Cultural heritage site in Iraq at sunset

Group ExpeditionOn Request

The Original Tour

Variant C – REVIEW NEEDED: departure date

8 Days / 7 Nights

$2,200/ person

Reserve My Spot

$2,200

8 Days / 7 Nights

Reserve My Spot

Overview Highlights Gallery Itinerary Inclusions Why Choose FAQ Related Tours

Heritage Trail Experience

Sit back and be ready to embrace a journey like no other through the cradle of civilization with our unique package, "The Original Tour". This expedition promises to showcase all the essential destinations in Iraq, revealing the awe-inspiring heritage of Mesopotamia. We consider ourselves pioneers in the tourism industry, and we take immense pride in leading you through the essential destinations that showcase the rich historical and cultural legacy of Iraq, ensuring you don't miss out on any iconic sites or cultural treasures.

Duration

8 Days / 7 Nights

Group Size

Group trip

Pace

Moderate – early starts on select days

Trip Highlights

Fast-track visa on arrival at Baghdad International Airport

Boat ride on the Tigris River through the heart of Old Baghdad

Taq Kasra — the largest single-span vault of unreinforced brickwork in the world

The Iraq Museum — a journey through civilizations of Mesopotamia

Babylon UNESCO World Heritage Site with special access to upper palace floors

The Great Ziggurat of Ur — former Sumerian capital and UNESCO site

Marshlands of southern Iraq — UNESCO-listed Gardens of Eden with local family breakfast

Samarra's twisted minaret and Abbasid architecture

Hatra — one of the first Arab states established outside Arabia

Mosul's old city reconstruction and UNESCO restoration of Al-Nuri Mosque

The Journey Breakdown

8 days

DAY1

Arrival in Baghdad – Meet & Greet

Meet and greet, and fast-track visa from the airport to the hotel. A tour of Baghdad's landmarks can be arranged if arriving before sunset — this will include statues from the Arabian Nights and iconic monuments. Traditional dinner of your choice. Overnight: Baghdad.

DAY2

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.

DAY3

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.

DAY4

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.

DAY5

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.

DAY6

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.

DAY7

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.

DAY8

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.

What's Included

Airport transfers and fast-track visa service
Knowledgeable tour guide, including at least one female member to arrange access to holy shrines for female travelers
Local coordinators and guides in each city to facilitate the tour
Entry tickets to all mentioned sites
All tours and activities as described in the itinerary
Transportation according to selection
Accommodation in 4-star hotels (7 nights)
Refreshments and snacks throughout the trip
Lunch in the marshlands (Day 6)
Logistical services across all sites

Not Included

International flights
Travel insurance
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Personal expenses and tips
Optional SUV upgrade ($800)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa before arriving in Iraq?

Citizens of over 40 countries (including EU, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and GCC nations) receive a visa on arrival at Baghdad, Basra, and Najaf airports. All other nationalities can apply via Iraq's e-Visa Portal — we handle the paperwork for you.

What currency should I bring?

US Dollars are widely accepted and preferred. Bring $100 or $50 notes printed after 2006. Card payments are rare outside major hotels. ATMs exist but are unreliable. The official rate is 1 USD = 1,320 IQD, but the market rate is approximately 1 USD = 1,500 IQD.

What should I wear?

Dress respectfully — long pants and loose-fitting shirts covering shoulders and knees. In holy shrines, men cannot wear shorts and women should wear scarves and an abaya (our female team will assist with appropriate attire). Follow the weather forecast for layering.

The Original Tour