Treasures of Persia: 12 days of cultural tour in Iran

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Tehran, day of arrival

  Arrival at Tehran IKA airport. Transfer to your hotel by private transfer. Overnight in Tehran.

• day 2

  Tehran

  

  The metropolis of Tehran is an "experience" not to be forgotten. It is a modern metropolis where more than 10 million people live and work. The economic heart of the city is the southern bazaar. The wealthiest Tehranis live in the north, where the air is a bit fresher. The north and south are connected by Valiasr Street, which is 18 km long. Tehran is too big and there are too many things to do in just a few days. So choose between a museum, a park, the bazaar, a palace, a tea house, an art gallery, a kebab shop, and let yourself be surprised by spontaneous encounters with the amazing helpfulness of Tehran. With a local guide to go out, you can see the most special places in the city in a short time. Note: Optional city tours. Extension of the trip with excursions in Iran, half-days (morning / afternoon) of your choice, including an English-speaking local guide, transportation, and entrance. Price per person: 50 euros per person.

• day 3

  From Tehran to Yazd

  Yazd: A paradise in the desert, the UNESCO heritage! Early in the morning, at 6am, take the express train to Yazd; you will arrive around 12-1pm. A driver will be waiting for you to take you to the traditional hotel. Yazd is a special city in Iran and the center of modern Zoroastrianism. It is considered by many to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. This historic desert city owes its preservation to its unique location, spared from earthquakes, wars, and invasions (such as that of Genghis Khan). The typical adobe desert architecture makes wandering through the labyrinth of alleys enchanting. Yazd barely knows any heights, which makes the view from the rooftops breathtaking, especially at dawn and dusk. The call to prayer, the Azan, from the minarets, takes you on a journey to a nostalgic past. Yazd is located on the ancient Silk Road and Marco Polo already spent the night there in a caravanserai. The old town, with its clustered traditional houses, is a living monument to its memory. Some alleys, called "friendship alleys," cannot be crossed without the need to socialize with others. Getting lost in the old town is not difficult, but the minarets of the 13th-century Jameeh Mosque suddenly rise above you. Perhaps a million pieces of colored mosaic adorn the facade with beautiful geometric patterns. Yazd at night.

• day 4

  Yazd

  Yazd has many attractions, including the Ateshkadeh Fire Temple, the Dowlat Abad Persian Garden, the Dakhmeh Zoroastrian Towers of Silence, the Qanat Water Museum, the central Amir Chaqmaq complex, the bazaar, the Khan Bath, and many traditional houses with Badgir wind towers, some of which now serve as boutique hotels. The Yazdi are naturally curious and enjoy chatting with you. By respecting local traditions and customs, you can have a wonderful stay in this charming desert city. Note: Optional city tours. Trip extension with excursions to cities in Iran, half-days (morning / afternoon) of your choice, including an English-speaking local guide, transportation, and entrance fees. Price per person: 50 euros per person.

• day 5

  Yazd to Shiraz

  

  Our driver-guide will be waiting for you at the hotel to take you to Shiraz, also called the gateway to Persia. Two thousand five hundred years ago, this province of Iran became the center of the vast Persian Empire. The ruins of Persepolis (Takhte Jamshid) and the royal tombs of Naqsh-e Rostam are remnants of that era. You can visit them with your guide. Overnight in Shiraz.

• day 6

  Shiraz

  Shiraz: The city of poets and nightingales! Shiraz, the city of poets and nightingales, is located at the heart of the ancient Persian empire. It is no coincidence that there are magnificent parks and idyllic gardens here. Our word "paradise" even comes from Persian. Shiraz enjoys a wonderful climate and is a tourist city where it is pleasant to stay. It is a medium-sized Iranian city, located south of Isfahan, towards the Persian Gulf. It has an international airport with flights to and from Dubai and Istanbul. There are bus connections to Isfahan, Yazd, Kerman, and Bushehr, as well as a sleeper train to Tehran. Shiraz has enough attractions for a visit of several days. The center of the historic city is the imposing fortress of Karim Zand. The nearby Vakil complex houses a traditional bazaar, a mosque, and a bathhouse/museum. Visiting Shiraz also means visiting Hafez. The mausoleum of the 14th-century Persian poet is a park very popular with enthusiasts. The medieval Sufi poet Saadi has his own park/mausoleum, with many devotees. For the culturally passionate traveler interested in antiquity, Shiraz is the ideal starting point to visit the historical sites of Pasargad, Persepolis, Naqsh-e Rustam, Firuzabad, and Bishapur. Note: Optional city tours. Trip extension with city excursions in Iran, half-days (morning/afternoon) of your choice, including an English-speaking local guide, transportation, and entrance. Price per person: 50 euros per person.

• day 7

  Chiraz to Isfahan

  From Shiraz, you take a long but beautiful road through the desert landscape to Yazd. On the way, you will stop at Pasargadae, near the monument of Cyrus the Great, founder of the Persian Empire, then you will continue towards Isfahan. This cultural capital of Iran reached its peak in the 17th century, under the reign of King Shah Abbas. Isfahan at night.

• day 8

  Isfahan

  

  Isfahan: half the world! Isfahan is the cultural capital of Iran. The city experienced a new boom when Shah Abbas I, in 1598, established his government there. Isfahan was then, for the second time, the center of Persia. It owes its splendid palaces and mosques to the golden age of that era. Its nickname is "NESF-e JAHAN" or "half the world" because of its international appeal and the masterpieces created by artists from other countries. Isfahan is still an important economic and artistic center and has nearly 3 million inhabitants, making it the third largest city in Iran. It is located in the center of the country, with an international airport and good bus and train connections to almost all cities. A stay in Isfahan should not be missed when traveling to Iran. Despite the size of the city, it is easy to walk to most of the sites and monuments. The immense Naqsh-e Jahan Square has surprised even the most seasoned traveler. This central square is surrounded by the arcades of the bazaar, the Ali Qapu Palace, and the magnificent Lutfollah and Shah mosques. The bridges over the Zayandeh Rud River are another major attraction of Isfahan. Walking on the Si-o-se Pol and Pol-e Khaju bridges is a particularly pleasant experience in the evening. With a bit of luck, you may hear the magical sounds of the tar echoing under the arches of Isfahan at night.

• day 9

  Isfahan

  On that day, you will be able to enjoy other cultural highlights, including the Vank Church in the Armenian Christian district of Jolfa, the Ateshgah Fire Temple, the Minar Janban, as well as the Chehel Sotoun and Hasht Behesht palaces. You will also have free time to stroll through the bazaar. Overnight in Isfahan. Note: Optional city tours. Trip extension with excursions in the cities of Iran, half-days (morning / afternoon) of your choice, including an English-speaking local guide, transportation, and entrance fees. Price per person: 50 euros.

• day 10

  From Isfahan to Kashan

  Kashan, the rare pearl of cultural treasures! After 3 nights staying in Isfahan, you head to the ancient city of Kashan, in the desert. On the way, you will stop to visit the picturesque red mountain village of Abyaneh. Kashan is a medium-sized city located in the desert, in the center of Iran. The name is synonymous with antiquities, and this is not surprising, as excavations have uncovered objects dating back to 6000 BC. The old center of this traditional city has largely preserved its typical desert architecture. Hidden in the narrow streets are beautiful merchant houses, witnesses to a glorious past.

• day 11

  From Kashan to Tehran

  

  In the morning, you can have more time to visit the highlights of Kashan. Kashan is another interesting desert city, located along the Silk Road. It is famous for its traditional merchant houses, its hammam, and the Fin Garden. After an overnight stay in Kashan, our driver will take you for a comfortable journey in the Persian Gulf to Tehran. Night in Tehran.

• day 12

  Tehran, day of departure

  Free day for departure. Our driver will be in the hotel lobby at the agreed time to take you to IKA airport in one hour. It is preferable to be at the airport two hours before your flight time.