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Small group tours to Iraq, Syria, and beyond. Travel the Middle East with the experts in travel to Unusual Destinations.
Visit the must-sees in Iraq as we travel from South to North, from Basra to Baghdad and everywhere between. We spend a night in the Iraqi marshes, pay a visit to the ancient world at Ur, and continue through to Nippur and Najaf, where we'll enjoy a homestay with a local family. We then carry on north to Karbala, Baghdad, Samara, Mosul, and everywhere in between!
In Syria, we drive to Damascus from Beirut, and carry on the road trip through the country as we hit up the most important sites. We'll visit ancient Palmyra, the second biggest city of Aleppo, and also spend time in Hama, Homs, Maaloula and Lattakia. All the while travelling in style in 4-5* accommodation.
Iraq Tours
Syria Tours
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11 nights exploring Iraq, from
south to north, Basra to Erbil
From 3695 USD per person
Please apply by 31st December, 2025.
11 nights exploring
Iraq, from south to
north, Basra to Erbil
From 3695 USD per person
Iraq is one of those rare places where history feels alive. Mesopotamia, Babylon, Baghdad… you may have read about it in history books. Now it’s time to see the real thing.
The land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, often called the cradle of civilisation, has seen the rise and fall of empires. The birth of some of the world’s oldest cities. And the shaping of stories in modern history that we still hear about today. This tour is a chance to see Iraq as it truly is.
We begin in vibrant Basra in southern Iraq. A city thriving from its close proximity to the sea, we will take a walk along the waterfront and through the old streets. You can even spot Saddam Hussein’s old boat on the shore.
From there, we journey into the Iraqi Marshes for a unique experience as we stay overnight in a traditional reed house. Here, life flows as slowly as the waterways. We will taste masgouf, the local grilled fish, explore by boat at sunset, and enjoy an evening under the stars with the locals.
Heading north, we step into the ancient world at Ur. This is the site of the magnificent Ziggurat and the birthplace of Abraham. The ruins here tell a story that spans over 4,000 years. Our route continues through Nippur, once the religious capital of the Sumerians, before reaching Najaf.
In Najaf, we have the opportunity to stay with a local family. A great insight into true Iraqi hospitality! We will try our hand at cooking together for those that want to, eating, and relaxing by the river over tea and shisha.
Next up, we have the legendary city of Babylon and the nearby Ziggurat of Borsippa, often linked to the story of the Tower of Babel.
Our journey through Iraq continues in Karbala, where the Imam Hussein Shrine draws millions of pilgrims each year. Over 25 million in fact, giving it the title of the world’s second largest pilgrimage.
In Baghdad, we explore both the old and new faces of the city. We will explore the historic Mutanabi Street - an area buzzing with life and full of character, known for its books and cafes. Then onto the old as we pay a visit to the famous Iraqi National Museum.
We will also see the beautiful turquoise teardrop-shaped Martyrs Monument at sunset for a great photo opportunity.
Further north, the tour takes us to Samara, with its famous spiral minaret, and the ancient city of Ashur, the former Assyrian capital, and Mosul, a city still rebuilding from the scars of recent conflicts. Finally, we pay a visit to the welcoming Christian city of Baghdida.
Our journey ends in Iraqi Kurdistan. Moving from incredible history to stunning landscapes, our road trip takes us alongside rugged mountains and green valleys. We visit the sacred Yazidi site of Lalish, travel through the dramatic Rawanduz Valley, and finish in Erbil. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world - and the perfect way to end our trip.
Note: If you’d like to spend more time exploring Iraqi Kurdistan, let us know. We can assist in creating an Iraqi Kurdistan add-on private tour.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
For the Iraq visa, you may be eligible for the Visa on Arrival scheme.
For those not eligible for visa on arrival, we will provide supporting documents and help you make the visa application. The visa (including for VOA) ranges from $160-190 USD.
On this trip, we aim to see as much as possible in a very short amount of time. Iraq has a lot of history on offer, so of course we want to make the most out of this trip. Because of that, the days may be long and it involves a lot of driving as we make our way from south to north.
Please apply by 31st December, 2025.
Beirut to Damascus, Aleppo, Palmyra, Homs,
Hama, Maloula, Lattakia, Bosra, and more!
From 2420 USD per person
Please apply by 1st February, 2026.
Beirut to Damascus, Aleppo,
Palmyra, Homs, Hama, Maloula,
Lattakia, Bosra, and more!
From 2420 USD per person
If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring one of the world’s oldest civilisations, walking through streets that have witnessed millennia of history, and sharing warm meals with locals who embody the spirit of resilience, then this journey through Syria is for you, as Koryo Tours travels to Syria!
Probably one of the most underrated countries to travel to in the world.
Over 12 days, we’ll travel from bustling Beirut to Damascus, Aleppo, Palmyra, and beyond - as you visit the homes of locals, take part in cooking classes, explore ancient wonders and medieval castles on foot, stay in incredible traditional hotels, and end the day relaxing in Syria's only speakeasy...
Our adventure begins in Damascus, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth, and our exploration takes us from the underground Ananias Church to the Roman Straight Street, to sipping tea in Al Nofara (the city’s oldest café) and listening to the legendary storyteller who still performs there.
Heading north, we pass through Maaloula, where the ancient Aramaic language still lives on, and visit its breathtaking Mar Musa Monastery, perched high in the mountains. In Hama, the great waterwheels turn as they have for centuries - before our tour to Syria arrives in Aleppo.
Once the rival of Damascus as the oldest continuously inhabited city, Aleppo is full of contrasts: historic citadels, restored markets, and the poignant scars of war. Highlights here include visiting the traditional Aleppo Soap factories (home to the world's largest soap!), and watching the sunset from a secret lookout before feasting on falafel, said to be the best in the world.
Our Syria tour then takes us west toward the coast to Lattakia. Along the way, we’ll stop at the mighty Citadel of Salah ad-Din, before continuing to Burj Islam’s rocky beaches. We also visit the ancient ruins of Ugarit (where the world’s first alphabet was discovered) and the mighty Crusader stronghold of Marqab Castle.
We then make a stop at Tartous and Syria's only island - Arwad Island.
Of course, no tour to Syria would be complete without Krak des Chevaliers, described by Lawrence of Arabia as “the most wholly admirable castle in the world.” In Homs, where we’ll see both Islamic and Christian landmarks and experience the resilience of a city that has endured so much.
And saving perhaps the most iconic site of all to last - Palmyra.
Once a key Silk Road site and home to Queen Zenobia’s short-lived empire. Unfortunately, it was largely destroyed by ISIS, but there is still plenty to explore. We wander through its great colonnades, amphitheatre, and temples. And round it all off by enjoying lunch in a Bedouin tent restaurant, hosted by a local family.
Our tour to Syria ends with a visit to Bosra al-Sham, home to the world’s best-preserved Roman theatre.
The default rooming option for this tour is a shared hotel room. Each hotel room on tour has two separate beds. If you'd like a room to yourself then you can upgrade for an extra 54 USD per night.
All items on this itinerary are subject to change or cancellation depending on the security situation and availability. Koryo Tours takes safety on our tours extremely seriously and it will be prioritised above all else.
Please apply by 1st February, 2026.
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