Arrival day

pick up from the airport and check- in the hotel and meet the tour guide and the rest of the group.

have dinner in a Modern area

overnight in Baghdad.

early morning arrival and getting picked up from the airport.

Morning: Old Baghdad Exploration

• Mutanabbi Street – we will start our day strolling through this historic book market, soaking in the literary and cultural vibes.

• Al-Rasheed Street – Walking through this iconic street full of history and architecture.

• Antique Market & Souvenirs – Shopping for unique keepsakes and traditional items.

• Martyrs Monument – Visiting this stunning landmark honoring Iraq’s fallen.

• Victory Monument (Swords of Qādisiyyah) – photos at this symbolic site are unique.

Afternoon: Scenic Views & Culture

• Rahman Mosque – Explore this beautiful, though unfinished, mosque with impressive design.

• Boat Tour on the Tigris River – Relax and enjoy the view of Baghdad from the water.

Evening: Nature & City Views

• Zawraa Park – Stroll or unwind in the city’s largest park.

• Viewpoint of Baghdad – End your day with a panoramic view of the city as the sun sets listing to stories of 1001 night.

overnight in Baghdad

Start Point: Baghdad (Early Morning Departure)

• Depart from Baghdad early morning.

Stop 1: Ctesiphon (Taq Kasra)

• Explore the remains of the great Arch of Ctesiphon, the largest single-span brick vault in the world and a symbol of the ancient Sassanid Empire.

Stop 2: Ancient City of Babylon

• Discover the ruins of the legendary Babylon, home to the Hanging Gardens, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

• Visit the reconstructed Ishtar Gate and the archaeological park.

• Tour the site of Saddam Hussein’s Palace, built overlooking the ruins—a dramatic contrast between ancient and modern history.

Stop 3: Al-Kifl

• Visit the Tomb of the Prophet Ezekiel (Dhul-Kifl), featuring ancient Hebrew inscriptions and unique Islamic architecture that reflect the area’s shared religious heritage.

Stop 4: Drive to Najaf and enjoy a view point with tea and Shisha

• Check-in at a comfortable hotel

• Optional traditional Iraqi dinner and cultural evening.

After breakfast, depart Najaf from Najaf to Karbala

• Arrive in Karbala, one of the holiest cities in the Islamic world.

• Visit the Imam Hussein Shrine, a sacred pilgrimage site for millions.

• Proceed to the Al-Abbas Shrine, known for its majestic golden dome and spiritual significance.

• Stroll through the Old City of Karbala and visit traditional shops and local eateries for lunch.

• Depart Karbala in the afternoon for Baghdad, approximately 1.5–2 hours by road.

• Optional scenic stop or tea break along the Euphrates on route.

Evening: Arrival in Baghdad

• Arrive in Baghdad and check-in

• Light evening at leisure to rest and prepare for the next day’s full itinerary.

• Optional riverside dinner or walk along the Abu Nuwas Corniche on the Tigris.

Departure from Baghdad

Visit to Samarra – The Golden Age of Islamic Civilization

Travel north to Samarra, a former Abbasid capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Highlights Include:

• The Great Mosque of Samarra: Famous for its unique spiral minaret (Malwiya Tower), this site exemplifies 9th-century Islamic architecture.

• The Caliphal Palaces: Explore the remains of Abbasid-era palaces along the Tigris, rich with historical and architectural significance.

Continue to Al-Hatra, deep in the desert — a vast archaeological site and another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Explore on the way the towns that used to be under ISIS control.

Arrival in Mosul – The Cultural Heart of Northern Iraq

Conclude the journey in Mosul, one of Iraq’s oldest and most culturally rich cities.

• Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant offering Moslawi specialties such as kubba, dolma, and masgouf.

• Optional: Walk along the Tigris River promenade or explore the nightlife in select areas known for music and local cafés.

Overnight Stay in Mosul

Start your day by exploring the Old City, where layers of Mosul’s rich past meet the scars of recent history.

Highlights Include:

• Al-Nuri Mosque: Site of the symbolic leaning minaret, now undergoing restoration. Learn about its cultural role before and after the conflict.

• Ruins of ISIS Destruction: Witness areas impacted during the occupation and liberation, including destroyed churches, homes, and markets. stories of survival.

• Traditional Moslawi Homes and Marketplaces: Walk the narrow lanes where rebuilding continues. Meet local artisans and families restoring their heritage.

Visit to Mar Mattai Monastery (Marmiti Monastery)

Located on Mount Maqloub, Mar Mattai is one of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world, dating back to the 4th century.

Explore:

• Ancient Syriac Christian architecture and monastic life

• Panoramic views of the Nineveh Plains

• Stories of preservation and interfaith coexistence in a region marked by turmoil

Drive to the town of Bashiqa, a stronghold of Yazidi culture and spirituality.

Discover:

• Yazidi Temples and Shrines: Including Lalish-style sanctuaries, with white conical domes and symbolic imagery

• Learn about Yazidi beliefs, customs, and their survival after the genocide by ISIS

• Interact with community members engaged in rebuilding and cultural revival

• Taste traditional Yazidi sweets or beverages in the town’s quiet streets and talk to locals

Visit the Christian Town of Baghdida

On the way back toward Mosul, stop in Baghdida, one of the oldest Christian towns in Iraq, known historically as “Little Baghdad.”

Explore:

• Reopened Assyrian and Syriac churches, many of which were damaged and have been restored

• Vibrant faith-based communities and initiatives for reconciliation

Return to Mosul – Evening & Nightlife and many locals and Heritage houses

Conclude the day with an evening in central Mosul, where signs of renewal are emerging.

Enjoy:

• A traditional dinner at a local Moslawi restaurant, sampling dishes like kubba Mosuli, dolma, and grilled fish

• Stroll along the Tigris River promenade, a hub of family outings and evening cafés

• Visit a cultural café or rooftop lounge with live music or poetry, experiencing Mosul’s youth-driven cultural revival

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Overnight in Mosul

Departure from Mosul

Visit to Lalish – Heart of the Yazidi Faith

Arrive in Lalish, the holiest site in Yazidism, nestled in the green valleys of northern Iraq.

Experience:

• Lalish Temple Complex: Walk barefoot through the sacred grounds, in respect of Yazidi tradition.

• surrounded by ancient domes and spiritual symbolism.

• Cultural Interaction: Engage with local Yazidi caretakers to learn about their customs, rituals, and post-conflict recovery.

This is a serene and humbling visit — a sacred space of peace, spiritual endurance, and unique cultural identity.

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Continue to Erbil – Capital of the Kurdistan Region

Travel east toward Erbil, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, blending ancient heritage with modern dynamism.

Explore the Erbil Citadel and Historic Market

Upon arrival in Erbil, begin your farewell tour with a walk through its vibrant cultural core.

Highlights:

• Erbil Citadel: A UNESCO World Heritage Site rising above the city, offering panoramic views and a walk through 6,000 years of history.

• Textile and Kurdish Costume Museum (optional): Inside the citadel, showcasing traditional Kurdish heritage.

• Qaysari Bazaar: Dive into the sounds, scents, and colors of the bustling market below the citadel — perfect for final souvenirs like Kurdish scarves, sweets, or handmade crafts.

• Local Cuisine: Enjoy a farewell meal at a traditional Kurdish restaurant or rooftop café with a view of the citadel.

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Departure from Erbil International Airport

Transfer to Erbil International Airport for your onward flight.

As you leave the land of Mesopotamia, ancient temples, resilient cities, and spiritual crossroads, take with you the stories, the hospitality, and the timeless echoes of Iraq.