Established 2001 · Edinburgh
Guided Ziyarat and Umrah journeys, organised from the UK and personally led by Maulana Akhtar Abbas Zainabi.
Upcoming pilgrimages
Umrah in January and Ramadhan in Iraq are open for booking. Our Iraq group is travelling from 9 to 19 November 2026, and the next Iraq departure is being planned.
8–18 January 2027
Umrah
Ten nights between Makkah and Madinah, with guided Umrah, Ziyarat and support throughout the journey.
4–14 March 2027
Ramadhan Ziyarat
The holy month in Najaf and Karbala, with guided Ziyarat, group prayers and the company of fellow pilgrims.
Dates to be announced
Iraq Ziyarat
Our current group is travelling in Iraq from 9 to 19 November 2026. The next departure is being planned, and enquiries are open.
Prices are per person and were correct at the time of publication. Availability is confirmed individually before booking.
Why travel with us
Karwan-e-Zainabi is not a booking website with a guide attached. It is a pilgrimage organisation led by someone who has travelled these routes for decades.
Every journey is led by Maulana Akhtar Abbas Zainabi, who studied Islamic studies in Damascus and has organised Ziyarat since the 1990s. You are guided at each site, not simply moved between them.
Karwan-e-Zainabi has organised pilgrimage from Edinburgh since 2001. You deal with the same team from your first enquiry to your return.
Maulana travels with the group and remains involved in the arrangements. Pilgrims are helped with the practical details that make a journey calm.
Dates, hotels, inclusions and costs are confirmed before you commit. If something is not yet confirmed, we tell you rather than filling the gap.
The pilgrimage experience
The journey is planned so that the shrines, not the logistics, hold your attention. Days are built around prayer, guided visits and rest, with someone who knows the way beside you.
Meet our founder
Founder · Religious Guide · Pilgrimage Organiser
Maulana Akhtar Abbas Zainabi studied Islamic studies in Damascus, Syria, where he developed both his religious knowledge and his experience of organising Ziyarat journeys.
He brought that work to the UK, establishing Karwan-e-Zainabi in Edinburgh in 2001. He continues to lead groups personally: travelling with pilgrims, guiding Ziyarat at each site, and supporting families and first-time pilgrims throughout the journey.
Testimonials
Pilgrims who have travelled with us, in their own words.
A memorable spiritual journey
Travelling with Karwan-e-Zainabi was a truly unforgettable experience. Every aspect of our pilgrimage was thoughtfully organised, from the accommodation and transport to the visits to the holy shrines. The dedication, care and spiritual guidance provided throughout made our journey peaceful, meaningful and deeply memorable.
Exceptional guidance and personal care
Travelling with Karwan-e-Zainabi made our pilgrimage truly special. The religious guidance, personal attention and genuine care shown to every member of the group made a remarkable difference. Every moment felt meaningful, allowing us to focus on our faith and create beautiful memories that we will always cherish.
A journey worth recommending
Our pilgrimage with Karwan-e-Zainabi exceeded our expectations. The group leaders were welcoming, knowledgeable and attentive, ensuring everyone felt comfortable and supported throughout the journey. From the organisation to the spiritual atmosphere, everything was handled with sincerity and professionalism. We would wholeheartedly recommend travelling with them.
If you would like to speak to someone who has travelled with us before booking, ask the team.
Ask about a journeyDestinations
The holy sites of Iraq, Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia. Scheduled departures are confirmed individually, so ask us what is coming next.
Iraq
Najaf · Karbala · Kadhimiya · Samarra
Iran
Mashhad · Qom
Syria
Damascus
Makkah
Saudi Arabia
Madinah
Saudi Arabia
Also arranging journeys to Lebanon. Every departure is confirmed individually. Not every destination has a scheduled journey at all times.
Gallery
The domes, the courtyards and the streets between them, photographed as they are.
Questions
If your question is not here, ask us directly. We would rather answer it than have you guess.
Message us on WhatsApp or send an enquiry with the journey you are interested in and the number of travellers. We will confirm availability, send the full itinerary and inclusions in writing, and explain the payment steps before anything is agreed.
Return international flights and hotel accommodation are included as stated on each package. Hotel names and star ratings are confirmed with your quotation, so you know exactly where you will be staying before you pay.
Journeys are led by Maulana Akhtar Abbas Zainabi, who provides religious guidance at each site and accompanies the group throughout. Group support is available from arrival to departure.
Families are welcome. Tell us the ages of any children and your room requirements, and we will confirm what is possible for the specific journey before you book.
Deposits depend on the package and the journey. Once you confirm your place, we issue an invoice with the exact deposit, the balance date and the payment details. You will have the itinerary and hotel details in writing before anything is due.
Yes. Many pilgrims travel with us for the first time. The group travels together, guidance is given at every stage, and you can ask questions before you book and while you are away.
Meal arrangements vary by hotel and journey. We will confirm exactly what is included, and what is not, in writing before you book, so there are no surprises.
The fastest updates go to our WhatsApp group, where new dates are posted before anywhere else. Message us and we will add you. Our Instagram and TikTok carry every new journey too.
Next step
Tell us which journey interests you, who is travelling and what you would like to know. We will answer personally, with no automated sequences and no pressure.
