Following the fall of ISIS in 2017, YPT conducted our first ever research trip to Baghdad and followed up with our first regular tour. It proved to be not only very safe but incredibly informative & fascinating. The region has world-class heritage in abundance and is completely unspoilt by tourism, meaning we will feel like the only foreign travellers in town. This is now quickly turning into a YPT signature tour and certainly one of our most interesting ones.
There is a huge amount of ancient and modern history waiting to be explored in Iraq. We’ll start our tour in Najaf which is well connected with flights and a good starting point away from high security Baghdad.
We’ll visit the ancient site of Babylon, the Mesopotamian marshes, see the holy city of Karbala and the southern city of Basra. We cover a huge amount of ground with our expert local guide explaining all as we go. We’ll be walking on the street and meeting people who are extremely eager to meet foreigners after their country was off limit for years! Prepare for all your preconceived ideas to be challenged but also to have a lot of fun!
After our time in Baghdad comes to close we will board a flight and head to Iraqi Kurdistan a prospective new nation protected by the Peshmerga which were at the forefront of the fight with ISIS. Despite its significance and proximity to probably the most tense area in the world, Kurdistan offers not only safety, but beautiful scenery, famed in Middle Eastern literature as a paradise on earth, with more than 3500 archaeological sites, and some of the most friendly and welcoming people on earth.
The trip takes us to the world’s only Yazidi shrine at Lalish, before heading north to Duhok, the Saddam palace, Amadiya, and then looping around and heading south to Sulamaniyah, and back to UNESCO World Heritage Site, Erbil, checking out lots of cool sights in between.
Friday 14th May – Najaf Arrival
Morning
Afternoon
Saturday 15th May – Najaf/Babylon/Karbala/Najaf
Morning
Afternoon
Sunday 16th May – Najaf/Nasriyah/Basra
Morning
Afternoon
Monday 17th May – Basra/Baghdad
Morning
Afternoon
Tuesday 18th May – Baghdad
Morning
Afternoon
Wednesday 19th May – Baghdad/Samarra/Baghdad
Morning
Afternoon
Thursday 20th May – Baghdad/Erbil
Morning
Friday 21st May – Duhok
Morning
Afternoon
Saturday 22nd May – Rawandas
Morning
Afternoon
Sunday 23rd May – Sulaymaniyah
Morning
Afternoon
Monday 24th May – Halabja/Sulaymaniyah
Morning
Afternoon
Tuesday 25th May – Sulaymaniyah/Erbil
Morning
Afternoon
Wednesday 26th May – Erbil
Want to extend your YPT adventure? Join one of our great tour extensions
• Iraqi Visa LOA support
• Accommodation on twin share basis
• Domestic flight from Baghdad to Erbil
• Breakfast and lunch
• Transport to complete the itinerary
• English speaking local guide and YPT guide at all times
• Entrance fees unless otherwise specified
• Iraqi Visa to be obtained at embassy after LOA secured
• Single Supplement (€600)
• International flights to Najaf and out of Baghdad
• Dinners and personal spending
• Tips for the local guide and drivers
We have expert guides ready to help answer any questions you may have.
©YoungPioneerTours.com 2023. All rights reserved.