1. Day 1 Arrival in Tehran

   We’ll begin our tour in the capital of Iran, Tehran. For information on airport transfers, contact your Tour Manager.

   Tehran has that feeling of being an ancient capital, although it has only been the capital of Iran since 1789 when it took the title from the City of Shiraz. Tehran literally means the ‘bottom of the mountain slope’, and we can think of no better name as any visitor to this massive city will have their gaze drawn to the immense Alborz Mountains, which dwarf the capital.

   After some time to rest or a little optional exploration with our tour leader, we’ll meet for an early evening briefing before dinner.

    

   Accommodation: Iranshahr Hotel

   Included Meals: Dinner 

2. Day 2 Tehran City Tour

   Our day begins after a hearty breakfast, after which we head into Irans tremendous capital, Tehran. The history of Tehran stretches back to the neolithic period, although it is its more recent past that has it in most travellers’ thoughts. This morning, we’ll begin our tour looking to Irans more recent history, the fall of the wealthy Pahlavi Dynasty, and the rise of the Revolutionary Islamic Republic.

   We’ll depart the hotel early, our first stop is at one of Tehran’s most recognised landmarks, the Azadi Tower. The Azadi Tower, or Freedom Tower, is a striking monument completed in 1971 clad entirely of white marble. It was built as part of the Shah’s overambitious festival known as the 2,500-year Celebration of the Persian Empire.

   The building was originally named Shahyad Tower (Shah’s Memorial Tower); after the Shah’s downfall, it was more jokingly known as the ‘Shah’s souvenir’. Following our visit to the tower, we head to the Sa’dabad Palace Complex to see one of the many palaces that belonged to Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Since 1794 the Sa’dabad Palace had been used by Iran’s royal families, although we’re here to see the Mellat Palace Museum, home of the last king Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The Mellat Palace was the Shah’s summer residence; its opulent décor and excessive furnishings reflect how detached the Shah had become from the life of the Iranian people.

   In keeping with our modern historical journey, we’ll pay a visit to the former Embassy of the United States of America (known locally as the den of espionage!) This exciting building, now surrounded by brightly coloured propaganda paintings, is a great place to learn a little more about US interests in the region at the time and its eventual downfall at the hands of 400 Iranian students. After our action-packed morning of espionage, intrigue and revolution, we have a real taste of local life as we stop for a spot of lunch poised, ready to visit our next stop.

   After lunch, it’s into the National Museum of Iran. As one may expect, it doesn’t disappoint, containing finds from all ages and corners of Iran. The National Museum complex comprises three museums (the Museum of Ancient Iran, Museum of Islamic Archaeology and the Museum of the Art of Iran), making for a truly informative afternoon for those who wish to learn more.

   If museums are not for you, do not fear as we are just a stone’s throw from the world-famous Tehran Grand Bazaar, a great place to shop, admire the stunning architecture lit up by the many thousand stained-glassed windows or sit and observe local Iranian life.

    

   Accommodation: Iranshahr Hotel

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

3. Day 3 Towards Isfahan

   Today we check out of our hotel in Tehran and hit the road to continue our Iranian adventure. Our destination is the Ancient City of Isfahan. Still, we have some fantastic visits ahead of us along the way.

   We’ll visit the old city of Kashan, with a history stretching back over 9000 years, Kashan is home to palaces, gardens and beautiful pools once the holiday destination for Safavi Kings in the 16th century.  These days Kashan is bereft of tourism, with fewer than 1000 travellers stopping here, although it’s to our advantage as we explore this city with one foot in the mountains and the other in the shifting sands of Iran’s central desert.

   Our first stop in this exciting city is the 16th century Fin Garden now one of Iran’s many UNESCO listed sites. The Fin Garden is an excellent example of Persian garden design incorporating numerous water features and ornate tiled palaces; the garden is a perfect spot for photography or just wander through its leafy realms. If you want to test your brain, try to work out how all of the water fountains, pools and streams run without any pumps or motors!

   Following our garden visit, we call at the first of many mosques on tour, the Agha Bozorg Mosque, built during the 1800s to educate in prayer and preaching. Some described the Agha Bozorg Mosque as the finest example of its type in the 19th century and a perfect example of symmetrical architectural design.

   After exploring a little of Kashan on foot to view modern local life in this little-visited city, we will make one last call to the Tabatabaei House Museum. Built-in 1880, Tabatabaei House gives us a great look at buildings from that period containing fascinating architecture and our first glimpse of windcatcher towers.

   Once our visit to Kashan is complete, we board our bus and head onwards to our destination, Isfahan.

    

   Accommodation: Setareh Hotel

   Included Meals: Breakfast

4. Day 4 Ancient City of Isfahan Tour

   For some, it may be a little bit of a hazy start after enjoying a night of peering into the flaming heart of the Darvaza gas crater. After breakfast, we climb back into the 4X4s arriving in Ashgabat before lunch. Once we have checked in and had a chance to freshen up, we will take local taxis into Ashgabat’s Marbled centre to see its notorious white heart. First stop Ashgabats grandiose, opulent shopping mall Berkerar. Berkerar Mall was opened in 2015; it looks like a cross between a mosque and a palace from the outside. While inside just as grand for us, it’s an excellent opportunity to grab a spot of lunch and see some local life before starting our walk.

   Once we have eaten, it’s out into the city, passing wide open streets and pristine white apartments as we make our way back to the hotel. The start of our city hike takes us past the imposing 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games stadium area. The stadium area was built at the cost of around 5 billion USD. At its heart lies the Saparmurat Turkmenbashy Olympic Stadium, noticeable as part of the stadium is in the shape of a giant Ahal-Teke horse head.

   As we walk on through the city, we will skirt the presidential area complex, forbidden to head inside, but we can still marvel at the magnificent golden domes and massive structures located there.

   Before we reach our hotel, we will pass more statues, mosaics, and impressively whitened buildings.

    

   Accommodation: Setareh Hotel

   Included Meals: Breakfast

5. Day 5 Cultural Isfahan

   An ancient Persian proverb declares, ”Esfahān nesf-e-jahān ast”: Isfahan is half (of) the world. And if that’s the case, then indeed it can’t be visited in a day; that’s why today we continue our adventure exploring a little more of this fantastic city. Another day and yes, you guessed it, another mosque, this time the UNESCO world heritage site of Jaame mosque of Esfahan. Also known as the Friday mosque, this beautiful building has been in a constant state of construction since 771; it is one of Iran’s oldest mosques, and it’s even claimed that one of its pillars was made by the Caliph in Damascus.

   Next, we call at the Chehel Sotoon Palace a beautiful pavilion that houses frescoes,  paintings, and even more intricate tile work. The Chehel Sotoon Palace is set within the grounds of a lovely park beside a clear lake; its name translates as forty columns, although eagle-eyed visitors will only count twenty, that’s because the other twenty are made up in the palaces watery reflection.

   We have a change of scene and religion as we call at the city’s Armenian quarter, making the Vank Cathedral our first stop. Armenians first started to call Isfahan their home when they were controversially forced to relocate here by Shah Abbas I as part of his scorched-earth policy in Armenia during the Ottoman War of 1603-1618. As well as the rich golden frescos found within the Vank cathedral, there is also a museum on-site that covers the fascinating history of the Armenians in Iran. Following our visit to the Vank cathedral, we will call at the Holy Bethlehem Church of New Julfa, perhaps the most historically significant church within Isfahan and home to the 72 exquisite paintings that line the gilded golden walls of the church.

   After wandering a little more of Isfahan’s Armenian quarter, we make a stop at the Isfahan Music Museum, learning about traditional Iranian music and the instruments. This museum displays the instruments, but there are also live performances to enjoy the melodic sounds.

   After diner, we have a little more exploration walking alongside the Zayandeh Rood river for those who wish. Unfortunately, due to mismanagement of the river further upstream for much of the year, the Zayandeh Rood lies dry. However, we’re here to enjoy the two seventeenth-century bridges Siose Pol and Khajoo. The bridges of Siose Pol and Khajoo have become places to visit in their own right, with their many vaulted arches spanning this once churning waterway.

    

   Accommodation: Setareh Hotel

   Included Meals: Breakfast

6. Day 6 Into the Desert

   After a slightly more relaxed morning, we’re on the road once more as we continue with our adventure making our way to the town of Varzaneh.

   Located within the desert of the same name, Varzaneh is a small town with a real frontier feel to it. Varzaneh is an adventurer’s paradise, not only a town with over 5,000 years of history but also surrounded by massive rolling sand dunes.

   During the times when it is too hot to step foot on the sand, we will explore the town of Varzaneh, its winding streets and Zoroastrian past. Once out into the desert, we will be sure to stop at the salt flats similar to those found further afield in Uyuni, Bolivia. Cutting directly through the salt flats, we will stop for pictures and marvel at the hexagonal shapes formed by the drying salty water and learn a little about the salt industry still in existence in this region. Once we have finished in the flats, it’s into the dunes to enjoy the undulating waves of this typical desert scene.

   Once our desert adventure has ended, we will head back to town, visiting a local village home to learn about life in this remote and dry region.

   Our accommodation for this evening is a picturesque Eco lodge located within the historic town; before settling down, we will be sure to catch one of Varzaneh’s famed sunsets.

    

   Accommodation: Eco-Lodge

   Included Meals: Breakfast

7. Day 7 Towards Yazd

   Following breakfast, we’ll check out of our hotel and head across the desert on our way to the city of Yazd; as with all of our journeys, we’ll make stops as we go, and today will not disappoint as we call at the historical city of Naein.

   Naein is a city that feels as though it has fallen from the pages of a Persian adventure story, with its ancient citadel, unique monuments and crumbling clay brick alleys. Many people claim that Naien is one of Iran’s hidden highlights.

   As well as exploring the city’s bazaar and winding streets, we will be sure to call at the Jaame Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Iran. Construction on the Jaame mosque began in the 8th century; a well as its intricate stone, plaster and alabaster work, the mosque has an exciting waterway that runs from Naien’s famed aqueducts built over 3000 years ago.

   Form Naein we continue on to the city of Meybod, another a city founded in the pre-Islamic period, a former capital and the birthplace of many poets, clergymen and politicians. For us, one of the major attractions in this fascinating city is Narin Castle.

   Another of Iran’s ancient structures, Narin Castle, was built some 2000 years ago. It has been added to over successive centuries but still incorporates many of its original features such as early plumbing, winding staircases and even class-divided levels. From castle to caravanserai, we go as we make a stop at the Shah Abbasi Caravanserai, once a hotel and watering hole for those all-important trade caravan’s that crossed the country. The Shah Abbasi Caravanserai is vast, and one can only imagine the noise, chaos and pandemonium as hundreds of camels and tradespeople bedded down loaded with goods.

   Once we leave Meybod, we head to our destination, the city of Yazd where we make one final stop to view Zoorkhaneh. An ancient sport, Zoorkhaneh is recognised by UNESCO it incorporates martial arts, callisthenics, strength training and even music. Zoorkhaneh is an exciting spectacle a mesmerising gymnastic performance in which its participants train with two large objects that look a little like oversize bowling pins known as ‘meels’.

    

   Accommodation: Orient Hotel

   Included Meals: Breakfast

8. Day 8 Explore the Fire City of Yazd

   Today we awake in the beautiful city of Yazd and, after a hearty breakfast, begin our exploration.

   More romantically known as the ‘city of wind catchers’, Yazd traces its history back many centuries, home to ancient aqueducts, cisterns and ancient buildings; Yazd is more famed for its Zoroastrian Fire Temples. Many of Yazd’s original features survived the numerous wars, invasions and battles due to its remote desert location.

   Our first stop in Yazd will be to the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence, a gruesome site where, during ancient times, bodies of the dead would be defleshed and fed to the birds as part of the ancient Zoroastrian religion. Following the towers, it’s only right that we stop at one of the Zoroastrian fire temples, which has a fire said to be continuously lit since 470 AD.

   After our journey through Yazd’s Zoroastrian sites, we will visit the Dowlatabad Garden, a real oasis within this desert city, and another fine example of Persian garden design, this one famed for its towering evergreen and pomegranate trees.

   From the city’s historical sites to its more local way of life, we head to the heart of this metropolis, calling at the Amir Chakhmagh Square. Not only is the city square beautiful, but it is home to another of Yazd’s famed enterprises, its confectionery industry. We’ll mingle with the locals searching out some of the city’s sweet treats, particularly Persian cotton candy (candy floss). Before heading to our hotel to rest after our adventure, we will make one more stop for the day as we explore the old city. The Old City of Yazd isn’t just a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also an amazing point from which to view the setting sun bathe the city in it’s desert-tinged light.

    

   Accommodation: Orient Hotel

   Included Meals: Breakfast

9. Day 9 A Journey Through History in Shiraz

   This morning we depart Yazd heading south to the city of Shiraz. As we go, we have what can only be described as one of the most historically significant days of our adventure as we make stops at two of the most important cities of ancient Persia.

   Our first stop of the day is to Sarv-e Abarkuh also known as the Zoroastrian Sarv you may never heard of it, but it is perhaps one of the oldest living organisms on the planet. The Sarv-e Abarkuh is an impressive cypress tree aged between 4000 and 5000 years old and a recognised national monument. After our stop at the Sarv-e Abarkuh we will have a look around the city of Abarkuh which as well as being home to the aging tree also houses some ancient refrigerators that date back to 400 BC.

   Continuing the adventure our next stop is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Pasargadae, the capital of Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Empire. For those not familiar with Cyrus the Great, he created the largest empire the world had yet seen, conquering most of Western Asia and much of Central Asia. From the Mediterranean Sea and Hellespont in the west to the Indus River in the east. Pasargadae was established as the capital of Cyrus the

   Great’s Achaemenid Empire in the 6th century. It would remain so throughout his life, eventually the site of his tomb and his son Cambyses I, which are both visible to this day. Pasargadae is also the site of many other archaeological finds, from ancient palaces to crumbling citadels.

   After our historical journey we arrive at the beautiful city of Shiraz for a relaxing evening as we prepare for another adventure tomorrow.

    

   Accommodation: Aryo Barzan Hotel

   Included Meals: Breakfast

10. Day 10 The Achaemenid Day

    Today will be considered by many to be one of the highlights of the tour as we step back again in time and visit Iran’s best known and kept site, that of the ancient city of Persepolis.

    We depart our hotel early to beat the heat, get ahead of the crowds, and arrive at the famed Persepolis as it opens.

    Persepolis is more than just another UNESCO world heritage site, not only the most well-known of all ancient Persian capitals but often referred to by many as one of the most beautiful places on earth, remaining from ancient times. Whether this is true or not, it is undoubtedly a fascinating visit as we explore the ruins of this ceremonial capital. Begun in 518 BC, Persepolis was once home to renowned Persian leaders Darius the Great and Xerxes the Great, whose names are steeped in myth and legend. We will spend time exploring here, learning more about the history of this fascinating site.

    From Persepolis, we continue north to Naqsh-e Rostam, yet another historical marvel in our fantastic day. Naqsh-e Rostam is a fascinating place home to four royal tombs (including those of Darius and Xerxes); the tombs are actually carved into the cliff face and have been described by some as comparable to Petra in Jordan. As well as the site of the tombs (also known as Persian crosses), the complex is home to some fantastic carvings, the most famous depicting the defeat and imprisonment of the Roman emperor Valerian at the hands of the Persian King Sharpur I.

    As we head back to the city of Shiraz, we make one final stop for the day at the beautiful Quran Gate. The Quran Gate is so named as it was once housed two hands written Qurans, and all who passed beneath would receive a blessing.

     

    Accommodation: Aryo Barzan Hotel

    Included Meals: Breakfast

11. Day 11 Shiraz City Tour

    Shiraz is a beautiful city to end our adventure known by many as the city of poets, literature, wine, and gardens. It has a natural, relaxed feel to it. Established in the seventh century, Shiraz has grown to become Iran’s fifth-largest city, home to a wide array of industry from carpet production to modern electronics manufacture. For us, however, our Shiraz tour takes us to its more picturesque sites; our first stop today, the Nasir Al Mulk Mosque. The Nasir Al Mulk Mosque is named the pink mosque due to the heavy use of pink tiles in its design, although for most visitors, it is more famed for its intricate use of stained glass throughout.

    Moving on, we visit the Naranjestan Palace, completed in 1886; this once merchant house borrows on design aspects from victorian Europe through to traditional Persian design. Most famed for its gorgeous Persian garden. Our next visit is to the Zand complex, one of the must-see areas of Shiraz. The Zand complex is a group of buildings built during the Zand dynasty (1751 – 1794).

    Vakil Bazaar may not be the best-stocked Bazaar in Iran, although it is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque with long-vaulted avenues, elaborate tile work, and leafy courtyards. The Vakil Bathhouse, do not worry; we’re not here to grab a wash and a heavy scrub as this once grand bathhouse now houses the Shiraz Anthropology Museum. The Vakil Bathhouse offers us the opportunity to learn a little of Shiraz’s old customs and glimpse its refined architectural design and beautiful plasterwork.

    Vakil Mosque: As with many city mosques, the Vakil Mosque is located next to the central Bazaar and borrows heavily from its architectural design, although once inside the prayer hall, visitors are met with beautiful Islamic calligraphy and fantastic tile work as well as 48 solid stone carved twisted pillars. Once we leave the Zand complex, we visit the Mausoleum of Hafez, one of Shiraz’s poetic son’s from the 14th century. Hafez, even today, is held in high regard amongst many Iranians who come here to offer their respects. A visit here rewards us with a bit of historical knowledge and understanding of local culture, and the gardens are stunning.

    Our final visit of the day is to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Eram Garden, not only the most beautiful garden in the whole of Iran but a garden showcasing the pinnacle of Persian garden design. And a perfect way for us to finish our adventure. From our Shiraz city tour, it’s time to say goodbye as our tour finishes; for those heading to the airport to fly Turkish airlines home, you’ll be whisked away, should you wish to remain in the beautiful Shiraz for a while longer, we can help with hotel extensions.

     

    END OF TOUR

    Included Meals: Breakfast

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