Unveiling Ancient Treasures: Epic Iraq Tour – Oct 2024

Join Ancient Origins’ exclusive tour of Iraq sacred past in Oct 2024, visiting some of the country’s most important ancient sites including:
Eridu, Tell Al-Ubaid, Larsa & Ur, Lagash,(Nippure & Borsippa) – Karbala, (Al-Ukhaider & Babylon) – Baghdad, Ctesiphon & Wasit,Iraq Museum & Selusia, Abassid Palace, Bab alwastani & Aqargouf, and many more sites besides.
Join us for an unforgettable experience, exploring the archaeology and history of Iraq.

THE SPLENDOURS
OF ANCIENT IRAQ

Explore the mysteries of Iraq on an exclusive 15-days, 14-nights tour in Oct 2024 hosted by Ancient Origins’ Dr Micki Pistorius. Everyone booked on this tour will receive a booklet with articles by experts to the archaeological sites to be visited in Iraq.

Dr Willem McLoud is an independent scholar with a keen interest in ancient Middle Eastern and Mediterranean studies, whose research of and writing about the ancient world stretch over more than three decades.

Willem’s main areas of study pertaining to the ancient Middle East are the Sumerian and Akkadian civilizations, with special focus on the Uruk and Akkadian Periods in Mesopotamian history. The legends and myths associated with these great heroic ages of the ancient Middle East is a great passion of his. As part of his research and writing projects, he has led many a research tour to the Middle East as well as the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions, visiting countries such as Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Bahrain, Iran, Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria to name but a few.

He is best known for The Nephilim trilogy (2021-2023). Visit his author’s blog on the Ancient Origins Website as well as his academic profile on the Academia.edu platform.

Places to be visited: Uruk • Lagash • Nippure & Borsippa • Al-Ukhaider & Babylon • Samarra, • Ctesiphon & Wasit • Iraq Museum & Selusia • Abassid Palace • Bab alwastani & Aqargouf, Ashur & Hatra • Nineveh • Nimrud- Khorsabad • Citadel & Bazaar

A local tour guide will provide background history and news on the latest archaeological developments on the sites to be visited, supplemented by your on-site Ancient Origins hostess Dr. Micki Pistorius.

Register your details to hold your place on this exclusive tour. To secure your place a deposit payment of US$750 per person is required within 48 hours of completing the form. Payment details are noted at the end of the form.

Travel with peace of mind, knowing that your payments are 100% financially protected in case any of our suppliers become insolvent, in which case you would receive a full refund..

ANCIENT ORIGINS TOUR OF IRAQ 20 Oct – 03 Nov 2024

15 DAYS/14 NIGHTS

MEETING PLACE BASARA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Clients will have a private transfer from basra airport to the hotel, irrespective of arrival date and time. At the end of the tour, clients will also be transferred privately to Basra Airport. Where clients arrival times are close to each other, then the transfer will be on a shared basis.

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Photos © Andrew Collins

ANCIENT ORIGINS TOUR OF IRAQ 20 OCT – 03 NOV 2024
15 DAYS/14 NIGHTS
Price per person based on double occupancy: ~~US$7,995~~ US$7,595
Please note prices are based on a single person sharing a room with another tour guest
Single occupancy supplement: US$845
BASIC TOUR DEPOSIT US$750
Price is based on a minimum of 8 participants and a maximum of 12 participants
* Travel with peace of mind, knowing that your payments are 100% financially protected in case any of our suppliers become insolvent, in which case you would receive a full refund.

IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
FOR TRAVELLING
TO IRAQ

Throughout this journey, we anticipate encountering a few checkpoints between provinces and cities. We kindly request your understanding and patience in case any delays occur due to document verification procedures.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Over recent years, hotel accommodations have undergone significant upgrades to ensure comfort and western-standard amenities. Final choice of accommodation is subject to change. We will choose hotels of a similar standard where hotel shown is not used. While our guides may not align with the traditional definitions found in popular tourist destinations like Europe, Turkey, Egypt, or Morocco, they excel as tour coordinators and managers. This is due to the country’s lack of licensed, traditional guides.

PREPARATION &
EXPECTATIONS

Participants should be healthy, adaptable, and embrace the spirit of adventure. Although our journeys aren’t typically physically intense, the remote locations, occasional use of back roads, and potential delays can offer a unique travel experience. It’s essential to be aware of changes in security protocols and understand that itineraries or accommodations may shift unexpectedly. As Iraq can be particularly warm even between November and March, guarding against dehydration is crucial. We ensure bottled water is always available during your travels.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
& FLEXIBILITY

Our expedition includes the area north of Baghdad, taking you to the ancient ruins of Assyria, including Nineveh, Khorasabad, Hatra, and Nimrud. These sites, once under ISIS control, are now accessible again. However, our partner Spiekermann Travel closely tracks security conditions. We reserve the right to adjust the itinerary as required. It’s essential that travelers are understanding and accommodating of such changes.

TRIP GRADE

Active: Includes moderate hikes, visits to sites that may involve a bit more walking, occasional elevation changes, a full itinerary with extended drives, and longer journeys.

TOUR DEPOSIT
US$750 PER PERSON

A deposit of US$750 per person is required to secure immediate booking. The remainder of the payment will be required ten weeks before the start date of the tour. Any problems or queries contact us here

CANCELLATIONS
& REFUNDS

Cancellations must be received in writing and will be processed according to the date the written notice is received. Although a verbal cancellation is appreciated, it will not be accepted as final notice. Departure is defined as the date of the first flight from travellers country, or the trip departure date as indicated on our Trip Schedule, whichever comes first.
Money will be refunded minus the following cancellation fees/penalties per person (unless different for a particular trip, then the special cancellation schedule of that trip will apply):
– From time of booking up to 90 days prior to departure US$500.00 per person
– 89-60 days prior to departure US$750.00 per person
– 59-31 days prior to departure 75% of total land cost
– 30-0 days prior to departure No refund
Aside from the above penalties, any additional penalties on airline tickets imposed by the airlines- in cases of cancellation or date changes after issuance of tickets – will be totally charged to the traveler. In addition, any costs involved in obtaining visas will also be collected from the traveler and cannot be reimbursed by Ancient Origins or its suppliers.
Hotel rooms booked on our tours are run of The House (ROH), any special rooms with views or upper floors will entail a supplement that clients will be responsible to cover.

PRICE PER
PERSON INCLUDES

Airport/Hotel/Airport transfers.
Accommodation at mentioned hotels or similar in centrally located area.
Meals as per the itinerary (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch and D: Dinner).
Travel by private modern & air-conditioned car.
4-wheel drive for the Eridu, Tell Al Ubaid & Larsa visits.
Mineral water in vehicle during tours.
Entrance fees to all mentioned sites and museums mentioned.
All activities as described in the tour.
English Speaking guide.
Gratuities to guide, drivers, and porters.

PRICE PER
PERSON EXCLUDES

International airfare USA – Basra / Erbil – USA.
Iraq Visa (obtainable upon arrival for approx. US$77.00- to be paid in cash – subject to change).
Items of personal nature (camera fees at sites, laundry, excess luggage, etc).
Beverages or any alcoholic drinks with or without meals and any meals not mentioned.
Transfers if not arriving/departing on tour dates.
Dayroom/overnights necessitated by changes in airline schedules or misconnections.
Travel protection insurance. (Highly recommended)