Iraq: The cradle of civilisation. 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, colonisation, 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
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Day One, Apr 19 2026 Arrival in Baghdad
• Arrive in Baghdad and take a taxi to the hotel.
• We will meet as a group in the evening for dinner, a great chance to mingle with some locals on Karada Street and also stroll down the corniche.
• Overnight in Baghdad.
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Day Two, Apr 20 2026 Tour of Baghdad
• Today, we will take a city tour of Baghdad.
• Explore the bazaar of Baghdad, Freedom Square and the square where Saddam’s statue was toppled down in 2003.
• Next, we will visit the Martyrs’ Monument, 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.
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Day Three, Apr 21 2026 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.
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Day Four, Apr 22 2026 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 million burials.
• Next, we will visit the Imam Ali Shrine, one of the holiest Islamic sites in the world.
• After lunch, we will depart for the long drive to Nassirya, where we will walk around the town and browse the local market.
• Overnight in Nassiriya.
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Day Five, Apr 23 2026 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 civilisation of Marsh Dwellers known as the Madan.
• The drive back to Baghdad is long, but we will make stops along the way before exploring more in the evening and enjoying some street food and drinks.
• Overnight in Baghdad.
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Day Six, Apr 24 2026 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.
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Day Seven, Apr 25 2026 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.
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Day Eight, Apr 26 2026 Tour Ends
• Departure home or start of Iraqi Kurdistan tour.
- Federal Iraq Highlights Tour
- Tour Price: £1875
- Deposit: £500
- Single room supplement: £275
- Tour Price: £1875
- Talk to a travel rep
info@lupinetravel.co.uk