Legendary Routes of Mesopotamia
| Duration: 9 days / 8 nights | Price: 2,450/ person in a shared double room, full board. | Group size: Min. 6 persons |
We would like to inform you that, for the coming year (2026), our focus will be on the Route (Iraq: Adventure from North to South), as it is the most sought-after and offers a comprehensive and enriching overview of the country.
For this reason, this route (Legendary Routes of Mesopotamia) will not have dates and prices published at this time. Nevertheless, we continue to organise it on individual request.
If you are interested in this itinerary, we will be happy to prepare a tailor-made proposal, with availability, updated prices and all the necessary details.
Please, contact us directly and we will be happy to advise you and accompany you in the design of your trip.
The published prices are calculated for groups of at least 6 travellers. However, Viajes a Irak ensures that outings can be organised for smaller groups. In these cases the price will vary, being higher due to the smaller number of people in the group.
Travel through the lands of the ancient civilisation in the Legendary Routes of Mesopotamia. From Basra and the marshes of Mesopotamia, to the mythical cities of Ur, Uruk, Najaf, Karbala, Babylon, Baghdad and Mosul. A unique journey connecting history, culture and spirituality in the heart of Iraq.
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL IN BASRA
Early arrival at Basra International Airport. After completing the visa formalities we head to Las Marismas de Mesopotamia ( marshes of Mesopotamia) to enjoy the beautiful nature and do some activities:
- We will have a traditional lunch with a local family. The meal will be one of the national dishes of the country, Masgouf, grilled fish, with typical bread accompanied by other dishes.
- Enjoy an enchanting walk through the marshes of Iraq, World Heritage, to dmire the lush vegetation, wildlife and reed houses.
We will return to Basrah to take a short tour of Shatt Al- Arab and enjoy the nightlife of the Iraqi people.
Dinner and overnight stay after a busy day in Basra.
Day 2: ZIGGURAT OF UR AND URUK- NAJAF
We start the day by visiting the imposing Ziggurat of Ur, built around 2100 B.C. and declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016. This ancient stepped tower, dedicated to the moon god Nanna, is a symbol of the greatness of Sumerian civilisation. Afterwards, we head to Uruk, considered the world's first civilisation, where cuneiform writing originated around 3000 BC and a culture that marked the beginning of human written history. Uruk is also famous as the home of King Gilgamesh, the protagonist of the famous epic.
After lunch, we head to Najaf:. We will visit the holy city for Shiite Muslims, take a break at the hotel to recharge our batteries, then we will visit the Shrine of Imam Ali. We then stroll through the bustling Najaf Bazaar, near the imposing mosque.
The day ends with a delicious dinner and overnight in Najaf, where you can rest after a journey full of history and spirituality.
Day 3: NAJAF-KARBALA
We start the day with a good breakfast, then we head to visit the Wadi Al-Salam Cemetery, the largest in the world, which is home to more than 5 million graves. It is a holy site for Shi'ite Muslims, being the burial place of key religious figures. It is one of the largest and oldest cemeteries in the world. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 24 January 2011.
We then set off to explore the historic Kufa Mosque, famous for its connection with Imam Ali.
After a short break for lunch, we head to Thu al-Kifl, where the tomb of the Prophet is believed to be located (Ezequiel), an important religious site.
In the afternoon, we arrive at Karbala:, where we will take a short break before heading to visit the impressive Mausoleum of Imam Hussein and his brother Abbas, admiring the beauty of Islamic art and the deep history of the place.
We end the day with a delicious typical Iraqi dinner and we retire to rest and prepare for the next day.
Day 4: BABYLONIA-BAGDAD
After breakfast we head towards the Ziggurat of Borsippa. The Sumerian Tower, an ancient Sumerian structure located near Babylon. This monumental stepped tower, dedicated to the god Nabu, is a reflection of the religious and cultural importance of the region in antiquity.
From there, we head to Babylon, one of the most iconic civilisations in ancient history. Founded in 2300 BC, Babylon reached its glory under the reigns of Hammurabi, famous for its code of laws, considered one of the earliest legal systems of mankind, and of Nebuchadnezzar II, who restored the city, building impressive monuments. We will visit the famous Ishtar Gate, one of the grandest portals of antiquity, the Lion of Babylon, and other archaeological sites that reveal the magnificence of this ancient city.
At the end of the visit, we will go to Saddam's Palace (if open), whose structure reflects the power and grandeur of Saddam Hussein's regime.
After the visit we will enjoy a typical lunch and then drive to Baghdad.
We conclude the day with a typical dinner and a well-deserved rest at the hotel to recharge our batteries for the next day.
.
Day 5: SAMARRA-ASSUR-MOSUL
We start the day with an early breakfast to make the most of our day. Then we head towards Samarra, a historic city famous for its impressive spiral minaret of the Al-Askari Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Iraq. This mosque was built in the 9th century. Samarra was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its historical and cultural value. Here we will discover the history of this ancient city which was the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate during its glory, and its influence on Islamic culture.
After visiting Samarra we head to Assur. The ancient capital of the Assyrian empire, located on the banks of the Tigris River. Assur was one of the first cities in the ancient world to have an advanced political and military organisation. It is famous for its massive walls, temples and palaces. Despite the devastation of time and war, it remains a testament to the greatness of the Assyrian Empire and its influence on the history of the region.
For lunch, we will possibly enjoy a picnic.
In the afternoon/evening, we arrive at Mosul, where we head to the hotel. After having a rest, we meet for a typical dinner at one of the local restaurants where we can enjoy the delicious Iraqi cuisine. We finish the day at the hotel and getting ready for the next day.
Day 6: MOSUL-HATRA-BAGHDAD
We start the day with an early breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards we head towards the historic city center which has witnessed important events in recent years.
Our first stop will be the famous Al Nuri Grand Mosque, which is a landmark of the city. This mosque is known for its leaning minaret which became a symbol of the city Mosul. It was destroyed in 2017 during the conflict with ISIS, but remains an important landmark for the city's inhabitants.
During our visit, we will see the part of the centre that was severely destroyed by ISIS. Reconstruction is underway, but traces of the devastation are still visible, giving us an in-depth perspective on the impact of conflict on the city and its inhabitants.
We will visit the lively FISH MARKET where fresh products from the Tigris River are sold, and we'll explore the walls of Nineveh.
On the way back to Baghdad we will have lunch. Then we will make a stop at Hatra, which is an impressive archaeological site that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Upon arrival in Baghdad we end the day with a delicious dinner in one of the city's best restaurants, where we can relax and reflect on the day's experiences.
Day 7: BAGHDAD
We start the day with a typical Iraqi breakfast. Afterwards, we head to the National Museum of Iraq, one of the most important museums in the country. Here you can explore a vast collection of historical pieces, from ancient Mesopotamia to the Islamic period, offering a fascinating insight into Iraq's rich history and cultural heritage.
We continue to the old city center of Baghdad, starting at the Street Al-Mutanabbi, famous for being the literary heart of the city. In this street we can visit a series of bookshops and book markets, a tradition that has lasted for generations.
We makea pause in the historic cafeteria Tetería Al-Shabander which has been in operation since 1904. This is a Baghdad landmark, known for the traditional atmosphere, its tea and coffee and where writers, intellectuals and citizens gather to chat and share ideas.
We then headed to the Mustansiriya University, one of the oldest universities in the world, founded in the 13th century.
we will visit the Abbasid Palace, an impressive building that reflects the splendour of the Abbasid dynasty, which ruled during the Middle Ages. Lunch in a traditional restaurant
After lunch, we make a short visit to the Tahrir Square and other squares that offer a unique insight into urban life in the city.
We end the day with a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 8: BAGHDAD-CTESIPHON- ZIGGURAT OF AKARKOUF
We start the day with breakfast at the hotel enjoying local delicacies.
After breakfast we head to Ctesiphon. It is an ancient city that was the capital of the Parthian Empire and later of the Sassanid Empire. It is famous for its imposing Arch of Ctesiphon, considered one of the largest and best preserved of the ancient world.
We then head to the Ziggurat of AkarkoufAn ancient Mesopotamian structure located near Baghdad. It was built during the period of the kings of the Isin dynasty around 2100 BC. This type of religious architecture is characteristic of ancient Mesopotamia and is believed to have been used for both religious and astronomical purposes.
We return to Baghdad to enjoy a traditional lunch where we will be able to taste typical Iraqi dishes, such as kebab, dolma and kubba.
In the afternoon we head to the Abu Hanifa Mosque. One of the most important mosques in Baghdad. This mosque is dedicated to Abu Hanifa, founder of the Hanafi school of jurisprudence, one of the main schools within Sunni Islam.
We then visit the tomb of Imam Khadhim. The tomb of Imam Musa al-Kadhim is a holy site for Shi'ite Muslims. Imam Musa al-Kadhim is one of the twelve Shia imams, and his tomb is a pilgrimage destination. We will also explore the local bazaar next to the mosque.
We conclude our day with dinner at a local restaurant. Afterwards we return to the hotel to rest and prepare for our return journey.
Day 9: RETURN HOME
Depending on the time of your flight, transport will be available to take you to the airport for your return flight.
The trip includes
- 8 nights' bed and breakfast in the planned hotels or similar 4 and 5 star hotels in shared double rooms.
- All transfers according to the programme.
- All tickets according to the programme.
- Lunches and dinners.
- Official, experienced, English-speaking local guide.
- Bilingual Tour Leader (Spanish and Arabic) for groups of 10 or more people, who will accompany the group throughout the tour, guaranteeing a more fluid and personalised experience.
- Private transport by bus, minibus, minivan or car (depending on the number of passengers).
Planned establishments or similar
- BASORAH: 5* Hotel
- NAJAF: 5* Hotel
- KARBALA: Hotel 4*.
- BAGHDAD: 5* Hotel
- MOSUL: Hotel 4*.
The trip does not include
- Visa Fees to Iraq.
- Flights are not included, but we will be happy to help you get the best connections and prices.
- Travel insurance, it is advisable to have one with maximum coverage.
- Personal expenses.
- Tipping.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Any other service requested or used during your stay (spa, room service, laundry, fridge, etc.).
- The standard supplement for a single room is 650 €, but a reduced price of 500€ to the first group to be formed for this tour.
Travel dates for 2025:
- 1 October to 9 October
- 27 October to 4 November
- 1 December to 9 December
What our travellers say
We are very travellers and it is worth it, culture, archaeology, diversity of landscapes, exceptional and welcoming people, we have felt more at home in security than in Spain, very good gastronomy, abundant and varied, sweets without comment and economic prices.
It is important not to go on your own, always with an agency.
We have travelled with :
viajesairak.es
I recommend her professionalism, Iraqi ancestry and good contacts that facilitate the whole trip with follow-up from the beginning to the end of the trip.
Iraq has a history of 5000 to 3000 BC, we visited Uruk, where writing was born and the invention of the wheel.
It is a safe country, we had no fear at all during the whole trip, the proof is the foreign investments that are being made.
Accommodation, which was excellent, is beginning to have a network of hotels and restaurants of a very high standard.
In addition to Mrs. Mariam, we were accompanied by a local guide Mr. Sagad with a lot of knowledge about the history of the country and a driver Mr. Mohamad with a lot of driving skills.
Iraq is a country to visit, and if you can do it with viajesairak.es, success is assured.
Joan
Vic (Barcelona)
Touring Babylon, Ur, Najaf or Kerbala is not just a succession of historical sites. It is to walk through places you have seen all your life in books, documentaries and stories, and discover that they are still alive, vibrant and full of humanity. Each city has its own rhythm, its own character and its own way of welcoming you.
We were particularly impressed by the hospitality. People who don't know you at all stop you in the street to welcome you, to invite you to tea, to ask you where you come from and thank you for choosing their country. This closeness, so natural and sincere, dismantles any previous prejudices.
The organisation of the trip was impeccable. We felt accompanied, safe and cared for at all times. The guides not only explain facts, they tell you stories, anecdotes and details that make each place come alive.
We came back with the feeling of having experienced something great, one of those trips that you never forget and that change the way you look at the world. Iraq is not just a destination, it is an experience that stays with you long after you have returned home.