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Ghosts of Babylon, resurrected Nebuchadnezzars, kings declaring themselves gods atop ziggurats, it’s the Cradle of Civilization in the City of a Thousand and One Tales on the Tigris and Euphrates, with ruined empires from the ancient to the modern. It’s Baghdad to Babylon to Basra with a little Ur on top!The seat of the ancient Babylonian Empire of Mesopotamia, with foundations thousands of years old, estimated to have been the largest city in the world and the first city to ever reach a population of 200,000, the ancient remains of Babylon have many tales to tell, some of which can be found in the Bible itself!
Known for constructing dozens of palaces across Iraq and hiding his whereabouts among them, Saddam had a taste for the gilded and extravagant, carrying on the legacy of the ancient kings and crowning himself the next Nebuchadnezzar.
One of the most distinctive architectural inventions, the ziggurat is like a pyramid of four sides and rises up to the realm of the gods, most often used as a site of religious rituals, with a high-priest residing at the apex. This temple complex was begun as a shrine to the moon god Nanna, the patron deity of Ur, and completed by King Shulgi who promptly declared himself a god.
Comprised of many different ancient tribes and a culture which evolved and centred around the natural resources of the marshes, the Marsh Arabs have struggled and survived on the raising of water buffalo and cultivated crops, living in arched reed houses, and being as comfortable on the water as the Bedouins are in the dunes of Arabia.
From One Thousand and One Nights to pyramidal ziggurats to modern-day Nebuchadnezzars, the wonders of Babylon, Baghdad, and Basra await!
Let’s go!!
Day 1 // Departure to Cradle of Civilization
After arrival and immigration formalities, head to dinner in town before check-in at hotel for rest.
Day 2 | Baghdad
After breakfast, we’ll take a look around town, stopping at Liberation Square, quick boat trip across the Tigris, window-shop on Al-Mutanabi Street, and take a few snaps at Al-Muwaffaqia.
In the evening we’ll head to Al-Kadhimiya for the bustling night market and Holy Shrine & Tomb of Imam Musa Al-Kadhim, a Shiite-site unlike any you’ve seen before! We’ll find a lively spot for dinner before returning to hotel.
Day 3 // Babylon
After breakfast and check-out, we’ll start our journey to Babylon! Along the way, stop at the Martyr Monument for some selfies on the half-shell before we reach the ancient ruins in the cradle of Mesopotamian civilization. Reputed to be the site of the Hanging Gardens and attached to the Palace of King Nebuchadnezzar, it was truly one of the Seven Wonders of the Hellenic World, although its exact location remains a mystery!
After wandering the mazes and mudbricks, we’ll head up to Saddam’s palace overlooking Babylon, built in a manner inviting onlookers to consider him the next Nebuchadnezzar.
After a picnic lunch on the bedroom floor we’ll hop back in the bus and continue journey to Nasiriyah with a stop at the tomb of Al-Abbas Imam Ali. We’ll reach in the evening in time for dinner and settle in to our guesthouse.
Day 4 // Ziggurat of Ur & Marshes
One of the most distinctive architectural inventions, the ziggurat is like a pyramid of four sides and rises up to the realm of the gods, and rather than used as a tomb, it was the site of many religious rituals. With few remaining today, the Ziggurat of Ur is considered the best preserved in the world!
After our elevated explorations, we’ll go deep into the marshes, the largest wetlands in the Middle East, a habitat for fish and birds, and home to thousands of Marsh Arabs, a people with mysterious ancient origins, some theories consider them descendants of the Nabateans!
We’ll reach Basra in the evening in time for a final Iraqi feast before we check-in to hotel for the night.
Day 5 // Departure
Early morning breakfast before transfer to airport for flight back to Dubai.
Grade: Easy, available to everyone.
Activity: Sightseeing, cultural immersion.
COST: 7000 AED all incl. flights until OCT 20th.
Room & Meals: Hotel, guesthouse – double sharing, meals included.
Specifically excluded: Meals, visa, insurance.
Visa: Western and Gulf passports get visa on arrival.
For more info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Iraq
It is participant sole responsibility to assure admission to country of destination.
See yah at Saddams x
Trekkup Crew
Whatsapp 0504848238 / [email protected]
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Dubai International Airport, ستاربكس, مطار دبي الدولي دبي, الإمارات العربية المتحدة,Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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