10–12 DAYS • FROM $1,400
The Complete Iraq Tour
The full story — from Baghdad to the Kurdish mountains. Ancient Mesopotamia, Islamic heritage, the scars and recovery of Mosul, and the green highlands of Kurdistan. For travellers who want to understand the whole picture.
Iraq isn’t one country — it’s several, layered on top of each other. The chaotic warmth of Baghdad. The ancient weight of Babylon. The surreal waterworld of the marshes. The devastation and resilience of Mosul. The green mountains and distinct culture of Kurdistan. This tour takes you through all of it.
In 10 to 12 days, you’ll cross the entire country — south to north — seeing UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ancient cities most tourists have never heard of, and communities that will change how you see this part of the world. You arrive in Baghdad and fly out of Erbil — no backtracking, every day covers new ground.
Short on time? The Baghdad & Babylon tour (5 days) or Southern Iraq Discovery (7 days) cover the southern half. Only interested in the north? Check the Kurdistan tour. Read more about me and how I guide.
This is the definitive Iraq experience. If you have the time, this is the one to do.
DAY BY DAY
Your Complete Iraq Example Itinerary
Shown as 11 days. Can be compressed to 10 or extended to 12 depending on your pace. Every day is flexible.
Arrival & Old Baghdad
I pick you up at Baghdad International Airport and drive you straight to my guesthouse on the Tigris. After you settle in and have breakfast on the terrace, we head into the heart of old Baghdad.
What we’ll see
- Airport pickup and transfer to Ali’s riverside guesthouse
- Al-Mutanabbi Street — Baghdad’s legendary book market, buzzing since the 10th century
- Shahbandar cafe — tea and shisha in a cafe that has survived every war since 1917
- Copper bazaar, Abbasid Palace, Al-Mustansiriya School (1227 AD)
- Riverside dinner with views of the Tigris
Museums, Monuments & Ctesiphon
A full day in Baghdad. The National Museum, modern landmarks, masgouf lunch, then a 30-minute drive south to the ancient Arch of Ctesiphon before heading to Al-Kadhimiya for its golden-domed mosque.
What we’ll see
- National Museum of Iraq — 5,000 years of Mesopotamian history (may be closed for renovation — we’ll adapt)
- Martyr’s Monument (Al-Shaheed), Tahrir Square, Freedom Monument
- Masgouf lunch — Iraq’s legendary slow-grilled carp, served riverside
- Ctesiphon Arch (Taq Kasra) — world’s largest single-span brick vault (30-minute drive south)
- Al-Kadhimiya Mosque — golden-domed Shia shrine
Babylon, Borsippa & Karbala
We drive 1.5 hours south to the ancient city of Babylon, explore the ruins and hilltop palace, continue to Borsippa, then push 40 minutes further to Karbala. All one direction — no backtracking.
What we’ll see
- Ancient Babylon — Ishtar Gate, Procession Street, temples of Nebuchadnezzar (1.5-hour drive)
- Hilltop palace overlooking Babylon (including restricted areas)
- Borsippa ziggurat — believed to be the original Tower of Babel
- Traditional lunch in Hillah
- Drive to Karbala (40 minutes), overnight in hotel
Karbala, Najaf & Ziggurat of Ur
A big day heading south. Morning at Karbala’s golden shrines, one hour to Najaf, then three hours further south to the Ziggurat of Ur — the 4,000-year-old stepped pyramid believed to be Abraham’s birthplace. Overnight in Nasiriyah.
What we’ll see
- Imam Hussein and Imam Abbas Shrines, Karbala
- Imam Ali Shrine, Najaf — burial place of Ali ibn Abi Talib
- Wadi al-Salam — the world’s largest cemetery
- Drive south to Nasiriyah (3 hours from Najaf)
- Ziggurat of Ur — 4,000-year-old stepped pyramid and House of Abraham
- Overnight in Nasiriyah
Mesopotamian Marshes
The highlight of the south. We drive one hour from Nasiriyah to Chibayish, then spend the full day by boat in the UNESCO-listed Mesopotamian Marshes — reed-lined waterways, floating islands, and communities who have lived on the water for 5,000 years.
What we’ll see
- Boat tour through the Central and Hammar Marshes
- Traditional Marsh Arab reed houses (mudhif)
- Fresh masgouf fish lunch cooked on the water
- Meet local marsh families
- Sunset on the marshes, overnight in Nasiriyah
Return to Baghdad
The long drive back north — about 5 hours from Nasiriyah to Baghdad, with stops along the way. We arrive in the evening for a final night at the guesthouse before heading north tomorrow.
What we’ll see
- Morning in Nasiriyah — optional Nasiriyah Museum
- Drive north to Baghdad (5+ hours, with stops)
- Arrive evening, overnight at Ali’s guesthouse
Samarra, Tikrit & North
We head north from Baghdad. First stop is Samarra — home to one of Iraq’s most iconic landmarks, the spiral minaret. After exploring, we stop for lunch in Tikrit before continuing north. Overnight en route to Mosul.
What we’ll see
- Great Mosque of Samarra and spiral minaret (Malwiya)
- Al-Askari Shrine — golden-domed mosque
- Ancient city walls of Samarra
- Lunch stop in Tikrit
- Continue north, overnight en route to Mosul
Hatra & Mosul
Visit the ancient city of Hatra, then continue to Mosul, Iraq’s second city, still rebuilding after liberation.
What we’ll see
- Hatra (UNESCO) — 2,000-year-old Parthian city
- Drive to Mosul
- Mosul old city reconstruction
- Al-Nuri Mosque site
- Mosul markets and local life
Nineveh Governorate & Into Kurdistan
We cross into the Kurdistan Region. Visit monasteries and Lalish before reaching Erbil.
What we’ll see
- Mar Mattai Monastery
- Lalish — Yazidi holy site
- Cross into Kurdistan Region
- Arrive in Erbil
Erbil & Kurdistan Mountains
Explore Erbil, then head into the mountains for canyons, waterfalls, and villages.
What we’ll see
- Erbil Citadel
- Erbil bazaar and Ankawa
- Rawanduz canyon and waterfalls
- Hamilton Road
- Kurdish mountain dinner
Sulaymaniyah & Departure
Drive to Sulaymaniyah, explore the city, then transfer to Erbil for departure.
What we’ll see
- Amna Suraka (Red Prison)
- Sulaymaniyah bazaar
- Dokan Lake (time permitting)
- Drive to Erbil, airport transfer
Not sure this is the right tour for you?
Answer 5 quick questions and get a personalised recommendation based on your interests, dates, and group size.
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WHAT YOU GET
What’s Included
Included
- Airport pickup (Baghdad) and drop-off (Erbil)
- 10 nights accommodation (guesthouse in Baghdad, hotels elsewhere) with breakfast
- All ground transportation in a private vehicle
- Marsh boat tour
- Ali as your English-speaking guide throughout
- All checkpoint coordination (federal Iraq + Kurdistan border)
- eVisa application support and documentation
- 24/7 local support
Not included
- International flights (arrive Baghdad, depart Erbil)
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Lunches and dinners
- Entrance fees to sites
- eVisa fee (~$160)
- Personal expenses and tips
WHAT GUESTS SAY
From Real Travellers
“Eleven days across the whole country and every single one was a highlight. Going from the marshes to Mosul to the Kurdish mountains — Iraq kept surprising me. Ali handled every checkpoint, every hotel, every last detail. I just showed up and experienced it.”
“I’ve visited over 60 countries and Iraq was the most eye-opening. The complete tour was worth every day — Hatra completely alone, the Kurdish mountains, and the warmth of people everywhere we went. Ali made it feel effortless.”
WHY TRAVEL WITH ALI
Not a Tour Company. A Local Who Knows Every Corner.
You Stay at My Home
My guesthouse sits right on the Tigris. You eat breakfast on the terrace, sleep in a traditional Iraqi house, and get the insider experience no hotel can match.
I’m Your Guide the Entire Time
From Baghdad to Erbil — I drive, translate, explain, and open doors that agencies can’t. One guide across two regions means you get the full picture, not a handoff.
Flexible, Not Scripted
The itinerary is a starting point. Need a rest day? Want more time in Mosul? Done. Your trip, your pace — especially on a longer tour like this.
Smooth Logistics in a Complex Country
Federal Iraq checkpoints, the Kurdistan border crossing, visa requirements — this tour crosses two administrations and dozens of checkpoints. I handle all of it.
PRICING
From $1,400 per person
Based on 2 travellers. Solo traveller rates slightly higher. Groups of 3+ get a discount. Exact price depends on duration (10, 11, or 12 days) and custom requests.
October–April is peak season and books fast — get in touch early.
Get a Personalised QuoteCOMMON QUESTIONS
About This Tour
Do I fly into one city and out of another?
Yes — the most efficient route is to arrive in Baghdad and depart from Erbil (or vice versa). Both airports have good international connections through Istanbul, Doha, and Dubai. I can advise on the best flight options.
Is northern Iraq (Mosul, Hatra) safe?
Mosul was liberated from ISIS in 2017 and has been rebuilding since. Tourism is growing and the city is welcoming visitors. Hatra is in a remote area and requires coordination — which I handle. I know the security situation in every region and I wouldn’t take you anywhere I wouldn’t go myself. Read more in my guide to safety in Iraq.
Do I need separate visas for Iraq and Kurdistan?
One eVisa covers all of Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region. I help every guest with the application — I’ll tell you exactly what documents to prepare and review everything before you submit. Since this tour starts in Baghdad, you need the full Iraq eVisa (not just the Kurdistan visa-on-arrival). Check my Iraq visa guide for full details.
Can I do 10 days instead of 11–12?
Yes. The itinerary is flexible. With 10 days we compress some of the driving days and may trim a stop or two. With 12 days we add more time in Kurdistan or a rest day. I’ll build the exact itinerary around your dates.
How much driving is involved?
This is a cross-country tour, so there are some longer drives. The biggest are Najaf to Nasiriyah (3 hours), Nasiriyah back to Baghdad (5+ hours), and Baghdad north to Samarra (2 hours). Most other drives are under 2 hours. All in a comfortable private vehicle with regular stops. Traffic in Baghdad can be horrendous at times, so we plan around it. The landscapes along the way — desert, date palms, mountains — are part of the experience.
When is the best time to visit?
October through April. Winter months (December–February) are ideal for the south — mild temperatures, clear skies. Kurdistan is cooler year-round and beautiful in spring (March–May). Avoid June–September for southern Iraq. Read more in my best time to visit Iraq guide.
What if I only want to see the south or Kurdistan?
No problem. The Southern Iraq Discovery (7 days, from $950) covers Baghdad, Babylon, the marshes, and Ur. The Kurdistan tour (5–7 days, from $650) covers Erbil, the mountains, and Sulaymaniyah — no Iraq visa needed. Or I can build something custom.
Ready for the Full Iraq Experience?
Tell me your dates and I’ll send you a personalised itinerary within 24 hours.