IRAQ
Highlights
The holy cities of Karbala and Najaf
By boat through the Mesopotamian Marshes
The scars of war in Mosul
The temples of Kurdistan
Where we will stay
3* and 4* hotels and Mudhif
How we move around
Minivan with local drivers
TRAVEL TYPE
For more information about our trips, please consult the FAQ section.
DAY 1: Departure from Italy with connecting flights to Basra. Overnight flight or hotel stay in Basra.
DAY 2: Visit to the museum and historic center of Basra, with its lively souqs and a walk along the corniche overlooking the Shatt al-Arab, the great waterway formed by the meeting of the Tigris River and the Euphrates River. The journey continues to the legendary Mesopotamian Marshes, passing by the Garden of Adam’s Trees. Dinner and evening in the Marshes, with overnight stay in a traditional mudhif reed house.
*On some winter departures, due to low temperatures, the overnight stay in the mudhif may be replaced by a hotel stay in Nasiriyah or nearby, with a sunset boat excursion through the Marshes on Day 2.
Morning: Breakfast followed by a sunrise boat excursion through the legendary Mesopotamian Marshes, in close contact with the local communities who, just as they did 4,000 years ago, still live in harmony with the rivers and wetlands of southern Iraq.
Afternoon: Visit to the magnificent Great Ziggurat of Ur, one of the most important monuments of the Sumerian civilization, originally built in the 21st century BC. The journey continues to Uruk, considered the cradle of cuneiform writing and the legendary city of Gilgamesh. Arrival in Najaf, hotel check-in, and, depending on arrival time, first exploration of one of the holiest cities in Shia Islam.
Evening: Dinner and evening in Najaf.
Morning: Breakfast followed by a visit to the immense Wadi-us-Salaam (Valley of Peace), the largest Islamic cemetery in the world, dating back to the 6th century and home to the tombs of some of the most revered prophets and imams in Islamic history. Visit to the magnificent Imam Ali Shrine, renowned for its golden dome and towering minarets, the spiritual heart of Najaf. Walk through the lively souqs of the old city and visit the historic Great Mosque of Kufa.
Afternoon: Transfer to Babylon, the legendary capital of Mesopotamia and one of the world’s earliest great cities, famous for the Hanging Gardens and the iconic Ishtar Gate. Exploration of the archaeological ruins and visit to Saddam Hussein’s palace (subject to confirmation on site), an opulent former residence where marble halls and frescoes now stand alongside the marks of time and conflict. Transfer to Karbala, hotel check-in, and relaxation.
Evening: Dinner and evening in Karbala.
DAY 5: Visit to the revered Imam Husayn Shrine and Al-Abbas Shrine in Karbala. Transfer north toward Baghdad, with a stop at Taq Kasra, the monumental Persian arch in Mada’in and the last remaining structure of the ancient city of Ctesiphon.
Day 6: After breakfast, city tour of Baghdad, including a visit to the iconic Al-Shaheed Monument, also known as the Martyrs’ Memorial, inaugurated in 1983 in honor of the Iraqi soldiers who died during the Iran–Iraq War. Exploration of the historic cafés and bookshops surrounding Al-Mutanabbi Street, the cultural heart of the city. Dinner and evening in Baghdad.
Morning: Early Wake-Up And Transfer Toward Samarra, once one of the greatest metropolises of the Islamic world. The city was home to the largest mosque of its time, adorned with glazed tiles and surrounded by monumental walls and towers. Today, only the outer walls and the iconic Malwiya Tower remain. Visit And Climb Of The Abu Dalaf Minaret For A Panoramic View Over The Valley.
Afternoon: Transfer To Hatra, the extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site. Founded between the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, Hatra was once a powerful caravan city and capital of the Parthian Kingdom, renowned for resisting Roman sieges. Walk Through Monumental Temples, Circular Walls, And Majestic Columns Rising From The Desert, showcasing a remarkable fusion of Greco-Roman, Persian, and Mesopotamian influences. The Visit Also Offers Insight Into The Damage Caused By Recent Conflicts And The Ongoing Efforts To Preserve Iraq’s Cultural Heritage.
Evening: Dinner and evening in Mosul.
Morning/Afternoon: Visit To Mosul, the second-largest city in Iraq and the historic heart of the country’s north, located near the border with Kurdistan. Exploration Of Ancient Nineveh and the eastern side of Mosul, renowned for its vibrant souqs, among the busiest and most chaotic in Iraq. External Visit To The Ruins Of The Mosque of the Prophet Yunus, destroyed by داعش in 2014.
Evening: Transfer to Duhok and hotel check-in.
Morning: Departure In The Morning For A Visit To The Duhok Museum, offering an insightful introduction to the recent history of Iraqi Kurdistan, its ethnic and religious minorities, and the region’s political and social transformations. Continue To The Archaeological Site Of Faida Archaeological Site, home to extraordinary Assyrian rock reliefs depicting deities and ritual scenes. The Journey Continues To Alqosh for a visit to the ancient Rabban Hormizd Monastery. A Short Distance Away, Visit The Tomb Of Nahum, a sacred site for the Jewish community and a symbol of the region’s rich religious heritage.
Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in Erbil.
All day: Overnight flight, arrival in Italy during the day… and until the next adventure!
