Arbaeen Walk to Karbala
Ziyarat in Najaf, then the Arbaeen walk of about 80 km to Karbala with mawkib rest stops along the way, and four nights near the shrines, subject to current government travel advice.
Trip at a glance
- Duration7 days / 6 nights
- Starts inNajaf
- RouteNajaf · Karbala
- Places2 destinations
- CountryIraq
- Ideal forPilgrimage tours, Festival and seasonal trips
- Trip stylePrivate, customisable
- Package codeNX-1K4KWC
Best time to visit: October to April
Trip overview
Ziyarat in Najaf, then the Arbaeen walk of about 80 km to Karbala with mawkib rest stops along the way, and four nights near the shrines, subject to current government travel advice.
The route spends 2 nights in Najaf and 4 nights in Karbala, so you get time for the main sights without changing hotels every day. It suits pilgrimage tours and festival and seasonal trips, and every day can be shortened, swapped or extended.
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Najaf
- Arrive via Najaf International Airport (NJF) and transfer to your hotel
- Check in and settle in
- Later: Imam Ali Shrine: Golden-domed shrine of Imam Ali
Day 2Najaf: Great Mosque of Kufa and Masjid al-Sahla
- Great Mosque of Kufa: One of the oldest mosques in the world
- Masjid al-Sahla: Historic mosque in Kufa
Day 3Najaf to Karbala
- Travel from Najaf to Karbala by private vehicle
- Check in at your Karbala hotel
- Hazrat Abbas Shrine: Shrine of Abbas ibn Ali
Day 4Karbala: Bain-ul-Haramain and Ziyarat at both shrines
- Bain-ul-Haramain: Walkway between the two shrines
- Ziyarat at both shrines
Day 5Karbala: Tal al-Zainabiya and Camp of Imam Hussain
- Tal al-Zainabiya: Hill linked to Sayyida Zainab
- Camp of Imam Hussain: Site of the camp at Karbala
Day 6Karbala: Arbaeen walk from Najaf and Majlis during Muharram
- Arbaeen walk from Najaf
- Majlis during Muharram
Day 7Depart from Karbala
- Breakfast and hotel check-out
- Transfer to Najaf International Airport (NJF) for your journey home
How this version is planned
- Darshan and aarti timings planned around temple hours
- Online darshan or registration booked through official channels where available
- Comfortable pace and short walks planned for elders
- Dress codes and rules for each shrine shared before you go
- Dates confirmed against the official festival calendar each year
This is a suggested itinerary. Sightseeing order may change with opening days, weather and local conditions; your final plan is in your written quote.
Good to know
- Najaf: Stay near the shrine so you can return for night prayers when the courtyard is calmest.
- Karbala: For Arbaeen, book hotels months ahead and plan to walk the route over two or three days.
Questions about this trip
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