Salaam! Welcome to The Great Persia (Iran). You will be met at Tehran Airport by a local driver for a transfer to your hotel (approximately 1 hour). You may arrive in Tehran at any time today, with hotel rooms are generally available after 12 pm (midday). Then visit Carpet Museum of Iran to see the best collection of Persian carpets from 16th century to present. If time permits please visit The National Jewelry Treasury, (open from Saturday to Tuesday) the priceless and most unique jewelry collection in the world. In the evening, have welcome dinner by The Great Persia.

Accommodation

• Tehran (1 night)

Included Activities

• Tehran - Carpet museum

Meals Included

• Dinner

Special Information

An airport arrival transfer is included. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 15 days prior to travel. Once you have provided your details a transfer representative will be booked to meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.
Please note that the Treasury of National Jewels is closed on Wednesday to Friday. If you would like to visit this museum, it is open from Saturday to Tuesday (2:00 PM - 4:30 PM), so we suggest allowing time either on Day 1 or at the end of your Iran adventure.

Continue discovering of Tehran with a full-day tour, beginning at the World Heritage-listed Golestan Palace (UWH) – an opulent masterpiece of the Qajar era embodying early Persian design. Continue with a stroll through Tehran's bustling bazaar before visiting the National Museum. While it may not look as inspiring as other city buildings from the outside, inside is a treasure trove of Iran's rich history. Keep your eye out for the Salt Man from Zanjan – preserved in salt for centuries.

Accommodation

• Tehran (1 night)

Included Activities

• Tehran - City Tour


• Tehran - National Museum


• Tehran - Golestan Palace (UNESCO site)

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Depart Tehran for Hamedan, a major stop on the ancient royal road to Baghdad. Here, view the Alavyan Tomb Tower, a 12th-century structure regarded as the finest example of Seljuk art in Iran. See the latest excavations of ancient Ecbatana. Created by King Deioces as his capital where he ruled from 728-675 B.C. Visit the Tomb of Avicenna, a world-renowned astronomer, and physician of the 10th century. We will also visit Ganjnameh, where the area’s oldest Achaemenid rock carving is located. Engraved on two stone panels, the inscriptions record the achievements of Darius I and his son Xerxes and the extent of their empires.

Accommodation

• Hamadan (1 night)

Included Activities

• Hamadan – Alavyan Tomb Tower


• Hamadan - Tomb of Avicenna


• Hamadan - Ganjnameh

Meals Included

• Breakfast

An early departure for Kermanshah takes us via the Sassanian site at Kangavar, where the remains of a temple dedicated to Anahita, the beneficent divinity of water, are to be found. We then view the incredible Achaemenid bas-reliefs at Bisotun (UWH), one of the most famous Near Eastern archaeological sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Trilingual inscriptions carved 521-519 BC in Old Persian, Elamite, and Akkadian served as the key to the decipherment of cuneiform script in the mid-19th century. The relief above the inscription shows Darius the Great facing nine rebel kings—the rulers crushed by Darius when he came to power. Then on to the sensational site at Tagh-é Bostan, where a sacred spring emerges from a mountain cliff and empties into a large reflecting pool.

Accommodation

• Kermanshah (1 night)

Included Activities

• Kangavar – Anahita Temple


• Kermanshah – Bisotun (UNESCO site)

• Kermanshah - Tagh-é Bostan,

Meals Included

• Breakfast

After breakfast drive to Ahvaz. En route we enjoy a picnic lunch and, in the afternoon, view the remains of Pol-é-Dokhtar, a bridge constructed by the Sassanians 2,000 years ago. It is huge – 900 feet long and rising 90 feet above water level and with eight arches needed to span the Kashkan River. Finally, drive to the ancient fortress city of Shushtar to see the historical hydraulic system, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The watermills can be traced back to Darius the Great in the 5th century B.C. and still supply water to the city. Continue to Ahvaz and stay for two nights.

Accommodation

• Ahvaz (1 night)

Included Activities

• Pol-é-Dokhtar - Pol-é-Dokhtar bridge


• Shushtar - Historical Hydraulic System (UNESCO site)

Meals Included

• Breakfast


• Lunch

Today excursion Ahvaz, Begin in Haft Tepe, the site of an ancient city built 3,500 years ago and an imposing feature rising about the surrounding plain. Here are found elaborate vaulted graves and a temple of the Middle Elamite royalty. We now visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Tchogha Zanbil and Susa. The well-preserved Elamite ziggurat at Tchogha Zanbil is the largest man-made structure in Iran and one of the few remaining examples of ziggurats in the Middle East. Dating back to around 6000 BC, Susa was one of the great ancient cities of Iran and an important Elamite center until it was destroyed by the Assyrians in the 7th century BC. Across the river, visit the Tomb of Daniel, said to hold the remains of the Jewish prophet, and still a place of pilgrimage.

Accommodation

• Ahvaz (1 night)

Included Activities

• Ahvaz – Haft Tape


• Ahvaz - Tchogha Zanbil (UNESCO site)


• Ahvaz – Susa (UNESCO site)


• Ahvaz - Tomb of Daniel

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Today’s long drive to Shiraz takes us through the oil-rich province of Khuzestan and the tribal areas of Mamasani and Boyer-Ahmadi and into the upland province of Fars. At Bishapur, explore the remains of the city of King Shapur I, and six important rock carvings at nearby Tang-e Chogan. The temple at Shapur’s palace has been identified by several archaeologists as sacred to Anahita, the Zoroastrian goddess associated with the waters. Time permitting, visit the Sassanian rock carving at Sarab-é Bahram.

Accommodation

• Shiraz (1 night)

Included Activities

• Shiraz - Bishapur


• Shiraz - Tang-e Chogan

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Today is dedicated to exploring Shiraz. Many of the local ruins date from around AD260 where Valerian, the only Roman emperor to have ever been a prisoner of war, lived out his last days in captivity. Rise early this morning to catch the first rays of the sun as it seeps in through the stained glass of the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque. Continue to the Vakil Bazaar and the Khan citadel. Bazaar-e Vakil is regarded as one of the best markets in the country, specializing in fine carpets, handicrafts, textiles and spices. This afternoon, visit the vast complex of Bagh-e Eram (UNESCO site), known as the Garden of Paradise. Wander the grounds where artificial rivers run through the cypress trees before pooling in front of a colourful palace. This is one of 9 gardens in Iran that is part of the UNESCO World heritage of "Persian garden". It is huge and its architecture and layout was conceived to symbolize Eden and the four Zoroastrian elements of sky, earth, water and plants - and that is exactly how it feels: like a piece of paradise. Afterwards, visit the tomb of literary and folk hero Hafez. Nearby is the Aramgah-e Shah-e Cheragh – one of the holiest sites in Shiraz. The structure serves as a mausoleum to one of Imam Reza’s brothers and the forecourt is often packed with Shiite pilgrims. The rest of the day is free for your own discoveries.

Accommodation

• Shiraz (1 night)

Included Activities

• Shiraz - Nasir al Molk Mosque


• Shiraz - Bagh-e Eram Garden (UNESCO site)


• Shiraz - City tour


• Shiraz - Hafez Tomb


• Shiraz - Shah-e Cheragh shrine

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Begin the day with a drive to the remains of Persepolis (UWH) (approximately 1 hour) – once the center of the Persian Empire and considered as one of the great cities of the ancient world. The Takhte Jamshid complex of palaces was known as the historic marvel of the country, constructed over 150 years as the ceremonial capital of Darius I’s Achaemenid Empire. Continue on to Naqsh-e-Rajab – the site of four limestone rock face inscriptions and bas-reliefs that date to early Sassanid times. While today only small ruins remain from those once-magnificent structures, the site is still impressive. Nearby, at Naqsh-e Rostam, gaze upon the immense memorial carved for the Sassanian Ardashir I after his conquest of the Parthians. Then drive to Pasargadae (UWH), the tomb of Cyrus The Great. Back to Shiraz and free time to explore the city.

Accommodation

• Shiraz (1 night)

Included Activities

• Persepolis - Entrance and Guided tour (UNESCO site)


• Persepolis - Naqsh-e Rustam Necropolis


• Shiraz – Pasargadae (UNESCO site)

Meals Included

• Breakfast


• Dinner

Depart from Shiraz and head towards Kerman (approximately a 8-hour drive). Along the way, stop for a guided tour of Sassanid Palace (UWH) in Sarvestan, the palace was constructed in the 5th century AD, and it was either a gubernatorial residence or a fire temple. Then visit Neyriz Jame Mosque. Drive continues to Kerman.

Accommodation

• Kerman (1 night)

Included Activities

• Sarvestan - Sassanid Palace (UNESCO site)


• Neyriz - Jame Mosque

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Morning excursion in Mahan, visiting the Mausoleum of Shah Nematollah Vali and former royal Shazdeh Garden (UWH), Shazdeh Garden is a green oasis lying in the heart of the desert. Located near Mahan in the province of Kerman, Bagh-e-Shazdeh or Shazdeh Garden (Prince Garden) is one of the historical Persian gardens with a rectangular plan constructed during Qajar dynasty in late 1900s. Similar to other great Persian gardens such as Eram Garden or Dowlatabad Garden, it is also inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List. Visiting ruined fortress in Rayen, driving toward Bam, Visiting Arge Bam (UWH), and returning to Kerman.

Accommodation

• Kerman (1 night)

Included Activities

• Mahan - Shah Nematollah Vali shrine


• Mahan – Shazdeh garden (UNESCO site)


• Mahan – Rayen citadel


• Bam – Bam citadel (UNESCO site)

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Begin the day with a drive to the Shahdad and Lut Desert (UWH), Lut Desert, the world’s 27th-largest desert and First the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site was inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List in 2016.  visiting Nebkas (Desert Vases), old fortress & date-palm groves of Shafiabad, Kootoos (traditional Arbour), walking in desert, among Kalouts , these fantastic amazing natural statues , relaxing and fixing the eye upon the endless horizon of desert , visiting Salty River and Salt crystals & polygons. In the evening back to Kerman.

Accommodation

• Kerman (1 night)

Included Activities

• Shafiabad - Old fortress & date-palm groves


• Shahdad - Lut desert (UNESCO site)


• Shahdad - Salty River and Salt crystals & polygons

Meals Included

• Breakfast

In the morning, visit Ganjali Khan Complex in Kerman, drive to Yazd on the way visit Pahlavanpur garden, UNESCO recognized 19th century Pahlavanpour garden, with an area of 3.5 acres, is one of the most magnificent Qajarid gardens in Yazd province. Drive to Yazd.

Accommodation

• Yazd (1 night)

Included Activities

• Kerman - Ganjali Khan Complex


• Yazd – Pahlavanpur garden (UNESCO site)

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Yazd, the city of wind catchers, was recently inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List on July 9th, 2017. Yazd located in the desert, the old city of Yazd is built almost entirely of adobe and is an architectural wonder. To deal with the extremely hot summers, many old buildings have magnificent wind towers, with large underground areas to circulate cooling air. Yazd has been a Zoroastrian center since Sassanian times. Zoroastrians still make up a significant minority of the population, and the Atashkadeh in Yazd is the most important Zoroastrian fire temple in Iran. The sacred flame visible behind glass in the interior of the fire temple is said to have been burning for over 1500 years. We visit the Fire Temple and its grounds, and then the Tower of Silence, or Dakhma, where the bodies of the deceased were placed, to avoid contaminating the earth as a Zoroastrian funerary tradition. then visit Dowlat Abad garden, the architectural jewel of Yazd is inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the picturesque Persian gardens. It is constructed over 200 years ago for different functions, and now it hosts many tourists who travel to Iran. Towards the evening, we will visit the Zurkhaneh, the traditional gymnasium, where amateurs practice their strength and flexibility to the accompaniment of devotional music.

Accommodation

• Yazd (1 night)

Included Activities

• Yazd - Fire Temple


• Yazd – Tower of Silence


• Yazd – Dowlat abad garden (UNESCO site)


• Yazd - Zurkhaneh

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Depart from Yazd and head towards Isfahan (approximately a 4-hour drive).

There’s plenty of time to soak up the sights and atmosphere of Esfahan, often considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Esfahan reached its peak during the reign of Shah Abbas I in 1587 when it was declared the capital of Persia, yet much of its past glory still remains despite the country’s capital later being shifted to Shiraz and then Tehran.

Begin today’s adventure through Esfahan with a guided walk through the Imam Square. Covering an area of 82,500 square meters, it’s the second-largest in the world. There are many grand buildings in the surrounding area such as the Ali Qapu Palace, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Qeysarieh Portal and the majestic Imam Mosque. In the evening we will see the beautiful bridges of Isfahan, Si-o-Se Pol bridge and Khaju bridge.

Accommodation

• Isfahan (1 night)

Included Activities

• Esfahan – Naqshe jahan aq. (UNESCO site)


• Esfahan - Qeysariye Bazaar


• Esfahan - Sheykh Lotfollah Mosque


• Esfahan - Naghsh-e Jahan Square


• Esfahan - Ali Qapu Palace


• Esfahan - Si-o-Se Pol bridge and Khaju bridge

Meals Included

• Breakfast

We begin the day at Chehel Sotun, it’s an among the 9 Iranian Gardens which are collectively registered as one of the Iran’s 24 registered World Heritage Sites under the name of the Persian Garden. a pavilion constructed as a reception hall for visiting dignitaries by Shah Abbas II. Next, we visit the magnificent Jameh Mosque of Isfahan with its famous Uljaitu Mihrab of the Il-Khanid Period and with UNESCO World Heritage status. Then, we will drive to Kashan. En route, we will visit Jameh Mosque of Natanz . We will go to Kashan to visit Fin Garden. Fin Garden or Bagh-e-Fin is a great Persian garden and as one of the nine Persian gardens registered on UNESCO world heritage list. Next visit Tabataie’s house. Then, we will continue to Tehran.

Accommodation

• Tehran (1 night)

Included Activities

• Esfahan – Chehel Sotun palace. (UNESCO site)


• Esfahan – Jameh Mosque


• Natanz - Jameh Mosque


• Kashan – Fin garden (UNESCO site)


• Kashan – Tabatabaei house

Meals Included

• Breakfast

In the morning, drive to Qazvin. In Qazvin, visit Chehel Sotun palace, one of the most important monuments of Safavid era is Chehel Sotoun or Kolah Farangi edifice in Qazvin located in the middle of a large garden and it is one of the remaining royal palaces of the Shah Tahmasp era. Then drive to Zanjan. En route, visit Soltaniyeh Dome (UWH). Dome of Soltaniyeh or as it said in Farsi “Gonbad-e Soltaniyeh” is the oldest double-shell dome in Iran, and one of the third largest dome in the world after the dome of Florence Cathedral in Italy, and Hagia Sophia dome in Turkey. Visit Archaeological Museum. If time permits, visit Seyed Ebrahim Monument as well.

Accommodation

• Zanjan (1 night)

Included Activities

• Qazvin - Chehel Sotun palace


• Zanjan - Soltanieh Dome (UNESCO site)


• Zanjan - Archaeological Museum

Meals Included

• Breakfast

After breakfast drive to Kandovan with stop in Taka city to visit Takht-e-Soleiman (UWH). Takht-e Soleyman (Throne of Solomon) is an archeological site representing a masterpiece of human creative genius. Dating back to Sasanian period (6th and 7th centuries), Takht-e Soleyman lies in the West Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The site used to be a harmonic composition of nature, fire temple and royal palace. An artesian lake and a volcano are the natural elements of the site, showing the ingenious human interaction with the environment. Life in this area depended on both the lake and the temple which provided water and fire, essential elements of life. Drive continue to Kandovan stone village.

Accommodation

• Kandovan (1 night)

Included Activities

• Takab – Takht-e-Soleiman (UNESCO site)

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Full day city tour. Drive to Jolfa, enjoy the landscapes. Once in Jolfa, visit  St. Stepanos monastery (UWH), then drive to Qareh Kelisa and visit St. Thaddeus monastery (UWH). In the afternoon drive to Tabriz.

Accommodation

• Tabriz (1 night)

Included Activities

• Tabriz – St. Stepanos monastery (UNESCO site)


• Tabriz - St. Thaddeus monastery (UNESCO site)

Meals Included

• Breakfast

After breakfast city tour Tabriz visiting Eil Goli park, Tabriz Grand Bazaar (UWH), It’s a historical market situated in the city center of Tabriz, Iran. It is one of the oldest bazaars in the Middle East and the largest covered bazaar in the world. It is one of Iran's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Next visit Blue Mosque. Then drive to Ardebil visit the Sheikh Safi al-Din Khānegāh and Shrine (UWH) and Museum of Anthropology. In the evening drive to Sarein for accommodation.

Accommodation

• Sarein (1 night)

Included Activities

• Tabriz - Eil Goli park


• Tabriz – Grand Bazaar (UNESCO site)


• Ardabil - Tomb of Sheikh Safi (UNESCO site)

Meals Included

• Breakfast

After breakfast drive to Bandar Anzali, visit Fish Market and the Anzali Lagoon, It’s one of the most beautiful natural attractions of the northern Iranian province of Gilan. The lagoon, which is actually a wetland, divides the city of Bandar-e-Anzali into two parts and is considered to be one of the best locations for bird watching. That is to say, until 2012, around 187 bird species have been observed and recorded here. Then drive to Rasht and free time to explore the city.

Accommodation

• Rasht (1 night)

Included Activities

• Bandar Anzali - Fish Market


• Bandar Anzali – Anzali Lagoon


• Rasht – City tour

Meals Included

• Breakfast

After breakfast drive to Masuleh village and visit the stunning stepped village of Masuleh. Masuleh architecture is unique. The buildings have been built into the mountain and are interconnected. Courtyards and roofs both serve as pedestrian areas similar to streets. Masuleh does not allow any motor vehicles to enter, due to its unique layout. It is the only city in Iran with such a prohibition. However, the small streets and many stairs simply wouldn’t make it possible for vehicles to enter.

The spectacular architecture of Masuleh is popularly known as “The yard of the building above is the roof of the building below”.

Drive to Tehran around the evening and arrive at night.

Accommodation

• Tehran (1 night)

Included Activities

• Masuleh – Village tour

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Transfer to International Tehran airport to take departure flight.