Essential
Baghdad to the Marshes - The Highlights in Eight Days
Eight days from Baghdad to Mosul through everything a first visit to Iraq should hold. The Ishtar Gate and the Lion of Babylon. The gold dome of Najaf and the dawn over Wadi al-Salam. A mashoof through the reeds of Chibayish, dinner with a Ma'dan family and a night in a mudhif. The spiral of Samarra, the sun temple city of Hatra, the reborn old city of Mosul. Full board, a private air-conditioned coaster, a guide with you the whole way, and every entry ticket included. One published price per person. Room assignments - and any price difference that arises from them - are settled privately with Ali, never through the website.
Baghdad: Arrival & First Impressions
Meet & assist at Baghdad International Airport, private transfer to the hotel, rest. A relaxed orientation tour of the city's key viewpoints. Overnight: Baghdad.
Baghdad: Heritage Day
Al-Mustansiriya School, landmark of Abbasid-era education and architecture. Bab Al-Wastani, the last surviving historic gate of old Baghdad's walls. Taq Kasra at Ctesiphon, the most dramatic pre-Islamic monumental arch in the region. Overnight: Baghdad.
Babylon to Najaf
The archaeological city of Babylon: the Ishtar Gate, the Lion of Babylon, the Processional Street, the site of the Hanging Gardens. The Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf, and the Valley of Peace, the biggest cemetery in the world. Overnight: Najaf.
Uruk, Chibayish & the Marshes
The Ziggurat of Uruk, where the first written words in history were inscribed, and the Ziggurat of Ur, crown of the Sumerian civilization. Drive to Chibayish. Traditional lunch, a mashoof boat ride through the reed channels, dinner with a Ma'dan family. Overnight: marsh mudhif.
Dawn in the Marshes, then Basra
Before sunrise, breakfast cooked by the marsh dwellers, then deeper into the channels. The water buffalo, the reed houses, the silence of the marshes. Afternoon drive to Basra: the Shanasheel of the old town and a boat ride on the Shatt al-Arab at sunset. Overnight: Basra.
Samarra & Hatra
The Malwiya spiral minaret of Samarra, the Pool Palace, the historic prison of Imam Ali al-Hadi. Continue to Hatra: the City of the Sun, the double walls, the great iwans. Sunset at Hatra. Overnight: Mosul.
Nineveh & Mosul
The ancient wall of Nineveh and its eighteen gates, the Shamash Gate. The shrine of Prophet Jonah, with the remains of the Assyrian palace beneath it. The reconstructed Al-Nuri Mosque and the leaning Hadba Minaret. Hosh al-Bieaa, the churches quarter. Overnight: Mosul.
Departure
Morning in Mosul, then transfer to Erbil International Airport for departure. End of program.
- 8-day guided program from Baghdad Airport pickup to Erbil Airport drop-off
- Professional English-speaking tour guide throughout
- Private air-conditioned coaster with a dedicated driver for all transfers and daily tours
- 4-star hotels (or best available equivalent)
- One night in a traditional marsh mudhif with a Ma'dan family
- Full-board meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
- All entry tickets to the listed sites
- The Chibayish marshes experience (traditional lunch, boat ride, dinner, mudhif overnight)
- The Shatt al-Arab boat ride in Basra
- Airport transfers
- International flights to/from Iraq
- Iraqi visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, minibar, laundry)
- Tips for guide and driver (optional)