Short description
Our journey through Federal Iraq begins in Baghdad, the capital city. We'll explore Al-Mustansiriya University, Al-Abbasid Palace, the Museum of Iraq, and the Monument to the Victims. We'll also stroll down Al-Mutanabbi, the bustling central street. Next, we'll visit ancient Babylon and Saddam Hussein's Palace, perched on a hill amidst the ancient ruins. Our trip continues to the holy cities of Karbala and Najaf, where we'll see the tomb of Ali Ibn Abi Talib—known as "Imam Ali," the first Imam of the Shiites—and the Mosque of Imam Ali.
Our journey continues to the delta of the Shatt al-Arab river, formed by the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. This region is home to the "marsh Arabs." We'll take a boat ride through the marshes and spend the night in a guesthouse, immersing ourselves in local life.
Next, we'll explore ancient Nasiriyah and the ruins of Ur—one of the most significant Sumerian cities. Our itinerary also includes visits to the ancient Sumerian city of Uruk and Ctesiphon, the former capital of the Iranian Empire. Before finishing the trip, we'll tour the UNESCO-listed remains of ancient Samarra.
Basic information
Dates: 14-21 March, 2025; We will also travel in Autumn 2025, but will announce those dates later;
Duration: 7 nights/8 days;
Group: 7-8 people;
Price of the program in Federal Iraq excluding flight tickets: 2,195 EUR/person (group of 7/8 people). If the group is smaller than 7 people, the price will slightly increase;
The price includes:
Guides: An english-speaking guide (Pavel Gospodinov); local guide/driver;
Transportation: Transfers to and from the airport in Baghdad and throughout the country by minibus along the route;
Accommodation: 4-star Al Sadeer Palace Hotel in Baghdad (https://al-sadir-palace-baghdad.booked.net/); Al-Zaitoon Hotel in Nasiriyah - https://al-zaitoon-hotel.business.site/; guest house in southern Iraq; All accommodations include breakfast;
Excursions and museum visits: all entrance tickets for museums and the boat trip in the southern Iraq marshes.
Price does not include: International airfares; lunches and dinners (food is not expensive); travel insurance (we can arrange this if needed); visa ($75, obtained at the airport in Baghdad); personal expenses.
(1) Flights
The group will fly from Sofia, Bulgaria to Baghdad, Iraq via Istanbul, Turkey. We can book flights from your home country to Istanbul or directly to Baghdad. We'll also arrange your transfer to the Baghdad hotel. Contact us for available options.
Departure: Istanbul 23.35 - Baghdad 02.20;
Return:
Baghdad 03.25 - Istanbul 06.25;
This program offers an overview of the key aspects of the trip. If you require customized solutions based on your specific case and circumstances, please contact us via email. We can arrange flight tickets from any location worldwide to the trip's starting point. Furthermore, we can handle hotel transfers and any necessary documents. Our team will provide assistance throughout the entire organization process. Feel free to reach out to us without hesitation via email!
Program
Day 1 Arrival in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq
We'll arrive in Baghdad early in the morning as scheduled. After transferring to our hotel—the Al Sadeer Palace Hotel or similar—we'll check in and take a short rest.
Note: Our group will fly from Istanbul Airport to Baghdad. If all group members fly through Istanbul, we may meet there. Otherwise, we'll meet at the hotel in Baghdad. We'll provide the necessary information about the hotel's name, address, and meeting time.
Then, we'll embark on a tour of the Iraqi capital, visiting key landmarks: Al-Mustansiriya School, Al-Abbasid Palace, the Iraq Museum, and the Monument to the Victims. We'll also stroll along Al-Mutanabbi, the bustling central street. If we can't fit everything in today, don't worry—we'll have another chance for sightseeing on our last day.
Day 2 Babylon and Saddam Hussein's Palace
Today, we'll visit the Museum of Iraq before continuing to Babylon, one of the world's most renowned ancient cities. Situated on the banks of the Euphrates in Mesopotamia, Babylon now lies within Iraq's Babil province. For a detailed description in Bulgarian, visit https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/Вавилон.
Perched on a hill amidst the ancient ruins stands Saddam Hussein's Palace, constructed during the economic embargo that followed the 1991 Gulf War. From 2003 to 2011, this palace served as the headquarters for American forces. As evening approaches, we'll make our way to Karbala for the night.
Day 3 Karbala and Najaf
Today, we'll visit Karbala, one of the holiest sites for Shia Muslims—surpassed in importance only by Mecca and Najaf. The city is divided into old and new sections, with the Mashhad al-Husayn—the tomb of Husayn bin Ali, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad—at its center. During the annual Ashura observance, hundreds of thousands of devotees flock to honor the imam's memory. Many elderly pilgrims journey here hoping to die in Karbala, as the tomb is believed to be one of the gateways to paradise.
Continuing on to Najaf, we'll visit the tomb of Ali Ibn Abi Talib—known as "Imam Ali"—the first imam of the Shiites and the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad. Najaf is a major center of worship for the entire Shiite Islamic world, with only Mecca and Medina receiving more Muslim pilgrims.
The Imam Ali Mosque, housing the burial place of this second most important figure in Shiite Islam, is considered by Shiites to be the third holiest Islamic site. Nearby lies the Wadi al-Salam Cemetery, reputed to be the world's largest. Over the centuries, numerous hospices, schools, libraries, and Sufi centers have sprung up around the shrine. In the evening, we'll return to Baghdad.
Day 4 The Marshes of Southern Iraq; Nasiriyah
Today, we will continue to the delta of the Shatt al-Arab river, formed by the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. This region is home to the "marsh Arabs." Some researchers believe these people are the spiritual descendants of St. John the Baptist, also known as Mandaeans or Sab.
We will embark on a boat tour through the marshes.
These marshes, spanning about 9,000 square kilometers and considered by some to be the biblical Garden of Eden, were once reduced to a mere 10% of their original size. Today, restoration projects are underway, successfully returning almost 50% of the marsh areas to their natural state.
We proceed to Nasiriyah, where we'll explore the ruins of Ur—one of the most significant Sumerian cities. We'll spend the night in Nasiriyah.
Day 5 Uruk
Today, we'll visit Uruk, known today as Warka—an ancient Sumerian city (later Babylonian) located east of the Euphrates River's present-day course on its dried-up ancient channel. Uruk played a pivotal role in Sumer's early urbanization during the mid-4th millennium BCE. With an estimated 40,000 inhabitants and 80,000–90,000 people in its surroundings, it was likely the world's largest urban area at that time.
Next, we'll journey to Ctesiphon on the Tigris' eastern bank. This city served as the Iranian Empire's capital for over eight centuries during the Parthian and Sassanid eras. We'll explore the ancient remains and ruins of this historic site.
We'll spend the night at our hotel in Baghdad.
Day 6 Samarra
Today, we will visit Samarra, located on the eastern bank of the Tigris, 125 kilometers north of Baghdad. The modern city of Samarra was founded in 836 CE by the Abbasid caliph al-Mu'tasim as a new administrative capital and military base. During the Iraq War, Samarra was part of the "Sunni Triangle" of resistance.
The archaeological site of Samarra preserves a significant portion of the historical city, including its architecture and artistic relics. In 2007, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the evening, around 23:30, we need to be at the airport for our early flight at 03:15 the next day. This overnight stay is included in the price.
Day 7 Fly to Istanbul
Today, you will either fly back to Istanbul or return to your home country.
How to join us
Please email us for more information about this trip or to sign up. We'll respond promptly and keep you updated on all organizational details. If you're a group of 5–8 people, we can discuss dates that suit you. You can also join the list for future trips—just send us your names. It's that simple!
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