In the footsteps of ancient Persia

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Tehran

  Arrival in Tehran. Welcome at the airport, transfer to the hotel, 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 palace of Golestan from the 16^th 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

  Very early 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 to 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

  Day dedicated to the discovery of Isfahan, the most beautiful city in Iran. We will discover the Imam Mosque, one of the most beautiful squares in the world, as well as the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, with its domes, arcades, and courtyards. Next, we will admire the majestic Alahverdi Khan Bridge, also called "the thirty-three arches". Later, visit to 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 to the Hasht Behesht gardens (the eight paradises) and the Chehel Sotoun Palace, completed in 1647 under the reign of Shah Abbas II. We will also discover the Ali Qapu Palace and the Jameh Mosque, the Great Mosque of Isfahan. In the evening, dinner and 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, visit to 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 – Pasargadae – Naqsh-e Rostam – Shiraz

  Early departure for Pasargadae, the fallen capital of Cyrus the Great. The ruins stretch out in the solitary and grandiose setting of a high plateau. Stop at Naqsh-e Rostam, the necropolis of the Achaemenid and Sassanid kings, carved into a cliff. Overnight in Shiraz.

• day 10

  City tour in 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 11

  Shiraz – Persepolis – Shiraz – Tehran

  Early departure to Persepolis, the most impressive of all the country's archaeological sites and the highlight of our trip. Return to Shiraz, free time in the afternoon. Late in the evening, domestic flight to Tehran. Welcome at Mehrabad airport and one-hour transfer to the hotel located very close to the international airport. Rest.

• day 12

  Return flight

  Transfer to the airport. End of our services.