Itinerary

1. Day 1: Basra Arrival

   • Arrival at Basra Airport and pickup
   • Hotel Check-in at Shamas Al Basra 4-star Hotel.
   • Open buffet breakfast available..
   • Lunch and dinner at the hotel for those staying in.

   Evening: Optional walk by the Port of Shat Al Arab.

   Optional boat ride: Sindbad The Sailor.

   • Visit the Italian Bridge.

   Return to the hotel for the night.

   Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

2. Day 2: Basra to Nassryiah

   • Breakfast at the hotel.
   • Drive to Nassryiah (2 hours, 200km/124 miles).
   • Stop at Al Qurna to see where the Tigris and Euphrates meet and visit Adam's Tree Garden.
   • Visit the Marshlands and enjoy lunch (Mazgof – fresh grilled fish or chicken with rice for those allergic to seafood).
   • Boat ride in the Marshlands: experience the wildlife, buffaloes, and birds, and explore local life.

   Stay the night at a reed house or nearby local hotel.

3. Day 3: Nassryiah to Najaf

   • Breakfast at the reed house.
   • Visit the Ziggurat of Ur (1-hour tour) - the birthplace of Prophet Ibrahim.
   • Drive to Uruk (5,000 BC), the birthplace of the first written words and the first city in the world
   • Drive to Najaf (3.5-hour drive).
   • Hotel Check-in.
   • Evening: Visit the Shrine of Ali ibn Abi Talib.

4. Day 4: Najaf to Karbala

   • Visit Wadi Al-Salam Cemetery (quick stop for photos).
   • Drive to Babylon (1-hour drive).
   • Visit Dhu al-Kifl, a significant prophet in Islamic tradition.
   • Tour Ancient Babylon: Ishtar Gate, Hanging Gardens site, Lion of Babylon, Processional Way, Nebuchadnezzar's Palace, Temple of Marduk, Etemenanki Ziggurat, and Saddam's Babylon Palace.
   • Lunch at Babylon Palace, exclusive access to remarkable rooms.
   • Drive to Karbala (1.5-hour drive).
   • Hotel Check-in at Baron International Hotel (open buffet breakfast included).
   • Afternoon: Visit the Shrine of Imam Hussein and the Shrine of Abbas.
   • Optional dinner at a local Kurdish restaurant.

5. Day 5: Karbala to Baghdad

   • Breakfast at the hotel.
   • Drive to Baghdad (2-hour drive)
   • Visit Bab al-Wastani (historical gate) and Abbasid Palace.
   • Walking tour of Sarai Street: Qishla Building, Mustansiriya Madrasa, Al-Arashdiya Military School, Baghdad Old Governorate, and King Gazi Mosque.
   • Tea stop at Shabandar Tea House.
   • Continue to Mutanabi Street, visit Suq Al Safafer (the oldest bazaar), and Cross the Martyrs' Bridge.
   • Visit Al Watar Cultural Heritage House and Shawaka Restaurant for lunch.
   • Tour the Iraq Museum (2-3 hours) with a specialist guide.

   Optional: Stop at the Iraqi Culture Monument and Victory Arch in the Green Zone.

   • Visit Unknown Soldier Monument.

   Evening: Dinner at Darbona Cultural Restaurant.

6. Day 6: Baghdad to Samarra to Mousl

   • Check-out from the hotel after breakfast.
   • Drive to Samarra (2-hour drive, 133 km).
   • Visit the Grand Mosque of Samarra and Malwiya Tower (climbable spiral tower).
   • Visit the Abu Dalaf Mosque (9th century, spiral minaret).
   • Drive to Mousl (4-hour drive).
   • Check-in at Modern Palace Hotel (open buffet breakfast included).

   Rest for the day

7. Day 7: Mousl to Erbil

   • Full-day walking tour of Mosul.
   • Visit the Old Bazaar and cultural houses, which feature war-time sniper sites and historical artifacts.
   • Visit Al-Masfi Mosque, Baytuna Cultural Museum, Noori Mosque and Al-Hadba Minaret (under restoration).
   • Visit the Assyrian Wall and Sun Gate in Mosul and the Tomb of Prophet Jonah.
   • Drive to Erbil (2-hour drive).
   • Check-in at the hotel.

   Evening: Dinner at a Kurdish cultural restaurant

8. Day 8: Erbil to Duhok

   • Buffet breakfast at the hotel.
   • Depart Erbil for Gaugamela (the site of the battle between King Darius III and Alexander the Great).
   • Visit Dayro d-Mor Matay Monastery (St. Matthew's Monastery).
   • Explore Jirwana, the world's oldest-known bridge and aqueduct (690 BC).
   • Visit Lalish, the pilgrimage site of the Yazidi people.
   • Arrive in Duhok for dinner and overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

9. Day 9: Duhok to Alqoush and Return

   • Buffet breakfast at the hotel.
   • Drive to Sarsinc near Gara Mountain to explore Saddam Hussein's former palace ruins.
   • Visit Alqosh, the tomb of the Old Testament prophet Nahum, and ancient monasteries and churches.
   • Lunch in Duhok.
   • Visit Chwar Stoon (Zoroastrian site) and, time permitting, visit Khanis or Halamata Reliefs.
   • Return to Duhok for dinner and overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

10. Day 10: Duhok to Amedi

    • Buffet breakfast at the hotel.
    • Drive to Amedi (4-hour drive).
    • Visit the ancient fortress city of Amedi, the 100-foot-high minaret, and the ancient synagogue.
    • Explore Gali Sherana Resort with its natural blue waters and scenic views.

    Overnight stay at Pel House Motel.

11. Day 11: Amedi to Sulaymaniyah

    • Breakfast at the hotel.
    • Drive to Sulaymaniyah, passing through Shanidar Cave (optional climb) and Rawanduz Gorge.
    • Visit the Hamilton Road and enjoy a hike in Barzan or Rawanduz Gorge.
    • Picnic lunch in the scenic region.

    Stop in Dokan for lunch (optional fish on the lake).

    • Travel to Sulaymaniyah.
    • Sunset view from Goizha Mountain.

    Overnight stay at a 3-star hotel

12. Day 12: Sulaymaniyah to Erbil Departure

    • Buffet breakfast at the hotel.
    • Explore the Red Museum and the Archaeological Museum in Sulaymaniyah
    • Depart for Erbil and arrive by noon.