Special Edition Tour · 9–20 March 2027

Newroz Grand Tour 2027

Twelve days across Federal Iraq and Kurdistan — from the Marshlands and the world's first cities to the Newroz fire festival in Akre.

Dates

9 – 20 March 2027

Duration

12 Days

Route

Basra → Marshlands → Ur → Najaf → Babylon → Karbala → Baghdad → Samarra → Mosul → Duhok → Akre → Erbil

Price

From $2,500 per person (shared room)

Itinerary

Tuesday 9 March 2027

Day 1 – Arrival in Basra & City Tour

Early arrival in Basra and straight into the city tour, ending with sunset on the Shatt al-Arab.

Highlights

See the historic Shanasheel houses of old Basra
Basra Museum, a former palace of Saddam Hussein
Lunch in a cultural restaurant
Ocean Breeze, Saddam's former yacht (viewed from the outside only)
The private Al Hassoun Museum
Afternoon sunset boat trip on the Shatt al-Arab River
Sumerian dinner in a local restaurant

Overnight: Al Rashid Hotel, BasraView on map

Wednesday 10 March 2027

Day 2 – Basra – Confluence of the Tigris & Euphrates – Nasiriyah – Marshes

Drive north to Nasiriyah, about 200 km and 2h 30 min from Basra, and end the day sleeping in the Marshlands.

Highlights

Stop at Al Qurna after 1h 30 min to see the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates
Continue 50 minutes into the Mesopotamian Marshlands
Masgouf lunch — fresh fish grilled the local way inside a reed house (grilled chicken with rice for those who prefer it)
Overnight in a traditional reed house, sleeping on the floor — everyone gets new bedding, pillows, sheets and blankets
The reed house has western toilets with a sink to wash hands and face
Optional: a nearby hotel with only 4 rooms — limited availability, must be booked before the tour

Overnight: Traditional reed house in the Marshlands (limited hotel rooms on request)

Basra – Confluence of the Tigris & Euphrates – Nasiriyah – Marshes image 1

Basra – Confluence of the Tigris & Euphrates – Nasiriyah – Marshes image 2

Thursday 11 March 2027

Day 3 – Nasiriyah – Ur – Uruk – Najaf

Dawn in the marshes, then the two oldest cities on earth, finishing at the holy city of Najaf.

Highlights

At 6 am, an extended boat ride through the Marshlands with several stops — wildlife, water buffalo and birds
Visit a family who raise water buffalo and see how they feed and care for them
Drive to the Ziggurat of Ur, birthplace of the Prophet Ibrahim
Continue 2 hours to Uruk near Samawah (5,000 BC) — the world's first city, where the first written words were created. Tour the ancient temples (lunchbox provided)
Continue to Najaf and visit the Shrine of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib in the evening, cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad

Overnight: ZamZam Hotel, NajafView on map

Friday 12 March 2027

Day 4 – Full Day in Najaf

A full day in one of Shia Islam's holiest cities, at your own pace.

Highlights

Morning visit to the Shrine of Imam Ali in daylight, then explore the little streets around the mosque
Kufa Mosque and the four shrines inside it — Maytham al-Tammar being the most important
Short stop at the Al Salah Mosque
Afternoon at Wadi Al Salam Cemetery, one of the largest and oldest cemeteries in the world

Overnight: ZamZam Hotel, NajafView on map

Saturday 13 March 2027

Day 5 – Najaf – Babylon – Karbala – Baghdad

After breakfast, one hour to Babylon for a full tour of the ancient city, then Karbala and on to Baghdad.

Highlights

Ishtar Gate — one of the most famous landmarks, built in the 6th century BCE, with glazed brickwork showing dragons and bulls
Lion of Babylon — a large stone statue symbolising the power of Babylon
The Processional Way — the ancient ceremonial road leading to the Ishtar Gate
Nebuchadnezzar's Palace — the remains of the grand palace of King Nebuchadnezzar II
Temple of Marduk (Esagila) — ruins of the temple to the chief Babylonian god
The ancient theatre attributed to Alexander the Great — built in the 4th century BCE, seating up to 1,000 spectators, a Hellenistic landmark
The Summer Palace — another of Nebuchadnezzar's palaces, used as respite from the heat
Saddam's Babylon Palace, built in the 1980s overlooking the ancient city
Lunch in a 4-star restaurant, then a 1h 20 min drive to Karbala
Afternoon visit to the Shrine of Imam Hussein, martyred at Karbala in 680 CE and a major pilgrimage site
The Shrine of Abbas ibn Ali, half-brother of Imam Hussein, known for his bravery in the battle of Karbala — 30 minutes walking inside
Dinner in a cultural restaurant, then drive to Baghdad in the evening to avoid traffic

Overnight: Oscar Hotel, BaghdadView on map

Najaf – Babylon – Karbala – Baghdad image 1

Najaf – Babylon – Karbala – Baghdad image 2

Najaf – Babylon – Karbala – Baghdad image 3

Najaf – Babylon – Karbala – Baghdad image 4

Sunday 14 March 2027

Day 6 – Baghdad City Tour

A full day walking through the layers of Baghdad, from the Abbasids to the Green Zone.

Highlights

Abbasid Palace, dating back to the 12th century — a remarkable example of Islamic architecture that served as an administrative and residential complex
Al-Rashid Street and the Haydar Khana Mosque
Al-Mustansiriya Madrasa — a 13th-century educational institution known for its stunning Islamic architecture
Al-Rashidiya Military School, reflecting the educational advances of its time
King Ghazi (Al Sarai) Mosque, built in 1776 — an architectural landmark and still a place of worship and community gathering
Stop for tea at Shabandar Tea House, one of the oldest tea houses in Baghdad
Continue along Al-Mutanabbi Street and walk through Souq al-Safafeer, one of the oldest bazaars in the world, famous for its handmade copperwork
Cross the Martyrs' Bridge on foot and visit the Al Wattar cultural heritage house
Lunch at Darbona Restaurant, run by the owner of the heritage house nearby
Visit the Green Zone to see the Victory Arch and the Monument of the Unknown Soldier
Visit the Iraqi Martyr Monument

Overnight: Oscar Hotel, BaghdadView on map

Monday 15 March 2027

Day 7 – Baghdad – Iraq Museum & Taq Kasra

The greatest collection of Mesopotamian artifacts in the world, and the largest brick arch ever built.

Highlights

Iraq Museum — opened in 1926, home to one of the world's most important collections of Mesopotamian artifacts, with treasures from Sumer, Akkad, Babylon and Assyria. Despite the looting of 2003 it remains a vital centre for Iraq's ancient heritage
Iraqi Cultural Monument — a symbolic structure representing Iraq's rich and diverse cultural history
Lunch in Baghdad
Taq Kasra near Baghdad — the world's largest brick arch, built during the Sassanian Empire as part of the imperial palace at Ctesiphon

Overnight: Oscar Hotel, BaghdadView on map

Baghdad – Iraq Museum & Taq Kasra image 1

Baghdad – Iraq Museum & Taq Kasra image 2

Tuesday 16 March 2027

Day 8 – Baghdad – Samarra – Hatra – Mosul

Early departure north: 133 km and about 2 hours from Baghdad to Samarra, then on to Hatra and Mosul.

Highlights

Great Mosque of Samarra, built in the 9th century by the Abbasid caliph Al-Mutawakkil and famous for its vast courtyard and the iconic spiral minaret, the Malwiya Tower
Climb the Abu Dalaf Mosque, an architectural marvel of the Abbasid era built in the 9th century under Caliph Al-Mutawakkil
Baraka Palace in Samarra — an Abbasid-era site, once a luxurious residence (viewed from the outside only)
3-hour drive to Hatra, the ancient Parthian city known for its well-preserved temples and defensive walls, a religious and trading hub blending Greco-Roman and eastern architecture
1h 30 min drive on to Mosul

Overnight: Pilot Hotel, MosulView on map

Baghdad – Samarra – Hatra – Mosul image 1

Baghdad – Samarra – Hatra – Mosul image 2

Wednesday 17 March 2027

Day 9 – Mosul – Full Day City Tour

A full day walking through a city that is rebuilding itself, from ancient Nineveh to the war years.

Highlights

Walking tour of the old bazaar, the cultural houses and ruins, and the fish market
The cultural houses hold traditional architecture, historical artifacts and local arts and crafts — and because they were used during the war you can see the sniper positions on the roofs and other military use
Al-Masfi Mosque, originally founded in 743 AD and also known as Al-Khuffafin Mosque, restored in 2012 and renovated again in 2024
Baytuna Cultural Museum
Walking tour to the Al-Nouri Mosque and the Al-Hadba Minaret, famous for its lean — both severely damaged and now under extensive restoration
The Assyrian Wall and the Adad Gate, remnants of ancient Nineveh — the wall dates to the 8th century BC and once enclosed the entire city
Visit the Tomb of the Prophet Jonah

Overnight: Pilot Hotel, MosulView on map

Thursday 18 March 2027

Day 10 – Mosul – Lalish – Duhok

Into Kurdistan, by way of the holiest site of the Yazidi faith and one of the oldest monasteries on earth.

Highlights

1h 30 min drive to visit the temple of Lalish
Visit Mar Mattai Monastery, a 4th-century Syriac Orthodox monastery perched on Mount Alfaf near Mosul — one of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world, known for its historic chapels, manuscripts and sweeping views over the Nineveh Plains

Overnight: Shawar Hotel, DuhokView on map

Friday 19 March 2027

Day 11 – Duhok – Amedi & Qubahan School

A day in the mountains around Duhok, in a town that has been inhabited for thousands of years.

Highlights

Visit the city of Amedi and the Mosul Gate — a dramatic ancient town built on a high plateau, known for its stone gate, narrow streets, panoramic views and its role as a historic centre of culture and learning in Kurdistan
Qubahan School, a historic 16th-century Islamic school near Amedi and once a major centre of learning in Kurdistan. Founded in the Ottoman era, it taught religious and scientific subjects and attracted students from across the region — its atmospheric ruins still show that heritage

Overnight: Shawar Hotel, DuhokView on map

Saturday 20 March 2027

Day 12 – Alqosh – Akre for Newroz

The last day: an ancient Christian town in the morning, and the Kurdish New Year fire festival at night.

Highlights

Visit the Christian town of Alqosh, famous for its ancient churches
Breakfast at Shahid Cafe, a coffee shop dedicated to the Peshmerga martyrs who fought against ISIS
Walk through the town and see the 7th-century Rabban Hormizd Monastery carved into the mountainside above it — one of the most important spiritual centres of Eastern Christianity
Drive to Akre for the Kurdish New Year
Celebrate Newroz in Akre, famous for its spectacular tradition where hundreds of locals carry flaming torches up the mountainside, symbolising renewal, freedom and the arrival of spring
Drive back to Erbil for the night

Overnight: My Hotel, ErbilView on map