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Explore the ancient town of Samarra and marvel at the Arch of Ctesiphon
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Witness the 6,000-year-old Ziggurat of Ur at UNESCO-listed Ur
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Boat through the Mesopotamian Marshes, a dreamy landscape dotted with lakeside villages
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            [Description] => Ishtar Gate
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            [Description] => Al Malwiya Mosque
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            [Description] => Shrine of Al-Abbas Ibn Ali Ibn Abi Talib
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            [Description] => Ziggurat of Ur Temple
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            [Description] => Tigris River
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Your Guides

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The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Shayan B.

Shayan was born in Iran in 1995. In 1998, he moved to Iraqi Kurdistan to live with relatives. He has a degree in computer science from Cihan University. He is currently writing a book about “Shanidar Cave”, the Neanderthals, and their brief history in Kurdistan. He is passionate about revealing the secrets of his nation to the people of the world, a gracious host and knowledgeable guide.

Haana B.

Haana is a passionate advocate for the region’s rich historical and cultural heritage. She began guiding in 2021 and is now recognized as a Senior Guide. She has a diverse background with expertise in everything from business development to radio and Mesopotamian-inspired jewelry design and she speaks seven languages. Haana has a wonderful ability to connect with travelers, offering an insider’s perspective on Iraq’s incredible cultural legacy and a deeper understanding of everyday life.

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                    [Headline] => Arrive in Baghdad
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An MT Sobek representative will welcome you at Baghdad International Airport. Settle into the hotel and relax over a welcome drink, then dine in the hotel restaurant.
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                    [Latitude] => 33.309
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                    [Headline] => Tour the Iraq Museum & Ancient Samarra 
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After breakfast, delve into the ancient past at the Iraq Museum, often called the Middle East Smithsonian for its 28 halls and artefacts as old as 10,000 years B.C. In the afternoon, journey to the holy city of Samarra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that traces its roots back to 5500 B.C. Explore the ruins of its ancient royal palaces, and admire the majestic 9th-century Great Mosque (Al Malwiya Mosque) with its spiral minaret. Return to your hotel in Baghdad.
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                    [Lunch] => 1
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                    [Travel_Type] => 5-hour private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 34.22
                    [Longitude] => 43.882
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                    [Headline] => Explore Baghdad & Marvel at the Arch of Ctesiphon
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Visit the 13th-century El-Mustansiriya madrassa (school), one of the oldest Islamic institutions of higher learning in the world, and marvel at its ancient water-powered alarm clock that once announced prayer times. Stroll down the bookstore-laden Al-Mutanabbi street, the heart of the city\'s cultural life, and delight in the symphony of clinking sounds at Souk al-Safareen, the coppersmiths\' market. In the afternoon, head to Ctesiphon, the former winter capital of the Parthian and Sasanian empires, and today best known for the monumental remains of the 1,400-year-old palace Taq Kisra, complete with its 122-feet-high Arch of Ctesiphon. Enjoy dinner at your hotel.
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                    [Dinner] => 1
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                    [Latitude] => 33.326
                    [Longitude] => 44.384
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                    [Headline] => Discover Mythical Babylon & Travel to Karbala 
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Travel to Babylon, the ancient capital of southern Mesopotamia, and trace the footsteps of Alexander the Great. Tour Saddam Hussein\'s rebuilt Babylon with its vibrant aqua-blue Ishtar Gate (a reproduction of the original) and compare it to one of his once-opulent palaces just behind the complex. Continue on to Karbala, a holy city for the Iraqi Shia, holding the shrine of the martyred Imam Husayn Ibn Ali (died 680). Return for dinner at your hotel.
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                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 4-hour private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 32.587
                    [Longitude] => 44.022
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                    [Headline] => Journey to Najaf & See the Holy Places of Shia Muslims
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Today travel to the holy city of Najaf, and along the way stop in the town of Al Kifl to marvel at its 7th-century Kufa Mosque, the holiest place for Shia Muslims. Then continue on to Najaf and after settling in the hotel, discover the shrine of Imam Ali. This masterpiece of Islamic architecture holds the tomb of Imam Ali, the fourth caliph who was the cousin and later son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. In the evening, soak up the buzz of the nearby souk and savor dinner at the hotel.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 1-hour private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 32.015
                    [Longitude] => 44.325
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                    [Headline] => Roam Uruk, the First City on Earth
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Head to Samawa, a city on the banks of the Euphrates River that holds the archaeological site of Warka, also known as Uruk. Explore the magnificent remains of this ancient Sumerian city that thrived around 2900 B.C. and was supposedly the first city on earth. Continue to the busy hub of Nasiriya, one of Iraq\'s largest cities and the capital of the Dhi-Qar province with lunch at a local restaurant along the way. In the evening, feel the city\'s pulse on a stroll through its bustling souk.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 3.5-hour private van transfer
                    [Quotation] => 
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                    [Quotation_Location] => 
                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 31.314
                    [Longitude] => 45.30
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                    [Headline] => Admire the Splendid Ziggurat of Ur
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Tour the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ur, an ancient Sumer city believed to be the birthplace of Prophet Abraham. Marvel at to the Ziggurat of Ur, a splendid temple dedicated to the lunar god Nanna and built the same way as the biblical Tower of Babel. After lunch, head to Nasiriya\'s lively bazaar for a dash of local buzz and browse stalls selling everything from textiles and household wares to artisanal copperware and traditional sweets. Dinner tonight is at the hotel.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 40-minute private van transfer
                    [Quotation] => 
                    [Quotation_Attribution] => 
                    [Quotation_Location] => 
                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 30.963
                    [Longitude] => 46.103
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                    [DayTo] => 8
                    [Headline] => Journey by Boat to the Mesopotamian Marshes 
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Spend the day on the Tigris River, venturing into its dreamy marshes by boat. Navigate between islands of reeds and lakeside villages inhabited by Marsh Arabs, and take in the resplendent beauty of this unique aquatic environment inside a desert. En route to the town of Basra, stop to soak up the beauty of the Paradise of Aden (Garden of Eden) where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers meet.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 3.5-hour private van transfer
                    [Quotation] => 
                    [Quotation_Attribution] => 
                    [Quotation_Location] => 
                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 30.515
                    [Longitude] => 47.781
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                    [Headline] => Explore Basra & Watch the Sunset over Shatt Al-Arab
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                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] => 
Wander around the old city of Basra, once known as the Venice of the East for the Ottoman Shenashil Houses, traditional 19th-century residences that line its canal. Think back to the city\'s glory days as you explore one of the villas that was owned by a wealthy Greek merchant — a rare showcase of a bygone era. Wrap up the journey with a boat ride on Shatt Al-Arab, the river created by the Tigris and Euphrates merging, and soak up one last splendid Iraq sunset. Enjoy a farewell dinner tonight.
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                    [Latitude] => 30.515
                    [Longitude] => 47.781
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                    [Headline] => Depart from Basra
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After breakfast, transfer to Basra International Airport for your homeward-bound flights and bid farewell to Iraq. 
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    [ActivityHighlight] => This cultural discovery adventure includes 4 to 6 hours of sightseeing each day. You need to be in good physical condition and able to walk comfortably for this length of time.
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Accommodations

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Relax at the 5-star Babylon Rotana in Baghdad and the best available hotels in each city-all with Western-style rooms and most modern amenities.

Babylon Rotana

Luxury Hotel

This 5-star urban retreat is located in one of Baghdad's most desirable districts and a vast range of modern touches, designed with comfort in mind, awaits. Spacious accommodations feature contemporary furnishings and in room technology to keep you connected. Also includes air conditioning, flat screen TV, mini-fridge and tea and coffee making facilities, bathtub/shower, large work desk and in-room safe. This property is an alcohol free environment.

Sumerian Hotel

Comfortable Hotel

Located only a short drive from the impressive ancient monument, the Ziggurat of Ur, the Sumerian Hotel offers guests simple accommodations with traditional touches and modern amenities. Guests will enjoy the elegant gilded lobby and comfortable guest rooms that feature cool tiled floors, air conditioner and fan, and modern touches such as a mini fridge, coffee and tea maker and hairdryer.

Baron Hotel

Comfortable Hotel

Dedicated to providing you convenient services and amenities, this 5-star hotel offers guests spacious and comfortable beds, private bathroom with vanity and modern western touches. Each room is equipped with centralized air conditioning, flat screen 42' LED TV with satellite channels, coffee table and chairs, writing desk, mini fridge, electric coffee and tea maker and in-room safe.

Millennium Hotel Al Seef Basra

Comfortable Hotel

The Millennium Hotel is one of the best and safest hotels in Basra. Rest up in one of their 311 comfortable rooms and enjoy free complementary Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, and a 24-hour room service. After a day of exploring, the Millennium Hotel offers relaxing amenities such as massage services, a pool, sauna and gym, and several on-site restaurants serving delectable local and international dishes.

Granada Hotel

Comfortable Hotel

The Granada Hotel is a comfortable hotel located in the Al-Amir neighborhood in Najaf. Relax in the hotel's spacious rooms and enjoy free complementary Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, coffee/tea service, fridge, and air-con. While you're there, enjoy the breakfast buffet service in their on-site restaurant and re-energize with their Turkish hammam and sauna. Then step outside to explore popular landmarks like the Ali Ibn Abi Talib Shrine!