Tour Overview
Itinerary:
Day 1 TEHRAN Arrival day.
Day 2 TEHRAN A morning guided tour of Tehran including a visit to the Shrine of Imam Khomeini. In the evening we board an overnight train to Kerman. (BD)
Day 3 KERMAN Check in to our hotel before enjoying a tour of this well-preserved ancient city with its lively bazaar. In the afternoon we drive to the oasis city of Mahan where we visit the exquisite shrine of the sufi saint Shah Nematollah Vali, set against a picturesque backdrop of barren mountains. (B)
Day 4 YAZD Drive through the desert to Yazd, home to many followers of the ancient Persian religion of Zoroastrianism. We visit the Fire Temple, the Towers of Silence and the Wind Towers in the old city. (B)
Day 5 PASARGAD - SHIRAZ Today we continue to Shiraz via Pasargad, the ancient Achaemenian capital. We visit the tomb of Cyrus the Great which dates back more than 2,500 years. (BD)
Day 6 SHIRAZ - PERSEPOLIS Morning guided tour of the magnificent remains at Persepolis. In the afternoon we enjoy a guided tour of Shiraz, a city that has always been a great centre of learning and is celebrated for its beauty and the delightful shrines of its famous poets. (B)
Day 7 ESFAHAN Drive to Esfahan via the beautiful caravanserai at Izadkhast. In the evening we have a panoramic tour of the old bridges in Esfahan and the chance to visit a traditional teahouse. (BD)
Day 8 ESFAHAN A World Heritage site, Esfahan is perhaps the most beautiful of all the cities in Iran, with an abundance of traditional Islamic architecture, ancient mosques, shrines and palaces. We have a full day to explore with our guide. (B)
Day 9 ESFAHAN Full free day to wander through this enchanting city or visit the exotic bazaar to haggle for souvenirs. (B)
Day 10 NATANZ - ABYANEH VILLAGE We continue to the village of Abyaneh, stopping on the way to visit the Jame Mosque and the Shrine of Imamzadeh Abdolsamaad in Natanz; a significant example of traditional Persian architecture. Abyaneh is one of the oldest settlements in Iran, and its historic importance has recently been recognized by UNESCO. We enjoy a picnic lunch, followed by a free afternoon to take in the beauty of the architecture and the surrounding scenery. (BL)
Day 11 KASHAN - QOM - HAMADAN In the morning we drive to Kashan, a small city built at the site of an oasis. We have the chance to view the city's traditional buildings, such as the Boroujerdi House - originally the home of a samovar merchant, the extensive gardens, and atmospheric covered bazaar. Later, we drive to Qom, the second holiest city in Iran, and then continue to Hamadan, which has been inhabited since the second millennium BC. (B)
Day 12 KERMANSHAH - SANANDAJ After some time spent exploring Hamadan, we drive to Kermanshah, an important stop on the ancient caravan routes to Baghdad. After a tour of the city which includes some of its most impressive monuments, we continue to Sanandaj. (B)
Day 13 TAKHT-E SOLEIMAN - ZANJAN Takht-e Soleiman, the 'Throne of Solomon' is one of Iran's most interesting archaeological sites, where the ruins of a large, fortified settlement have been built around a small lake on a hilltop. It also claims to be the birth place of Zoroaster, founder of the ancient Zoroastrian religion. We visit the site before heading to Zanjan to spend the night. (B)
Day 14 ZANJAN - TEHRAN We tour Zanjan, famous for the intricate handicrafts produced by its people; before returning to Tehran via Soltaniyeh and Qazvin. (BD)
Day 15 TEHRAN Tour ends. (B)
(Reference ID: ITITAN)
