1
Arrive Tehran
Upon arrival , we are welcomed to Tehran , the pearl of Persia. After checking
into our hotel , we enjoy a leisurely evening and rest up , Overnight: Tehran
2 Tehran
Our half day tour of the capital starts off with the visit to the Fine Arts and
the Archeological Museums. Its massive collections include a stone capital of
the winged lion from Susa and a 6th century B.C. audience hall relief of Darius
the Great from the Treasury at Persepolis. The museum's exhibits date from 4500
B.C. to contemporary times. Overnight: Tehran
3 Tehran / Hamedan (Drive 215miles / 343kms)
An early start takes us on a scenic drive to Hamedan , one of the oldest
inhabited towns in the world. An afternoon tour of Hamedan will include a stop
at the charming waterfall Ganjnameh before proceeding to the magnificent and
dominating Avicenna Memorial & Baba Taher Tombs. Next follows a visit to
Ester & Murducai the most important Jewish pilgrimage sight in Iran. Before
we lose ourselves in the maze that is the colorful oriental Bazaar of Hamedan ,
we pay a visit to the famous 14th century Stone Lion.
Overnight: Hamedan
4 Hamedan / Kerman shah
(Drive 118miles / 189kms)
We depart in the morning for Kermanshah via Bisotoun , where the famous bas
relies are carved out of a dramatic mountain. This region hosts the most
interesting and famous archeological sites in Iran. We view many Achaemenian
inscriptions including one of about 1200 lines where we get insight into the
hard fought battle of Darius , defeating the governors who tried to dismantle
the Empire. Leaving the famous Tablets of Darius we visit the Temple of Anahita
, the goddess of abundance and the guardian of water in ancient Iran. In the
evening we visit the traditional bazaar in Kermanshahan where we'll have the
opportunity to sharpen our bargaining skills.Overnight: Kermanshahan
5 Kermanshahan / Susa /
Ahvaz (Drive 314miles / 509kms)
We travel south on a scenic countryside drive to Ahvaz. En route , we stop at
Susa , one of the oldest archaeological sites in Iran. This prehistoric
settlement (from at least 4000 B.C. and an important Elamite city) reached peak
under the reign of Untash Gal , who built Susa as his administrative capital
and founded Chogha Zanbil as his religious center. Chogha Zanbil remains the
best surviving example of Elamite architecture. Overnight: Ahvaz (1 night)
6 Ahvaz / Shiraz (Drive
351miles / 568kms)
After breakfast , we depart for Shiraz , en- route visiting a famous Sassanid
Relies and Palace of Bishapur. Overnight: Shiraz
7 Persepolis
excursion to Persepolis, Our tour will also include the Naqsh-e-Rustam, the
tombs believed to be of Darius I and II , Artaxerxes and Xerxes I. In the
afternoon we visit Kuh-I-Rehmat , Naqsh-e-Rajab and Passargade where we view the
impressive six tiered tomb of Cyrus the Great.
8 Shiraz
Our day is spent exploring Shiraz where we start with a visit to the
picturesque Eram Garden , famous for its cypress trees. Next we visit the tombs
of Persia's best known poets: Saadi and Hafiz. Our next stop takes us to the
"modern" Nasiro-Molk mosque and the pretty Afif-Abad Garden followed
by a visit to the Church of Saint Simmon the Zealot with the famed stained glass
windows and then off to see the ornately mirrored Shrine of Shah-Cheragh.
9 Shiraz / Kerman (Drive 492miles / 797kms)
The morning journey to Kerman is breathtaking as we travel in this land of
mountains and deserts. Kerman , the carpet capital , The old part of the city
located in the bazaar district , houses the famous Friday Mosque dating back to
the 14th century. This well preserved mosque , with its four lofty minarets and
shimmering blue tiles , welcomes all faiths.
Overnight: Kerman
10 Bam & Mahan
A day excursion takes us to Bam. This desert oasis dates back to legendary
times but all that is left today are the remains of the old city. Located on a
6 sq. km site and built in the 11th century , the Citadel of Bam's unique
mud-brick structure is the largest clay structure in the world. Next we visit
Mahan , the final home of the Sufi poet Shah Nematollah Vali. The poet spent
many years wondering through Central Asia before finally settling here where he
was enchanted by the surroundings of violet-colored mountains. His tomb is a
perfect example of how traditional Persian architecture creates harmony with
nature. The day's experience culminates with a visit to the beautiful terraced
Shahzadeh garden in Mahan. Overnight
11 Kerman / Yazd (Drive 239miles / 387kms)
Our morning begins with a visit to Jame Mosque , the fascinating Ganj-Ali-Khan
Bath , the Wax Museum and a trip to the old bazaar where you can consider
shopping for your collection of colorful souvenirs. Later, we visit an old
Caravan Seray before reaching Yazd. Overnight: Yazd
12 Yazd / Isfahan (Drive 195miles / 316kms)
As Yazd is home of the more traditional Persian architecture , we begin our day
with a visit to the magnificent Masjid-e Jame and Amir-Chakhmaq Mosques. We
continue to the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence and the Fire Temple (where fire
worship is still practiced) and then visit Doulat Abad Garden with its
traditional ventilation shaft (wind tower). In the afternoon we depart on a
beautiful drive to Esfahan. Overnight: Esfahan
13 Isfahan. Our tour of this magnificent city
begins with Madrasah-ye Chahar Bagh , the pride of the last Safavid King , Shah
Sultan Hussein. Next , we visit Hasht Behest Palace , a charming garden palace
, built in 1680 , with impressive mosaics and stalactite moldings. Then we are
off to see the richly decorated and serene Armenian Vank Church followed by the
glorious Friday Mosque. No trip to Esfahan is complete without visiting the
famous old bridges that cross the Zayandeh River.
14 Esfahan
Our morning begins with a visit to Naghsh e Jahan Square. This majestic square
, built in 1612 , Then , we take in the beautifully proportioned and decorated
17th century Masjid-e Sheikh Lotfollah and then off to see the magnificent Emam
Mosque - one of the most stunning buildings in Iran. Next , a visit to the 6
story Ali Ghapou Palace followed by a tour of the most impressive pavilion and
garden , Chehel Sotoun Place built with 40 pillars by Shah Abbas. We finish off
this day of exploration with a trip to the most famous bazaar in Iran
15 Esfahan / Tehran
(Drive 256m / 414 Kms)
On our scenic drive to Tehran we stop at Kashan , an attractive oasis town , We
visit Khan-e ( House of )Tabatabaie and Boroujerdi, built as a private
residence , now a charming museum with a lovely courtyard. We then take in the
famous Fin Garden and witness its breathtaking pools , orchards and natural
springs. Next we visit Agha Bozorg Mosque famous for its lovely portals and
minarets. After lunch , we visit the exquisite Shrine of Fatima in Qom and
later we view the Tomb of Ayatollah Khomeini.
Overnight: Tehran
16 Tehran
Our culminating tour of Tehran begins with the impressive Glass & Ceramic
Museum , continues in the Sa'dabad Garden Museum (with its 18 opulent Palaces)
and the world renowned Carpet Museum which houses a spectacular collection of
Iranian hand woven carpets. Our next museum is the Reza Abbasid's. Its
artifacts date back to the 14th century and the museum exhibits stunning
examples of Islamic calligraphy and exquisite jewelry from several dynasties.
The day ends with a visit to the bazaar to pick up some last minute gifts and
souvenirs followed by a special Iranian farewell dinner at a traditional local
restaurant
17
Transfer to Airport according to your Departure time
