THE TRIP JOURNAL

Group Gallery

Travelers from different countries gather here, speaking their native languages, yet all expressing the same sense of wonder. Words may fade, but the expressions in these photos never will. Every frame of light and shadow in this gallery is a badge of honor we’ve woven together with friends from around the world.

FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad to Basra, February 2026

Babylon · Baghdad · Basra · Erbil · Karbala · Mosul · Muthanna · Najaf · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In February 2026, eighteen travelers from Taiwan joined us for a route covering Baghdad, Babylon, Samarra, Mosul, Erbil, Karbala, Najaf, Nasiriyah, Muthanna, and Basra. We walked through the Mosul old city and saw the Al-Nuri mosque, and stood beneath the Malwiya spiral minaret at the Great Mosque of Samarra. The group ate meals inside a traditional reed mudhif and visited the Ishtar Gate in Babylon, the Erbil Citadel, the Swords of Qadisiyah in Baghdad, and the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf alongside the Imam Husayn shrine in Karbala.

Taiwan
Two golden minarets with ornate patterns viewed through curved metal arches against a gray sky.
KARBALA · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Row of modern high-rise apartment buildings under construction with palm trees and grassy foreground.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
People eat at a long table inside a reed mudhif with patterned cushions and woven walls.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Two people in red jackets photograph a large blue UNESCO poster on a weathered wall in a cobblestone street.
MOSUL · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
A woman stands on a cobblestone path beside a stone wall with a grassy citadel above under a cloudy sky.
ERBIL · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing under a large brick arch with a spiral minaret behind them in bright sunlight.
SAMARRA · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists standing before the blue-glazed Ishtar Gate with animal reliefs under a clear sky.
BABYLON · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Two travelers pose with peace signs in a wet fish market with tables of dried fish and vendors in the background.
BASRA · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers walking across a dry, eroded archaeological site under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Two women in patterned abayas pose before a golden-domed shrine with minarets under clear sky.
KARBALA · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Shoppers browse perfumes and gold in a bustling indoor market with glass display cases and Arabic signage.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
People seated on patterned rugs inside a reed mudhif structure, eating from a long table with food and drinks.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers walking through rubble-strewn streets of a destroyed city under blue sky.
MOSUL · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk up a paved path beside a grassy hill with ancient stone walls under a blue sky.
ERBIL · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Blue glazed gate with animal reliefs under a clear sky, people standing nearby on paved ground.
BABYLON · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Two travelers pose in a wet fish market with tables of fish and vendors in the background.
BASRA · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing in front of two crossed swords monument under blue sky.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
People seated on patterned cushions inside a reed mudhif, eating at a long table with Iraqi flags overhead.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Four men stand in a desert with two tour buses parked nearby under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Group of women in matching robes posing for photo near ornate fence and palm trees.
KARBALA · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Sun flares through arched openings in the ancient brick minaret of Samarra's Great Mosque.
SAMARRA · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Woman standing before a large blue gate with glazed animal reliefs under a partly cloudy sky.
BABYLON · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists gather near stone walls and information signs below a grassy hill topped by a historic citadel.
ERBIL · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk beside a long stone wall with crenellations under a partly cloudy sky.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists photograph a UNESCO informational poster on a weathered stone wall in a cobblestone courtyard.
MOSUL · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers gathered around a stone slab under brick columns in a desert setting.
MUTHANNA · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Night view of a tiled shrine entrance with green neon Arabic script, people walking on paved plaza.
KARBALA · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Four people pose in front of two giant crossed swords held by hands, under a clear blue sky.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk past the Malwiya spiral minaret and brick walls of Samarra's Great Mosque under a clear sky.
SAMARRA · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk among ruined stone buildings under a partly cloudy sky.
MOSUL · FEB 2026 · 16 TRAVELERS

FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad to Basra, February 2026

Baghdad · Basra · Karbala · Mosul · Muthanna · Najaf · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In February 2026, fifty travelers from Spain joined us to tour Baghdad, Mosul, Samarra, Karbala, Najaf, Nasiriyah, Muthanna, and Basra. We walked past the weathered stone monuments in Nasiriyah and examined the ancient stone relief carving of a winged human-headed bull in Mosul. The group gathered near the Malwiya spiral minaret in Samarra and ate inside a traditional reed mudhif in the south. Along the way, we visited the Iraq Museum in Baghdad and the Imam Husayn shrine in Karbala.

Spain
Pedestrians and scooters on a narrow street lined with shops and palm trees under overcast sky.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing under a large brick archway with a spiral minaret visible behind them.
SAMARRA · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group dining inside a reed mudhif with arched walls, colorful rugs, and Iraqi flags on display.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS
Ancient stone relief carving of a winged human-headed bull under a clear blue sky.
MOSUL · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers gathers around a guide holding papers near a weathered mud-brick wall under clear sky.
MUTHANNA · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS
Golden-tiled shrine illuminated at night with crowds gathered below and a minaret glowing green.
KARBALA · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS
Train booking counter with green metal grilles, marble columns, and wall clocks showing global time zones.
BASRA · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS
Entrance to the Iraq Museum with blue tiled panels showing ancient Mesopotamian scenes and Arabic signage above the doors.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group dining inside a reed mudhif with arched walls, Iraqi flags, and patterned rugs.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS
A hand holds a fragment of ancient pottery with black geometric patterns against a sandy background.
MUTHANNA · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS
Ancient stone relief carving of a winged human figure with a beard, set in a weathered outdoor wall.
MOSUL · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS
Golden shrine with ornate tilework and minarets at night, people gathered near entrance.
KARBALA · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS
Interior of a stone church with wooden pews, red carpet, and religious icons under arched ceilings.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists standing under a large stone archway of an ancient mosque.
SAMARRA · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists in hats standing near cracked mud-brick walls under an arch in a desert landscape.
MUTHANNA · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS
Crowd gathered at night before a golden shrine with minarets and tiled walls.
KARBALA · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tourists sit on a boat with green flooring, Iraqi flag flying, on a wide river under blue sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS
Ancient stone stele with carved figures and cuneiform script on display indoors.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists standing before a large spiral minaret and brick wall under blue sky.
SAMARRA · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of visitors standing inside ancient mud-brick ruins under open sky.
MUTHANNA · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tour group views a wooden model of a ziggurat inside a museum gallery with light blue walls.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS
Headstone of Charles F. Brissel, U.S. Consul, in a cemetery with palm trees and other graves under clear sky.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS
Golden shrine with minarets lit at night, surrounded by crowds of people in dark clothing.
KARBALA · FEB 2026 · 15 TRAVELERS

JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Babylon to Erbil, January 2026

Babylon · Baghdad · Basra · Erbil · Mosul · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra · Sulaymaniyah

In January 2026, twenty-five travelers from Taiwan joined us for a route covering Baghdad, Babylon, Samarra, Mosul, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Nasiriyah, Muthanna, and Basra. We walked through the ruins of Babylon past the Lion of Babylon and the Ishtar Gate, and climbed the Malwiya spiral minaret at the Great Mosque of Samarra. In Sulaymaniyah, the group visited Amna Suraka, and in Erbil we spent time around the Erbil Citadel. Along the waterways, passengers rode a wooden boat with tires near industrial towers, and in a reed-walled room we sat on patterned rugs around a long table with fish dishes.

Taiwan
Brick arches of a historic mosque reflected in a puddle, with scaffolding along the base.
SAMARRA · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Passengers ride a wooden boat with tires along a waterway near a large ship and industrial towers.
BASRA · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
People seated on patterned rugs around a long table with fish dishes and side plates in a reed-walled room.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing on a bench inside a photo-filled room with Arabic signage and a beverage cooler.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Ruins of ancient mud-brick structures in a flat desert landscape with wooden walkways.
MUTHANNA · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
White tour bus parked outside Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Mosul Corniche hotel at night with illuminated signage.
MOSUL · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Stone lion statue on a pedestal in an open field with palm trees in the background.
BABYLON · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Brick wall with a series of nested arches receding into shadow.
SAMARRA · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists gathers at night around a large statue in a lit plaza with modern buildings nearby.
SULAYMANIYAH · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Visitors walk through a wooden balcony with arched stained-glass windows inside a historic building.
ERBIL · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Group of people eating a meal on a long table inside a reed mudhif structure.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Stone wall with crenellations lines a wet roadside with cars and a tour bus under overcast sky.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Sunset over water with city skyline silhouetted against golden sky, viewed from a boat.
BASRA · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Two men stand before a blue-glazed brick wall with animal reliefs and an arched gateway.
BABYLON · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand on wooden walkways near ancient mud-brick ruins under scaffolding in a desert landscape.
MUTHANNA · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
People seated on cushions around a long table with food inside a reed mudhif structure.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Stone gateway with Arabic calligraphy arching over an open door leading to a courtyard with arched windows.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists and locals gather in a cobblestone courtyard beside ancient brick walls under a cloudy sky.
ERBIL · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Illuminated spiral minaret viewed through an arched stone frame at dusk.
SAMARRA · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Group of visitors standing outside a brick building with a sign reading 'Amna Suraka' under a flag.
SULAYMANIYAH · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk along a paved path beside a reconstructed brick wall with crenellations under clear sky.
BABYLON · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
A water buffalo wades through marshland reeds under a partly cloudy sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand on a paved waterfront promenade beside a large white yacht under a clear blue sky.
BASRA · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers and a priest posing in front of a grotto with a statue of the Virgin Mary.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists gather on a cobblestone courtyard inside Erbil Citadel, taking photos near brick walls and a flag.
ERBIL · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists standing before a large blue gate with animal reliefs under a clear sky.
BABYLON · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Close-up of an ancient cuneiform-inscribed clay brick embedded in a weathered mud-brick wall.
MUTHANNA · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Illuminated spiral minaret viewed through a stone arch at dusk, with low buildings and a flag nearby.
SAMARRA · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
People seated on cushions around a long table inside a reed mudhif, eating a meal with flatbreads and dishes.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk past damaged buildings on a sunny street in Mosul.
MOSUL · JAN 2026 · 18 TRAVELERS

JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad, Babylon and Ur, January 2026

Babylon · Baghdad · Erbil · Karbala · Mosul · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In January 2026, 28 travelers from Spain joined us across Iraq. We walked past the carved animal reliefs on the ancient brick wall in Babylon and looked up at the Malwiya spiral minaret at the Great Mosque of Samarra. In Nasiriyah, the group visited the Ziggurat of Ur under an open blue sky. We also stopped in Baghdad, Erbil, Karbala, Mosul, and Muthanna to see the cities firsthand.

Spain
Ancient brick wall with carved animal reliefs under a blue sky.
BABYLON · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS
Two-story wooden building with balconies and awnings beside a brick bridge under a blue sky.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS
Weathered two-story wooden buildings line a quiet street under a bright blue sky with contrails.
MOSUL · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS
Two travelers sit on patterned cushions inside a reed mudhif with a local man, sharing a meal on the floor.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS
Ancient brick wall with carved animal reliefs under a blue sky.
BABYLON · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS
Tourists gather in a sunlit courtyard beside ancient brick walls and arches.
SAMARRA · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS
Two illuminated minarets flank a golden-domed shrine at dusk, with tiled archways and courtyard visible.
KARBALA · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS
Night cityscape with heavy traffic on a wide avenue, illuminated buildings, and distant golden domes.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS
Group of people climbing a large eroded mud-brick mound under clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers standing near a fence beside a large stone mosque with a tall minaret under a clear blue sky.
ERBIL · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS
Stone arch with melted candles and gum stuck to its base, beside potted palm and Arabic sign.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS
Tourists browse street food stalls amid damaged buildings under a cloudy sky.
MOSUL · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS
A tall spiral minaret rises above beige rooftops and a palm tree under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS
Relief of a lion carved into a beige brick wall, part of ancient Babylon's Ishtar Gate.
BABYLON · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS
Weathered mud-brick walls of an ancient ruin under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
MUTHANNA · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS
Night view of a congested highway from a rooftop terrace with people standing at the railing.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS
People gather around a street food cart in a damaged urban area with ruined buildings.
MOSUL · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS
Ancient brick wall with carved animal reliefs under a blue sky.
BABYLON · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS
People sit and stand in a traditional wooden interior with framed photos on walls and a birdcage hanging.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing in front of the Great Mosque of Samarra's spiral minaret under scaffolding on a sunny day.
SAMARRA · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists standing on a sandy mound under clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS
People ride traditional boats through reed-lined marshes under a clear blue sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS
People sit at wooden tables in a crowded traditional café with framed photos on walls.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2026 · 28 TRAVELERS

DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Babylon to Erbil, December 2025

Babylon · Baghdad · Basra · Erbil · Karbala · Kirkuk · Mosul · Muthanna · Najaf · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In December 2025, twenty-five travellers from Taiwan joined us for a route stretching across Babylon, Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, Karbala, Kirkuk, Mosul, Muthanna, Najaf, Nasiriyah, and Samarra. We stood by the stone relief of the lion carved into the weathered brick wall at Babylon and walked through the Qaysari bazaar in Erbil. The group also viewed the Malwiya spiral minaret in Samarra and walked on red patterned carpet inside the shrines in Najaf and Karbala. From the southern palace to the Al-Shaheed Monument in Baghdad, we covered a lot of ground in nine days.

Taiwan
Curved brick wall with crenellations and Arabic calligraphy under a clear blue sky.
KIRKUK · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
A large circular monument with a patterned facade and a central sculptural element under a clear blue sky.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Visitors stand on red patterned carpet inside ornate shrine with blue tilework and Arabic calligraphy.
KARBALA · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Illuminated cable-stayed bridge over water at night with colorful lights reflecting on the surface.
BASRA · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Stone relief of a lion carved into a weathered brick wall.
BABYLON · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Ancient brick archway framing a distant spiral minaret against a cloudy sky.
SAMARRA · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists browse brassware in a covered market alley with vendor displaying ornate plates and statues.
ERBIL · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Man in blue jacket holds grilled fish on woven plate inside reed-walled room with patterned rugs.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Close-up of ancient cuneiform inscriptions carved into weathered mud-brick blocks.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Ornate blue and gold tiled shrine interior with Arabic calligraphy and metal grilles.
KARBALA · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists pose inside a richly tiled shrine hall with Arabic calligraphy banners and red patterned carpets.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Night view of a lit cable-stayed bridge over water with colorful reflections on the river surface.
BASRA · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Brick arch frames a wooden walkway leading to a citadel on a hill under a pale sky.
ERBIL · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists sit in colorful marsh boats on calm water surrounded by reeds.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Row of ancient stone columns under blue sky with distant tower and wall.
MOSUL · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Brick fortress gate with arched entrance and crenellated parapet under daylight.
SAMARRA · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
A woman in a yellow coat stands beside a green gate and a sign welcoming visitors to Uruk ancient city in a desert.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Long table with food and drinks set on patterned rugs inside a reed-built structure with arched ceilings.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Illuminated blue and purple bridge spanning a river at night with reflections on water.
BASRA · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Three people pose in front of a large blue gate with animal reliefs under an overcast sky.
BABYLON · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Crowd browsing art and souvenirs in a covered market street with Arabic signage overhead.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Visitors in headscarves stand near an ornate wooden shrine inside a stone-walled chamber.
KARBALA · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Two people photographing a traditional wooden balcony on a brick building.
ERBIL · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Sunlit brick arches and the spiral minaret of Samarra's Great Mosque under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists standing in front of ancient mud-brick ruins under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists photograph a brick wall beside a sign pointing to The southern palace.
BABYLON · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Shoppers browse colorful pencils and artwork in a covered market alley with Arabic signage overhead.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Group seated on patterned cushions inside a reed mudhif with Iraqi flags and lanterns on woven walls.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers standing on a rooftop overlooking a dense cityscape under hazy sky.
NAJAF · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Interior of a shrine with mirrored walls, crystal chandeliers, and visitors seated on patterned carpets.
KARBALA · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand on a rooftop overlooking ancient eroded mud-brick mounds under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists browse ornate metal plates in a covered market alley with stone pavement and hanging lights.
ERBIL · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand under arched brick corridors with geometric stonework and lanterns.
SAMARRA · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers and locals posing inside a shop with Arabic signage and decorative items.
BASRA · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists photographing themselves in front of a reconstructed brick gate with arched entryways.
BABYLON · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists browse a street market stall piled with cut pomegranates under daylight.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS

DEC 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Babylon to Sulaymaniyah, December 2025

Babylon · Baghdad · Basra · Karbala · Muthanna · Samarra · Sulaymaniyah

In December 2025, eighteen travellers from Italy joined us to see Babylon, Baghdad, Basra, Karbala, Muthanna, Samarra, and Sulaymaniyah. We stood before the Ishtar Gate and the Lion of Babylon, and visited the Great Mosque of Samarra and the Malwiya spiral minaret. The group also walked down Al-Mutanabbi Street in Baghdad, saw the Imam Husayn shrine in Karbala, and went to Ahmed Awa in Sulaymaniyah.

Italy
Man stands beside yellow vintage Chevrolet Apache truck at night in a lit urban plaza with pedestrians.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing on a bridge before a waterfall surrounded by autumn trees.
SULAYMANIYAH · DEC 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
A blue sign reading 'The first written words started here' stands before a large eroded mud-brick mound under a clear sky.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Ornate mosque interior with patterned domes, chandeliers, and red prayer carpets under arched windows.
KARBALA · DEC 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
A man stands atop a tall, ancient brick minaret under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · DEC 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tourists pose in front of a large blue gate with animal reliefs under a clear sky.
BABYLON · DEC 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Modern glass building with palm trees and manicured lawn under clear blue sky.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing on a platform before a waterfall cascading over rocky cliffs surrounded by greenery.
SULAYMANIYAH · DEC 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tourists view the Great Mosque of Samarra's ruined arch under scaffolding at dusk.
SAMARRA · DEC 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers sitting on patterned rugs in a lit courtyard at night with a tall minaret behind.
KARBALA · DEC 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Man stands beside yellow vintage truck with wooden sides on a lit street at night.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Wooden walkway leads through desert ruins under a brick arch, with visitors and a distant building on a hill.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing beside the Lion of Babylon statue under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
BABYLON · DEC 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
A person stands before the ancient spiral minaret of Samarra under a clear blue sky, framed by brick arches.
SAMARRA · DEC 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Man stands beside vintage blue Volkswagen Beetle inside a tiled exhibition hall with framed photos and Arabic signage.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Two men crouch beside a blue vintage Volkswagen Beetle inside a tiled exhibition hall with framed photos and Arabic signage.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tourists photograph the Malwiya spiral minaret against a clear blue sky in a desert setting.
SAMARRA · DEC 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing on a tiled platform before a rocky cliff with a waterfall and greenery.
SULAYMANIYAH · DEC 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Outdoor swimming pool with lounge chairs, palm trees, and a city skyline featuring a tall domed tower.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing beside the Lion of Babylon statue under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
BABYLON · DEC 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS

DEC 2025 · 12 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad, Erbil, and Ur, December 2025

Baghdad · Erbil · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In December 2025, fifteen travellers from Germany joined us for a tour through Iraq. We walked through the Erbil Citadel and visited the Ziggurat of Ur in Nasiriyah. The group also stopped at the Malwiya spiral minaret in Samarra, the Al-Shaheed monument in Baghdad, and the Swords of Qadisiyah.

Germany
Man with camera and bag stands on wooden platform before eroded mud-brick ruins under blue sky.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2025 · 12 TRAVELERS
Man stands before ancient mud-brick ziggurat with palm tree and scaffolding on its upper level.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · DEC 2025 · 12 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing in front of a shop with wooden balconies and stone columns in Erbil Citadel.
ERBIL · DEC 2025 · 12 TRAVELERS
Man in beret and jacket stands on rooftop with tall spiral minaret behind him under overcast sky.
SAMARRA · DEC 2025 · 12 TRAVELERS
Man stands before large bronze sculpture of seated figures with palm trees and modern building behind.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2025 · 12 TRAVELERS
Man in beret sits at table with camera and phone in arched outdoor cafe with patrons.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2025 · 12 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing outside a shop with ornate columns and Arabic signage.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2025 · 12 TRAVELERS
Man stands before large stone monument with black relief sculptures of warriors, people walking nearby on paved plaza.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2025 · 12 TRAVELERS
Man in beret and jacket stands on rooftop with tall spiral minaret behind him under overcast sky.
SAMARRA · DEC 2025 · 12 TRAVELERS
Man stands before a large stone lion sculpture in a desert archaeological site.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2025 · 12 TRAVELERS
Man holding camera stands in crowded courtyard with arched colonnades and Arabic signage.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2025 · 12 TRAVELERS
Two men pose for a selfie with blue teardrop-shaped monuments and palm trees in the background.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2025 · 12 TRAVELERS

NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad to Erbil, November 2025

Babylon · Baghdad · Duhok · Erbil · Karbala · Mosul · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra · Sulaymaniyah

In November 2025, we guided 18 travelers from Italy across Baghdad, Babylon, Karbala, Samarra, Mosul, Nasiriyah, Muthanna, Duhok, Sulaymaniyah, and Erbil. We stood by the Swords of Qadisiyah in Baghdad under the bright sun, walked past the brick walls of the Erbil Citadel, and visited the Imam Husayn shrine in Karbala. The group also viewed the Lion of Babylon and the Ishtar Gate in Babylon, the Great Mosque of Samarra with its Malwiya spiral minaret, and the Ziggurat of Ur in Nasiriyah.

Italy
Swords of Qadisiyah monument under bright sun with palm tree and modern buildings in background.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Ornate golden shrine interior with chandelier, patterned carpet, and visitors near grated enclosure.
KARBALA · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Stone-paved alley between ancient walls under a tree, leading uphill toward a sunlit citadel entrance.
ERBIL · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Brick fortress with arched gateway and crenellated walls under blue sky.
SAMARRA · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing in front of a blue glazed brick gate with animal reliefs under a clear sky.
BABYLON · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Ancient stone columns with carved capitals stand under night sky, illuminated against darkness.
MOSUL · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Five people stand before ancient mud-brick ruins under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
View from inside a cave looking out at a rocky cliff and a person walking near a black metal fence under blue sky.
SULAYMANIYAH · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Bread stall in a market with staff behind counters and framed portraits above.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Stone temple with conical roofs under a clear blue sky, surrounded by ancient walls and dry vines.
DUHOK · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Ornate interior with crystal ceiling, chandelier, Arabic calligraphy panels, and open doorway to grated chamber.
KARBALA · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing on stone steps before a historic arched gateway in a walled citadel.
ERBIL · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Weathered mud-brick archway with crumbling edges, revealing a distant palm tree and flat horizon.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
A wooden boat with patterned cushions rests at a reed-lined riverbank under a clear blue sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Four tourists stand near a large stone lion statue under a clear sky with palm trees in the background.
BABYLON · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing in front of a large spiral minaret under clear sky.
SAMARRA · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Two people on a grassy slope below a rocky cliff with a large cave entrance under a blue sky.
SULAYMANIYAH · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists gather inside a stone-walled chamber with a sign reading 'Shamash Cells'.
MOSUL · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Eroded mud-brick layers of an ancient desert mound under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Man in traditional robe and red fez sits at ornate desk using vintage telephone, framed portraits and Iraqi flag behind.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Night street with string lights, shops, and a minaret visible in the background.
ERBIL · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
A person kneels beside an ornate metal shrine under a crystal chandelier in a glittering domed hall.
KARBALA · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Stone circular platform with tiered steps under a blue sky, surrounded by a crenellated brick wall.
SAMARRA · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
View from inside a large cave looking out to bright daylight where visitors stand near a fenced area.
SULAYMANIYAH · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Ancient stone temple with columns and arches illuminated at night, steps leading up to entrance.
MOSUL · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Man smiling beside citrus fruit stall in covered market with arched roof and shoppers.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Close-up of ornate brickwork and Arabic calligraphy on a mosque facade under bright sunlight.
SAMARRA · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Four people stand before a large eroded mud-brick mound under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Stone steps with metal rail lead up a grassy slope toward a large cave entrance in a rocky cliff under blue sky.
SULAYMANIYAH · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Ornate interior dome with chandelier, Arabic calligraphy, and gold detailing in a shrine.
KARBALA · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing in front of a large ancient brick ziggurat under clear sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2025 · 18 TRAVELERS

NOV 2025 · 14 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad, Basra, and Karbala, November 2025

Baghdad · Basra · Karbala · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes

In November 2025, 28 travellers from italy joined us across Baghdad, Basra, Karbala, Muthanna, and Nasiriyah. We walked through the halls of the Iraq Museum in Baghdad and stood inside the Imam Husayn shrine in Karbala, surrounded by mirrored walls and blue tiles with Arabic calligraphy. Days included sitting in colorful wooden boats on a marshy riverbank and eating meals inside a reed mudhif. We also stopped at eroded mud-brick tower ruins on rocky desert mounds and shared large spreads of Iraqi dishes on patterned tablecloths.

Germany
Eroded mud-brick tower ruin on a rocky desert mound under clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2025 · 14 TRAVELERS
People sit in colorful wooden boats on a marshy riverbank with reeds and trees under a clear sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2025 · 14 TRAVELERS
Men standing inside a grand shrine with mirrored walls, chandeliers, and Arabic calligraphy on blue tiles.
KARBALA · NOV 2025 · 14 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing by a riverside pavilion with Tigris river behind.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2025 · 14 TRAVELERS
People sit on patterned mats inside a reed mudhif, eating from a long table under arched reed ceilings.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2025 · 14 TRAVELERS
Three people ride a motorized boat with tires on the Shatt al-Arab waterway under a bridge.
BASRA · NOV 2025 · 14 TRAVELERS
Ornate golden shrine with silver chainmail doors inside a marble-tiled hall.
KARBALA · NOV 2025 · 14 TRAVELERS
Man sits on ornate bench holding white cat, river visible behind railing under clear sky.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2025 · 14 TRAVELERS
People seated on patterned rugs inside a reed mudhif, sharing a meal on a long table.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2025 · 14 TRAVELERS
Three tourists browse antiques in a cluttered shop with Iraqi flag, vintage TVs, and plants.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2025 · 14 TRAVELERS
Six men stand on a sandy mound with a ruined mud-brick tower behind them under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2025 · 14 TRAVELERS
Two wooden boats carry people through reed-lined waterways under an overcast sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2025 · 14 TRAVELERS
Five men stand before a large eroded mud-brick mound under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2025 · 14 TRAVELERS
Visitors view ancient artifacts in glass cases under an ornate ceiling inside a museum.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2025 · 14 TRAVELERS

OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad to Basra, October 2025

Babylon · Baghdad · Basra · Erbil · Karbala · Kirkuk · Muthanna · Najaf · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In October 2025, fifty travelers from Spain joined us across Baghdad, Babylon, Karbala, Najaf, Nasiriyah, Samarra, Erbil, Kirkuk, Muthanna, and Basra. We walked through the Ishtar Gate in Babylon and climbed the Malwiya spiral minaret at the Great Mosque of Samarra. Later, we stood before the Ziggurat of Ur in Nasiriyah and looked up at the Erbil Citadel. We also visited the Iraq Museum and Al-Shaheed Monument in Baghdad, plus the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf and the Imam Husayn shrine in Karbala.

Spain
Street view of traditional brick buildings with wooden balconies under a clear sky.
ERBIL · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Reed mudhif structure with tall columns and arched entrance under clear sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Man praying at an ornate green and silver grille inside a shrine.
KARBALA · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Outdoor terrace with tables and glass floor overlooking a river and city skyline under clear blue sky.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Crowd walking under ornate tiled arch toward golden domes of a shrine at night.
NAJAF · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tour group on wooden walkway examining maps near desert mounds behind chain-link fence.
MUTHANNA · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists and locals inside a historic shrine with ornate ceilings and carved wooden screens.
KIRKUK · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Three people walk past a large brick building with arched windows and intricate stonework under bright sun.
SAMARRA · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists sit inside a boat on a wide river with city skyline visible in the distance.
BASRA · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Colorful wooden boats with patterned cushions moored along a reed-lined riverbank under a clear blue sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Crowd gathered at night under an ornate tiled arch facing a golden-domed shrine with minarets.
KARBALA · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists standing before a large blue gate with animal reliefs under a clear sky.
BABYLON · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Person in blue striped dress sits on a boat facing a cable-stayed bridge over water at dusk.
BASRA · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists browse pottery and woven mats in a crowded market stall under hanging rugs.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk along the curved brick arcade of a historic mosque under a clear sky.
SAMARRA · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Three tourists stand in a sunlit desert ruin with arched mud-brick walls under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing on steps in front of ornate wooden doors and a stone lamassu statue.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
A person walks through a row of ancient brick arches under a clear sky.
SAMARRA · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Person photographing from a boat on a wide river with city buildings in the distance at sunset.
BASRA · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists browse woven baskets and pottery in a covered market stall.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
People aboard a boat on a wide river with a city skyline and arched building in the distance.
BASRA · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Street lined with traditional wooden balconied buildings under a clear sky, people walking and cars parked.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Two people stand before a black metal fence viewing a sand-colored building with blue-glazed arch and crenellated walls.
BABYLON · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
A tall spiral brick minaret stands in a desert with two people walking near its base and one person atop.
SAMARRA · OCT 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS

OCT 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad, Babylon and Ur, October 2025

Babylon · Baghdad · Basra · Erbil · Karbala · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra · Sulaymaniyah

In October 2025, twenty-five travelers from Italy joined us to see Iraq. We walked past the eroded mud-brick mound at the Ziggurat of Ur in Nasiriyah and stood before the ancient glazed brick reliefs of a lion and bull on a weathered wall at Babylon. The group also visited Baghdad, Samarra, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Basra, Karbala, and Muthanna. Along the way, we stopped at the Al-Abbas shrine in Karbala, the Al-Kadhimiya shrine in Baghdad, the Erbil Citadel, and the Malwiya spiral minaret in Samarra.

Italy
Eroded mud-brick mound under clear blue sky with paved foreground.
MUTHANNA · OCT 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Ancient glazed brick reliefs of a lion and bull on a weathered wall.
BABYLON · OCT 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Modern monument with curved, patterned facade and red marble base under cloudy sky.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
People stand on a wooden walkway beside a curved waterfall in a river at dusk with a modern arched bridge behind.
SULAYMANIYAH · OCT 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Cobblestone street lined with shops and string lights, tall minaret visible at end under blue sky.
ERBIL · OCT 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Intricate stucco carvings on a wall with the Great Mosque of Samarra's arched facade visible in the background under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · OCT 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Beige tiled wall with Arabic and English text welcoming visitors to Basrah Railway Station.
BASRA · OCT 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Two people climb stone steps toward a massive ancient mud-brick ziggurat under a clear blue sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · OCT 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Men seated on cushioned benches in a traditional café with wooden pillars, framed photos, and a ceiling fan.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Two tall spiral minarets flank a gated entrance to a historic mosque under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · OCT 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Stone lion statue under twilight sky with crescent moon and palm tree behind.
BABYLON · OCT 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Two travelers pose on a stone plaza with a historic arched bridge and citadel hill in the background at sunset.
ERBIL · OCT 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Intricate stone carvings and arches inside a historic shrine with a hanging lantern and modern air conditioner.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tall spiral brick minaret against clear blue sky, showing weathered texture and arched top windows.
SAMARRA · OCT 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Sunlit brick wall with carved animal reliefs, shadow of a person cast on adjacent wall.
BABYLON · OCT 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Brick arcade with pointed arches and decorative columns under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · OCT 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tall spiral brick minaret under clear blue sky with paved foreground.
SAMARRA · OCT 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
View through a brick archway toward a sunlit courtyard with arched openings under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · OCT 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Large Iraqi flag flies above a monumental sculpture depicting warriors, set against a clear blue sky in a paved plaza.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS

SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Babylon to Baghdad, September 2025

Babylon · Baghdad · Karbala · Muthanna · Najaf · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In September 2025, fifty travelers from Spain joined us across Iraq, visiting Babylon, Baghdad, Karbala, Muthanna, Najaf, Nasiriyah, and Samarra. We walked past the blue glazed brick of the Ishtar Gate in Babylon and climbed the Malwiya spiral minaret at the Great Mosque of Samarra. In Baghdad, the group spent time on Al-Mutanabbi Street before seeing the night traffic from above. We also visited the Imam Husayn shrine in Karbala and the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf, and ate grilled meat skewers served on flatbread inside a reed-built hall.

Spain
Blue glazed brick gate with animal reliefs under a clear sky.
BABYLON · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Ruined mud-brick mounds in desert foreground with large modern building atop a palm-dotted hill in background.
MUTHANNA · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Ornate blue-tiled facade with arched entrance and intricate calligraphy, one person seated near glass booth.
KARBALA · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Group of people eating on floor cushions inside a reed-built arched hall with Iraqi flags.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Night aerial view of a busy urban square with cars, pedestrians, and illuminated shop signs.
BAGHDAD · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Golden dome and minarets of a shrine at dusk with ornate tiled walls below.
NAJAF · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Two tourists stand before a blue brick wall with relief sculptures of mythical animals.
BABYLON · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Tall spiral minaret beside a modern building under a clear blue sky with palm trees and garden paths.
SAMARRA · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
A water buffalo stands in shallow marsh water surrounded by tall reeds under a clear blue sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Ornate interior dome with crystal mosaics, chandeliers, and gold accents in a shrine.
KARBALA · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Night aerial view of a busy urban square with cars, pedestrians, and illuminated storefronts.
BAGHDAD · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Eroded mud-brick ruins with wooden supports under a clear sky.
MUTHANNA · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Two tall golden minarets with intricate tilework flank a golden dome against a clear blue sky.
NAJAF · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
People eating a meal on the floor inside a reed-built structure with patterned cushions.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Man photographs a street market with fruit stalls and Arabic signage from an elevated position.
BAGHDAD · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Worshippers gather inside a vast, ornately tiled shrine hall with chandeliers and gold railings.
KARBALA · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Eroded mud-brick ruins under a hazy sky with palm trees in the background.
MUTHANNA · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Golden dome and minarets of a shrine lit at night with green and white lights.
NAJAF · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Woman in hat stands before blue Ishtar Gate with animal reliefs under clear sky.
BABYLON · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Man photographing a busy street with tuk-tuks, pedestrians, and a scaffolded building.
BAGHDAD · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Sunlit brick arches and walls of a historic mosque under clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
People ride in traditional boats through reed-lined waterways under a clear sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Ornate golden and blue tiled archway with chandelier inside a shrine.
KARBALA · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Eroded mud-brick ruins under a clear sky with a palm tree and reconstructed wall in the background.
MUTHANNA · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing on a paved riverside path with Tigris river and greenery in background.
BAGHDAD · SEPT 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS

MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Babylon to Erbil, May 2025

Babylon · Baghdad · Erbil · Karbala · Mosul · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In May 2025, fifty travellers from Italy joined us for a tour across Iraq. We walked through Babylon to see the Ishtar Gate and the Lion of Babylon, and visited the Al-Qishla clock tower in Baghdad. The group also spent time at the Erbil Citadel, Hatra, and the Malwiya spiral minaret in Samarra.

Italy
A stone pathway lined with palm trees and shrubs leads toward a tall clock tower under a clear blue sky.
BAGHDAD · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Archaeological site with mud-brick ruins under a wooden roof structure, people walking among excavated walls.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
A man stands on the ancient brick spiral minaret under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Tourists enter a stone doorway with carved floral reliefs above the arch.
BABYLON · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk along a sunlit cobblestone street beside ancient brick walls under a clear blue sky.
ERBIL · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Five people stand on a paved riverside platform with a wide river and green banks behind them under a clear sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Crowd gathered under ornate tiled archway facing golden-domed shrine with minarets at sunset.
KARBALA · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Three people climb eroded mud-brick mounds in a desert landscape under bright sun.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Two people pose in a narrow market alley lined with golden statues and decorative plates.
BAGHDAD · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
A fluffy cat lies on tiled pavement in front of an illuminated brick shrine with arched entrances and Arabic signage.
KARBALA · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Tour guide gestures toward ornate arched gateway with Arabic calligraphy, surrounded by travelers under shaded entryway.
SAMARRA · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand beneath a large stone archway at sunset in a historic ruin.
MOSUL · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Seven travelers pose on a sandy mound overlooking a river and marshland with reed structures.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
People walk down stone steps toward a riverside dock with city buildings across the water.
BAGHDAD · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
A person in white takes a photo of ancient stone reliefs on a sunlit ruin wall.
BABYLON · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
A person photographs a row of ancient brick arches under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers standing on sandy mounds under clear sky in a desert landscape.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Elderly woman in sun hat uses phone on a boat with marshland behind.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Shoppers and vendors in a narrow covered market alley with metal goods and Arabic signage.
BAGHDAD · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Five people stand on eroded mud-brick mounds under a clear sky, overlooking flat arid terrain.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Four people stand on the spiral brick minaret under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers eating ice cream on a paved street with Arabic signage and weathered buildings behind.
BAGHDAD · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk along a paved street beside historic brick buildings under a Kurdish flag.
ERBIL · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Three people stand before a large eroded mud-brick ruin under a hazy sky.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand under a large ancient stone archway with carved columns and a clear sky above.
MOSUL · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Person in white clothing stands before a barred stone doorway with arched stonework above.
SAMARRA · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
Three people stand on cracked earth mounds overlooking a distant river and greenery under a clear sky.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS
An artisan sits barefoot on a mat, hammering metalware in a shop lined with brass plates and hanging lanterns.
BAGHDAD · MAY 2025 · 10 TRAVELERS

MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad to Basra, May 2025

Baghdad · Basra · Karbala · Muthanna · Najaf · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In May 2025, sixteen travellers from Italy joined us across Baghdad, Basra, Karbala, Muthanna, Najaf, Nasiriyah, and Samarra. We walked together inside rooms with white ornate arches and patterned ceilings, and stood before the Ziggurat of Ur in Nasiriyah under a clear blue sky. Later, we watched the lit bridge and river from a rooftop seating area in the city at night. It was a straightforward route through some of the country's main historical sites.

Italy
Grand tiled courtyard leading to an ornate Islamic shrine under a clear blue sky.
KARBALA · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Night view from a window showing a lit bridge over water and city lights, with a patterned sofa in foreground.
BASRA · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing on wooden platform before ancient mud-brick ziggurat under clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Rooftop seating area at night overlooking a lit bridge and river in a city.
BAGHDAD · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Wooden walkway leads to a large ancient mud-brick ziggurat under a clear sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Symmetrical courtyard with tiled walkway, flanked by ornate buildings and minarets, leading to a golden dome under clear blue sky.
KARBALA · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
A person jumps in front of a large arched structure under scaffolding with a dirt foreground.
SAMARRA · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand on a wooden walkway facing ancient mud-brick ruins under a clear sky.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Man stands in doorway of a library with bookshelves and Arabic calligraphy above.
BAGHDAD · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Two tourists pose on a wooden walkway in front of a large ancient brick ziggurat under a clear sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Five people stand atop ancient mud-brick ruins under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
People walking near a turquoise-domed shrine in a crowded urban area under clear sky.
NAJAF · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists jumping in front of the Great Mosque of Samarra's ruined brick walls under a bright sun.
SAMARRA · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Three women in patterned robes and headscarves pose on a tiled terrace with twin minarets and a golden dome behind.
KARBALA · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing on a paved riverside with the Tigris River and distant greenery behind them.
BAGHDAD · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Woman in hat and sunglasses gestures joyfully at ancient mud-brick ruins with other visitors behind.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
A man in a hat photographs ancient mud-brick ruins under a clear sky.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk on a wooden path toward a large ancient ziggurat under a clear sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
A person in a hat and sunglasses holds up a small clay object against a desert mound background.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Four people stand in a dry, cracked desert landscape with a large eroded mud-brick mound under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Three people examine ancient brick ruins in a sunlit desert landscape.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Four people stand between eroded mud-brick walls under a clear blue sky in a desert.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists read informational panels at an archaeological site under a clear sky.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand inside ancient mud-brick ruins under a clear sky, listening near an arched doorway.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand on sandy ground near a large eroded mud-brick mound under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Five people stand on a rocky, eroded mound under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk on a wooden path beside ancient mud-brick ruins under a clear sky.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS

APR 2025 · 22 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Babylon, Baghdad and Erbil, April 2025

Babylon · Baghdad · Erbil · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In April 2025, fifty travelers from Spain joined us for a route across Iraq. We gathered in Baghdad to see the Al-Kadhimiya shrine and the Al-Qishla clock tower before heading north to Erbil Citadel. The group climbed the Malwiya spiral minaret and walked among the ruins of Babylon by the Ishtar Gate. Along the way, we visited Samarra, Muthanna, and Nasiriyah to see the country firsthand.

Spain
Clock tower rises above green park with fountain, gazebo, and palm trees under clear blue sky.
BAGHDAD · APR 2025 · 22 TRAVELERS
Tourists photographing from a leafy path overlooking a sunlit cityscape with traditional buildings.
ERBIL · APR 2025 · 22 TRAVELERS
People stand on the terraces of a tall, ancient spiral brick minaret under a partly cloudy sky.
SAMARRA · APR 2025 · 22 TRAVELERS
Three colorful traditional boats with painted prows float on calm water beside tall reeds.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · APR 2025 · 22 TRAVELERS
Tourists gather before the blue-glazed Ishtar Gate with animal reliefs under a clear sky.
BABYLON · APR 2025 · 22 TRAVELERS
Three women in traditional white robes and headdresses stand outdoors under leafy trees beside stone buildings.
ERBIL · APR 2025 · 22 TRAVELERS
Four people photographing ancient mud-brick ruins in a desert landscape under overcast sky.
MUTHANNA · APR 2025 · 22 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing in front of a wooden photo frame with a mural and university signage on a green wall.
BAGHDAD · APR 2025 · 22 TRAVELERS
Grassy hillside overlooking a city with high-rise buildings under construction and distant mountains under a blue sky.
ERBIL · APR 2025 · 22 TRAVELERS
Tall brick minaret with geometric patterns against a cloudy blue sky.
SAMARRA · APR 2025 · 22 TRAVELERS
Tourists sit in colorful wooden boats on a marsh waterway surrounded by tall reeds under a clear sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · APR 2025 · 22 TRAVELERS
Tall spiral brick minaret under cloudy sky with arched base and open plaza.
SAMARRA · APR 2025 · 22 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing on a modern walkway with a historic stone arch bridge and river behind them under a cloudy sky.
BAGHDAD · APR 2025 · 22 TRAVELERS
Tourists ride in traditional wooden boats with patterned cushions on a marsh waterway under a clear blue sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · APR 2025 · 22 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers holding 'KURDISTAN' signs on stone steps under trees with a stone wall behind.
ERBIL · APR 2025 · 22 TRAVELERS
People gather on a riverside walkway and circular platform beside a wide river under cloudy skies.
BAGHDAD · APR 2025 · 22 TRAVELERS
Three people pose in front of the Malwiya spiral minaret under a cloudy sky.
SAMARRA · APR 2025 · 22 TRAVELERS
Four people photographing ancient mud-brick ruins in a desert landscape under a cloudy sky.
MUTHANNA · APR 2025 · 22 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand on stone steps leading to a historic stone gate under a clear blue sky.
ERBIL · APR 2025 · 22 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand before the Great Mosque of Samarra's ruined brick walls and spiral minaret under scaffolding.
SAMARRA · APR 2025 · 22 TRAVELERS

APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad, Mosul, Basra and Erbil, April 2025

Babylon · Baghdad · Basra · Erbil · Halabja · Karbala · Kirkuk · Mosul · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra · Sulaymaniyah

In April 2025, twenty-five travellers from Italy joined us for a twelve-day trip across Iraq. We walked among the mud-brick ruins at Hatra and saw the blue glazed bricks of the Ishtar Gate in Babylon. The group also visited the Malwiya spiral minaret in Samarra and the Erbil Citadel. We spent time in Baghdad, Mosul, Basra, Karbala, Kirkuk, Nasiriyah, Muthanna, Halabja, and Sulaymaniyah before the tour ended on May second.

Italy
Blue glazed brick wall with relief sculptures of lions, bulls, and dragons under a clear sky.
BABYLON · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Densely packed stone and concrete houses climb a rocky hillside with scattered trees and a playground visible below.
SULAYMANIYAH · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Stone steps ascend a narrow alley decorated with hanging wicker baskets, colorful lights, and potted plants.
ERBIL · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
View from a reed hut overlooking a marsh with boats and reeds under a thatched roof.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists examining ancient eroded mud-brick ruins under bright sunlight.
MUTHANNA · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Brick spiral minaret arch framing a cloudy sky and distant trees.
SAMARRA · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Three-story building with arched windows and illuminated Arabic signage at night, outdoor tables below.
BAGHDAD · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Stone citadel with crenellated walls atop a barren hill under clear blue sky.
KIRKUK · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Ruined stone interior with columns and rubble; two people exploring the debris.
MOSUL · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing for a selfie in front of a golden-domed shrine with palm trees and crowds.
KARBALA · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Water cascades over rocks beside a metal railing, surrounded by lush green trees.
SULAYMANIYAH · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing in front of a stone citadel wall with arched entrance and crenellated top.
ERBIL · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group seated on patterned cushions inside a reed mudhif, eating from a long table with Iraqi flags overhead.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Relief of a dragon on ancient yellow brickwork with weathered glaze patches.
BABYLON · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists standing on rocky ground near eroded mud-brick mounds under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Shoppers browse gold in a covered bazaar with arched ceilings and illuminated shop signs.
BAGHDAD · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk through the arched entrance of a large brick mosque under an overcast sky.
SAMARRA · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Two men sit on a boat at night with a lit cable-stayed bridge and city lights in the background.
BASRA · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Village nestled in a green valley between steep rocky cliffs under a clear sky.
SULAYMANIYAH · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing in front of a golden-domed shrine with palm trees and crowds nearby.
KARBALA · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Stone steps ascend a narrow alley flanked by greenery and hanging lanterns under a blue sky.
ERBIL · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Two traditional wooden marsh boats displayed on gravel with an informational sign nearby.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Stone lion statue behind iron fence in front of ornate building with arched windows and columns.
BABYLON · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Visitors view artifacts in glass cases under ornate ceiling in a museum hall.
BAGHDAD · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Two men pose for a selfie in front of ancient stone columns and arches under a partly cloudy sky.
MOSUL · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists gathers in a plaza before a tiled shrine building under overcast sky.
KARBALA · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers standing on eroded mud-brick mounds in a desert landscape.
MUTHANNA · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Large sand-colored mosque with arched entrances and geometric brick patterns under a blue sky.
SAMARRA · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Two people posing on a concrete bank beside a wide, murky river under a clear sky.
BASRA · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Green valley with scattered houses nestled between steep rocky cliffs under a clear sky.
SULAYMANIYAH · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
A traditional reed marsh boat rests on white gravel beside a palm-frond structure under an overcast sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Golden statue of a fallen figure on green turf, surrounded by Kurdish flags and visitors in a park.
HALABJA · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Tourists gather on a sunny street corner near a historic corner building with wooden balconies and Arabic signage.
BAGHDAD · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Hillside town with stone and stucco buildings under a rocky slope, green trees in foreground.
ERBIL · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand among rubble inside a damaged mosque with broken columns and arched windows.
MOSUL · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers and locals standing outdoors near palm trees and shrine architecture.
KARBALA · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand inside a reed-built mudhif with arched ceilings, patterned rugs, and wall lanterns.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers and a guide standing outdoors near eroded mud-brick mounds under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS
Ancient stone structure with carved animal reliefs under a cloudy sky.
BABYLON · APR 2025 · 25 TRAVELERS

FEB 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Samarra, Karbala and Nasiriyah, February 2025

Karbala · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In February 2025, sixteen travellers from Turkey joined us for a tour through Samarra, Karbala, and Nasiriyah. We walked beneath the yellow brick archways and blue star patterns, and visited the Great Mosque of Samarra. The group spent time at the Imam Husayn shrine, seeing the gold floral patterns and the dome lit with green lights at twilight. Throughout the days, the visitors walked through the brick corridors and observed the tiled walls and Arabic calligraphy.

Turkey
Ornate shrine dome lit with green lights, Arabic calligraphy on tiled walls, festive string lights against twilight sky.
KARBALA · FEB 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Golden dome and minaret of a shrine under blue sky with Arabic banners.
KARBALA · FEB 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Group of visitors in winter clothing stands before a yellow brick archway with blue star patterns.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
People walk through a brick arched corridor toward a doorway with Arabic script above it.
SAMARRA · FEB 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Ornate interior of a shrine with mosaic domes, chandeliers, and arched alcoves.
KARBALA · FEB 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Ornate golden doorway with blue tilework under a domed structure at night.
KARBALA · FEB 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Man gestures toward ornate green and gold shrine inside a patterned marble hall with visitors nearby.
KARBALA · FEB 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Group posing inside a shrine with ornate mosaic dome and green-lit grilles.
KARBALA · FEB 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Woman in blue hijab waving inside a marble hall with red carpets and chandeliers.
KARBALA · FEB 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Golden winged sculptures flank a blue-tiled Arabic calligraphy panel inside a shrine.
KARBALA · FEB 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS
Ornate shrine with gold dome and blue tilework under clear sky, green banners with Arabic script hanging from columns.
KARBALA · FEB 2025 · 16 TRAVELERS

FEB 2025 · 6 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad, Erbil, Karbala, February 2025

Baghdad · Erbil · Karbala

In February 2025, twelve travellers from Turkey joined us for a ten-day tour across Baghdad, Erbil, and Karbala. We walked through the Erbil Citadel and stopped at the Al-Shaheed Monument in Baghdad. The group spent time inside the Al-Kadhimiya shrine in Baghdad and the Imam Husayn shrine in Karbala, where we looked at the golden grilles and blue tiled ceilings. The weather stayed clear as we moved between the cities.

Turkey
Man in black jacket gestures toward ornate golden grille inside a shrine.
KARBALA · FEB 2025 · 6 TRAVELERS
Stone archway with Arabic calligraphy above a tunnel entrance on a sunny day.
ERBIL · FEB 2025 · 6 TRAVELERS
People stand before a large mosaic mural on a beige building under a clear blue sky.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2025 · 6 TRAVELERS
Two men standing before an ornate golden shrine wall with Arabic calligraphy panels.
KARBALA · FEB 2025 · 6 TRAVELERS
Two pigeons perch on trays of stacked pastries and sweets at an outdoor market stall.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2025 · 6 TRAVELERS
Ornate blue-tiled dome with red flag atop a mosque under clear sky.
KARBALA · FEB 2025 · 6 TRAVELERS
Man in red vest stands before ornate tiled archway of a shrine with visitors entering.
KARBALA · FEB 2025 · 6 TRAVELERS
Ornate mosque interior with patterned arches, chandeliers, and green prayer carpets.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2025 · 6 TRAVELERS
Golden domes and minarets of a shrine framed by a tiled archway under a clear sky.
KARBALA · FEB 2025 · 6 TRAVELERS
Man standing with arms crossed in front of a large mosaic wall with zodiac symbols.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2025 · 6 TRAVELERS
Night view of an ornate tiled shrine entrance with Arabic calligraphy signage and visitors walking on patterned carpets.
KARBALA · FEB 2025 · 6 TRAVELERS

JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Iraq, January 2025

Baghdad · Basra · Duhok · Erbil · Mosul · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra · Sulaymaniyah

In January 2025, twenty-five travellers from Italy joined us across Baghdad, Basra, Duhok, Erbil, Mosul, Muthanna, Nasiriyah, Samarra, and Sulaymaniyah. We stood before the eroded mud-brick mounds in Nasiriyah and walked down the stone-paved alleys of Erbil Citadel. In Samarra, the group climbed the Malwiya spiral minaret and visited the Great Mosque. We also stopped at Amna Suraka in Sulaymaniyah, the Iraq Museum in Baghdad, the Lalish temple in Duhok, and the ancient site of Hatra in Mosul.

Italy
Stone temple with conical roof behind bare trees under blue sky.
DUHOK · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
A man in a headscarf stands among tall reeds in a marsh, holding a pole under a clear blue sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Stone-paved alley between ancient walls under leafy branches, blue sky visible ahead.
ERBIL · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tall brick minaret with blue and turquoise geometric tile patterns under a clear sky.
SAMARRA · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Indoor Christmas nativity scene with figurines, straw, and a decorated tree beside a painted angel and wooden cross.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tour group stands before ancient eroded mud-brick mounds under clear sky with sign about first written words.
MUTHANNA · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Hilly landscape with sparse trees, stone buildings, and a clear blue sky viewed from an elevated position.
SULAYMANIYAH · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Four men in life vests sit aboard a wooden boat on a wide river with a bridge and large ship in the background.
BASRA · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group seated in ornate room with Iraqi flag, Christmas tree, and religious artwork on walls.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Two people stand before a traditional reed mudhif structure under a clear blue sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Stone citadel with conical towers under blue sky, bare trees in foreground.
ERBIL · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk through a sunlit, damaged alley with cracked walls and rubble under a clear blue sky.
MOSUL · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tourists pose under a large brick archway with a spiral minaret visible behind them in bright sunlight.
SAMARRA · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
A person stands before ancient eroded mud-brick ruins under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tourists view stone temple towers with conical roofs under a clear blue sky.
DUHOK · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tall reeds growing in shallow water under a clear sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Two men stand smiling in front of an ornate stone archway with carved stonework inside a museum.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
A conical-roofed building sits below barren hills under a clear blue sky, with leafless trees and power lines in foreground.
SULAYMANIYAH · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Five men stand on a wooden boardwalk in a flat, arid landscape under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
People ride in long boats through reed-lined marshes under a clear blue sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tall spiral minaret with weathered brickwork stands beside a paved walkway under a twilight sky with a crescent moon.
SAMARRA · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers and locals seated on plastic stools outdoors under trees with framed portraits on a fence behind.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tourists gather on cobblestones beside a gnarled tree and stone building under bright sun.
ERBIL · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Stone courtyard with bare trees, low walls, and hills in background under clear sky.
SULAYMANIYAH · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Spiral minaret of the Great Mosque of Samarra framed by a brick archway under clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
People eating a meal on a rug inside a reed mudhif with arched walls.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers gathers around a guide pointing at a site map in a desert archaeological area.
MUTHANNA · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Visitors explore ancient stone columns and arches under a clear blue sky.
MOSUL · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing on steps beside a winged Assyrian lion statue at a museum entrance.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS
People walk on a wooden boardwalk beside ancient eroded mud-brick ruins under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · JAN 2025 · 15 TRAVELERS

DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad and Nasiriyah, December 2024

Baghdad · Nasiriyah & the Marshes

In December 2024, eighteen travellers from Taiwan joined us for a tour across Baghdad and Nasiriyah. We visited offices, walked along the river with palm trees, and stood on wooden balconies with ornate railings. The group spent time near the water, with city buildings and modern glass structures visible in the background.

Taiwan
Three people pose inside a circular metal pavilion beside a river with palm trees in the background.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers with backpacks standing under a modern glass canopy, palm trees and city buildings visible outside.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Three people holding hands with arms outstretched on a riverside platform under clear sky.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
A person jumps mid-air on a stone riverside platform with the Tigris River and distant cityscape behind.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Three women pose in tree yoga pose on a riverside promenade with calm water and distant trees.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Two people standing on a riverside platform with arms outstretched, Tigris river behind them under clear sky.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS

DEC 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad to Babylon, December 2024

Babylon · Baghdad · Karbala · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In December 2024, fifteen travellers from Italy joined us for a route across Baghdad, Babylon, Karbala, Muthanna, Nasiriyah, and Samarra. We started at the Iraq Museum and walked through the outdoor book market before heading to the Ishtar Gate in Babylon and the Malwiya spiral minaret in Samarra. Later, the group visited the Imam Husayn shrine in Karbala and passed under the Swords of Qadisiyah in Baghdad.

Italy
Outdoor book market on a paved square with vendors, shoppers, and Arabic signage on surrounding buildings.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Spiral minaret and brick wall of Great Mosque of Samarra under clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · DEC 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Four people walk through a sunlit corridor of ancient brick walls with crenellated tops under a clear blue sky.
BABYLON · DEC 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Five women in patterned cloaks stand together at night outside a brightly lit shrine with ornate tilework.
KARBALA · DEC 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk on a wooden boardwalk toward ancient mud-brick ruins in a desert landscape.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Two giant crossed swords held by stone hands under a clear blue sky.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists gathers on paved plaza with palm trees and low building under clear sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · DEC 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Two people walk on a wooden path toward a large eroded mud-brick structure under a cloudy sky.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing in front of the Malwiya spiral minaret under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · DEC 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Two men stand before a large blue gate decorated with glazed animal reliefs under bright sunlight.
BABYLON · DEC 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Women in patterned cloaks stand before an ornate, illuminated shrine entrance at night.
KARBALA · DEC 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Men standing on a lit street at night beside pottery stalls and a large purple balloon.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Spiral brick minaret viewed through an archway under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · DEC 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tourists examine ancient mud-brick ruins under an open sky with a wooden walkway nearby.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tour group gathers before a blue-glazed gate with animal reliefs under trees and clear sky.
BABYLON · DEC 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Outdoor book market with vendors and shoppers under sun, tables lined with books, buildings with Arabic signage surround the square.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Spiral brick minaret of the Great Mosque of Samarra framed by an arch under clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · DEC 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Woman in grey robe stands before ornate tiled shrine entrance at night with visitors nearby.
KARBALA · DEC 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Man stands beside ancient stone lion statue inside museum hall with exhibit banners.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tourists gather before a blue-glazed gate with relief animals under a clear sky.
BABYLON · DEC 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Two people at an ancient mud-brick mound under blue sky; one poses by a sign, the other photographs.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS

DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Babylon to Erbil, December 2024

Babylon · Baghdad · Basra · Erbil · Karbala · Mosul · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In December 2024, eighteen travellers from Belgium joined us for a route across Babylon, Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, Karbala, Mosul, Muthanna, Nasiriyah, and Samarra. The group stood near the blue-glazed Ishtar Gate in Babylon and walked through the desert site at Hatra near Mosul. We saw water buffalo in the wetlands of Nasiriyah and looked up at the Malwiya spiral minaret at the Great Mosque of Samarra. Along the way, we visited the Al-Abbas shrine and Imam Husayn shrine in Karbala, the Al-Qishla clock tower in Baghdad, and Erbil Citadel alongside Qaysari bazaar.

Belgium
Ornate shrine facade with green banners, Arabic calligraphy, and blue-tiled patterns under night sky.
KARBALA · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Weathered two-story building with wooden balconies and arched brick windows under a clear blue sky.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Water buffalo wade through tall reeds in a marshy wetland under a pale sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Yellow brick mosque with spiral minaret and blue-tiled arch under cloudy sky, palm trees nearby.
SAMARRA · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists pose in front of the blue-glazed Ishtar Gate with animal reliefs under a clear sky.
BABYLON · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tour group stands on eroded mud-brick mounds near an ancient circular brick-lined well in a desert site.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Visitors stand on a carved wooden balcony inside a stone-walled building with arched windows and hanging lanterns.
ERBIL · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Ancient stone columns and arches under a clear blue sky at Hatra ruins.
MOSUL · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers sitting on cushions inside a reed mudhif with arched walls and patterned carpet.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk along a paved riverside promenade beside a bridge and water tower.
BASRA · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists standing before the blue-glazed Ishtar Gate with animal reliefs under a clear sky.
BABYLON · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists gather in a dry, cracked desert landscape examining ancient pottery shards on the ground.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing on marble steps outside a shrine with patterned tile walls and Arabic signage.
KARBALA · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists browse colorful textiles and rugs in a bustling covered market alley.
ERBIL · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Close-up of ornate brickwork and arched niches on a historic mosque facade.
SAMARRA · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists gather outside a historic brick gateway with arched entry and domed turrets under clear blue sky.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Reed hut overlooks calm water with traditional boats and distant trees under cloudy sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Interior view of a shrine with ornate arches, patterned walls, and a decorated mihrab under a dome.
KARBALA · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Close-up of ancient cuneiform inscriptions carved into a weathered mud-brick block.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
A person stands with arms raised under a large brick archway against a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing in front of the blue-glazed Ishtar Gate with animal reliefs under a clear sky.
BABYLON · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists browse copper plates and brassware in a covered market alley with brick walls and tangled wires overhead.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand on a paved walkway viewing a historic brick building with arched windows and wooden balconies under a clear sky.
ERBIL · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists sit on patterned rugs inside a reed-built mudhif with arched walls and Iraqi flags.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Ancient stone arches and columns under a clear sky with visitors walking nearby.
MOSUL · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand near an ancient eroded mud-brick structure under a clear sky.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing in front of a large brick building with arched recesses and intricate patterns.
SAMARRA · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers walking past blue-tiled shrine walls under a covered walkway.
KARBALA · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists browse colorful textiles and rugs in a bustling covered market alley.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Tourists pose in front of the blue-glazed Ishtar Gate with animal reliefs under a clear sky.
BABYLON · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers seated on patterned rugs inside a reed mudhif, sharing food on a long table.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · DEC 2024 · 18 TRAVELERS

NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Erbil, Mosul and Babylon, November 2024

Babylon · Erbil · Karbala · Mosul · Muthanna · Samarra · Sulaymaniyah

In November 2024, we welcomed eleven travelers from Taiwan for a route covering Babylon, Erbil, Mosul, Muthanna, and Samarra. We stood together on the sunny terrace by Erbil Citadel's stone walls and arched windows before heading west to walk through the ruins at Hatra. In Mosul, the group posed by the Al-Nuri mosque and stopped by a large TV-shaped photo frame featuring local university banners. We finished the days looking at the Lion of Babylon and the Great Mosque of Samarra under clear blue skies.

Taiwan
Group of travelers posing in front of a large TV-shaped photo frame with Mosul artwork and university banners.
MOSUL · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Desert landscape with eroded mud-brick mounds under a clear blue sky, power lines visible.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Ruins of a large ancient mosque with arched openings under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing on a sunny terrace with ancient stone walls and arched windows behind them.
ERBIL · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Man points toward a valley from a rocky hillside overlook with dry terrain and distant settlement.
SULAYMANIYAH · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
People enter through an arched gateway with gold Arabic calligraphy on stone flanking a white ornate gate.
KARBALA · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Weathered stone relief of a lion carved into ancient wall under blue sky.
BABYLON · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Woman posing with arms outstretched in front of a large illustrated Mosul cityscape mural on a wall.
MOSUL · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Eroded mud-brick mounds under clear sky in a flat desert landscape.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand before the ancient arched stone ruins of a mosque under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Two men standing on stone steps in front of a historic citadel under blue sky.
ERBIL · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing inside a large TV-shaped photo frame with Mosul artwork on a city street.
MOSUL · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Group of people standing on ancient eroded mud-brick mounds under clear blue sky with distant city view.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Stone citadel with arched walkways and a bell tower under blue sky, people walking on upper terrace.
ERBIL · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Tourists view the arched entrance of an ancient stone mosque under bright sun.
SAMARRA · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing in front of a large TV-shaped photo frame with Mosul artwork and Arabic banners.
MOSUL · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Group of people walking beside a rusted metal framework in a desert landscape with distant mounds.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Two men pose on a stone walkway with arched buildings and a citadel behind them under a clear blue sky.
ERBIL · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Tourists gather near the arched stone ruins of a historic mosque under a clear blue sky.
MOSUL · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk across a sunlit archaeological site with ancient stone ruins and a spiral minaret in the background.
SAMARRA · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Two people walk toward a large eroded mud-brick mound under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Four men standing on stone steps beside a historic citadel under blue sky.
ERBIL · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk toward ancient stone columns and arches under a clear blue sky.
MOSUL · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Man in puffer vest and cap stands before ancient stone archway under bright sun.
SAMARRA · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk among eroded mud-brick ruins under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2024 · 11 TRAVELERS

NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad to Nasiriyah, November 2024

Baghdad · Basra · Karbala · Muthanna · Najaf · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In November 2024, ten travellers from Germany joined us for a week across Iraq. We walked through the halls of the Iraq Museum in Baghdad and climbed the Malwiya spiral minaret at the Great Mosque of Samarra. In the south, we visited Nasiriyah and saw the tall reeds in the marshlands under a clear blue sky. Stops also included the Imam Husayn shrine in Karbala and the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf.

Germany
Tall reeds in a marshland with a dark figure partially visible behind them under a clear blue sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Spiral brick minaret against blue sky with people visible near its top.
SAMARRA · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Man in orange shirt stands before vast cemetery with dense tombs under hazy sky.
NAJAF · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Two men pose inside a shrine with marble columns, crystal chandeliers, and mirrored ceilings.
KARBALA · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Man in yellow shirt stands before large stone fountain inside ornate brick courtyard with arched alcoves.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Three men standing inside a grand hall with marble columns and chandeliers, others praying on carpets nearby.
KARBALA · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Two men stand on a brick balcony with arched openings under a clear sky.
SAMARRA · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Two men stand before a large ancient brick ruin under scaffolding in a dry, open area.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
A water buffalo wades through shallow marsh water with tall reeds behind it.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
People walking outside a stone building with large windows and columns under a clear blue sky.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Two men sit on a boat under a canopy, one holding a camera, with waterfront buildings in the background.
BASRA · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
People pose on the ancient brick spiral minaret against a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Three men standing inside a shrine with marble floors, ornate chandeliers, and decorative arches.
KARBALA · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
A black water buffalo with curved horns stands in shallow water among tall reeds.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Man in orange shirt leaning on railing with gold-domed shrine under scaffolding behind him.
NAJAF · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Two people pose in front of a large illuminated monument with sculpted figures at night.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Man standing in front of ancient eroded mud-brick ruins under scaffolding on a cloudy day.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Three men stand inside a grand hall with marble columns, chandeliers, and patterned carpets while others sit on the floor.
KARBALA · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Brick arches recede into the distance under a clear blue sky at a historic mosque.
SAMARRA · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Reed mudhif structure built on water with barbed wire and tires in the background under blue sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Group of visitors viewing ancient artifacts in glass cases inside a red-walled museum hall.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Man in orange shirt stands on ledge overlooking vast cemetery under blue sky.
NAJAF · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Brick archway frames a tall, spiraling minaret against a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Four men pose outside a traditional reed mudhif structure under a clear sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS

NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad to Erbil, November 2024

Baghdad · Erbil · Mosul · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra · Sulaymaniyah

In November 2024, ten travelers from Germany joined us to explore Iraq across ten days. We walked through the Iraq Museum in Baghdad before heading north to see the Malwiya spiral minaret in Samarra and the ancient Erbil Citadel. The itinerary continued through Mosul and Sulaymaniyah, where we visited Ahmed Awa, before finishing our route down south through Muthanna and Nasiriyah.

Germany
Festive lights and pink Arabic script adorn a building facade at night with a star-topped tower nearby.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Low-angle view of a tall, spiraling brick minaret against a blue sky with wispy clouds.
SAMARRA · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Group of people posing inside a TV-shaped photo frame with Mosul artwork and university banners nearby.
MOSUL · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Six people stand on a grassy overlook with rocky hills and bright sun behind them.
SULAYMANIYAH · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Arched stone gateway with wooden doors and Arabic signage, leading to a sunlit alley with buildings.
ERBIL · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Man photographs reeds and water in a marshland with dry hills behind.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Group of people standing near a weathered stone building with arched openings under a partly cloudy sky.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Group of visitors listening to a guide inside a museum gallery with stone artifacts and wall text panels.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Three people stand on the ancient brick spiral minaret against a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Group of adults standing on a stone terrace at night with city lights below and historic stone buildings behind.
ERBIL · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Tourists browse street stalls under awnings in a sunlit urban market with Arabic signage.
MOSUL · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Three smiling people pose for a selfie with a large statue and rocky valley behind them.
SULAYMANIYAH · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Ancient stone statue of a bearded figure in patterned robe displayed indoors.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Three people stand in arched openings of a tall, ancient brick minaret under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Four men stand before a white mud-brick building with carved reliefs; one holds a camera, another gestures while speaking.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Two men stand on stone steps before a weathered mud-brick wall with carved reliefs under a pale sky.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Group of people standing on a stone terrace overlooking a city with hills in the background.
ERBIL · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Wide river flows through a city under stormy sky with buildings and boats along banks.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Two people stand in arched openings of a tall, ancient brick minaret against a blue sky.
SAMARRA · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers standing on rocks beside a shallow river in a dry, hilly landscape.
SULAYMANIYAH · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Man posing in front of a large TV-shaped mural with 'MOSUL' and city illustrations.
MOSUL · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Vendor prepares fish at a bustling covered market with tourists observing nearby stalls.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Two people stand on the spiral brick minaret under a blue sky.
SAMARRA · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS
Group of people standing on stone steps near an arched gateway in a historic stone wall.
ERBIL · NOV 2024 · 8 TRAVELERS

OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad, Babylon and Erbil, October 2024

Babylon · Baghdad · Erbil · Karbala · Mosul · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra · Sulaymaniyah

In October 2024, fifteen travellers from Russia joined us for a tour across Iraq. We walked through the Ishtar Gate and past the Lion of Babylon before heading north to see the Erbil Citadel. In Baghdad, the group visited the Iraq Museum and stood by the Al-Shaheed monument and the Swords of Qadisiyah. We also stopped in Samarra to view the Malwiya spiral minaret and the Great Mosque of Samarra, and traveled south to see the Ziggurat of Ur in Nasiriyah.

Russia
Reed mudhif structure with conical pillars under clear blue sky, surrounded by greenery and palm fronds.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing on a gravel overlook with mountainous terrain and a town below under clear blue sky.
SULAYMANIYAH · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Woman stands beside ancient blue-glazed tile wall featuring a lion relief in a museum.
BABYLON · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Woman in teal tunic stands before carved stone archway with Arabic inscriptions inside a museum.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Three people sit on rocks overlooking a city on a hill under a clear blue sky.
ERBIL · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Woman in white dress stands on grass before a mosque with a spiral minaret under blue sky.
SAMARRA · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Four women stand before a large, weathered sandstone building with arched windows under a bright sky.
MOSUL · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Two women in hijabs pose for a photo inside a large marble hall with a metal roof and many visitors.
KARBALA · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Two women walk on a wooden boardwalk past ancient mud-brick ruins under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Two people in a red boat near a reed mudhif on marshland under clear blue sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
A woman stands beside the ancient Lion of Babylon statue under a clear blue sky.
BABYLON · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
A woman in a teal dress stands before the ancient spiral minaret under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Five women stand between two ancient stone lamassu statues inside a museum gallery.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
A woman in a pink dress stands before a large stone lion statue under a clear blue sky.
BABYLON · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Five women stand before a massive arched brick ruin under scaffolding, fenced off in a sandy area.
SAMARRA · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing in front of a large ancient brick ziggurat under clear blue sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Four people pose for a selfie in front of a large sculptural monument under a clear blue sky.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
A person stands under a large brick archway with a row of arched openings in the background under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Woman in green dress stands on stone steps beside ancient mud-brick ruins under clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Four women stand before a large blue gate with animal reliefs under a clear sky.
BABYLON · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Five women and a man pose for a selfie beside ancient stone relief sculptures in a museum gallery.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
A woman in a pink dress stands before a large stone lion statue under a clear blue sky.
BABYLON · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Six people pose in front of a tall, spiral brick minaret under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Five women stand between two ancient stone lamassu statues inside a museum gallery.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Three women stand before a large bronze sculpture of figures holding a cylinder, under a clear blue sky.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Five people pose in front of a tall, spiraling brick minaret under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Three women stand on a riverside balcony overlooking the Tigris River with green banks and distant buildings.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Three women in headscarves pose on a city sidewalk with traffic and buildings behind them.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS

OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad, Babylon and Basra, October 2024

Babylon · Baghdad · Basra · Karbala · Muthanna · Najaf · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In October 2024, twenty-two travellers from Italy joined us for a route across Iraq. We walked among the ruined mud-brick structures in Babylon and saw the Al-Shaheed monument in Baghdad. The group visited the Great Mosque of Samarra and its Malwiya spiral minaret, as well as the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf and the shrines of Imam Husayn and Al-Abbas in Karbala. We also passed through Muthanna, Nasiriyah, and Basra during the week.

Italy
Tall brick minaret with spiral design and ornate tiled dome against clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Aerial view of a city roundabout with a central monument, roads, and surrounding buildings.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
People sit on patterned cushions inside a reed mudhif with arched ceilings and woven walls.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Tourists photograph ancient mud-brick ruins under a clear sky behind a wire fence.
MUTHANNA · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Group of visitors inside an ornate shrine with mirrored walls and framed portraits.
KARBALA · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Blue glazed gate with animal reliefs under a clear sky, tourists walking nearby.
BABYLON · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
People walking on red carpets under umbrellas toward a gold-domed shrine with blue tilework.
NAJAF · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Tourists gather on a paved waterfront promenade with palm trees, parked cars, and a canal in the background.
BASRA · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Golden-domed shrine tower behind palm trees under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk among ancient mud-brick ruins under a clear sky with a white bus parked nearby.
MUTHANNA · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Brick arches receding into a sunlit spiral minaret with blue sky visible through openings.
SAMARRA · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Tourists ride in a decorated wooden boat through marshlands with reed houses in the background.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Tourists gather in a tiled courtyard facing ornate blue-tiled buildings with arched windows and a distant golden dome.
KARBALA · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Tour group listens to guide on waterfront promenade with palm trees and parked cars nearby.
BASRA · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Shoppers browse jewelry and sweets in a bustling indoor market with Arabic signage overhead.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Tourists gather before a large mural depicting ancient Babylon's city plan on a sunlit wall.
BABYLON · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Brick arch frames the spiral minaret of Samarra's Great Mosque against blue sky.
SAMARRA · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers and locals near marsh boats and a reed mudhif beside a waterway.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Visitors walk on a wooden path toward ancient mud-brick ruins under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Interior of a church with wooden pews, red patterned carpet, chandeliers, and religious icons on walls.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Silhouetted minarets and dome of a shrine against a sunset sky with a telecom tower nearby.
KARBALA · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Men posing in front of the Great Mosque of Samarra's spiral minaret under scaffolding on a sunny day.
SAMARRA · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Tourists view a large mural map of ancient Babylon on a sunlit courtyard wall.
BABYLON · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
People seated on patterned rugs inside a reed mudhif, sharing a meal with flatbreads and dishes on a plastic-covered table.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Two people in life vests sit on a boat with a bridge and water behind them.
BASRA · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk across a tiled courtyard beside an ornate blue-tiled mosque with a golden dome.
KARBALA · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Tourists and locals browse goods in a covered market with illuminated stalls and Arabic signage.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Man holding camera stabilizer on wooden walkway beside fenced desert ruins under clear sky.
MUTHANNA · OCT 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS

SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Iraq Route, September 2024

Babylon · Baghdad · Basra · Erbil · Karbala · Kirkuk · Mosul · Muthanna · Najaf · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra · Sulaymaniyah

In September 2024, fifty travelers from Italy joined us for a route across twelve governorates. We walked past the ancient brick walls of Hatra and stood before the Ishtar Gate in Babylon. In Samarra, the group climbed the Malwiya spiral minaret and visited the Great Mosque. We also stopped at the Erbil Citadel, Kirkuk citadel, Amna Suraka in Sulaymaniyah, and shrines in Najaf, Karbala, and Baghdad.

Italy
Stone building with arched windows, balconies, and Iraqi flags under a blue sky.
MOSUL · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Ornate blue-tiled dome and spiral minaret against clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Ornate dome interior with mosaic tiles, chandelier, and Arabic calligraphy plaque.
KARBALA · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Night view of a lit bridge over a river with streetlights and a flag visible.
BAGHDAD · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
People walk across a brick bridge toward a historic wooden building with carved balconies under a sunny sky.
ERBIL · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
People sit in traditional wooden boats on a calm river surrounded by reeds and greenery under a clear sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Golden dome of a shrine with blue tilework and Arabic calligraphy under a clear blue sky.
NAJAF · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Five people stand before a large blue-glazed gate with animal reliefs under a clear sky.
BABYLON · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Weathered stone relief carving of a bearded face with detailed hair and beard on ancient wall.
MUTHANNA · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
People ride a decorated boat on a wide river with a metal tower and city buildings in the background.
BASRA · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Stone citadel atop a hill with visitors walking on paths below under clear blue sky.
KIRKUK · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk past a weathered two-story building with arched windows and a metal fence under a clear sky.
SULAYMANIYAH · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Four women in headscarves pose smiling before a brightly lit, ornate blue-tiled shrine entrance at night.
KARBALA · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Reed mudhif structure on a small island in a marsh under clear blue sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Narrow alley between damaged stone buildings under a clear blue sky, rubble on ground.
MOSUL · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk along a palm-lined courtyard toward a turquoise-domed shrine.
BAGHDAD · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Ornate dome and spiral minaret against clear blue sky, tiled with Arabic calligraphy.
SAMARRA · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Five tourists stand in front of eroded mud-brick ruins under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
People stand on a rooftop overlooking a vast cemetery under a clear blue sky.
NAJAF · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Interior of a grand shrine with ornate blue tilework, chandeliers, and worshippers on patterned carpets.
KARBALA · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists photograph a historic brick building with wooden balconies and arched windows on a street.
ERBIL · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing in front of a traditional reed mudhif structure under a clear blue sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Two travelers sit on a wooden boat near a large white vessel on calm water.
BASRA · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Group of visitors viewing ancient pottery in glass cases inside a red-walled museum hall with ornate ceiling.
BAGHDAD · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Stone citadel atop a barren hill under blue sky, with visitors walking on a dirt path below.
KIRKUK · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing in front of a tall spiral brick minaret under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Stone archway with carved details frames two weathered statues inside a recessed niche.
MOSUL · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
People walking across a dry, open archaeological site with low mud-brick ruins under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Three people view ancient stone carvings on a sunlit Babylonian wall.
BABYLON · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists photographing a decorated street with flags and traditional buildings under a clear sky.
ERBIL · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
People eating on floor mats inside a reed mudhif with arched walls and lanterns.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Golden dome and patterned minarets under clear sky with construction crane in background.
KARBALA · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Man taking photo with phone while seated on a boat under yellow canopy on a river.
BASRA · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Street market with shops selling textiles and snacks, people browsing under bright sun.
BAGHDAD · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers walking across a dry, open archaeological site with low mud-brick ruins under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing in front of a tall, spiraling brick minaret under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Two tourists walk across a desert site with ancient stone columns and ruins behind them under a clear sky.
MOSUL · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
People eating at a long table inside a circular reed mudhif with patterned carpets and Iraqi flags.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS
Tourists gather on a street lined with traditional brick buildings under a clear blue sky.
ERBIL · SEPT 2024 · 16 TRAVELERS

AUG 2024 · 10 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad to Erbil, August 2024

Baghdad · Erbil · Kirkuk · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra · Sulaymaniyah

In August 2024, 12 travellers from Italy joined us across Baghdad, Erbil, Kirkuk, Muthanna, Nasiriyah, Samarra, and Sulaymaniyah. We walked the ramparts of the Erbil Citadel and the Kirkuk citadel, and we climbed the Malwiya spiral minaret in Samarra. The group stood before the Ziggurat of Ur in Nasiriyah and examined the memorial panels inside Amna Suraka in Sulaymaniyah. At one stop, we shared a meal of grilled fish, rice, flatbread, and watermelon served on the floor of a tiled room.

Italy
Stone building with arched windows and a golden cross above its entrance, set on a mosaic courtyard under blue sky.
BAGHDAD · AUG 2024 · 10 TRAVELERS
Stone fortress wall with arched doorway and crenellated top under clear blue sky.
ERBIL · AUG 2024 · 10 TRAVELERS
Stone citadel with crenellated walls atop a dry hill under clear blue sky.
KIRKUK · AUG 2024 · 10 TRAVELERS
Visitors examine memorial panels with portraits and text inside a museum hallway.
SULAYMANIYAH · AUG 2024 · 10 TRAVELERS
Two men pose beside a reed mudhif structure with marshland and a boat in the background.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · AUG 2024 · 10 TRAVELERS
Stone building entrance with golden cross on door, arched windows, and dome under blue sky.
ERBIL · AUG 2024 · 10 TRAVELERS
Two people on a wooden walkway near a large ancient brick ziggurat under a clear blue sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · AUG 2024 · 10 TRAVELERS
Tourists view a seated mannequin in uniform inside a museum exhibit with orange text panels on gray walls.
SULAYMANIYAH · AUG 2024 · 10 TRAVELERS
Two people on a wooden walkway near a large ancient mud-brick ziggurat under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · AUG 2024 · 10 TRAVELERS
Stone building entrance with two golden crosses on doors, arched windows, and Arabic script above doorway.
BAGHDAD · AUG 2024 · 10 TRAVELERS
Stone fortress wall with arched wooden door and crenellated parapet under clear blue sky.
ERBIL · AUG 2024 · 10 TRAVELERS
Tourists view a seated mannequin in uniform inside a museum exhibit with informational panels.
SULAYMANIYAH · AUG 2024 · 10 TRAVELERS
Tourists gather on a paved path near a glass display case with a ziggurat in the desert background under a clear blue sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · AUG 2024 · 10 TRAVELERS
Tourists view exhibits inside a museum with a seated mannequin and glass display cases.
SULAYMANIYAH · AUG 2024 · 10 TRAVELERS
Stone citadel wall with crenellations overlooks a sunlit city on rolling hills under clear blue sky.
ERBIL · AUG 2024 · 10 TRAVELERS
Tourists examine informational panels at an archaeological site under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · AUG 2024 · 10 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers and locals posing on a gravel bank beside a marsh waterway with reeds and a small boat.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · AUG 2024 · 10 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers and locals standing on a gravel bank beside a marsh with reeds and a boat.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · AUG 2024 · 10 TRAVELERS
A person stands before a stone citadel wall under a clear blue sky.
ERBIL · AUG 2024 · 10 TRAVELERS

APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad, Babylon and Erbil, April 2024

Babylon · Baghdad · Erbil · Karbala · Mosul · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra · Sulaymaniyah

In April 2024, fifteen travelers from Italy joined us for a route across Iraq. We walked through the Ishtar Gate and past the Lion of Babylon, stopping later at the Erbil Citadel and the Great Mosque of Samarra. The group also visited the Imam Husayn shrine in Karbala, the Al-Kadhimiya shrine in Baghdad, and the ruins of Hatra in Mosul. We spent time in Sulaymaniyah seeing Amna Suraka and Ahmed Awa, as well as making stops in Muthanna, Nasiriyah, and Karbala.

Italy
Ancient stone archway with columns and steps under a clear blue sky.
MOSUL · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Sunlit courtyard with mud-brick buildings and stone steps under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
ERBIL · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Man in green shirt holds large fish at covered fish market with stalls and wet floor.
BAGHDAD · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Man in sunglasses holding camera aboard a moving boat, water spraying around, reeds in background.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing in front of a brightly lit, tiled shrine entrance at night.
KARBALA · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Modern three-story hotel building with signage reading 'HOTEL DELOS' and 'DELOS REST', set against green hills under overcast sky.
SULAYMANIYAH · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tourists view ancient stone reliefs and ruins under bright sun in an archaeological site.
BABYLON · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
A man stands inside a large brick chamber with ornate arched ceilings and patterned stucco.
SAMARRA · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Shoppers browse spice sacks and metalware in a crowded indoor market with arched ceilings and Arabic signage.
BAGHDAD · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Ancient stone archway with columns under blue sky, steps leading up to entrance.
MOSUL · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
People walk along stone steps and paths overlooking a green valley with scattered trees and a winding road below.
SULAYMANIYAH · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk inside a grand mosque with red carpets, ornate chandeliers, and patterned tile walls.
KARBALA · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Woman holding a shovel walks between large eroded mud-brick mounds under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Stone arched gateway in a fortified wall overlooking a green valley with scattered buildings.
ERBIL · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tourists gather among ancient stone columns under a clear sky at a historic site.
SAMARRA · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Interior of a mosque with ornate tilework, arched windows, and red prayer carpets.
BAGHDAD · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing in front of a brightly lit, tiled shrine entrance at night.
KARBALA · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers in headscarves and casual clothes standing on stone pavement near arched stone structures and olive trees.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Gravel courtyard inside Erbil Citadel with stone walls, trees, and a flagpole flying the Kurdish flag under a blue sky.
ERBIL · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Visitors walk through a dim corridor lined with illuminated portrait panels on both walls.
SULAYMANIYAH · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk under a metal canopy past damaged buildings in a sunlit street.
MOSUL · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
A person stands at the base of a large, eroded mud-brick archaeological mound under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tourists explore ancient stone ruins with carved animal reliefs under a clear sky.
BABYLON · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers standing in front of a large brick mosque with arched windows and patterned walls.
SAMARRA · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Grand mosque with blue-tiled arches and a tall minaret under cloudy sky, wet courtyard with one person walking.
KARBALA · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Yellow car parked on street in front of large domed mosque with minaret under clear blue sky.
BAGHDAD · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand on pavement facing a rocky cliff with sparse trees under a partly cloudy sky.
SULAYMANIYAH · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
View through an arched stone window onto sunlit ancient ruins under blue sky.
MUTHANNA · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
People walking on stone stairs beside a large stone building with arched windows and a hillside behind.
ERBIL · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Ancient stone temple with tall columns under a blue sky in a desert landscape.
MOSUL · APR 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS

MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad to Erbil, March 2024

Baghdad · Basra · Erbil · Mosul · Muthanna · Najaf · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra · Sulaymaniyah

In March 2024, fifteen travellers from Spain joined us to cross Iraq from Baghdad and Samarra up to Mosul, Erbil, and Sulaymaniyah. We walked through the old quarters of Nasiriyah and Muthanna, stopping at the House of Abraham, before heading south to the Imam Ali shrine and Wadi al-Salam cemetery in Najaf. Along the way we also spent time in Basra and saw the damage at Nimrud and the Al-Nuri mosque in Mosul. It was a long route covering nine cities in ten days.

Spain
Vast cemetery with dense tombs and a green-domed shrine under a blue sky.
NAJAF · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
White building with arched windows behind ornate metal fence, sign reads Mosul Heritage.
MOSUL · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
Green valley with terraced rocky hills, a small building near a stream, and sparse trees under overcast sky.
SULAYMANIYAH · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
Large brick citadel with arched gateway and rows of windows under a clear blue sky.
ERBIL · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
Man stands under a brick archway with the spiral minaret of Samarra behind him under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
Woman standing beside highway with blue road signs pointing to Basra and Baghdad under overcast sky.
BASRA · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
Three people pose beside a stone plaque marking the House of Abraham under a clear blue sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
Erbil Citadel on a hill with shops and people below under a clear blue sky.
ERBIL · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
Man in jacket points across a rocky river with green hills and a wooden structure in the background.
SULAYMANIYAH · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
Ancient stone cliff face with carved niches and weathered reliefs under a clear sky.
MOSUL · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
Cityscape of dense beige buildings under blue sky with scattered clouds, distant water horizon.
NAJAF · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
Man in sunglasses poses beside ancient brick ruins under clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
Four people posing under a red canopy on a boat near a ziggurat and riverbank.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
Three people browse metal souvenirs in a crowded shop with engraved plates and decorative items on display.
BAGHDAD · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
Woman in yellow dress holds camera while browsing red textiles at an outdoor market stall.
ERBIL · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
Rusty white signpost in desert reads 'WELCOME IN ASSUR' under blue sky.
MOSUL · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
Ruined brick archway on a sandy mound under clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
A man in a jacket stands by a rocky riverbank, pointing toward a flowing river with a small building on the far bank.
SULAYMANIYAH · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
Two men in a stone courtyard with arched walkways and wooden doors under a glass roof.
ERBIL · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
Two people stand before a stone sign identifying the Arabkon Tomb from the New Assyrian period, with yellow wildflowers behind.
MOSUL · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
Excavated mud-brick ruins under a protective white roof structure in a desert setting.
MUTHANNA · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
Three people conversing in a museum gallery with glass cases displaying ancient pottery.
BAGHDAD · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
Man stands under a brick archway with a tall spiral minaret behind him under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
Two people stand under a large arched gateway of ancient brick ruins under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS
Dining area with large windows overlooking the Tigris river and city skyline with domed structures.
BAGHDAD · MAR 2024 · 4 TRAVELERS

FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Babylon, Baghdad and Ur, February 2024

Babylon · Baghdad · Basra · Erbil · Karbala · Mosul · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In February 2024, twenty-eight travelers from Italy joined us to see Iraq. We walked through the Ishtar Gate in Babylon, viewed the stone statues outside the Iraq Museum in Baghdad, and climbed the Ziggurat of Ur in Nasiriyah. Our group also stopped at the Malwiya spiral minaret at the Great Mosque of Samarra and visited Erbil Citadel.

Italy
Reed mudhif house on a marsh island under blue sky with reeds in water foreground.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing in front of a colorful mural and arched doorway in a courtyard.
ERBIL · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
Ancient eroded mud-brick ruins with carved stone reliefs under a cloudy sky.
MUTHANNA · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
Tour group gathers in a sunlit courtyard surrounded by tall brick walls and arched architecture.
SAMARRA · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
Directional sign for Basra Railway Station with Arabic and English text and a train icon against a clear sky.
BASRA · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing in front of a shrine with golden minarets and green signage.
KARBALA · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
Man gestures toward ancient stone ruins with carved animal reliefs under cloudy sky.
BABYLON · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
A person paddles a small boat on calm water with reeds and a large domed building in the background.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
Ancient stone relief carving showing two figures in detailed attire on a weathered wall.
MOSUL · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
Two giant crossed swords held by hands, lit at night with palm trees and Iraqi flag visible.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
Man in jacket stands beside saddled brown horse on dry, eroded terrain under blue sky.
MUTHANNA · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
Group of visitors and guides gathered around a large architectural model inside a museum gallery with display screens.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
People ride traditional boats on marsh waters near a reed mudhif under a clear sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
Spiral minaret and long brick wall under a bright blue sky with sun glare.
SAMARRA · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
An elderly woman stands before ancient mud-brick ruins under a clear sky.
MUTHANNA · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing in front of a large turquoise tiled monument with split domes under clear sky.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk on a wooden boardwalk toward a large ancient ziggurat in a flat desert landscape.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing in front of a large spiral brick minaret under clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
Man takes selfie in front of large blue tiled monument with tourists nearby on paved plaza.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing on wooden platform before massive brick ziggurat under clear sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing in front of a large turquoise monument with split dome under clear blue sky.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
Man riding a horse on a dry, flat landscape with another person standing beside them.
MUTHANNA · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
Five people walk along a dirt path beside the brick minaret of Samarra's Great Mosque at sunset.
SAMARRA · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand on a wooden walkway facing a large ancient brick ziggurat under a cloudy sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing in front of large blue tiled monument under clear sky.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2024 · 28 TRAVELERS

FEB 2024 · 35 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad, Nasiriyah, Sulaymaniyah, February 2024

Baghdad · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Sulaymaniyah

In February 2024, thirty-five travelers from Hong Kong joined us to explore Baghdad, Nasiriyah, and Sulaymaniyah. We stood together inside the dark memorial hall of the Al-Shaheed monument and later sat on patterned rugs inside a reed mudhif structure. By the water, some of us watched a person row a long wooden boat through the reeds while others looked out over Dukan lake from the white railing.

Hong Kong
Reed mudhif structure with arched doorway under blue sky with scattered clouds.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2024 · 35 TRAVELERS
Tour group listens to guide inside a dark memorial hall with reflective floors and wall inscriptions.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2024 · 35 TRAVELERS
A person in white robes rows a long wooden boat through reed-lined water under a cloudy sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2024 · 35 TRAVELERS
Man in black coat leans on white railing overlooking a large lake with hills and boats under a cloudy sky.
SULAYMANIYAH · FEB 2024 · 35 TRAVELERS
People sit on patterned rugs inside a long reed archway structure with Iraqi flags at the far end.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2024 · 35 TRAVELERS
A person in white robes stands in a narrow boat, poling through calm water with reeds and sunset clouds above.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2024 · 35 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing in front of a traditional reed mudhif structure under a clear blue sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2024 · 35 TRAVELERS
Man in dark jacket stands near a lakeshore with small boats moored on a rocky bank under a cloudy sky.
SULAYMANIYAH · FEB 2024 · 35 TRAVELERS
Group seated on patterned rugs inside a reed archway structure with Iraqi flags hanging on walls.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2024 · 35 TRAVELERS
Four men ride in a colorful boat through reed-filled marshes under a clear sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2024 · 35 TRAVELERS
Two people sit in a striped boat on a calm waterway surrounded by reeds with a dome visible in the distance.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2024 · 35 TRAVELERS
Three people in a wooden boat on shallow water, one standing with a pole, two seated on patterned rugs.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2024 · 35 TRAVELERS

JAN 2024 · 25 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Duhok and Karbala, May 2024

Duhok · Karbala

In May 2024, twenty-five travelers from Turkey joined us to visit Duhok and Karbala. We walked up the hillside at Lalish temple, where stone conical towers stand among trees and a person wore traditional headwear. In Karbala, the group visited the Imam Husayn shrine, standing before the golden-domed shrine with minarets under a clear sky and gathering beneath the arched tilework and crystal chandeliers inside.

Turkey
A person in traditional headwear stands before stone conical towers on a hillside with trees.
DUHOK · JAN 2024 · 25 TRAVELERS
Three people stand before an ornate shrine with Arabic calligraphy and patterned arches.
KARBALA · JAN 2024 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group of women and one man posing with a green banner inside a shrine with ornate tilework and Arabic calligraphy.
KARBALA · JAN 2024 · 25 TRAVELERS
Women in headscarves stand inside a shrine with a crystal chandelier and mirrored walls.
KARBALA · JAN 2024 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing in front of a golden-domed shrine with minarets under a clear sky.
KARBALA · JAN 2024 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group of women in headscarves taking a selfie inside a richly decorated shrine with arched tilework and chandeliers.
KARBALA · JAN 2024 · 25 TRAVELERS
Women in headscarves pose for a selfie inside a tiled shrine with crowds behind them.
KARBALA · JAN 2024 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group of people standing before an ornate shrine with Arabic calligraphy and patterned tile walls.
KARBALA · JAN 2024 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing in front of a golden-domed shrine with minarets under a clear sky.
KARBALA · JAN 2024 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group of people posing in front of a golden-domed shrine with minarets under a clear sky.
KARBALA · JAN 2024 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing in front of a brick shrine entrance with Arabic signage and green flags.
KARBALA · JAN 2024 · 25 TRAVELERS
Four women in headscarves pose inside a shrine with blue mosaic walls and chandeliers.
KARBALA · JAN 2024 · 25 TRAVELERS

JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad, Basra and Babylon, January 2024

Babylon · Baghdad · Basra · Karbala · Muthanna · Najaf · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In January 2024, twenty-five travellers from Italy joined us for a route across Iraq. We walked through the ancient mud-brick ruins in Babylon and stood by the blue gate with animal reliefs. The group visited the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf and looked out over Wadi al-Salam cemetery from a rooftop. We also stopped at the Great Mosque of Samarra, Baghdad, Basra, Karbala, Muthanna, and Nasiriyah during the week.

Italy
Ornate blue-tiled dome and minaret of a shrine under clear sky, with palm trees and a white car nearby.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
People ride in wooden boats through tall reeds on a narrow waterway under a clear blue sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
People walking on patterned carpets near ornate tiled archways and a clock tower at a shrine complex.
KARBALA · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Three people in headscarves overlook a vast cemetery and cityscape from a rooftop under clear sky.
NAJAF · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Ancient eroded mud-brick ruins under blue sky with scattered dry grass and a palm tree near an arched gateway.
MUTHANNA · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing in front of a blue gate with animal reliefs under a cloudy sky.
BABYLON · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Church entrance with a sign reading Basra and the South Chaldean Archdiocese under a blue sky.
BASRA · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing in front of a large brick mosque with intricate geometric patterns and arched doorways.
SAMARRA · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Building with red roof beside river at sunset, Tigris visible in foreground.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Two people sit in a wooden boat on a calm waterway surrounded by tall reeds.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of visitors posing before a green banner with Arabic calligraphy at a shrine complex.
KARBALA · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
People in white cloaks walk among tombstones and vendor stalls in a vast cemetery under clear sky.
NAJAF · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Two people walk on a wooden boardwalk toward ancient mud-brick ruins under a clear sky.
MUTHANNA · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk past a black iron fence with a large reconstructed brick wall and crenellated towers behind it.
BABYLON · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand in a sunlit courtyard with arched brick walls and a central stone fountain.
SAMARRA · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
People sit on patterned rugs inside a reed-built structure with arched ceilings, eating and conversing.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Man leans on boat railing overlooking water at sunset with bridge and buildings in background.
BASRA · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
People pray inside a shrine with blue tilework, gold accents, and patterned carpets.
KARBALA · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Sunset over a river with silhouetted buildings and calm water reflecting the orange sky.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists standing before the ornate brick entrance of a historic mosque under clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Three people in patterned cloaks walk past marble tombs in a sunlit cemetery.
NAJAF · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk along a path beside ancient brick walls with crenellated tops under a clear sky.
BABYLON · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand on a raised walkway overlooking ancient mud-brick ruins under an overcast sky.
MUTHANNA · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
People seated on patterned rugs inside a reed mudhif, eating meals with plates and drinks on low tables.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Ornate domed shrine with minaret, palm trees, fountains, and people gathered in a park at dusk.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing in front of illuminated shrine entrance at night with Arabic signage.
KARBALA · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS
Massive brick mosque facade with arched openings and a spiral minaret under scaffolding against a cloudy sky.
SAMARRA · JAN 2024 · 15 TRAVELERS

JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad to Basra, January 2024

Babylon · Baghdad · Basra · Erbil · Karbala · Muthanna · Najaf · Nasiriyah & the Marshes

In January 2024, twelve travellers from Germany joined us for a route covering Baghdad, Babylon, Karbala, Najaf, Nasiriyah, Muthanna, Basra, and Erbil. We walked past the Swords of Qadisiyah in Baghdad and stopped at the Ishtar Gate in Babylon. In Najaf and Karbala, the group visited the Imam Ali shrine and the Imam Husayn shrine. Later in Erbil, we walked up to the Erbil Citadel before ending the trip.

Germany
Three men with cameras and audio gear film inside a colorful courtyard with Arabic signs and plants.
ERBIL · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Two people stand in a crowded market stall packed with colorful packaged goods and hanging bags.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
People sit on patterned rugs inside a reed-built structure with food spread before them.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Three people film a fish stall with splashing water at an outdoor market under palm trees.
BASRA · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Three people stand before a large blue gate with animal reliefs under an overcast sky.
BABYLON · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Deck of a wooden boat with coiled ropes, Tigris river and distant bridge visible.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Man with camera stands among rows of tombs in a vast cemetery under blue sky.
NAJAF · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Four people stand on a paved platform viewing informational panels and a glass display case in a desert landscape.
MUTHANNA · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Man with camera photographs fish on ice at outdoor market stall under Arabic signage.
BASRA · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Three people pose in front of a blue glazed brick gate with animal reliefs under a cloudy sky.
BABYLON · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Tourists browse a street market stall selling jewelry and fruit under Arabic signage.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
White river cruise ship named Basrah Breeze docked at a pier under blue sky with scattered clouds.
BASRA · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Four people stand on a paved platform viewing archaeological display panels and a glass case with artifacts in a desert setting.
MUTHANNA · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Two people pose in front of a large blue gate with animal reliefs under a cloudy sky.
BABYLON · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Travelers browse fresh produce at an outdoor market stall with hanging bananas and vegetables displayed.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Five people stand on a wooden pier beside a blue and white ship structure with water and cityscape behind.
BASRA · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Man takes selfie with tourists near ancient mud-brick ruins under clear sky.
MUTHANNA · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
People gather around a street tea stall with metal pots and glasses, in a busy market with Arabic signage.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Five people stand on a wooden dock beside a blue industrial structure with a river and city skyline behind.
BASRA · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Tourists browse a cluttered shop filled with necklaces, framed art, and tribal artifacts under fluorescent lights.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Blue glazed brick gate with lion and bull reliefs, tourists standing nearby on paved ground.
BABYLON · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Three people film a fish market stall with live fish in water tanks under palm trees.
BASRA · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Three people pose in front of a large sculptural monument in a paved plaza with palm trees and buildings.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS
Man photographing fish and shrimp displayed on ice at a bustling indoor market stall.
BASRA · JAN 2024 · 12 TRAVELERS

DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad to Basra, December 2023

Babylon · Baghdad · Basra · Erbil · Karbala · Mosul · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra · Sulaymaniyah

In December 2023, we travelled with 25 people from Hong Kong across Iraq. We walked through the Ishtar Gate in Babylon, visited the Erbil Citadel in Erbil, and saw the Imam Husayn shrine in Karbala. The itinerary also took us to the Great Mosque of Samarra and Nimrud in Mosul.

Hong Kong
Large 'I ❤️ BEKHAL' sign in front of a waterfall cascading down rocky cliffs with a wooden viewing platform.
SULAYMANIYAH · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Sunlit waterway flanked by tall reeds in the Mesopotamian Marshes.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Ornate blue and gold tiled dome against a clear sky.
KARBALA · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Modern building with Arabic signage on a busy street at sunset, cars moving on wet pavement.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing in front of a blue gate with white animal reliefs under a clear sky.
BABYLON · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand near a blue sign at an ancient mud-brick mound under clear sky.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
People walking on a cobblestone street lined with colorful buildings and hanging plants under overcast skies.
ERBIL · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
A person in blue stands near ancient stone ruins and a large arched building in a desert landscape.
MOSUL · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Spiral minaret and long brick wall under bright sun in open desert.
SAMARRA · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
People sit aboard covered wooden boats on a wide river with larger vessels and a city skyline in the background.
BASRA · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Interior of a church with stained glass windows, wooden ceiling, and people seated in pews.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Deep canyon with steep rocky cliffs, a winding river below, and a village perched on the right cliff edge under a clear sky.
SULAYMANIYAH · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Ornate interior with mirrored walls and ceiling, patterned tiles, and recessed lighting in a shrine.
KARBALA · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Welcome sign to the Ancient City of Ur against a blue sky with power lines.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Weathered two-story wooden building with carved balconies and arched brick entrances in a historic citadel.
ERBIL · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing with guide in front of ancient mud-brick ruins under clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
A woman gestures toward ruined arched openings in a damaged blue-painted building interior.
MOSUL · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Close-up of ancient stone arch with carved lion relief under blue sky.
BABYLON · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Massive brick mosque with spiral minaret under bright sun in desert landscape.
SAMARRA · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Ornate brick building with wooden balconies and arched windows on a street with parked cars and a man standing beside a truck.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Ancient eroded mud-brick walls and stone-paved courtyard under open sky.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Tourists sit aboard a wooden boat on Shatt al-Arab river with a bridge and city skyline in the background.
BASRA · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing on a street with a large blue-domed shrine behind them under clear sky.
KARBALA · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group seated on patterned rugs inside a reed mudhif with arched walls and Iraqi flags.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Ancient stone relief carving of two figures in Assyrian attire on a weathered wall under sky.
MOSUL · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Tourists sit in a room with framed portraits and a mosaic fountain, listening to a guide.
SULAYMANIYAH · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk along a street beside a historic brick building with arched windows and wooden balconies.
ERBIL · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
A person stands before a large blue gate with animal reliefs under a clear sky.
BABYLON · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Sunset behind a bridge over a river with boats and a domed building visible in the distance.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Tour group listens to guide near ancient brick arches and spiral minaret ruins under bright sun.
SAMARRA · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group of people eating meals on a patterned mat inside a reed-built structure with woven walls and windows.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS
Sunlit ancient mud-brick ruins under cloudy sky with scattered stone blocks and a distant lamp post.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2023 · 25 TRAVELERS

JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad to Mosul, June 2023

Baghdad · Duhok · Erbil · Karbala · Mosul · Muthanna · Najaf · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra · Sulaymaniyah

In June 2023, thirteen travellers from Russia joined us for a route stretching from Baghdad across the central plains and up to Mosul. We walked through the stone ruins of Hatra and looked up at the Malwiya spiral minaret at the Great Mosque of Samarra. The group spent time around the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf and the Imam Husayn shrine in Karbala, before heading north to Erbil Citadel and the Lalish temple in Duhok. We also visited Ahmed Awa in Sulaymaniyah, where water cascades through the canyon.

Russia
Natural rock arch framing turquoise water cascading through a mossy canyon with bare trees on slopes.
SULAYMANIYAH · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Three conical stone towers with ridged surfaces against a clear blue sky, framed by autumn leaves.
DUHOK · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Sunset over a river with silhouetted buildings and a dome on the far bank.
BAGHDAD · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Ornate interior with gold carvings, Arabic calligraphy, and red-lit alcoves under a chandelier.
KARBALA · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Ancient stone columns with carved capitals under a clear blue sky.
MOSUL · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Close-up of ancient cuneiform inscriptions carved into weathered stone blocks.
MUTHANNA · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Massive brick mosque wall with arched openings under a cloudy sky, palm trees in distance.
SAMARRA · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Four people pose in front of a golden-domed shrine with blue-tiled entrance under clear sky.
NAJAF · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Man stands beside bronze bust on pedestal with plaque, citadel visible on hill behind.
ERBIL · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Five geese swim in calm water with tall reeds lining the bank under a clear sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Two people sit among brassware in a crowded market stall with shelves of ornate metal goods.
BAGHDAD · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Man points toward stone building with conical roof and arched openings, surrounded by trees and people.
DUHOK · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Long corridor with repeating pointed arches and intricate stucco carvings inside a historic mosque.
SAMARRA · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Woman tourist stands beside a vendor in a traditional market stall under woven canopy.
ERBIL · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Four men pose at night before a large green banner and golden minarets in a crowded shrine courtyard.
KARBALA · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Ruined mud-brick walls and arches in a desert landscape under a clear sky.
MUTHANNA · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Ancient stone columns with carved capitals stand under a clear sky at an archaeological site.
MOSUL · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Sunset over calm water with reeds silhouetted against golden sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Courtyard with carved wooden benches, patterned cushions, and a brick wall with a decorative bee and bag.
ERBIL · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Man in traditional headwear stands before stone conical towers on a hillside.
DUHOK · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk through a narrow alley lined with hanging metal cookware and brick walls.
BAGHDAD · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
A woman stands inside an arched corridor of a historic brick mosque, touching a pillar.
SAMARRA · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Two tall minarets with gold domes flank an ornate arched entrance to a shrine under a clear sky.
KARBALA · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing inside a large TV-shaped photo frame with test pattern background.
MOSUL · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Ancient stone ruins with arched gateway and black metal gate under clear sky.
MUTHANNA · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Four men posing on a boat at sunset with marshland and palm trees in the background.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Ancient Assyrian winged bull sculpture with human head displayed indoors under museum lighting.
BAGHDAD · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Mannequin in traditional Kurdish attire stands in a stone-walled room with woven textiles, rugs, and cultural artifacts displayed.
ERBIL · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
People in traditional attire gather on stone steps near conical-roofed buildings on a hillside.
DUHOK · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
A person stands inside a tall arched brick niche in a historic structure.
SAMARRA · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Man stands in desert ruins with crumbling stone arches and walls under bright sky.
MUTHANNA · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Four people pose in front of a golden-domed shrine with blue tilework under clear sky.
KARBALA · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Ancient stone temple with tall columns and arched entrance under clear sky.
MOSUL · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Two men stand near a wooden marsh boat with reeds and trees in the background.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Stone temple with conical roof under bright sun, parked cars and visitors nearby.
DUHOK · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS
Two women in traditional attire sit outdoors, one gesturing toward a conical stone shrine with colorful flags.
DUHOK · JUN 2023 · 13 TRAVELERS

FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad to Basra, February 2023

Babylon · Baghdad · Basra · Karbala · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In February 2023, twelve travellers from Russia joined us for a five-day route across Iraq. We stopped at the Iraq Museum in Baghdad and walked the ancient grounds of Babylon to see the Lion of Babylon. In Samarra, we climbed the Malwiya spiral minaret and visited the Great Mosque. Our group also spent time at the Imam Husayn shrine in Karbala before moving south through Muthanna and Nasiriyah toward Basra.

Russia
Three men pose before a large green Arabic calligraphy banner and golden minaret at a shrine complex.
KARBALA · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
Woman stands beside a large blue-glazed tile mural of a lion in a museum setting.
BABYLON · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
Man standing in a narrow brick corridor with arched openings above, sunlight streaming through.
SAMARRA · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
Four people pose in front of the Iraq Museum building under a clear sky.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
Woman in wide-brimmed hat sits on stone steps in a park at sunset with palm trees and a tall tower behind.
BASRA · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
A woman stands in an arched doorway of a sunlit mud-brick structure.
MUTHANNA · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
Three people stand before a large green Arabic banner flanked by golden minarets and floral wreaths on a red patterned carpet.
KARBALA · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
Woman stands beside a large blue-glazed tile mural of a lion in a museum setting.
BABYLON · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
A woman stands before a large brick mosque entrance with intricate geometric patterns under a clear sky.
SAMARRA · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
Three people sit on a boat on a muddy river with reeds and a distant embankment.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
Woman stands beside three mannequins in traditional attire holding musical instruments inside a brick-walled room.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
A woman stands smiling in a narrow stone corridor with arched openings and sandy floors.
MUTHANNA · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
Tourists and locals stand in a paved plaza before a grand shrine with golden domes and minarets.
KARBALA · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
A woman stands before the scaffolded Malwiya spiral minaret in Samarra under a clear sky.
SAMARRA · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
Woman stands beside ancient bearded stone statue in museum; guide gestures toward another statue.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
Tourists pose in front of a large blue gate with animal reliefs under a clear sky.
BABYLON · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
A woman stands on a paved plaza before the spiral minaret of Samarra under a clear sky.
SAMARRA · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
Two women stand between ancient Assyrian winged bull statues inside a museum gallery.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
Group of people posing at night in front of illuminated shrine with golden domes and minarets.
KARBALA · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
Three tourists pose in front of the ancient Lion of Babylon statue under a clear sky.
BABYLON · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
Two tourists stand atop a stone wall with arched openings under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
Woman stands beside ancient Assyrian lamassu sculpture inside a museum gallery with other visitors nearby.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
Woman in light robe stands before golden dome and blue-tiled shrine entrance under clear sky.
KARBALA · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
Tourists pose in front of a blue glazed brick gate with animal reliefs under a clear sky.
BABYLON · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS
Three men stand before a massive arched brick ruin with blue scaffolding inside under a clear sky.
SAMARRA · FEB 2023 · 12 TRAVELERS

MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad to Erbil, May 2022

Babylon · Baghdad · Erbil · Karbala · Kirkuk · Mosul · Muthanna · Najaf · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In May 2022, eight travellers from Turkey joined us for a route across the country. We walked along the long sandy path between the crenellated brick walls of the Babylon reconstructed palace walls and looked up at the Ishtar Gate. In Mosul, we stood by the damaged Al-Nuri mosque under a clear blue sky before heading north to see the Erbil Citadel.

Turkey
Ornate ceiling with crystal chandeliers and mirrored surfaces inside a shrine.
KARBALA · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Colorful building with arched windows, string lights, and potted plants on a street with a red car and pedestrians.
ERBIL · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Damaged mosque with green dome and wooden scaffolding under a clear blue sky.
MOSUL · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Long sandy path between tall, crenellated brick walls under a clear sky, bordered by black metal fencing.
BABYLON · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Stone archway with Arabic calligraphy under a flagpole flying the Iraqi flag against a blue sky.
KIRKUK · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Brick building with arched gateway, blue-tiled window, and Arabic sign beside parked scooter under clear sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Eroded mud-brick mounds under a clear sky with distant low walls and sparse vegetation.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Interior of a mosque with blue carpet, ornate dome, Arabic calligraphy, and golden chandelier.
BAGHDAD · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Low-angle view of a tall minaret with spiral design and blue tilework, framed by tree branches against sky.
SAMARRA · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Man stands beside ornate wooden shrine with glass panels inside tiled hall.
NAJAF · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Two men stand before a large blue gate decorated with animal reliefs under a clear sky.
BABYLON · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Ornate golden shrine with blue tilework and Arabic calligraphy under a glittering chandelier, viewed from below.
KARBALA · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Men browse metalware in a crowded covered market with hanging pots and pans under dim lighting.
BAGHDAD · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Ornate stone arch with Arabic calligraphy and turquoise trim under a clear blue sky.
MOSUL · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Wide sandy courtyard within a walled citadel, hazy cityscape visible beyond the walls.
KIRKUK · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Small brick building with a blue dome under a palm tree and clear sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Two men pose in front of a blue glazed gate with animal reliefs under a clear sky.
BABYLON · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Courtyard view through an archway showing beige stone buildings with arched doorways and windows under a clear blue sky.
ERBIL · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Blue-domed shrine and spiral minaret under clear sky with palm trees.
SAMARRA · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Golden shrine with green lattice panels inside a marble hall with chandeliers and patterned carpet.
NAJAF · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Long mud-brick wall with crenellations stretches across a flat desert under a hazy sky.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Ornate golden shrine interior with crystal chandelier and mirrored walls under arched ceiling.
KARBALA · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Street view of a large domed shrine with blue tilework and a minaret, cars parked along the road.
BAGHDAD · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Damaged mosque with green dome under wooden scaffolding against blue sky.
MOSUL · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Wide sandy courtyard surrounded by low brick walls under a hazy sky, with distant city buildings visible.
SAMARRA · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Blue-tiled dome with Arabic calligraphy atop a brick building, surrounded by palm trees and arched structures.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Sunlit mud-brick archway with crenellated walls under clear sky.
MUTHANNA · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Ornate chandelier hangs beneath tiled ceiling with Arabic calligraphy; red flag with white script visible through window.
KARBALA · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Ornate beige building with blue tilework and balconies on a street with parked vehicles under a clear sky.
BAGHDAD · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Relief of a lion in glazed blue and yellow tiles mounted on an interior wall.
BABYLON · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Golden dome and minaret viewed through an arched window frame against blue sky.
NAJAF · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
A signboard with Arabic text and emblems mounted against a brick wall.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS
Brick arches and vaulted ceiling inside a historic mosque structure.
SAMARRA · MAY 2022 · 2 TRAVELERS

DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Iraq, December 2019

Babylon · Baghdad · Basra · Erbil · Karbala · Kirkuk · Mosul · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra · Sulaymaniyah

In December 2019, we travelled across Iraq with 22 visitors from Hong Kong. We walked through the sunlit stone streets of Erbil Citadel and looked at ancient artifacts in glass cases inside the Iraq Museum in Baghdad. The group also visited the Great Mosque of Samarra to see the Malwiya spiral minaret and stood near the rocky waterfall at Ahmed Awa in Sulaymaniyah.

Hong Kong
Desert mound of ancient Uruk ruins viewed through a stone archway under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand near a rocky waterfall with carved goat statues and a stone terrace restaurant above.
SULAYMANIYAH · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Night view of a brightly lit turquoise-tiled shrine facade with arched windows and people sitting nearby.
KARBALA · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing inside a stone-walled mosque with turquoise carpets and ornate chandeliers.
KIRKUK · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Group of people eating on patterned rugs inside a reed mudhif with arched walls and woven ceiling.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk through sunlit stone streets of a historic citadel with mud-brick buildings and arched windows.
ERBIL · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Tourists climb steps toward ancient arched stone ruins under a clear blue sky.
MOSUL · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing in front of a blue glazed gate with animal reliefs under a clear sky.
BABYLON · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Woman in purple patterned dress smiles amid brass and copper crafts in a crowded market stall.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Illuminated cable-stayed bridge spans a river at night with city lights reflecting on water.
BASRA · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Brick mosque with spiral minaret and domes under blue sky, market tents below.
SAMARRA · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists walking among excavated mud-brick mounds under a protective metal roof structure.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Visitors browse ancient artifacts in glass cases under ornate ceilings inside a museum hall.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Relief carving of a lion behind a white metal grid on a stone wall.
BABYLON · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
People stand near a guard booth and palm trees on a paved area with a Ferris wheel in the distance.
BASRA · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
A person in purple robe touches a grilled window inside a room with ornate blue and gold tilework and marble walls.
KARBALA · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Tourists climb stone steps toward a large arched brick ruin under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Two men pose for a selfie in front of a rocky waterfall with carved goat statues and visitors nearby.
SULAYMANIYAH · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Ancient stone relief carving of a winged human-headed bull behind a white metal grid.
MOSUL · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Tourists browse copper trays and lanterns in a covered market alley with brick walls.
ERBIL · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists observing excavated mud-brick ruins under a protective wooden canopy in desert terrain.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Man in plaid shirt gazes across sunlit valley with rocky hills under clear blue sky.
SULAYMANIYAH · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Group of visitors viewing ancient artifacts in glass cases inside a grand hall with ornate ceiling and columns.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Blue glazed brick wall beside a sandy-colored crenellated wall with a Babylon city plan mural and two palm trees.
BABYLON · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing in front of Mosul Heritage Museum entrance on a cobblestone street.
MOSUL · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Tall reeds line a calm waterway under an overcast sky, reflecting in the still surface.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk across a sunlit cobblestone plaza surrounded by historic brick buildings under a clear blue sky.
ERBIL · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Man photographing ornate tiled interior with visitors seated on blue carpets near carved wooden doors.
KARBALA · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists standing near ancient brick arch ruins under blue sky.
SAMARRA · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Group of people walking beside a large white metal framework structure casting long shadows on sandy ground.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Man on a boat at night with illuminated cable-stayed bridge over water in Basra.
BASRA · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers walking through a damaged stone street with rubble and an arched gateway.
MOSUL · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing at night in front of a golden-domed shrine with palm trees and lights.
KARBALA · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS
People posing on stone steps beside a cascading waterfall and rocky cliff face.
SULAYMANIYAH · DEC 2019 · 22 TRAVELERS

JAN 2019 · 25 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad and Samarra

Baghdad · Samarra

Twenty-five travelers from Russia joined us for this tour. We walked through the galleries of the Iraq Museum and saw the Al-Qishla clock tower in Baghdad. The group also climbed the Malwiya spiral minaret in Samarra under a clear blue sky. Everyone gathered for photos in front of the large arched gateway with blue decorative reliefs.

Russia
Group of travelers posing in front of a large arched gateway with blue decorative reliefs and palm trees.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2019 · 25 TRAVELERS
A person stands on the spiral brick minaret under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · JAN 2019 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists gathers under a large arched entrance with blue decorative reliefs and flanking palm trees.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2019 · 25 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists gathers under a large arched gateway with blue decorative reliefs and palm trees nearby.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2019 · 25 TRAVELERS
People dining at tables on a boat with Tigris river and city buildings in background.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2019 · 25 TRAVELERS
Two people stand on the spiral brick minaret under a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · JAN 2019 · 25 TRAVELERS
Tourists view a large stone lion sculpture inside a museum hall with marble walls and barred windows.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2019 · 25 TRAVELERS
Two men posing for a photo in front of the Royal Tulip hotel under a clear blue sky.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2019 · 25 TRAVELERS
A person stands on the spiral brick minaret against a clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · JAN 2019 · 25 TRAVELERS
People dining at long tables on a riverboat with Tigris river visible alongside.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2019 · 25 TRAVELERS
Visitors view artifacts in glass cases inside a museum with blue walls and high windows.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2019 · 25 TRAVELERS
Tour group inside a museum gallery viewing ancient artifacts in glass cases.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2019 · 25 TRAVELERS
People dining on a riverboat with a bridge and riverbank visible in the background.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2019 · 25 TRAVELERS

MAR 2014 · 12 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad and Samarra, March 2014

Baghdad · Samarra

In March 2014, we travelled with 12 people from Russia through Baghdad and Samarra. We walked together across a paved city bridge and paused indoors by arched brick walls and patterned tile floors. The group browsed fruit stalls under hanging bananas in a covered market and stopped by the bronze statue of a woman pouring water from a jug on stacked clay jars. We spent time looking at the massive brick Malwiya spiral minaret standing under a clear blue sky over dry ground and construction debris.

Russia
Ancient brick minaret with spiral staircase under clear blue sky, surrounded by dry ground and sparse greenery.
SAMARRA · MAR 2014 · 12 TRAVELERS
Bronze statue of a woman pouring water from a jug atop stacked clay jars in a city fountain.
BAGHDAD · MAR 2014 · 12 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers walking on a paved bridge with city buildings and parked cars in the background.
BAGHDAD · MAR 2014 · 12 TRAVELERS
Massive brick minaret with spiral staircase under clear blue sky, surrounded by desert ground and construction debris.
SAMARRA · MAR 2014 · 12 TRAVELERS
People browse fruit stalls under bright lights in a covered market with Arabic signage overhead.
BAGHDAD · MAR 2014 · 12 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists standing on a paved sidewalk near trees and city buildings, one taking photos.
BAGHDAD · MAR 2014 · 12 TRAVELERS
Man with camera talks near fruit stall in sunlit street with brick buildings.
BAGHDAD · MAR 2014 · 12 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists standing on a paved street with buses and buildings in the background.
BAGHDAD · MAR 2014 · 12 TRAVELERS

MAR 2014 · 6 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Samarra, Karbala, Najaf, Nasiriyah, March 2014

Karbala · Najaf · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In March 2014, twenty-five travellers from India joined us for a tour across central and southern Iraq. We walked through Samarra to see the large brick mosque with its spiral minaret and domes under a clear sky. In Karbala, the group visited the Imam Husayn shrine and the Al-Abbas shrine, where men in white robes and head coverings stood near the silver-grilled walls. Our route also stopped at the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf and the ruined brick platform of the House of Abraham in Nasiriyah.

India
Man stands before a large domed mosque with a stepped brick wall under a clear sky.
SAMARRA · MAR 2014 · 6 TRAVELERS
Men in white robes and head coverings stand before a silver-grilled shrine wall with Arabic script above.
KARBALA · MAR 2014 · 6 TRAVELERS
Group of men in white robes and head coverings standing on tiled ground near shrine structures.
NAJAF · MAR 2014 · 6 TRAVELERS
Men in white robes stand around a ruined brick platform inside a stone-walled room.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · MAR 2014 · 6 TRAVELERS
Large brick mosque with spiral minaret and domes under clear sky, surrounded by low decorative wall.
SAMARRA · MAR 2014 · 6 TRAVELERS
Stone archway with Arabic inscriptions above an entrance, dusk sky visible through the opening.
KARBALA · MAR 2014 · 6 TRAVELERS
Men in white robes pray around a large stone tomb inside a ruined building.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · MAR 2014 · 6 TRAVELERS
Green sign with Arabic script mounted above an arched entrance to a white building.
KARBALA · MAR 2014 · 6 TRAVELERS
Group of men in white robes standing around a large stone tomb inside a dusty room.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · MAR 2014 · 6 TRAVELERS
Man stands before large brick mosque with spiral minaret under clear sky.
SAMARRA · MAR 2014 · 6 TRAVELERS
Inscribed marble plaque above a green-draped tomb with gold embroidery and Arabic calligraphy.
KARBALA · MAR 2014 · 6 TRAVELERS
Group of men and women in white robes standing before a white domed shrine with Arabic signage.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · MAR 2014 · 6 TRAVELERS
Men in white robes stand beside a green-draped tomb with Arabic calligraphy inside a marble shrine.
KARBALA · MAR 2014 · 6 TRAVELERS

FEB 2014 · 15 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad and Karbala, February 2014

Baghdad · Karbala

In February 2014, fifteen travellers from Turkey joined us for a three-day tour through Baghdad and Karbala. We walked together down the covered market streets filled with shops selling textiles and building materials, and later paused by the metal railings along the paved avenues. In the evening, the group gathered outdoors near the illuminated domes and palm trees of the Imam Husayn shrine. We shared meals at the buffet table indoors and talked beneath the modern courtyard lights.

Turkey
People walking along a paved street lined with shops and metal railings.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2014 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of people posing at night near illuminated shrine domes and palm trees.
KARBALA · FEB 2014 · 15 TRAVELERS
People walking along a covered market street with shops selling textiles and building materials.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2014 · 15 TRAVELERS
Group of people posing at night in front of a lit shrine with golden domes and Arabic signage.
KARBALA · FEB 2014 · 15 TRAVELERS

FEB 2014 · 15 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Karbala, February 2014

Karbala

In February 2014, fifteen travelers from Turkey joined us for a visit to Karbala. We walked through the crowded streets where the group paused to examine printed maps near a stone wall. Later, we spent time at the Imam Husayn shrine and the Al-Abbas shrine, observing the blue tile calligraphy and gold lattice work. We also stopped at a local restaurant for a meal of flatbread, bottled water, and condiments.

Turkey
Men stand before an ornate arched entrance with blue tile calligraphy; one wears a purple robe and turban.
KARBALA · FEB 2014 · 15 TRAVELERS
Man in purple robe and turban stands beside ornate tiled shrine gate with gold lattice.
KARBALA · FEB 2014 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tiled mural depicting a historical scene with figures near water, framed by Arabic text and flanked by portraits.
KARBALA · FEB 2014 · 15 TRAVELERS
Two men stand before an ornate tiled shrine entrance; one wears a turban and holds a cane.
KARBALA · FEB 2014 · 15 TRAVELERS
People kneeling in prayer outdoors, some wearing traditional robes and head coverings.
KARBALA · FEB 2014 · 15 TRAVELERS
Men conversing in a courtyard with patterned tile walls and an arched gateway.
KARBALA · FEB 2014 · 15 TRAVELERS

DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad, Ur and Babylon, December 2013

Babylon · Baghdad · Basra · Karbala · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In December 2013, we travelled with twelve people from Taiwan across Baghdad, Samarra, Babylon, Karbala, and Nasiriyah. We walked past the ornate columns of Al-Qishla clock tower in Baghdad and stood before the Malwiya spiral minaret in Samarra under clear skies. In Nasiriyah, the group visited the Ziggurat of Ur and the House of Abraham. We also saw the Ishtar Gate and the Lion of Babylon before finishing the route through Muthanna and Basra.

Taiwan
Massive stepped mud-brick ziggurat under clear blue sky with gravel foreground.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Spiral minaret of the Great Mosque of Samarra under clear sky with brick walkway leading toward it.
SAMARRA · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Stone plaque with English and Arabic text about Adam's Tree, set outdoors under trees.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
People walk past a historic building with ornate columns and a circular upper balcony under a clear sky.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Eroded mud-brick mounds under a clear sky with distant trees on the horizon.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Tourists and locals gather in a crowded square with a historic clock tower in the background.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Two people sit on stone benches beside a wide river with palm trees and buildings on the far bank.
BASRA · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Two people stand on eroded desert mounds under a clear sky, one adjusting a hat.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Four people walking across a dry, eroded landscape with distant palm trees under a hazy sky.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Ancient stone lion sculpture on a pedestal in an open archaeological site with palm trees and clear sky.
BABYLON · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Man in sunglasses and black jacket sits by water with large cargo ship named HALA in background.
BASRA · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Brick archway with crenellated parapet, leading through successive arches under clear sky.
BABYLON · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Man in dark coat stands before a large spiral minaret under clear sky.
SAMARRA · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Wide river with palm trees and low buildings on the far bank, stone embankment on the right.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Sunlight glints on calm water with palm trees lining the distant bank.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Three people stand outdoors near a large water tank and a green-domed shrine under bright sun.
KARBALA · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk along a waterfront promenade beside a stone building with arched windows and a calm river.
BASRA · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Ancient Assyrian stone statues and relief carvings displayed inside a museum gallery under spotlights.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Spiral minaret of Great Mosque of Samarra rises above brick walls under clear blue sky.
SAMARRA · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Barren desert landscape with eroded mud-brick mounds under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Ancient stone lion sculpture on a pedestal in a desert park at sunset.
BABYLON · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Sunlight glints on calm water with palm trees lining the far bank under a clear sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk past ancient stone artifacts behind ropes in a museum hallway with tiled walls.
BAGHDAD · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Two people in winter coats pose smiling in front of eroded desert mud-brick mounds under a clear sky.
MUTHANNA · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS
Stone lion statue on marble pedestal on paved ground.
BABYLON · DEC 2013 · 5 TRAVELERS

OCT 2013 · 2 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad and Sulaymaniyah, October 2013

Baghdad · Sulaymaniyah

In October 2013, two travellers from Germany joined us for a trip to Baghdad and Sulaymaniyah. We stopped at the Freedom Monument in Baghdad and drove out to view Dukan lake in Sulaymaniyah. The group spent time walking along the dry hillsides and rocky cliffs overlooking the winding mountain roads.

Germany
Two men crouching on a rocky cliff overlooking a winding road through a dry mountain valley.
SULAYMANIYAH · OCT 2013 · 2 TRAVELERS
Man in tan robe stands before large fountain with water jets under blue sky.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2013 · 2 TRAVELERS
Man standing on a dry hillside overlooking a large blue lake with distant arid hills.
SULAYMANIYAH · OCT 2013 · 2 TRAVELERS

OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, October 2013

Baghdad · Duhok · Erbil · Kirkuk · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Sulaymaniyah

In October 2013, twelve travellers from Germany joined us to explore Baghdad, Duhok, Erbil, Kirkuk, Muthanna, Nasiriyah, and Sulaymaniyah. We walked together past the traditional reed mudhif structure in the park and looked at the ancient stone citadel atop the dry hill in Erbil. The group spent time looking through the artifact collections at the Iraq Museum in Baghdad and the exhibits at Amna Suraka in Sulaymaniyah. We also drove past Dukan Lake and stopped to view the Duhok dam before heading back.

Germany
Ancient stone citadel atop a dry hill under clear blue sky, trees at base.
KIRKUK · OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS
View of a reservoir behind a dam, framed by leafy trees on a sunny day.
DUHOK · OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS
View from a vehicle window showing a green road sign for Barinzar and Barzan against dry hills.
SULAYMANIYAH · OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk along a shaded path beside a traditional reed mudhif structure in a green park.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS
Road signs pointing to Azadi Park, Hotel Sulaimani Palace, and city center under a blue sky.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists and locals gathered outdoors near stone walls and trees under clear sky.
ERBIL · OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS
Eroded mud-brick desert mounds with sparse shrubs under overcast sky.
MUTHANNA · OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists and locals in traditional attire standing outdoors near trees and a building.
SULAYMANIYAH · OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS
Tourists and guides stand inside a museum gallery with ancient artifacts in glass cases and Arabic inscriptions overhead.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS
Three men pose in front of a fountain with Erbil Citadel's mud-brick walls behind them under a clear blue sky.
ERBIL · OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS
Interior of a reed mudhif with patterned rugs, cushions, metal teapots, and wooden posts supporting the roof.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS
Road sign in Arabic and Kurdish pointing to Duhok, Akre, Barzan, and other towns beside a highway with dry hills.
DUHOK · OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS
A road winds through arid, tree-dotted hills with a few vehicles and simple buildings alongside.
SULAYMANIYAH · OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS
Man taking photo in convex traffic mirror reflecting desert road and eroded mud-brick mounds.
MUTHANNA · OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS
Tourists holding cameras inside a museum with display cases and Arabic calligraphy on the walls.
BAGHDAD · OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS
A calm blue lake nestled between arid hills, framed by leafy tree branches in the foreground.
SULAYMANIYAH · OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists and guides in traditional headwear standing near stone walls and trees.
ERBIL · OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS
Road signs in Arabic and Kurdish direct traffic toward Barzan, Choman, Soran, and Khalifan under a partly cloudy sky.
SULAYMANIYAH · OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS
Two men stand on a dirt path near a fence with Erbil Citadel on a hill behind them.
ERBIL · OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS
A wide view of Dukan lake surrounded by arid hills and green trees under a clear blue sky.
SULAYMANIYAH · OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS
Two men crouching on a rocky cliff overlooking a winding road through a deep canyon.
SULAYMANIYAH · OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS
Winding road beside a reservoir with tree-lined banks and a rocky mountain backdrop under a bright sky.
SULAYMANIYAH · OCT 2013 · 10 TRAVELERS

JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS · 3 NATIONALITIES

Baghdad, Babylon and Samarra, July 2013

Babylon · Baghdad · Basra · Karbala · Mosul · Muthanna · Najaf · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In July 2013, twenty-two travellers from Taiwan, Germany, and India joined us for a route across Iraq. We walked past the mud-brick desert mounds of Babylon and paused at the Ishtar Gate and the Lion of Babylon. In Baghdad, the group saw the Al-Shaheed Monument and the Al-Kadhimiya shrine, while further north we climbed the Malwiya spiral minaret at the Great Mosque of Samarra. The itinerary also included stops in Basra, Karbala, Muthanna, Najaf, and Nasiriyah.

TaiwanGermanyIndia
Ornate blue-tiled entrance with Arabic calligraphy and wooden door, steps leading up to it.
KARBALA · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Eroded mud-brick desert mound with rectangular openings under a pale sky.
MUTHANNA · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Three people pose in front of a blue-glazed gate with animal reliefs under a clear sky.
BABYLON · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Tall golden monument with split blue dome design under clear sky, modern architecture with geometric patterns.
BAGHDAD · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand on a concrete pier over marshland with reeds and water, some taking photos under a bright sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Group observing a green-draped tomb under glass inside a marble-walled shrine.
NAJAF · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Two men pose in front of the Malwiya spiral minaret and its surrounding brick walls under a clear sky.
SAMARRA · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Woman selecting fruit at a vibrant night market stall with bananas and pomegranates displayed overhead.
BAGHDAD · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Marble grave marker with German text and Iron Cross, set in sandy ground.
MOSUL · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Man crouching beside campfire roasting meat under leafy trees near water.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Men in white robes and caps pray at a golden shrine with ornate metal grilles.
KARBALA · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Stone lion statue on pedestal surrounded by red-and-white barrier tape in desert landscape.
BABYLON · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Three men standing before an ornate metal door with Arabic signage above, one wearing a green turban.
NAJAF · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Wooden boats float on calm marsh waters near reed houses and grassy islets under a clear sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Tourists gather under a large arched entrance with intricate brick patterns on the wall.
SAMARRA · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Three women in black abayas stand on red patterned carpets inside a shrine with Arabic calligraphy on the wall.
KARBALA · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Green canopy with Arabic script over ornate silver grille at a shrine interior.
BAGHDAD · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Visitors climb the ancient mud-brick ziggurat under a clear sky.
MUTHANNA · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Men in white robes and turbans pray in rows inside a grand mosque with ornate columns and red carpets.
NAJAF · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Two wooden boats rest near a reedy riverbank under bright sun.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Man in striped shirt stands by waterfront at sunset with calm water and distant cityscape.
BASRA · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand under a large arched gateway with crenellated brickwork under a clear sky.
BABYLON · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Tourists and a guide stand before the brick minaret ruins under a cloudy sky.
SAMARRA · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Group of travelers posing in front of the Swords of Qadisiyah monument and Royal Tulip hotel under clear blue sky.
BAGHDAD · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Woman in black chador stands before a golden shrine facade lit with strings of lights at night.
KARBALA · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Group observing a green-draped tomb under glass inside a marble-walled shrine.
NAJAF · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Two men pose in front of ancient eroded mud-brick ruins under a clear sky.
MUTHANNA · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Two men in red shirts pose with raised hands beside a large stone lion statue under a clear sky.
BABYLON · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS
Tall golden building with geometric facade under clear blue sky, sign and car in foreground.
BAGHDAD · JUL 2013 · 22 TRAVELERS

NOV 2012 · 12 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad to Basra, November 2012

Baghdad · Basra · Karbala · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes

In November 2012, fifteen travellers from Estonia joined us for an eleven-day route from Baghdad down to Basra. We walked the city streets past yellow taxis and Arabic signs, and spent time inside the ornate walls of the Imam Husayn shrine and the Al-Abbas shrine in Karbala. In Nasiriyah, the group climbed the brick steps of the Ziggurat of Ur under an overcast sky. Later in the trip, we stood near the waterfront at dusk to watch the illuminated boats on the water.

Estonia
Tourists climb the brick steps of an ancient ziggurat under an overcast sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2012 · 12 TRAVELERS
Group of men and women standing inside an ornate mosque with arched windows and patterned walls.
KARBALA · NOV 2012 · 12 TRAVELERS
Sunset over a calm river with palm trees on the far bank and two motorboats moored at the shore.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2012 · 12 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing in front of ancient eroded mud-brick ruins under overcast sky.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2012 · 12 TRAVELERS
Eroded mud-brick ruins in a desert archaeological site with exposed foundation walls.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2012 · 12 TRAVELERS
Tourists ascend the brick steps of an ancient ziggurat under bright daylight.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2012 · 12 TRAVELERS
Four people stand by a waterfront at dusk with illuminated boats and a pier behind them.
BASRA · NOV 2012 · 12 TRAVELERS
Eroded mud-brick ruins in a desert landscape with excavated walls and earthen mounds.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2012 · 12 TRAVELERS
Man stands before a large ancient ziggurat made of mud bricks under a hazy sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2012 · 12 TRAVELERS
Men standing inside a mosque with arched, patterned walls and green carpeting.
KARBALA · NOV 2012 · 12 TRAVELERS
Two people standing before eroded mud-brick desert mounds under a hazy sky.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2012 · 12 TRAVELERS
Group of visitors inside a mosque with arched, tiled walls and bright lighting.
KARBALA · NOV 2012 · 12 TRAVELERS
Tourists gather before a massive ancient ziggurat under a hazy sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2012 · 12 TRAVELERS

AUG 2012 · 15 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Samarra and Karbala, August 2012

Karbala · Samarra

In August 2012, fifteen travellers from Myanmar joined us for a tour through Samarra and Karbala. We stood outside in the desert landscape to look at the tall Malwiya spiral minaret and its long brick wall under a clear sky. Later, we visited the Imam Husayn shrine, entering through the illuminated green doorway into the night crowds. We also rested indoors together in a marble-walled hotel lobby between our walks.

Myanmar
A tall spiral minaret stands in a dusty open area with low walls and a long building nearby.
SAMARRA · AUG 2012 · 15 TRAVELERS
Illuminated green shrine entrance at night with Arabic banners and crowd below.
KARBALA · AUG 2012 · 15 TRAVELERS
Spiral minaret and long brick wall under clear sky in desert landscape.
SAMARRA · AUG 2012 · 15 TRAVELERS
A couple poses at night near a lit water feature with crowds seated along its edge.
KARBALA · AUG 2012 · 15 TRAVELERS
Tall spiral brick minaret under clear sky with people on its steps and desert ground.
SAMARRA · AUG 2012 · 15 TRAVELERS

FEB 2012 · 13 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, February 2012

Baghdad · Duhok · Erbil · Muthanna · Sulaymaniyah

In February 2012, thirteen travellers from Germany joined us to explore Baghdad, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok, and Muthanna. We walked past the Al-Shaheed monument and the Al-Qishla clock tower in Baghdad before heading north to see the Erbil Citadel and the Duhok dam. The group also visited Amna Suraka and the waterfall at Ahmed Awa in Sulaymaniyah during the cooler winter days.

Germany
Three people pose in front of a waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff with greenery and a small shop nearby.
SULAYMANIYAH · FEB 2012 · 13 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk past a large monument with a split blue dome and stone spheres under bright sun.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2012 · 13 TRAVELERS
Three people stand on a dam overlooking a reservoir with arid hills behind them under a clear sky.
DUHOK · FEB 2012 · 13 TRAVELERS
Two men in suits stand by a fountain with Erbil Citadel’s sandstone walls behind them under a clear sky.
ERBIL · FEB 2012 · 13 TRAVELERS
Three people stand in front of eroded mud-brick desert mounds under a cloudy sky.
MUTHANNA · FEB 2012 · 13 TRAVELERS
Man in suit standing on paved road with dry hills and trees behind him.
SULAYMANIYAH · FEB 2012 · 13 TRAVELERS
Man in suit stands in plaza with fountains and sand-colored fortress behind.
BAGHDAD · FEB 2012 · 13 TRAVELERS
Man in suit stands beside winding road in arid mountainous terrain under overcast sky.
SULAYMANIYAH · FEB 2012 · 13 TRAVELERS
Two men stand on a dam with a reservoir and arid hills behind them under a clear sky.
DUHOK · FEB 2012 · 13 TRAVELERS
Four men stand on a paved plaza near a beige building with a Kurdish flag and distant hills.
SULAYMANIYAH · FEB 2012 · 13 TRAVELERS
Five people standing on a roadside with trees and a rocky hill under a blue sky.
SULAYMANIYAH · FEB 2012 · 13 TRAVELERS

NOV 2011 · 6 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad, Muthanna and Nasiriyah, November 2011

Baghdad · Muthanna · Nasiriyah & the Marshes

In November 2011, eight travellers from Russia joined us for a route through Baghdad, Muthanna, and Nasiriyah. We stood outside the Al-Qishla clock tower in Baghdad, then visited reed mudhifs with arched walls and patterned rugs in Nasiriyah. Along the way, the group ate grilled meat and bread at an outdoor table under a tiled roof.

Russia
Woman in black hijab smiling beside stone wall with blue Arabic tile panel.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2011 · 6 TRAVELERS
Interior of a reed mudhif with arched walls, patterned rugs, and a chandelier, light streaming through a doorway.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2011 · 6 TRAVELERS
Two men stand before a large ancient mud-brick ziggurat under a clear blue sky.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2011 · 6 TRAVELERS
Three people stand inside a reed-built room with patterned carpets and lattice windows, one gesturing toward bright light outside.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2011 · 6 TRAVELERS
Man stands with arms crossed overlooking desert ruins and palm trees under clear sky.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2011 · 6 TRAVELERS
Interior of a church with a crucifix, chandelier, and statue of Mary under an arched alcove with Arabic script.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2011 · 6 TRAVELERS
People eat at a table under a gazebo beside a marsh with reed boats visible in the distance.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2011 · 6 TRAVELERS
An elderly man in traditional headscarf sits cross-legged on patterned rugs inside a reed-walled room with lattice windows.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2011 · 6 TRAVELERS
Two men seated on cushions inside a reed-built structure with woven walls and patterned textiles.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2011 · 6 TRAVELERS
Three people stand in a paved courtyard before a brick building with a tall metal clock structure.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2011 · 6 TRAVELERS
Interior of a reed-built structure with arched ceilings, patterned carpets, and cushioned seating along the walls.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2011 · 6 TRAVELERS

NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad to Basra, November 2011

Baghdad · Basra · Karbala · Muthanna · Najaf · Nasiriyah & the Marshes · Samarra

In November 2011, fifteen travelers from Russia joined us for a route across Baghdad, Samarra, Karbala, Najaf, Muthanna, Nasiriyah, and Basra. We walked through the ancient mud-brick ruins at the Ziggurat of Ur in Nasiriyah and stood by the docks in Basra next to a large white cruise ship with a blue funnel. Along the way, we visited the Al-Qishla clock tower in Baghdad, the Great Mosque of Samarra, the Imam Husayn shrine in Karbala, and the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf.

Russia
Man with backpack examines blue item in crowded shop filled with brassware and packaged goods.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS
Woman walking down wide brick steps of an ancient ziggurat under clear sky.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS
Man in light shirt holding camera walks through ancient mud-brick ruins under clear sky.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS
Group of tourists posing inside an ornate tiled shrine with arched windows and green lighting.
KARBALA · NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS
Man in red shirt stands on concrete dock beside large white cruise ship with blue funnel.
BASRA · NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS
Interior of a reed mudhif with striped cushions, rugs, and metal teapots on low tables.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS
People walk along a riverside promenade with trees and a stone monument bearing Arabic script.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS
Man holding camera stands among decorated tombs overlooking a river under clear sky.
NAJAF · NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS
Tourists stand on ancient mud-brick ruins under a hazy sky in a desert landscape.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk through a sunlit arched corridor of ancient brickwork.
SAMARRA · NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS
Six tourists pose on stone steps under a large tree with green ribbons tied to its branches.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS
Tourists photograph goods at a crowded street market with stacked drinks and snacks under awnings.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS
A woman stands on ancient mud-brick ruins in a vast desert landscape with a tour bus nearby.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS
Tourists walk through a stone archway under bright sunlight.
SAMARRA · NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS
Two people stand before a large beige building with ornate columns and wooden balconies, a van and SUV parked nearby.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS
Two men walk among brick tombs in a vast cemetery with palm trees and wetlands in the background.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS
Street vendors sell snacks and drinks beside a crowded sidewalk with pedestrians and tourists.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS
Three people sit together in a wooden boat on calm green water, smiling at the camera.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS
Three people with cameras stand among ancient mud-brick ruins under a clear sky.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS
Two men walk among brick tombs in a vast cemetery with palm trees and a river in the background.
NASIRIYAH & THE MARSHES · NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS
A man with a backpack and camera walks through a crowded covered market street at night.
BAGHDAD · NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS
Two people photographing ancient mud-brick ruins under a hazy sky in a desert landscape.
MUTHANNA · NOV 2011 · 7 TRAVELERS

JAN 2011 · 1 NATIONALITY

Baghdad, Museum Visit

Baghdad

Twelve travellers from Russia joined us in Baghdad. We spent the day at the Iraq Museum. Visitors walked through the large halls, looking closely at the ancient artifacts displayed inside the glass cases under the high windows.

Russia
Visitors view ancient artifacts in glass cases inside a museum hall with high windows.
BAGHDAD · JAN 2011

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