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Iraq & Kurdistan โ€” Crazy Puffin Adventures

Iraq &
Kurdistan

Walk through ancient Babylon and the streets of Baghdad, then cross into the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan โ€” two completely different worlds, one unforgettable journey through the Cradle of Civilization.

Multiple dates 2026 & 2027 7 days each / 13 combo Iraq: Basra ยท Kurdistan: Erbil Max 12 people Guaranteed departure
$2,390/ person
+$250 single room supplement
Start
Basra, Iraq
End
Erbil, Iraq
Duration
7 days
Deposit
$500
$2,390/ person
+$250 single room supplement
Start
Basra
End
Erbil
Duration
7 days
Deposit
$500
Overview
The adventure
Iraq & Kurdistan tour route map
The Cradle of Civilization meets the mountains of Kurdistan.
Ancient Babylon, the Ziggurat of Ur & Baghdad's storied streets
The Great Mosque of Samarra & the holy shrines of Najaf and Karbala
Kurdish mountains, waterfalls, and the Yazidi holy site at Lalish
Book Iraq only, Kurdistan only, or the full 13-day combo
Max 12 travellers โ€” guaranteed departure
Iraq & Kurdistan
Iraq & Kurdistan
Iraq & Kurdistan
Iraq & Kurdistan

Go Crazy, Go Private
Choose your
own dates.
Your own adventure.

Can't make the departure? We'll build it entirely around you โ€” your dates, your crew, your pace.

Your dates Solo or group Custom itinerary

What you'll see
Tour highlights
๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ถ Iraq
01
Baghdad
Baghdad
Walk Rasheed Street, the Copper Market, and Mutanabbi Street. Visit the National Museum, Shahbandar Teahouse, and the iconic Martyr Monument โ€” Iraq's beating, complex heart.
02
Babylon
Babylon
Stand before the Ishtar Gate replica, explore the ruins of one of history's greatest cities, and visit Saddam's palace built on top of the ancient site.
03
Great Mosque of Samarra
Great Mosque of Samarra
Climb the iconic spiral minaret of one of the world's largest mosques โ€” a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most extraordinary structures in all of Iraq.
๐Ÿ”๏ธ Kurdistan
04
Erbil
Erbil
Explore the Erbil Bazaar and the ancient citadel โ€” one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites on earth โ€” plus the Choli Minaret and vibrant city life of Kurdistan's capital.
05
Red House Prison
Red House Prison
Visit this sobering site in Sulaymaniyah โ€” Saddam's notorious secret police prison โ€” followed by the Halabja Monument commemorating one of history's most tragic chemical attacks.
06
Saddam's Palace
Saddam's Palace
Tour Saddam Hussein's vast abandoned palace in the Kurdish mountains โ€” a surreal relic of a fallen regime, now open to visitors exploring one of Kurdistan's most striking historical sites.

Day by day
Itinerary
๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ถ Iraq โ€” Days 1โ€“7
๐Ÿ”๏ธ Kurdistan โ€” Days 7โ€“13
โญ Combo โ€” Days 1โ€“13 (save $100)
๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ถ Iraq โ€” 7 days
D1
Arrival in Basra
Overnight: Basra

Upon arrival in Basra, check into your hotel and settle in. In the evening, enjoy a relaxing walk along Basra's lively corniche, taking in the atmosphere of the city and its vibrant waterfront.

D2
Basra to Nasiriyah
Overnight: Nasiriyah

Visit the old Basra Shanasheel houses and the bustling fish market, followed by a boat ride on the Shatt al-Arab to see Saddam's sunken yacht. Continue to Qurnah โ€” the Garden of Eden โ€” where the Tigris and Euphrates meet, and visit the iconic Adam's Tree. Later, explore the marshes and enjoy a boat ride through the Euphrates.

D3
Nasiriyah to Najaf
Overnight: Najaf

Visit the Ziggurat of Ur and the ancient city of Uruk before continuing to Najaf. Explore the Imam Ali Shrine and the vast Wadi Al-Salam Cemetery โ€” one of the largest burial grounds in the world.

D4
Najaf to Karbala
Overnight: Karbala

Visit the ancient site of Borsippa before exploring Babylon โ€” including Saddam's former palace overlooking the ruins. Travel to Karbala to visit the sacred Imam Hussain and Imam Abbas shrines, two of the most important pilgrimage sites in the region.

D5
Karbala to Baghdad
Overnight: Baghdad

Depart for Baghdad and visit the National Museum, home to a remarkable collection of Mesopotamian artifacts. Walk Rasheed Street and the Copper Market, then visit Mutanabbi Street, the historic Shahbandar Teahouse, and Tahrir and Firdaws Squares.

D6
Baghdad to Mosul
Overnight: Mosul

Visit the Abu Dulaf Minaret in Samarra before continuing to Tikrit to see the Speicher Massacre site. The journey then takes you to the ancient city of Hatra โ€” a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its impressive ruins.

๐Ÿ”๏ธ Kurdistan โ€” 7 days  ยท  Continues below for combo travellers
D7
Mosul & Erbil Kurdistan D1
Overnight: Erbil

Explore Mosul โ€” the Old Market, Fish Market, Al-Nouri Mosque, Al-Tahira Church, Saddam Mosque, and the Assyrian Wall. Then visit the Erbil Bazaar and Erbil Citadel. Iraq-only travellers: transfer to Erbil International Airport for your departure flight. Combo & Kurdistan travellers: check into your hotel in Erbil โ€” this is Kurdistan Day 1.

D8
Erbil to Duhok Kurdistan D2
Overnight: Duhok

Visit the Mar Mattai Monastery โ€” one of the oldest Christian monasteries in the region โ€” before continuing to Lalish Temple, the holiest site in the Yazidi faith. The journey then takes you to the historic town of Alqosh.

D9
Duhok to Soran Kurdistan D3
Overnight: Soran

Visit the historic town of Amadiyah โ€” its mosque, ancient city gate, and the ruins of the Qobahan Madrasa. Continue to Shanidar Cave, an important archaeological site known for its prehistoric discoveries.

D10
Soran to Sulaymaniyah Kurdistan D4
Overnight: Sulaymaniyah

Walk the historic Hamilton Road and visit the Bekhal and Gali Ali Beg Waterfalls and the dramatic Rawanduz Gorge. Explore Suli Bazaar and the traditional Shaab Teahouse, followed by a scenic viewpoint from Goyzha Mountain.

D11
Sulaymaniyah Kurdistan D5
Overnight: Erbil

Visit the Red Prison โ€” a significant historical site โ€” followed by the Halabja Monument commemorating the tragic chemical attack. Continue to the village of Biara and the beautiful Ahmed-Awa Waterfall.

D12
Lake Dokan & Erbil Kurdistan D6
Overnight: Erbil

Visit the scenic Dokan Lake and the historic Koya Caravanserai. In Erbil, explore the vibrant Bazaar, the Citadel area, and the iconic Choli Minaret.

D13
Departure Kurdistan D7
End of tour

Enjoy breakfast and some free time before transfer to Erbil International Airport for your flight home. We hope to welcome you again on another adventure with Crazy Puffin!


?
Did you know?
"
Iraq is considered the Cradle of Civilization โ€” home to ancient Mesopotamia, where writing, the wheel, and the first cities were born. And Kurdistan spans parts of four countries: Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria.
Middle East ยท Two worlds, one extraordinary journey

Pricing details
What's included
Everything included
E-visa support & assistance
Full guidance throughout the process
Airport pick-up and drop-off
Pick-up & drop-off included
All breakfasts
Included every morning
All ground transportation
All in-country travel included
All accommodation
Hotels throughout
All entrance fees
Every site & attraction
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Staying connected on the road
English-speaking local guide
Experienced crew throughout
Not included
International flights
Flights to/from Iraq or Kurdistan
Personal expenses
Shopping, souvenirs, extras
Tips for local guides
Greatly appreciated by your crew
Travel insurance
Required โ€” comprehensive cover recommended
Lunch & dinner
Not included in the tour price

Got questions?
FAQ
Can I book Iraq only, Kurdistan only, or both?
Yes โ€” all three options are available. Iraq is 7 days ($2,390), Kurdistan is 7 days ($1,890), and the combo is 13 days ($4,180) โ€” saving you $100 vs booking separately. The tours run back-to-back so combo travellers flow seamlessly from one to the other.
Is it safe to travel to Iraq & Kurdistan?
Yes โ€” many parts of Iraq are safe to visit and we carefully design our itineraries around destinations suitable for travel. Iraqi Kurdistan in particular is the safest part of Iraq and is becoming increasingly popular with travellers. Our local team has extensive experience leading tours through both regions.
Do I need a visa?
Yes โ€” you'll need to apply for visas for both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Our team will provide complete guidance and all necessary information when the time comes.
How does the booking process work?
Your spot is secured as soon as we receive your $500 deposit, which is refundable up to 7 days after booking. For full details please check our Terms & Conditions.
What is the group size?
We have a guaranteed departure and take a maximum of 12 people plus crew on each tour.
Can I come as a solo traveller?
Absolutely โ€” you'll be paired with another like-minded solo traveller to share a room. We try our best to pair travellers of the same gender. Single supplements are available: Iraq $250, Kurdistan $200.

From the trip
Photo gallery
Iraq & Kurdistan
Iraq & Kurdistan
Iraq & Kurdistan
Iraq & Kurdistan
Iraq & Kurdistan
Iraq & Kurdistan
Iraq & Kurdistan
Iraq & Kurdistan

Get in touch
Let's Make
It Happen.

Got a burning question? Not sure which trip is right for you? We answer within 24 hours โ€” and we genuinely love talking to our Puffins.