From Ziggurat of Ur to Erbil Citadel
A 9-day journey traversing the Cradle of Civilization, from ancient Sumer to the peaks of Kurdistan.
Dates & Duration
Dec 28 - Jan 5 (9 Days)
Route
Basra → Ur → Babylon → Baghdad → Mosul → Erbil
Price
Contact for pricing
Availability
Open for booking
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Basra
Welcome to Iraq. Airport pickup and check-in at Rashid Hotel.
Highlights
- Airport pickup in Basra (Arrival 2:00 AM)
- Check-in at Rashid Hotel (4-Star)
Day 2 – Basra City Tour & Marshlands
Discover the history of Basra and journey to the unique Mesopotamian Marshlands.
Highlights
- Visit Basra Museum (former Saddam's palace) with Babylonian, Sumerian, and Assyrian artifacts
- Explore Old Basra and Shanaheel houses
- 1-hour lecture on history of Basra
- Visit Al Qurna (meeting point of Tigris and Euphrates)
- Visit Adam's Tree Garden (Tree of Knowledge)
- Drive to the Marshlands (50 mins)
- Traditional Masgouf lunch (grilled fish) in a local reed house
- Overnight stay in a traditional reed house (new bedding provided)
Day 3 – Marshlands to Ur to Najaf
Experience marsh life, visit the ancient Ziggurat of Ur, and travel to the holy city of Najaf.
Highlights
- Morning boat ride (6:00 AM) to observe wildlife and buffaloes
- Breakfast at the marshland hotel
- Visit the Ziggurat of Ur
- Lunch in Nasiriyah
- Drive to Najaf (4 hours)
- Check-in at hotel in Najaf
- Visit Wadi Al Salam Cemetery (Exclusive parking access)
- Evening visit to the Shrine of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib
- 1-hour lecture on Imam Ali
- Dinner in Najaf
Day 4 – Najaf, Kufa & Babylon
Explore the historic Mosque of Kufa and the ancient ruins of Babylon.
Highlights
- Morning visit to the Great Mosque of Kufa (8:00 AM)
- Visit shrines of Muslim ibn Aqil, Hani ibn Urwa, Mukhtar al-Thaqafi
- Drive to Babylon (1.5 hours) and have lunch
- Tour of Babylon: Ishtar Gate, Lion of Babylon, Processional Way
- Visit Nebuchadnezzar's Palace and Temple of Marduk
- Visit Ancient Greek Theater of Babylon
- Visit Saddam's Babylon Palace
- Drive to Karbala (1.5 hours)
- Overnight at Plaza Hotel (4-Star) in Karbala
Day 5 – Karbala & Ctesiphon
Visit the holy shrines of Karbala and the great Arch of Ctesiphon on the way to Baghdad.
Highlights
- Visit Shrine of Imam Hussein (1-hour lecture and walking tour)
- Visit Shrine of Abbas ibn Ali
- Drive to Baghdad (1.5 hours) and have lunch
- Visit Taq Kisra (Arch of Ctesiphon)
- Check-in at Oscar Hotel, Baghdad
- Dinner in Baghdad
Day 6 – Baghdad City Tour
A cultural walking tour through the historic heart of Baghdad.
Highlights
- Walking tour of Al-Sarai Street
- Tea at Shabandar Café
- Walk through Al-Mutanabbi Street
- Explore Souq Al-Safafer (Coppersmith market)
- Walk across the Martyrs' Bridge
- Lunch at Darbona Restaurant (Heritage house)
- Visit Al-Shaheed Monument (Martyrs' Monument)
- Dinner and overnight at Oscar Hotel
Day 7 – Baghdad to Samarra to Mosul
Journey north to see the spiral minaret of Samarra and arrive in Mosul.
Highlights
- Drive to Samarra (2 hours)
- Visit Great Mosque of Samarra and Malwiya Minaret
- Visit Abu Dalaf Mosque (if Malwiya is closed)
- Lunch on the way to Mosul
- Drive to Mosul (4 hours)
- Overnight at Airport Hotel, Mosul
Day 8 – Mosul & Lalish to Erbil
Explore the recovering city of Mosul, the Yazidi temple of Lalish, and end in Erbil.
Highlights
- Walking tour of Old Mosul (Bazaar, Cultural houses, Fish market)
- 1-hour lecture on the Battle of Mosul and history of Nineveh
- Visit Al-Masfi Mosque
- Visit Baytuna Cultural Museum
- Visit UNESCO restored area (Al-Nouri Mosque & Al-Hadba Minaret)
- Visit Assyrian Wall and Adad Gate
- Lunch
- Visit Lalish Temple (Yazidi pilgrimage site)
- Drive to Erbil (4 hours)
- Overnight at MyHotel, Erbil (near Citadel)
Day 9 – Erbil & Nature Tour
Breathtaking landscapes of Kurdistan and the historic Erbil Citadel.
Highlights
- Visit Rawanduz Gorge (Grand Canyon of the Middle East)
- Visit Bekhal Waterfall
- Drive along Hamilton Road (Lecture on British history)
- Visit Gali Ali Bag Waterfall
- Return to Erbil
- Lunch and city tour of Erbil
- Visit Erbil Citadel
Tour Details
Inclusions
- ✓English speaking guide
- ✓Entry tickets to historical sites and museums
- ✓Accommodation (4-star and 3-star hotels)
- ✓Open buffet breakfast
- ✓Airport pickup and drop off
- ✓WiFi 4G during the tour
Exclusions
- ✕International flights
- ✕Visa fees
- ✕Lunch and dinner
- ✕Alcoholic drinks
- ✕Souvenirs
Your Tour Guide
Your tour guide will be the founder of WanderIraq, Twana Burhan, who has extensive knowledge of Iraqi history, culture and traditions.
Contact Twana →Ready to journey through history?
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