8-Day Southern Iraq Tour from Baghdad
Highlights
Baghdad, Karbala, Najaf, as Samawah, Basra
Locations Covered
Baghdad, Karbala, Najaf, as Samawah, Basra
cultural, historical, sightseeing
Group Tour
8 Days
Medium
Arabic, English
Description
Explore the rich heritage of Iraq, starting in Baghdad with visits to Bab Al Wastani, Al-Safafir Market, and Mutanabi Street. Tour historical sites like the Abbasid Palace and Martyr's Monument—journey to Karbala and Najaf to see significant shrines and ancient fortresses. Discover Uruk and the Ziggurat of Ur in Samawa and Nassriyah. Experience the Iraqi Marshes and the cultural treasures of Basrah. Conclude your adventure with a visit to the Basra Cultural Museum and the meeting point of the Mesopotamian rivers before returning to Baghdad.
Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrival at Baghdad
- Arrive in Baghdad and meet your tour representative.
- Transfer to Bab Al Wastani, where your tour begins.
- Tour in the old town and Saray Street.
- Wander around Al-Safafir Market and Mutanabi Street.
- Visit Abbasid Place, Shabandar Café, for a tea break and the Mustansiriya School.
- Pass through the Green Zone.
- Visit the historical Martyr's Monument, which Saddam built during the Iraq and Iranian wars and the historical Square or liberation where most of the protests against foreign and domestic occurred.
Dinner at a local restaurant or at the accommodation.
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Day 2: Baghdad Tour
- On this day, visit the following places:
- Iraq museum
- Ziggurat Dur-Kurigalzu
- Ctesiphon / Parthian Empire
- Sassanian Empire
- Enjoy a 40km outside of Baghdad, around a 30-40-minute drive.
- On this day, visit the following places:
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Day 3: Baghdad to Karbala
- Transfer from Baghdad to Karbala.
- Enjoy a 1.5-hour tour in the ancient city of Babylon (40-50-minute drive from Baghdad).
- Visit Saddam's Palace and view their rooms and rooftop view.
- Savour a delicious lunch in the afternoon.
- Traverse to Karbala and visit Imam Abbas and Imam Hussein, the most significant shrines in the Shia world.
Dinner at a restaurant or accommodation.
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Day 4: Karbala to Najaf
- Explore Al-Ukhaidir Fortress (50 km south of Karbala, approximately 1:30 hours drive).
- Enjoy a meal at a local restaurant in Karbala that offers Kurdish and Arabic cuisine.
- Visit the Prophet Dhu al-Kifl's Shrine (note that the shrine may be closed, but the mosque next to it is open for visits. Approximately 1-hour drive from Karbala)
- Explore Wadi Al-Salam, the biggest cemetery in the world.
- Check-in at your hotel.
- Visit the Waji Al-Salam Cemetery and Imam Ali Shrine.
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Day 5: Najaf to Samawah and Nassriya
- Drive to Uruk (Approx 2.5 hours drive). Uruk is famous for being one of the earliest cities in the world
- Spend about 1.5 hours exploring the ancient temples.
- Proceed to Nassiriya to visit the Ziggurat of Ur, the birthplace of the prophet Abraham and walk around the ancient city for an hour.
Dinner and overnight in Samawa city.
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Day 6: Nassriyah to Basrah
- Enjoy a boat trip in the Iraqi Marshes UNESCO World Heritage site for 1-hour and have Mazgof fish on the tour.
- Stay in the reed house with local people.
- Transfer to Basrah on a 2-hour drive and check in at the hotel.
- Visit Shanasheel and wander at the Old Basrah.
- Enjoy an optional walk around during the night by the Shat al-Arab River.
Dinner and overnight in Basra.
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Day 7: Basrah to Baghdad
- Start your day with a visit to the Basra Cultural Museum.
- Explore Shatt al-Arab, the point where the two Mesopotamian rivers meet.
- Enjoy a 1-hour drive from Basra on the way back to Baghdad with lunch en route.
Dinner and overnight in Baghdad.
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Day 8: Departure
- Depart at a preferred time for the airport where your tour concludes.
What's Included
What's Excluded
Know Before You Go
Meeting Point
Cancellation Policy
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No refund in case of any cancellation.
Price
Person | |
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1 to 5 | /person |
This is a group tour |