12 days of discoveries in Iran

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Tehran

  

  Upon your arrival at IKA airport and after completing customs formalities, you will be greeted by our driver, who will accompany you to your hotel in Tehran. Depending on the time you have available, you can begin your first exploration of the Iranian capital at your own pace.

• day 2

  Discovery of Tehran

  

  This morning, you will begin, with your accompanying guide, a visit to the center of the Persian capital, notably the Golestan Palace, known as the former royal palace and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the National Museum, where you can discover the history and archaeology of Iran, as well as the Tehran bazaar.

• day 3

  Visit of Tehran

  

  You will continue discovering Tehran with visits that will amaze you. You will notably have the privilege of visiting the Sa'dabad Palace and thus discover some important aspects of Iranian history. You can also go up to the baam (roof) of Tehran and admire the splendid view offered by the city.

• day 4

  Direction Isfahan via Kashan

  

  Before heading to Isfahan, you will visit the Agha Bozorg Mosque, where you can enjoy the tranquility offered by this place, as well as the Fin Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will also have the opportunity to discover traditional Iranian architecture through many historic houses, including those of the Abbassi, Boroudjerdi, and Tabatabaei families. During your journey to Isfahan, you will make a stop at Abyaneh, a mountain village dating back to the 13th century, where you can enjoy a good lunch. You will arrive in Isfahan in the early evening, where you can take advantage of your hotel to rest after this day and taste Beryani, a local Iranian specialty.

• day 5

  Discovery of Isfahan

  

  During these two days dedicated to discovering Isfahan, you will have the privilege of exploring the cultural and heritage richness of this turquoise city. On the program for this first day, you will visit the royal square, the majestic five-story Ali Qapuh Palace, the Imam Mosque, the Lotfollah Mosque (the only one without a minaret), the Isfahan bazaar, and the Chehel Sotoon Palace. You will have lunch at the Zarchi Bashi restaurant (a former hammam). To finish, you will attend a traditional music concert at the Music Museum.

• day 6

  Visit of Isfahan

  

  On this second day in Isfahan, we will take you to visit the Armenian quarter of Jolfala and its magnificent Vank Cathedral. You can take the time to have lunch in a typically Armenian restaurant. At the beginning of the afternoon, you will visit a textile workshop dedicated to the artisanal making of fabrics, with manual printing using natural plant-based colors. Then, we will continue with a visit to the Si-o-se Pol and Khadju bridges. The Khadju bridge, a venue for impromptu concerts, will amaze you with its acoustics. You will spend your last night in Isfahan.

• day 7

  Direction Yazd

  

  After a good breakfast, you will leave for Yazd, the ancient capital of Zoroastrianism. Before that, you will make a short stop in Naein and Meybod. In Naein, you will have the opportunity to visit the Friday Mosque of Naein, the first mosque built in Iran, while admiring its splendor. In Meybod, you can explore this historic village where remains from the 13th century have been discovered. In Yazd, you will have the chance to visit the Friday Mosque, which has the tallest minarets in Iran, Chakmakh Square, Dowlat Abad Garden, the Water Museum where the Qanats system, an ancient irrigation system, is described, or even Alexander's Prison. Finally, if you wish, you can take the opportunity to stroll through the old alleys of the city, where you will be surprised by the natural brightness and coolness, despite the strong presence of the sun.

• day 8

  Discovery of Shiraz via Persepolis

  Today, you will leave for one of the three cultural and artistic capitals of Iran, Shiraz. Before that, you will visit the heart of Iranian civilization by passing through Persepolis, where you can visit the magnificent ruins of this archaeological site, as well as Necropolis to see its many tombs of the ancient kings who ruled over this country. You will arrive in Shiraz in the early evening.

• day 9

  Visit of Shiraz

  

  Upon your arrival in Shiraz, you will tour the city aboard a minibus. In the city center, you will have the opportunity to visit the wonderful and famous Pink Mosque, the Orangery Garden, the Zeinab ol Molk House, the Vakil Complex, as well as the Karin Khan Citadel. For those who wish, you can go to the Shah Cheragh Mosque, visit the Afif Abad Palace, the Eram Garden, the Hafezieh, or even the Saadieh.

• day 10

  Visit of Shiraz

  

  You will continue your visit of the city of Shiraz at your own pace. If you wish, you can revisit the sites and monuments visited yesterday and the day before yesterday at your leisure. We especially recommend visiting a distillery. Shiraz is renowned for its natural plant extracts with therapeutic effects.

• day 11

  Return to Tehran

  

  This morning, you will take a flight to Tehran, where you can explore the city at your own pace and visit the last sights you may have missed during your stay due to lack of time.

• day 12

  Return flight

  After this 12-day journey of discoveries in Iran, and in particular its must-see sites, your driver will accompany you to the airport for your return flight.