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

   We awake to a new city, and following a delicious breakfast, we’re once more out and about to explore this beautiful place. Once one of the largest cities in the world, Isfahan is now home to a modest 1.5 million, although it still contains many of its ancient buildings and features from the 16^th century. Founded in the 10^th century, Isfahan was ideally situated on a crossroads between two major trading routes allowing it to grow, eventually becoming the capital of Iran. These days the city still retains many of its architectural wonders and fronts, some fantastic examples of Perso–Islamic architecture. We’re here for a couple of days not only to soak up the excellent atmosphere but also to wander along grand boulevards, cross covered bridges, visit stunning palaces, and call at glistening tiled mosques.

   We begin with a stop at the UNESCO world heritage site of Naqshe Jahan Square. Jahan Square is rated as one of the largest city squares in the world and is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful. The square was the symbolic centre of the Safavid dynasty in the 16^th century used for polo matches, festivals, executions, and street selling. Its grand appearance certainly marks its spot as the centre of a once-great empire.

   From the square, it’s only a short walk to the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, another masterpiece of Iranian architecture. Constructed in 1602, this exquisite build was built and named in homage to the father-in-law of Shah Abbas I of Persia (Abbas the Great). It was Abbas the great who was to lead Iran to war with neighbouring countries and reestablish much of its former territories.

   From the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, we cross the square and head to another mosque, the Imam mosque of Esfahan (Shah Mosque). If the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque is a masterpiece, then the Imam mosque of Esfahan (Shah Mosque) is the pinnacle of Persian architecture. Known more commonly as the Shah mosque

   Constructed in 1611 using over 18 million bricks and 475 thousand tiles, the Shah mosque represents the pinnacle of Persian architecture. Its intricate tile work and stunningly vivid colours have all who visit in awe at this colossal construction.

   From the Sha Mosque, it’s a short walk to the Isfahan Grand Bazaar, with an entrance as grand as you would expect now in the old city of Isfahan, and the interior doesn’t disappoint. The Isfahan Grand Bazaar is an excellent place to people watch, soak up the cities ambience, or do as it was designed for and shop. Many visitors to Iran claim that the Bazaar in Isfahan is the best place in the country to shop for souvenirs, and after a short orientation walk, we’ll let you be the judge of that as you are free to enjoy your own time.

    

   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 Heading 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

7. Day 7 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

8. Day 8 Ancient History of the City of 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 is to 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 and 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 that of 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.

   Following our visit to Pasargadae, it’s onwards with our journey and through time as we make our next stop at the famed ancient wonder, Persepolis. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Persepolis is perhaps the most well-known of all ancient Persian capitals, home of renowned Persian leaders Darius the Great and Xerxes the Great, whose names are steeped in myth and legend. Persepolis is also known 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.

   Before reaching Shiraz City, we have one final stop at another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Naghshe Rostam.

    

   Accommodation: Aryo Barzan Hotel

   Included Meals: Breakfast

9. Day 9 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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