Wander Across Iraq (Feb 2024)
This trip will provide you with a deep dive straight into the culture, people, food and history of this absolutely intriguing and complex country. You’ll spend time in vibrant Baghdad, travel south to the gorgeous holy Imam Ali shrine in Najaf and connect with the 5000 year old civilization of the Marsh Arabs, living secluded among the Mesopotamia Marshes. You’ll visit Iraq’s most eye-opening historical sites – from Samarra to Hatra to Babylon and more – while also touring the culturally-proud cities of Mosul and Erbil.
You’ll also spend significant time meeting such kind Iraqi people, learning directly from those we come into contact with. You’ll interact with new people every single day, including our own personal local friends, and you will be treated to a genuine warmth and kindness all over the country. Meeting the people of Iraq will surely be the major highlight of this trip, and something you will never forget.
Of course, we will make sure you try excellent local food in all destinations, explore local markets, experience Baghdad’s nightlife, wander through massive palaces, get out into beautiful nature and SO MUCH MORE. And you’ll do it all with a group of fellow travelers who are beyond excited to participate in such a unique trip!
While many of us think that Iraq could not possibly be a travel destination, this is no longer the case. With our local team, excellent guides and an experienced tour leader, this trip will undoubtedly become one of the most memorable and life-changing trips you will ever take!
*Our Wandering Earl Tour to Iraq is genuinely one-of-a-kind. Our itinerary is full of activities, destinations and local interactions that are only possible due to our local contacts. These contacts are able to gain special access for our groups to a wide variety of sites and people and this is what helps make our tour unlike any other!
Choose an option:
- 1Feb 28Baghdad (arrival day)Baghdad (arrival day)Arrival dayIncluded: Dinner- You'll be met at the airport by a representative who will take you through the visa on arrival process - Transfer to our hotel in the city center - Group orientation - Welcome dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking Baghdad
- 2Feb 29BaghdadBaghdadHighlights: Full Baghdad city tour, Old Baghdad, Tigris River, Green ZoneIncluded: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner- Full walking tour of Old Baghdad - Wander through the local markets - Boat trip on the Tigris River - Baghdad cultural center - Tour to other neighborhoods and monuments - Drive through the Green Zone - Group dinner
- 3Mar 1BaghdadBaghdadHighlights: Local breakfast, Modern Baghdad, evening out with friendsIncluded: Breakfast, Dinner- Traditional Iraqi breakfast - Guided visit to the wonderful Iraqi Museum - Modern Baghdad tour - Evening out with local friends (dinner and local shisha cafe)
- 4Mar 2Baghdad » Babylon » NajafBaghdad » Babylon » NajafHighlights: Ancient Babylon, abandoned Saddam Hussein palace, Imam Ali Shrine, NajafIncluded: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner- Morning departure from Baghdad - Full walking tour of the ancient city of Babylon - Special access to one of Saddam Hussein's abandoned palaces - Drive to Najaf - Visit to the world's largest cemetery (Valley of Peace) - Surreal Imam Ali Shrine experience in the evening - Group dinner
- 5Mar 3Najaf » Nasiriyah and the Ancient City of UrNajaf » Nasiriyah and the Ancient City of UrHighlights: Nasiriyah, Sumerian City of Ur, Abraham's houseIncluded: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner- Morning drive to Nasiriyah - Afternoon visit to the ancient Sumerian City of Ur, including the house where Abraham possibly lived - Evening free time in Nasiriyah - Group dinner
- 6Mar 4Mesopotamia Marshes » BaghdadMesopotamia Marshes » BaghdadHighlights: Al Hammar and Central Marshes by boat, local breakfast and lunch, local activitiesIncluded: Breakfast, Lunch- Sunrise over the marshes - Visit to Al Hammar West and the Central Marshes via boat - Meet our local friends in their reed home for a traditional regional breakfast - Boat tour through the marshes - Locally prepared fish lunch - Afternoon drive to Baghdad
- 7Mar 5Baghdad » Fallujah » Dur Kurigalzu » BaghdadBaghdad » Fallujah » Dur Kurigalzu » BaghdadHighlights: Fallujah, abandoned city of Dur Kurigalzu, 3400 year old temple towerIncluded: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner- Morning trip to Fallujah - Traditional Fallujah lunch - Walking tour along the corniche - Visit to the abandoned city of Dur Kurigalzu and the 3400 year old temple tower - Free evening - Group dinner - Overnight in Baghdad
- 8Mar 6Baghdad » Samarra » Hatra » MosulBaghdad » Samarra » Hatra » MosulHighlights: Spiral minaret of Samarra, fortified city of Hatra, arrival in MosulIncluded: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner- Morning departure from Baghdad - Visit to Samarra and its ancient spiral minaret - Visit to the magnificent fortified caravan city of Hatra - Arrival in Mosul - Group dinner
- 9Mar 7MosulMosulHighlights: Full walking tour of Old Mosul, meeting local residentsIncluded: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner- Full walking tour of Old Mosul - Visits to Al-Nouri Mosque and Al Tahira Church (UNESCO sites) - Old Bazaar and spice market - Interaction with locals to hear their stories from ISIS times - Evening out at a wonderfully inspiring cultural cafe
- 10Mar 8Mosul » Nineveh Plains » MosulMosul » Nineveh Plains » MosulHighlights: Nineveh Plains, local village with unique local activities!Included: Breakfast, Lunch- Day trip to a Christian/Yazidi village in the Nineveh Plains region - Local breakfast with a family - Tour of the village, including stops at several interesting locations - Return to Mosul in the afternoon - Free evening
- 11Mar 9Mosul » ErbilMosul » ErbilHighlights: Christian town of Qaraqosh, arrival in ErbilIncluded: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner- Morning departure from Mosul - Walking tour and lunch in the town of Qaraqosh - Arrival in Erbil - Group dinner
- 12Mar 10ErbilErbilHighlights: Morning walking tour of Erbil, ancient citadel, Grand Mosque, farewell dinnerIncluded: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner- Morning city tour of Erbil - Visit the impressive ancient citadel (one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world) - Old Erbil markets - Grand Mosque - Shar Park - Local lunch - Free afternoon - Farewell group dinner
- 13Mar 11Erbil (departure day)Erbil (departure day)Departure dayIncluded: Breakfast- Transfer to the airport depending on your flight time
Tour Essentials
What's included
- Wandering Earl Tours Expert Tour Leader
- Small group (maximum 12 participants)
- Accommodation (12 nights – 3/4* hotels)
- Transportation within Iraq (private minibus)
- Local English-speaking guides in each destination
- All included activities and entrance fees
- Breakfast every day, 10 lunches and 10 dinners
- Bottled water throughout the trip
- Gratuities at hotels/included meals
- All airport transfers
- Visa assistance at the airport
- Flights to/from Iraq (Baghdad/Erbil)
- Passport/visa fees (visa on arrival for most nationalities is $77 USD)
- Meals and activities not mentioned
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Other gratuities