This is the journey of a lifetime. Our 12-day program takes us to the dawn of history where the first civilization on earth flourished between and beyond the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. We cover historical sites like Babylon, Samara, Nimrud, Nineveh, Ukhaider, Ur, Qurna (Garden of Eden) – remnants of time long-gone. The tour also covers the medieval historical centres of Baghdad, Kerbala, Najaf, Mosul and Basra. This carefully tailored program proves Ben Johnson’s famous saying, “To be tired of Iraq is to be tired of life itself.” Our itinerary has also been tailored to accommodate those who would like to extend their stay in Iran, Syria, Lebanon or Jordan.
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Saturday: Arrive Tehran, IRAN
Our journey to the land between two rivers begins with our arrival at Mehrabad, International Airport in Tehran, the capital of Iran. After immigration and Custom formalities we are met and transferred to our hotel. The drive to the hotel provides a good opportunity to see the city.
Overnight Laleh Hotel, Tehran (1 night)
Day 2:
Sunday: Tehran/Kermanshah (Flight)
Breakfast at the hotel and depending on the flight timing, we may have some independent time to do some sightseeing of Tehran before we are transferred to the airport for our short flight to Kermanshah, the capital of Kermanshah province. Kermanshah is also home to a large number of Iranian Kurds who number 7% of the population of Iran. Kermanshah’s origin goes back to the Paleolithic and Neolithic times. Upon arrival we are warmly welcomed and transferred t o our hotel.
Overnight Azadegan Hotel, Kermanshah (1 night)
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Day 3:
Monday: Kermanshah/Baghdad, IRAQ
The excitement kicks in today as we prepare for our journey to Iraq. We take a scenic countryside westbound drive and upon arrival at the international frontier that saw the 10 years war between Iran and Iraq, we prepare first with the exit formalities of Iran. This border is an interesting check post as it also used by many Iranian Shiite pilgrims who visit the religious sites in Iraq on a regular basis. After the Iranian formalities are completed, we board a local bus for our transfer across the no man’s land to the Iraqi side where we complete with the Iraqi immigration, customs and health formalities. Once that is done we continue with our journey to Baghdad - the majestic world center during medieval times. Time permitting we take a brief tour of Baghdad. We overnight at the world famous hotel – Al Rasheed.
Overnight Al Rasheed Hotel, Baghdad (1 night)
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Day 4:
Tuesday: Baghdad/Mosul (Drive)
Our first exposure to Mesopotamia is as we drive northwards to the city of Mosul. En route we visit the ancient city of Samarra famous for the spiral Minaret and the beautiful shrine of Imam Ali El Hadi and the Great Mosque. Close to Samarra is the place where the last Imam of Shiite Islam disappeared. The countryside drive gives us an interesting understanding of the rural set up of Iraq.
Overnight Nineveh Oberoi Hotel, Mosul (2 nights)
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Day 5:
Wednesday: Mosul
Our day begins with a visit first to Nimrud, the second Assyrian capital, where we visit the well-stocked museum. This is followed by a visit to the Palace of Assurnasirpal II. Afternoon, we continue our tour of Nineveh, the third Assyrian capital followed by a visit to the Biblical Jonah’s tomb. The tomb is a beautiful piece of architecture and offers a breathtaking aerial view of the city. We also visit the shrine of Imam Yahya bin el Qasim, Bash Tapia castle, the Attahira Church and the Qara Serai – the Black Palace. En route to our hotel, a stop will also be made at the 52meter bent Minaret of the Great Nurid Mosque
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Day 6:
Thursday: Mosul/Baghdad (Drive)
Morning we take a tour of Mosul city which is the third largest city in Iraq. It is mostly inhabited by Iraqi Christians and has some interesting churches including the Clock and Latin Church. Mosul was once a walled city and has some interesting bazaars too. We then head southwards to Baghdad. En route we stop at villages and get an idea of the life in rural Iraq.
Overnight Al Rasheed Hotel, Baghdad (1 night)
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Day 7:
Friday: Baghdad/Babylon/Hilla (Drive)
An exciting day ahead as we start with a visit to the incredible and magnificent Ukhaider castle followed by the holy city of Kerbala where the Shiite Imam Hussein fought a tragic battle. It is today the most important pilgrimage site in Iraq and is always full of pilgrims from different parts of the world. Afternoon we continue our drive to Babylon – the ancient city of Mesopotamia that flourished between 2000 and 323 BC. It was the capital of Hummurabi (1792–1750 BC) and later restored from the destruction done by Assyrians It became noted for its hanging gardens – one of the seven wonders of world. We visit this huge site where a lot of it is still preserved including seeing the famous Lion of Babylon.
Overnight Babylon Hotel, Hilla (1 night)
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Day 8:
Saturday: Hilla/Ur/Basra (Drive)
Today we proceed southwards to Basra visiting first Borsippa ziggurat with its dark green lumps of molten bricks and the holy cities of Kufa and Najaf. Next, we visit the Summerian city of Ur with its wind swept ziggurat. Sumerian civilization dates back from 4000 to 2000 B.C. and is known for achieving a highly developed civilisation known for its agriculture and canal systems. We then visit ancient Babylonian city of Ur – the birthplace of Prophet Abraham. We also see the restored house where the Prophet actually resided.
Overnight Sheraton Hotel, Basra (1 night)
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Day 9:
Sunday: Basra/Qurna/Baghdad (Drive)
This morning we take a brief tour of the second largest city in Iraq. Basra, founded in 637 A.D. is located in the south at the mouth of the Persian Gulf and is in close proximity to Kuwait. Basra's Bazaar in the Ashar district is full of old houses with balconies leaning into the narrow streets and beautiful wooden facades in the style of old Arabian architecture. Our next stop is to Qurna where we visit the actual place that housed the legendary Garden of Eden. This is where the Euphrates and Tigris meet. The village near the town of Qurna depicts bygone days by even Iraqi standards. We visit the villages before heading back to the capital city of Baghdad.
Overnight Al Rasheed Hotel, Baghdad (2 nights)
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Day 10:
Monday: Baghdad
Our day tour of Baghdad starts with the Ctesiphon - the widest single span vault of brickwork in the world and the Kassite ziggurat of Agagourf. We then visit the National Museum followed by a tour of the city with its many elegant mosques, well laid out streets and souqs. Baghdad has several beautiful bridges linking the different parts of the cities across the Tigris river. It was established in 762 A.D. as the Abbasid capital and grew up to be the financial and more importantly the cultural center especially during the reign of Haroon Al Rashid
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Day 11:
Tuesday: Baghdad/Damascus, SYRIA (Flight)
Morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Damascus – the oldest living city in the world. We are met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. Afternoon we take a tour of Damascus including the world famous Ummayad Mosque and walk along the street called straight.
Overnight Cham Palace Hotel, Damascus (1 night)
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Day 12:
Wednesday: Depart Damascus
Our journey to the land where it all began culminates with our transfer to the airport for our departure flight.
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Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Departure Dates for 2004:
Apr 19 & Oct 04
-Approximate round trip using British
Airways , KLM or Lufthansa:
from New York: US$ 900
from Los Angeles: US$ 1110
Also see tour packages in:
Middle East
Iran
Iraq
Syria
History Whiz
Archeology/History
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