Iraq 8 Days

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Detailed Itinerary:

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Day 01: Baghdad

Highlights: Iraq National Museum, Nasb Enqath Al Thaqafa, Abu Nawas Garden

 

Arrival transfer from Baghdad International Airport. Transfer to your hotel. Afternoon trip to Iraq National Museum. Explore the huge collection tells the epic story of human civilization, from the earliest settlements to the rise and fall of vast empires. Then visit Nasb Enqath Al Thaqafa also known as Save Iraqi Culture Monument located in the heart of Baghdad. Later you will head to Abu Nawas Gardens spacious natural gardens, with a unique composition of green areas and water ponds, and overlooking the Tigris River, with a charming panoramic view and statue Statue of Scheherzade & Sharriyar. Then walking to Kaharman Square, check out the monument Kahramana Fountain - depicting a scene from the legend of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. Ending the trip by having  coffee at Ridha Alwan Café one of the top rated coffee shop in Baghdad.

 

 

Day 02: Baghdad

Highlights: Mustanasiryah Madrasa, Safafeer Copper Market, Al Mutanabi Street, Shabandr Café, Al Rasheed Street, Tahrir Square, Al Kadhimiyah Mosque

Start your trip with Mustanasiryah Madrasa/ School to pay a visit to the 13th century Islamic school, one of the oldest Islamic universities in the world. The walk over to the nearby Safafeer Copper Market - some of the best Iraqi souvenir shopping is found right here at Safafeer. After exploring the stalls of

Safafeer, make the short walk over to Al Mutanabi Street. Al Mutanabi Street feels like the heart of Baghdad with its plethora of shops selling books and stationery, lively cafe scene and statue of the famous Abbasid-era poet for which the street is named, overlooking the Tigris River. You’ll see the 19th century Ottoman Qishleh Clock. A tea break at century old Shabandr Café and then visit Al-Rasheed St. one of Baghdad’s historical centers. After have a drink from the 100 years old famous Haj Zebala Juice Shop, you will visit Tahrir Square.  Tahrir Square locally, the square consists of open public spaces with the Ummah Garden, situated behind the square. It is home to a major monument which commemorates the 1958 establishment of the Republic of Iraq. The monument, known as Nasb al-Hurriyah celebrates Iraqi history by depicting key events leading up to the creation of a republic.

 

You will end your trip by visiting Al Kadhimiyah Mosque.  This is an important site for Twelver Shias as the 7th (Musa al Kadhim) and 9th (Mohammed al Jawwad) imam’s tombs are inside the mosque. Then Back to your hotel in Baghdad and Overnight.

 

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Day 03: Baghdad & Samarra

Highlights: Al Shaheed Monument, Malwiya Minaret, Grand Mosque of Samarra

After breakfast visit Al Shaheed Monument, also known as the Martyr’s Monument -it’s an entire monument to commemorate the Iraqis who lost their lives during the long Iran-Iraq War. Visit the museum and library beneath the Martyr’s Monument to learn more about the Iran-Iraq War.

 

Then you will be transferred to Samarra (about 2.5 hours ride). At its zenith, the Grand Mosque of Samarra was the largest mosque in the world, completed during the 9th century under the Abbasid era. Of course, no visit to Samarra would be complete without a walk up the spiraling 52 meter tall Malwiya Minaret. After the lunch heading back to Baghdad.

 

 

Day 04: Babylon & Karbala

Highlights: Babylon, Ishter Gate, Saddam’s Babylon Palace, Imam Hussein Shrine, Imam Abbas Shrine

After breakfast check out from hotel. You will be transferred to Babylon (about 1.5 – 2 hours ride).

We will start our trip by visiting Ishtar Gate, the entry way of ancient Babylon. Once inside the gates of Babylon, highlights include the Babylon Museum and you will experience walls decorated with Babylonian

gods, and the massive Labyrinth of Babylon where Alexander the Great was finally slain. Another important thing to see in Babylon is the Lion Statue, built under the orders of the Chaldean Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar. Next you will walk over to Saddam’s Babylon Palace.

 

Finally, your last stop for day three is the holy city of Karbala. Karbala is one of the most important cities in both Iraq and for Shia Muslims as it is home to the largest Islamic ziyarat (pilgrimage) called Arbaeen that falls 40 days after Ashura.

 

The first stop here will be the Shrine of Imam Hussein. The shrine features dazzling mirrored glass ceilings and beautiful glazed tile walls and tomb. Then we will walk next door to Imam Abbas Shrine. Imam Abbas is the brother of Imam Hussein, who was also martyred in the Battle of Karbala on the day of Ashura and buried inside this mausoleum.  Overnight at Karbala.

 

 

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Day 05: Najaf & Kufa

Highlights: Imam Ali Shrine, Wadi as Salaam, Grand Mosque of Kufa

After breakfast we will transfer to the holy city Najaf. Najaf is another important holy city for the Shia as Ali, the Prophet Mohammad’s cousin and brother-in-law is buried here. Because of this, Najaf, much like Karbala is another important pilgrimage site.

We will start our day with Imam Ali Shrine. The shrine features a mosque completely decked out in gold and the shrine also houses the tombs of several other important prophets. After completing Imam Ali Shrine, we will walk towards to the largest cemetery in the world- Wadi as Salaam (Valley of Peace) -contains over 5 million graves and even to this day many Shia ask to be buried here among the holy.

 

After lunch break, transfer to the Grand Mosque of Kufa.  The Grand Mosque of Kufa is among the oldest surviving mosques in the world, dating back to the 7th century. The mosque was the home of Imam Ali and houses shrines of Muslim Ibn Akeel, al Mukhtar, and Hani Ibn Urwa. Several interesting legends surround the mosque too.

Return to your hotel at Najaf.

 

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Day 06: Ur & Nasiriyah

Highlights: Ziggurat of Ur, Nasiriyah

After breakfast you will transfer to UR, which is about 3 hours ride. We will start our journey by visiting Nasiriyah Museum. Then head to Ziggurat of Ur. Built by the Sumerians, Ur was a city-state within Mesopotamia that dates back to 2200 BC. The Ziggurat of Ur is impressive and is worth climbing up all the stairs to get 360º views from the top. It’s among the best-preserved ziggurats still left standing.

 

Return to your hotel at Nasiriyah.

 

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Day 07: Mesopotamian Marshes & Basra

Highlights: Hammar Mesopotamian Marshes, Basra

 

After breakfast our journey will begin with taking a mashuf ride (traditional canoe-like boats) in the Mesopotamian Marshes is an awesome highlight of visiting Southern Iraq. Not only is the area incredibly beautiful but also is home  to the fascinating culture of the Ma’dan (Marsh Arabs). The most accessible area of the marshes is the Hammar Marshes, also called al Chibayesh, but there are also al Qurnah and for those looking to get a bit further out.

 

Then you will be transfer to Basra. Overnight at your hotel in Basra.

 

 

 

 

Day 08: Basra & Departure

High lights: Shatt al Arab, Shanasheel, fish markets

 

  

After breakfast, you will start your day with a morning boat ride on the Shatt al Arab to see some of the city’s main highlights from the water. After the brief river cruise transfer to  Basra’s Old City- Shanasheel to stroll the canals and streets and see traditional buildings and homes. Finally, the fish markets in Basra as they can be quite picturesque and atmospheric.

End of the trip you will be transfer to Basra International Airport for your connecting flight to Home. Depend on your flight situation you can take flight from Basra Airport – BSR or take a domestic flight/ Taxi/ Train to Baghdad and get your flight.