Lupine Travel

Iraq: The cradle of civilization. The Tigris and Euphrates rivers snake through the region and produce a rich soil which gave humanity fertile ground to grow food and create foundational inventions such as the wheel. All of humanity can call this land home. However, Colonization, Saddam Hussein’s regime, the U.S. invasion in 2003, and instability have posed major hurdles for Iraq in the past. Yet beneath the tragedy lies a lovely country with spectacular sights and people—a place where we are all connected through our collective history.

Itinerary

Day One
Arrival into Baghdad

• Arrive in Baghdad.

• Take a taxi to the hotel and check in before meeting in the evening.

• Overnight in Baghdad.
Day Two
Tour of Baghdad

• Today will visit the National Museum with its collections that are considered among the most important in the world.

• Explore the bazaar of Baghdad, freedom square and the square where Saddam statue was toppled down in 2003. Then we will visit the Martyr’s Monument.

• Visit the historic Al-Rasheed and Al-Mutanabi streets before taking a boat ride on the Tigris River and then enjoying an Iraqi tea at the famous Al Shabander Café.

• Overnight in Baghdad.
Day Three
Babylon

• Head out to explore the ruins of the ancient Babylonian Empire’s capital city and Saddam Hussein’s former Palace.

• Drive to Karbala and visit the Mausoleum of Imam Hussain the Grand Son of prophet Mohammed and the Shrine of Imam Abbas.

• In the evening we will explore the city.

• Overnight in Karbala.
Day Four
Najaf

• Departure from Karbala towards Najaf. Here we will visit the Wadi-al-Salaam Cemetery, aka the ‘Valley of Peace’ and the world’s largest cemetery, with over 6 millions burials.

• Afterwards we will visit the Imam Ali Shrine, one of the holiest Islamic sites in the world.

• Depart for Nassiriya where we will spend the night.
Day Five
Nassiriya

• Today we will visit the Great Ziggurat of Ur, built during the Early Bronze Age.

• Next we will visit the Mesopotamian marshes; once the largest wetland in the Middle East and home to an ancient civilization of Marsh Dwellers known as the Madan.

• Drive back to Baghdad and explore more.

• Overnight in Baghdad.
Day Six
Samarra and Hatra

• Travel to Samarra where we will pay a visit to The Great Mosque of Samarra and walk to the top of the 9th century spiral Minaret for a breath-taking scenic view.

• Afterwards we will visit Hatra, where with our local connections we will have special access to this unique archaeological site of Iraq in the desert. One of the highlights of Northern Iraq!

• Finally we drive to Mosul where we will stay overnight.
Day Seven
Mosul

• In the morning we will visit the the old neighbourhood of Mosul where we will see the last spot where ISIS was defeated by the Iraqi army.

• We will visit the main churches and mosques, including Al-Nuri historical Mosque with its old minaret. As well as walking through the bazaar and seeing the newly renovated heritage houses where we can meet young locals.

• Visit the old Nineveh walls. We will explore all of Mosul with experts of the city, under supervision of local authorities, while trying the local cuisine.

• Finally we drive to Erbil and visit the biggest town of Christian community known as Bakhdida or Qaraqosh on the way. In Erbil we will meet in the evening for a farewell for those who are going home and talk about our next adventure in Iraqi Kurdistan with everyone who will stay.

• Overnight in Erbil.
Day Eight
Tour Ends

• Departure home or start of Iraqi Kurdistan tour.