From the Silk Road to the monarchy of Cyrus

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  1st DAY, ARRIVAL in TEHRAN

  Arrival in Tehran, then we will go to the hotel for check-in. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 2

  2nd DAY, TEHRAN

  To discover the Iranian capital, today we will visit the Golestan Palace, including Emarat-e Badgir, Talar-e Salam, Khalvat-e Karim Khani, and Takht-e Marmar, as well as the National Museum. After lunch, in the afternoon, we will go to admire the Moqadam House, then we will go to the Nature Bridge (a new attraction in Tehran). Overnight at the hotel.

• day 3

  3rd day, flight from Tehran to Tabriz

  Flight from Tehran to Tabriz. Arriving at the hotel, we will take a little rest. We will discover the museums of Azerbaijan, the Constitution House, the Iron Age Archaeological Museum, and the Shoara Tomb. We will end the day with a visit to the Kabud Mosque. Overnight in Tabriz.

• day 4

  4th DAY, TABRIZ

  We will leave for Kandovan (55 km away). This village, still inhabited, is carved into volcanic rock walls. Bazaar and Elgoli park. Night at the hotel.

• day 5

  5th day, Tabriz to Sarein

  We will head towards Sarein. Transfer to the hotel. Visit of the hot springs and the Alvares region. Overnight in Sarein.

• day 6

  6th day, Sarein to Astara

  On the way, visit to the natural lake Shurabil, then visit to the mausoleum of Sheikh Safiaddin Ardebili (UNESCO World Heritage site), then visit to one of the most important attractions of the village Heyran, Gardaneye Heyran. Overnight in Astara.

• day 7

  7th day, Astara to Masule

  The excursion to the historic and touristic village of Masoule, with one night on site in Masoule.

• day 8

  8^th day, Masoule to Rasht

  We are going to go hiking and visit the Roudkhan Castle, then we will go to a confectionery workshop. Next, we will visit one of the oldest forests in the world, the Hirkani forest. Night in Rasht.

• day 9

  9^th DAY, RASHT to QAZVIN

  We will visit the rustic eco-museum of Saravan, then make a visit to Rudbar (olive breeding center), see the banks of the Sefidrud, and finally admire the cypress of Harzevil. Night in Qazvin.

• day 10

  10th day, Qazvin to Hamadan

  We will visit Emarate Kolah Farangi, the bazaar and the tekye, and taste the local dishes (Qeyme nesar). Night in Hamadan.

• day 11

  11th day, Hamadan

  Excursion to Hamadan. We will admire the dome of Alavian, the tomb of Baba Tahir and Ganjnameh, the mausoleum of Avicenna and Hegmataneh. Night in Hamadan.

• day 12

  12th day, Hamadan to Arg-e Gugad

  We will visit the mausoleum of Habakkuk as well as the tomb of Esther and Mordecai, then we will head towards Golpayegan. Next, we will visit the Gugad citadel and spend the night at the Gugad citadel.

• day 13

  13^th day, Arg-e Gugad to Isfahan

  We will head towards Isfahan. We will admire the Jolfa district, the Vank Cathedral, as well as the two historic bridges Sio-se-Pol and Qaju, and the Music Museum. Overnight in Isfahan.

• day 14

  14^th DAY, ISFAHAN

  We will first go to one of the largest squares in the world, the Royal Square, with its four magnificent sites: the Imam and Sheikh Lotfollah mosques, the Ali Qapu palace and the traditional bazaar, then the palaces of Hasht Behesht and Chehel Sotoun.

• day 15

  15th DAY, ISFAHAN to SHIRAZ

  Land transfer from Isfahan to Shiraz. (Excursion to Pasargadae), overnight in Shiraz.

• day 16

  16^th day, Shiraz

  Excursion to Shiraz (the citadel of Karim Khan, the historical complex of Vakil, the Nasir al-Molk mosque, the tomb of Hafez, the Narenjestan-e Qavam garden). Night in Shiraz.

• day 17

  17^th day, Shiraz

  We will have the excursion to the extraordinary remains of Persepolis and the bas-reliefs of Naqsh-e Rostam located nearby. At the end of the day, we will return to Shiraz passing by the Gate of Qoran. Night at the hotel.

• day 18

  18th DAY, SHIRAZ

  And finally, the time to say goodbye to Iran has arrived. We will go to SYZ airport to take our return flight.