The Original Tour

Arrival in Baghdad – Meet & Greet

Old Baghdad – Markets, Heritage & the Tigris

7 AM – Start the day with a thick-cream and pastry breakfast (Qaimer and Kahi). Old Baghdad tour via Al Rasheed Street, visiting various local markets such as the copper market "Al Safafeer", Souq Al Sarai (the stationery market), the books market "Al Mutanabbi Street", and the antiques market "Khan Al Mudalal". Visit heritage sites including Madrasa Mustansiriya School and the Abbasid Palace. This tour includes a boat ride on the Tigris River and an explanation about the statue of the poet Al-Mutanabbi. Lunch along Hayder Khana Street — Kubba Al Sarai, Oum Kalthoum Shawarma, or other local favourites — plus a treat from Al Shahbender Café and Haj Zbala Juice Shop. After lunch, head to Salman Pak to visit Taq Kasra (the Arch of Ctesiphon), the largest single-span vault of unreinforced brickwork in the world, which served as a royal capital of the Parthian and Sasanian empires. Witness the sunset from the neglected panorama building. Free evening for dinner, café, or drinks. Overnight: Baghdad.

Iraq Museum & Dur-Kurigalzu

Head to the Iraq Museum and wander through galleries that take us on a journey of civilizations through time. Visit the Ziggurat of Dur-Kurigalzu and Enlil temples dedicated to Sumerian gods — the ziggurat was unusually well preserved, standing to a height of about fifty-two metres. In the afternoon, head to the modern part of Baghdad to see the shopping centres and evening vibes of the city. Overnight: Baghdad.

Babylon & Karbala

7:30 AM – After breakfast, head to Babylon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the historical city, the rebuilt Ishtar Gate, the procession street, the foundations of the real Ishtar Gate, special entrance to the old temples, the Lion of Babylon, the maze, the southern and northern palaces, and the place where Alexander the Great passed away. Drive up the hill for special access to a governmental palace built during the past regime, including the upper floors. Traditional lunch of your choice. Drive to Karbala. At night, walk to the area between the two shrines of Imam Hussain and his brother Abbas, with an explanation about the Battle of Karbala. Enjoy the energy of the city at night — local food, sweets, and the famous Skanjabeel drink. Overnight: Karbala.

Nasiriyah & the Great Ziggurat of Ur

Head south to Nasiriyah, then drive to the historical city of Ur to visit the Great Ziggurat of Ur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former capital of Mesopotamia during the Sumerian era. The site includes Abraham's house, Shulgi's palace, and the oldest arch of its kind in the world at the entrance of Dub-Lal-Makh temple. Witness one of the most beautiful sunsets from the site. Overnight: Nasiriyah.

The Marshlands – Gardens of Eden

4 AM – Drive to Chibayesh for a marshland experience. Local breakfast in a mud house with a local family. Sightseeing tour through numerous floating villages — the Gardens of Eden (birds, fish, buffalos, reed, plants, and meeting the people of Ahwar). It is one of the largest ecosystems in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch is a meal of a special kind of fish found only in the marshlands, served in the reed house (Al Mudhif). Stories from local people "Al Madan" who have adapted to life on the water over the centuries. After lunch, drive back to Baghdad. Overnight: Baghdad.

Samarra, Hatra & Mosul

8 AM – After breakfast, head to Samarra to visit the beautiful Abbasid caliphate architecture and artistic relics, the twisted minaret, lake palace, and the Great Mosque of Samarra. Then head to Hatra, an important historic religious centre with its strategic position along caravan trade routes — Hatra was one of the first Arab states established outside of Arabia. Lunch will be along the way in one of the towns. Head to Mosul, check into the hotel, and have the famous dish Lahm Baajeen for dinner. Overnight: Mosul.

Mosul, Bakhdida & Departure via Erbil

8 AM – Start the day discovering the reconstruction of the old city, especially Al-Nuri Mosque, Al-Hadbaa Minaret, and Al-Tahira Church that are being rebuilt by UNESCO. Walk through the area where the last and most intensive battle against ISIS took place. Hear stories from individuals who lived through the war. The famous Kubba of Mosul for lunch. Head to Erbil, transfer to Erbil International Airport, and departure. End of tour.