| Day 01 | Arrive Tehran
Today you are scheduled to arrive Tehran , once clearing through Customs & Immigration you will be met by our local representative for a transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Tehran (1 night) |
| Day 02 | Tehran / Kerman (Flight)
Our morning tour of Tehran will include the Glass & Ceramic Museum & Sa'dabad Palace followed by the Fine Arts and Archaeological Museums. The fine collection includes a stone sculpture of a winged lion from Susa and a 6th Century BC audience hall relief of Darius the Great from the Treasury at Persepolis. The museum has items dating back from the Sumerian Period (4500 BC). Afternoon transfer to the airport for a flight to Kerman , a land of mountains and deserts set in a beautiful natural setting. Kerman has a long and turbulent history , the old part of the city houses the famous Friday Mosque from the 14th Century. Meet & transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Kerman (2 nights) |
| Day 03 | Kerman
Bam's historical background dates back to legendary times. We visit the remains of the old city of Bam , which was inhabited until the early Qajar period. Spread out over an area of 6 square Kms. , Bam , or Arg-e-Bam , is located on top of a hill. We explore the Citadel of Bam , which is the largest clay structure in the world. We then visit Mahan and visit the home of the Sufi saint and poet , Shah Nematollah Vali followed by the beautifully terraced Shahzadeh Garden. |
| Day 04 | Kerman / Yazd (Drive 331 kms / 204 miles)
Morning visit includes Jameh Mosque , Ganj-Ali-Khan Bath Museum and the old bazaar. Then we depart for Yazd with a visit to an old Caravan Serai en route. Located in the heart of Iran , Yazd was a major stop on the international caravan routes to Central Asia and India. The architecture of Yazd is the most traditionally Persian to be found.
Overnight: Yazd (2 nights) |
| Day 05 | Yazd
Morning we visit the famous Jameh and Mir-Chakhmaq Mosques , the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence , the Fire Temple and Doulat Abad Garden with its traditional ventilation shaft (wind tower). Evening , free to explore the narrow streets of Yazd , which is the best Persian town in modern Iran. |
| Day06 | Yazd / Shiraz (Drive 409 kms / 252 miles)
Morning depart for Shiraz via Passargade - the capital of Cyrus the Great where we will also visit his tomb. Shiraz , traditionally known as the city of Roses and Nightingales , and rightly so , is the home of the finest Persian lyrics as well as the cradle of the Persian Civilization.
Overnight: Shiraz (2 nights) |
| Day07 | Shiraz
Full day tour of Persepolis located 60 Kms. north of Shiraz. It is the last and final ultimate expression of the ancient Middle East. Construction began by Darius the Great (521 - 468 BC) as the focus of the mighty Achaemenian Empire nearly 2500 years ago. Evening , free for shopping or a personal visit to the famous gardens. Our tour will also include the Naqsh-e-Rustam and Naqsh-e-Rajab. |
| Day08 | Shiraz / Esfahan (Flight)
Today's tour will take us to the Shiraz Eram Garden , tombs of Saadi and Hafiz - two of the most well known Persian poets , Nasiro-Molk Mosque , Afif-Abad Garden , Church of Saint Simmon the Zealot , Shrine of Shah-Cheragh and the oriental bazaar. Evening we take a flight to Esfahan - another highlight and a not-to-miss city in any tour of Iran. Legend has it that Esfahan was founded at the time of Tahmourass or Keykavous. During the Safavid Era (16th / 17th Century AD.) , Esfahan is a city of Gardens and Palaces; a trade center recognized by the saying , "Esfahan is half of the world".
Overnight: Esfahan (3 nights) |
| Day09 | Esfahan
We tour this magnificent city and visit the Madrasah Chahrbagh - which was the pride of the last Safavid King , Shah Sultan Hussein , a devout Muslim ruler , Hasht Behest Palace (built in 1680 AD. during the rule of Suleiman II , the Armenian Vank Church , Friday Mosque and the famous bridges. |
| Day10 | Esfahan
Another day of visits in Esfahan will include Imam Square (Naqsh-e- Jahan) with its Sheikh Lotfollah and Imam Mosques , Aliqapu Palace , Chehel Sotoun Palace (40 pillars) built by Shah Abbas as a hall of audience. We also visit one of the most interesting bazaars in Iran. |
| Day11 | Esfahan / Tehran (Drive 435 kms / 268 miles)
An enlightening drive to Tehran with stops at Kashan to visit Boroujerdi and Tabatabaie Houses , Fin garden & Agha Bozorg Mosque. Next stop is to the Shrine of Fatima in Qom and later visit the Tomb of Ayatollah Khomeini before reaching Tehran.
Overnight: Tehran (3 nights ) |
| Day12 | Tehran
Morning visit to the Carpet Museum , which has an excellent collection of Iranian hand woven carpets , followed by the Museum of Reza Abbasi. This museum named after the most famous miniaturist in the Safavid' s era , was opened in 1977. It exhibits artifacts dating back to prehistoric , ancient and Islamic periods and is particularly rich in Islamic calligraphy. Lastly , visit the bazaar for that last minute souvenir. |
| Day13 | Tehran
Day free at leisure. |
| Day14 | Depart Tehran
Morning transfer to the airport for the departure flight. |
| Day15 | Extension available Tehran / Ramsar (Drive 195 kms / 120 miles)
Morning depart for a picturesque drive to Ramsar. Evening tour of Ramsar.
Overnight: Ramsar Hotel , Ramsar (1 night) |
| Day16 | Ramsar / Rashat (Drive 130 kms / 80 miles)
Depart along the beautiful Caspian coast line to Rashat with a stop at Bandar-e-Anjil to visit a caviar factory.
Overnight: Kadoos Hotel , Rashat (1 night) |
| Day17 | Rashat / Tehran (Drive 325 kms / 201 miles)
This morning we visit the stunningly beautiful village of Masuleh. Afternoon return back to Tehran.
Overnight: Homa Hotel , Tehran (1 night ) |
| Day18 | Depart Tehran
Morning transfer to the airport for the departure flight. |
