• Overall

  Iraq is one of those places where history feels alive. From the Abbasid legacy of Baghdad to the pilgrimage of Najaf and Karbala. This is a short tour packed with depth, taking you to the highlights of federal Iraq whilst also offering the opportunity to spend a night in the Iraqi Marshes. 

  This itinerary focuses on central and southern Iraq, combining culture, religion, and history - both ancient and modern. 

  We begin and end in Baghdad, with time to explore the city's museums, markets and historic quarters.

  Between Baghdad stays, we visit Karbala and Najaf - two of the most significant cities in the Shia Muslim world - before travelling south to spend a night in a traditional reed house in the Iraqi Marshes. 

  Between the modern cities, we will visit remote ancient cities - such as the Ziggurat of Ur dating back to 5000 BC, Uruk - the birthplace of the first written language, and Ctesiphon - the world's oldest free-standing arch. 

  We end the trip with a night back in Baghdad on the last day of 2027 to celebrate the New Year and welcome in 2028. You can expect a night of music and fireworks! 

  Expect full days and some long drives, but the payoff is seeing a huge cross-section of Iraq in a short time!

  Optional extension: if you'd like to add Iraqi Kurdistan to the end of this itinerary, let us know - we can assist with an add-on private tour. 

  Highlights

  • Baghdad & New Year's in the capital city | Explore Mutanabi Street, historic schools, the Iraqi National Museum and New Year's Eve celebrations. 
  • Holy Cities of Najaf & Karbala | Visit two of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Shia world. 
  • Iraqi Marshes Overnight | Sunset & sunrise boat rides and a night in a traditional reed house. 

  click image to expand

• Itinerary

  Day 1 of 7

  1. December 26 | Saturday 

     Arrival Day in Baghdad 

     Arrival in Iraq's capital

     • Arrive at Baghdad International Airport from major hubs in the Middle East or Istanbul.
     • Your driver will wait for you at the airport and transfer you to our hotel.
     • Check in at the hotel.

     Welcome Dinner

     • Enjoy an evening walk and dinner in front of the Tigris River.

     Accommodation | Hotel in Baghdad
     Included Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  2. December 27 | Sunday

     Baghdad

     Baghdad City Tour

     • Iraqi National Museum | Visit the Iraqi National Museum to get introduced to Iraqi culture and history throughout the years. This museum houses a vast collection of artefacts from Mesopotamian civilisations, including Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, and Assyrian relics. It is considered one of the most important museums in the Middle East.
     • Mutanabi Street and Old Baghdad | Explore the old part of Baghdad. Visit Mutanabi Street, known as the Book Street, along with the antique market and the old copper market. It is named after the 10th-century poet Al-Mutanabi.
     • Tea and Coffee Stop in Old Baghdad | Stop at one of Baghdad’s most famous tea and coffee shops for lemon tea or shisha!
     • Mustansiriya School | Visit Mustansiriya School, one of the oldest remaining schools in the world. The Mustansiriya Madrasa was established in the 13th century and served as an important educational institution during the Abbasid era.
     • Baghdad Green Zone | Drive through Baghdad’s Green Zone.
     • Save the Iraqi Culture Monument | Visit a monument dedicated to Iraqi culture and history.
     • Martyrs Monument | Visit the Martyrs Monument at sunset. The large blue-domed structure was built in the 1980s to commemorate Iraqis who died in past wars and stands as a symbol of national remembrance.
     • Dinner in the new part of Baghdad.

     Accommodation | Hotel in Baghdad
     Included Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. December 28 | Monday 

     Babylon & Karbala 

     Karbala Day Visit 

     • Drive to Karbala.
     • Lunch at a local farm.

     Babylon

     • Ancient City of Babylon | Babylon was one of the most important cities of ancient Mesopotamia and is known for being the capital of Hammurabi and Nebuchadnezzar II. It is associated with major cultural achievements, including the Code of Hammurabi and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
     • Saddam’s Palace | Visit Saddam Hussein's palace, a remnant from his regime, and enjoy views overlooking the ancient city

     Karbala

     • Karbala is a holy city for Shia Muslims and the site of the shrine of Imam Hussein. It is the focal point of the Arbaeen pilgrimage, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
     • Imam Hussein’s Shrine | Visit Imam Hussein’s Shrine, which marks the burial place of the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, martyred at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. Here you will learn why it is one of the most important cities in Iraq religiously, with the largest annual gathering in the world. 
     • Dinner and overnight in Karbala.

     Accommodation | Hotel in Karbala
     Included Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. December 29 | Tuesday 

     Karbala to Najaf

     Drive to Najaf

     • Ezekiel Tomb | Visit the Ezekiel Tomb, believed to be the burial place of the biblical prophet Ezekiel. The site contains Hebrew inscriptions and was historically shared by Jewish and Muslim communities.
     • Daniel’s Market | Explore the old market next to the tomb.
     • Ziggurat of Borsippa | Visit the Ziggurat of Borsippa, which is believed by many to be the Tower of Babel.

     Najaf City Tour

     • Old City | Explore Najaf and its Old City, one of the most important cities in the Shia Muslim world.
     • Wadi al Salam | Visit Wadi al Salam, meaning "Valley of Peace", the largest cemetery in the world. It has served as a burial site for over 1,400 years and is located in Najaf.
     • Market Visit | Visit the market to buy local clothes, abayas, and souvenirs. You'll need this local attire to enter the shrine.
     • Imam Ali Shrine | Visit the Imam Ali Shrine, the burial site of Imam Ali, cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad and the first Imam in Shia Islam. The shrine is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Shia Muslims.When we take a look inside the seperated male/female sections, you'll truly be astounded by the colours, lights, and decorations from this fantastic piece of architecture. 
     • Kufa Mosque | Visit Kufa Mosque, the fourth holiest site for Shia Muslims, with historical and religious signficance due to being associated with Imam Ali and early Islamic history.
     • Dinner and overnight in Najaf.

     Accommodation | Hotel in Najaf
     Included Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. December 30 | Wednesday 

     Najaf to the Iraqi Marshes 

     The Iraqi Marshes & Overnight Stay 

     • City of Ur | Visit the ancient city of Ur, including the Ziggurat of Ur and the House of the Prophet Abraham. This 4,000-year-old city was once one of the most important Sumerian settlements. According to tradition, it is considered the birthplace of Abraham.
     • Travel to the Iraqi Marshes for a late lunch of masquf, traditional Sumerian grilled fish. A vegetarian option is also available.
     • Marshes | Visit the UNESCO-listed wetlands where life has changed little over millennia. The Marsh Arabs still live in traditional reed houses and travel by narrow boats along the waterways.
     • Boat Trip in the Marshes | Take a sunset boat trip and visit a traditional reed house where we will spend the night.
     • Night in the Marshes | Enjoy an evening with snacks and a light dinner around the fire, accompanied by local music surrounded by nature.

     Accommodation | Samarian-style local accommodation in the marshes. Note: This accommodation features local-style sleeping arrangements and is not a hotel. Amenities such as toiletries are not provided, but the experience makes up for it!
     Included Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. December 31 | Thursday 

     Drive to Baghdad 

     • Ancient City of Uruk | Visit the ancient city of Uruk, considered the birthplace of civilisation and the place of the earliest evidence of written language. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
     • Return to Baghdad for the evening.
     • Walk alongside the Tigris River and enjoy a farewell dinner in Baghdad.
     • Baghdad New Year’s Eve celebrations.

     Accommodation | Hotel in Baghdad
     Included Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. January 1 | Friday 

     Departure from Iraq 

     Flight Departures from Baghdad Airport 

     • You will be transferred to Baghdad International Airport (BGW).
     • Departure from Baghdad International Airport throughout the day.

     Accommodation | N/A
     Included Meals | Breakfast

• Extras

  • Upgrade to your own room in Iraq

• What is / is not included?

  • All accommodation in Iraq. 
  • Iraq visa support. 
  • Local Iraqi tour guide.
  • Expert Koryo Tours tour leader. 
  • All transportation within Iraq.
  • All entrance tickets and activities listed.
  • All meals.
  • Water throughout the day.

  • Travel to Iraq.
  • Iraq visa.
  • Travel insurance (mandatory).
  • Tips for local guides.
  • Souvenirs. 
  • Extra drinks/snacks.
  • Single supplement rooming ($50 USD per night).

• Notes

  All visas are arranged through an e-visa scheme. 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 17th December, 2027.