Ctesiphon served as a vital cultural and political center, reflecting the grandeur of Persian civilization.

Transfer: Baghdad to Samarra

You will be transferred approximately 2hrs to Samarra (UNESCO), the only remaining Islamic capital that still retains its original architecture and artistic relics.

Note: Samarra is currently under the control of a militia, making entry into the city a complex process. Numerous checkpoints surround Samarra, and careful navigation will be necessary. We will ensure that all required permits and documentation are in order before traveling along this route. However, please be aware that even with the proper paperwork, entry is not guaranteed.

Samarra Great Mosque Visit

The Great Mosque (Malwiyya Mosque) was completed in 851 CE and was once among the world’s largest mosques. Currently closed for restoration, it was partially destroyed in 1278 by Hulagu Khan, a grandson of Genghis Khan, leaving only its outer wall and the distinctive spiraling minaret. Standing over 150 feet tall, the Malwiyya minaret is celebrated as an architectural masterpiece.

Note: If entry into Samarra is not permitted, you will be brought to visit Abu Dalaf Mosque instead (8km north of Samarra), which is very similar to the Samarra mosque.

Timeless Ruins of Hatra

You will be transferred approximately 2hrs to the ancient city of Hatra (UNESCO), once the capital of a small Arab kingdom and a heavily fortified caravan city flourishing in the 2nd century.

Transfer: Hatra to Mosul

You will be transferred approximately 2hrs to Mosul.

Assyrian Wall of Nineveh Exploration

Enjoy a 1hr tour of the remains of the Assyrian Wall of Nineveh, the former capital of the Assyrian Empire. Once a vibrant city with impressive 90-km walls, magnificent palaces, and towering statues of pure gold, Nineveh was renowned for its grandeur. The existing remnants of the wall were constructed during King Sennacherib’s reign (705-681 BCE) and stand as a testament to the city’s storied past.

Mosul Old City Walking Tour

Visit the Old City of Mosul, one of the Middle East’s oldest neighborhoods with roots tracing back over 8,000 years. Originally established atop an Assyrian fortress, Mosul served as the capital of the Assyrian civilization and later became an influential Persian trading base in the 6th century BC. Following the fall of Alexander the Great’s empire, it became part of the Seleucid Empire. Although much of the area was devastated during the fight against ISIS, the visit highlights the resilience of the Iraqi people as they work to rebuild and recover.

Transfer: Mosul to Erbil

You will be transferred approximately 1.5 hours to Erbil.

Erbil Walking Tour

Enjoy a 2hr walking tour of Erbil, strolling through the vibrant food market and Qaysai Bazaar. Immerse in the local culture and perhaps sample some traditional snacks. Visit the Minaret of Choli (Mudhafaria Minaret), which was constructed between 1190 and 1232 and stands as a remarkable example of medieval Islamic architecture.

Note: The Citadel of Erbil (UNESCO) is presently closed for restoration.

Sacred Yazidi Encounters

You will be transferred approximately 2hrs to Lalish, where you will experience a tour of the spiritual home of the Yazidi people in the most sacred town in the Yazidi religion. Meet local residents and gain insights into their recent struggles, particularly the dark history they faced during the ISIS conflict.

Rock Reliefs of Khinnis

Visit Khinnis (Bavian), famous for its rock reliefs created by King Sennacherib around 690 BC to celebrate a canal system supplying water to Nineveh. Facing the River Gomel, the reliefs include inscriptions documenting the construction of this hydraulic system. The site features some of the finest ancient rock carvings, including the Winged Bull, depictions of Sennacherib with two gods, various tombs, and cuneiform inscriptions at the gate.

Transfer: Khinnis to Erbil

You will be transferred approximately 2hrs to Erbil.

Transfer to Airport

Enjoy the day at leisure before departing to the airport for your flight home.