Iran: 4000 years of history

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Tehran

  Arrival in Tehran. Welcome at the airport, transfer to the hotel, check-in and rest.

• day 2

  Tehran

  You will begin your stay by discovering the Iranian capital, Tehran. In the morning, visit to the archaeological museum and the former royal Golestan Palace from the 16th century. The complex is under the responsibility of the Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization (ICHO). In the afternoon, a well-deserved stop at the Tehran Carpet Museum, where you can admire a wide variety of magnificent Persian carpets.

• day 3

  Tehran – Kashan

  In the morning, departure for the city of Kashan, an oasis city renowned for several centuries for its ceramic workshops, carpets, and silks. Discovery of the famous Bagh-e Fin garden. Visit of the historic Boroudjerdi house, built in the 19th century as a wedding gift for the wife of the wealthy merchant Haji Mehdi Boroudjerdi. It is considered a true masterpiece of Persian residential architecture. Overnight stay in Kashan.

• day 4

  Kashan – Abyaneh – Isfahan

  Continuation of the journey to the traditional village of Abyaneh, known for its living traditions and its particular architectural style (houses made of red clay). Walk in the village. Arrival in Isfahan in the afternoon. Check-in at the hotel. Rest.

• day 5

  Ispahan

  Excursion day dedicated to discovering Isfahan. Visit of the famous Chahar Bagh boulevard (Four Gardens), one of the historic avenues of Isfahan, built during the Safavid era. It connects the city from north to south. Visit of the Hasht Behesht gardens (the eight paradises) and the Chehel Sotoun palace, completed in 1647 under the reign of Shah Abbas II. A stop is planned at the Vank Cathedral or Holy Savior of the 17th century, located in the Armenian quarter, New Julfa. Covered with wonderful frescoes, the cathedral has the same appearance as a mosque, but it is topped with a Christian cross at the top of the dome. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 6

  Ispahan

  We will continue our visits of Isfahan by going to the Armenian quarter, New Julfa. There, we will discover the Vank Cathedral, or Holy Savior, dating from the 17th century. Covered with wonderful frescoes, the cathedral presents, from the outside, the same appearance as a mosque, but it is topped with a Christian cross at the top of the dome. Free time in the afternoon.

• day 7

  Ispahan – Nain – Yazd

  In the morning, departure towards Nain, in the province of Isfahan, which is known worldwide for its magnificent carpets. Visit of the Jame Mosque, one of the four mosques built in Iran after the Arab invasions. Arrival in Yazd, check-in at the hotel, rest.

• day 8

  Yazd

  The Towers of Silence await us in Yazd. These are circular structures used for funeral rites by the Zoroastrians. Next, we will visit the Fire Temple, a place of worship for the Zoroastrians. Later, discovery of the Water Museum. In the late afternoon, let yourself be charmed by the Amir Chakhmaq complex and the 13th-century Friday Mosque. Enjoy the countless pastries and dried fruits prepared in the city. In the evening, free time to spend as you wish. Illuminated at night, the city reveals all its splendor. Overnight in Yazd.

• day 9

  Yazd – Chak-Chak – Kharanak – Yazd

  In the morning, departure towards Chak Chak, the oldest pilgrimage site of the Zoroastrians (early June). Upon arrival, walk up to the famous fire temple that stands at the top of a cliff. Later, stop at Kharanaq to discover its old town, emptied of its inhabitants, as well as the caravanserai from the Qajar era. Return to Yazd, free evening.

• day 10

  Yazd – Pasargadae – Naqsh-e Rostam – Shiraz

  Continuation of the journey to Pasargadae, the fallen capital of Cyrus the Great. The ruins stretch out in the solitary and grandiose setting of a high plateau. Then, stop at Naqsh-e Rostam, the necropolis of the Achaemenid and Sassanid kings, carved into a cliff. Towards the evening, arrival in Shiraz, check-in at the hotel and rest.

• day 11

  Shiraz

  Day dedicated to the romantic city of Shiraz, city of roses, love, and nightingales. Visit to the Bagh-e Eram garden (Garden of Paradise) with its immense cypresses, rose garden, pool, and botanical garden. Discovery of the Karim Khan citadel from the 18th century, an imposing fortress with four round towers and composed of a museum administered by the Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization (ICHO). Then, stroll through the beautiful Vakil bazaar, one of the most hospitable places in the city. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 12

  Shiraz – Persepolis – Shiraz

  Early departure to Persepolis, the most impressive archaeological site in the country and the highlight of our trip. Return to Shiraz, free time in the afternoon.

• day 13

  Chiraz – Ahvaz

  Free time for the last discoveries of Shiraz. Later, domestic flight to Ahvaz. Transfer to the hotel, check-in and rest.

• day 14

  Ahvaz – Shush – Shushtar – Ahvaz – Tehran

  Day dedicated to the discovery of ancient Shush, one of the oldest cities of humanity. Founded by the Elamites, this city experienced a turbulent history under the rule of various empires, such as the Achaemenids, the Parthians, the Sassanids, etc. Today, it is an archaeological site of great importance. Discovery of the remains of the palace of Darius and the tomb of the prophet Daniel. Later, stroll in Shushtar where the dam-bridges from the Sassanid era and the water mills will catch your attention. On the way, visit Tchogha-Zanbil, a ziggurat built by the Elamites. Return to Ahvaz, domestic flight to Tehran. Welcome at the airport, transfer to the hotel located very close to the international airport. Rest.

• day 15

  Return flight

  Transfer to the airport. End of our services.