6-Day Highlights of Southern Iraq Cultural and Historical Tour

Uncover the different facets of Iraq as you explore the notable region between the Euphrates and the Tigris and learn more about one of the most extensive histories in the world! Travel from Basra to Baghdad to see the cultural and historical highlights of Southern Iraq including the iconic Hanging Gardens, the great Samarra Minaret, and the ancient site of Babylonian empire over the course of 6 amazing days. Most aficionados can only fathom such a memorable adventure!

Itinerary

Day 1 - Basra

Arrive at Basrah International Airport. Your local guide will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel. Take time to freshen up before heading out for a tour around the city. Visit the Ashar and Shanashil Al Basra area to see the traditional merchant homes with balconies jutting over the winding streets that make up the ancient Basra. You will also make a trip to the Central Railway Station, Saddam Hussein Palace, History Museum, and the Souq.

Day 2 - Marshes - Ur - Najaf

Drive toward the Mesopotamian Marshes early in the morning. Travel by boat through the complex marshes, stopping at the local communities for tea along the way, and get an insight into how the marshes played a big role in the community. The Ma'dn people who have evolved to live on the water over the years reside there as well. Stop by a traditional house for a delightful lunch and tea. As you go North, visit the Ziggurat of Ur, a 2000 BC Neo-Sumerian structure. Then, continue your journey to Najaf and stop to see the Imam Ali Shrine and his home (the very spot where imam Ali was killed). You will also visit the Wadi-Us-Salaam, the biggest cemetery in the world.

Day 3 - Babylon - Karbala

Travel to the ancient city of Babylon, once the world’s most powerful and largest city. With the help of your local guide, explore the historic sites of the Babylonian empire, including the remnants of the Hanging Gardens and the Tower of Babel. Continue with a visit to the imposing Saddam Hussein Palace situated on the top of a hill overlooking Babylon. Then, make your way to the holy city of Karbala to see the historic Imam Hussein Shrine and the grand Al-Abbas Mosque as well as its vibrant marketplaces. 

Day 4 - Baghdad

Explore Baghdad for the day! Visit the spectacular National Museum of Iraq to see important remnants of the Persian, Abbasid, and Mesopotamian civilizations. Continue on to the Al-Mustansariya School, which served as the key institution for Islamic instruction and is now regarded as one of Baghdad's most magnificent architectural works of art. Then, take a trip down the renowned Al-Mutanabi Street, Baghdad’s historical center for Bookselling which is lined with bookstores and outdoor book stalls, and its adjoining Copper Market. Stroll along the Tigris River and see the remarkable Clock Tower and the Abbasid Palace. You may also appreciate the striking Save the Iraqi Culture Monument, stop by the enormous Liberation Square, the city's main square which commemorates the establishment of the Republic of Iraq, and see the striking Al-Shaheed Monument (Martyr's Monument), an impressive edifice honoring the Iraqi troops who lost their lives in the Iran-Iraq war.

Day 5 - Samarra

Drive through the villages that have been entirely destroyed in the fight against IS as you make your way to the historic city of Samarra. Visit the Great Mosque of Samarra, also known as the Samarra Minaret, and try your best to ascend to the top. Then, make your way through the Ruins of Ctesiphon, one of the most important historical sites in the Middle East. You will have the opportunity to visit the famous Birka Palace and the beautiful Ziggurat of Agar Qouf before traveling back to Baghdad.

Day 6 - Baghdad

Check out from the hotel after breakfast. With the help of the local guide, transfer to Baghdad International Airport for your journey back home.

Inclusions

• Airport Pick Up and Drop Off

• 5 Nights Accommodation in 3/4 star hotel

• English-Speaking Local Guide

• Transportation as Per Itinerary

• Entrance Fees as Per Itinerary

Exclusions

• Local and International Flights

• Meals Not Mentioned

• Drinks

• Visas

• Travel Insurance

• Personal Expenses

• Gratuities (Optional)