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.

After breakfast transfer to Mehrabad Airport and fly to Qeshm, Iran’s biggest Island in the North of Hormoz Strip and the second commercial harbor of Iran, also as a Geo Park, it’s the first one in the Middle East.

Visit Qeshm Geopark, where we experience a unique stunning natural phenomenon in Chahkooh Canyon and learn about Geo Tourism and formation of features of mother earth. Next visit Hara Forest Protected Area, the mangrove forests or Avicennia Marina, major habitat for migratory birds in the cold season, and for reptiles, fish, and varieties of arthropoda and bivalves. Visit local bazaar and enjoy a Persian dinner. Transfer to hotel and rest.

Accommodation

• Qeshm (1 night)

Included Activities

• Qeshm - Qeshm Geopark


• Qeshm - Chahkooh Canyon

• Qeshm - Hara Forest


• Qeshm - Local bazaar

Meals Included

• Breakfast


• Dinner

Continue your adventure in Hormuz Island, the most wonderful island in Persian Gulf. Explore the Silence Valley AKA as Goddess of Salt, an area covered with layer of rigid salt and walled by salt mountains where silence reigns. After observing the Viewpoint Salt Landscape, walk through the multi-hued jagged salt hills at Rainbow Valley. The Valley of the Statues is our next visiting place, the weirdest-looking craggy cliffs formed through million years out of soil and water. Back to mainland, promenade at Red-Martian Beach, next to the Red Soil Mine. Eating a delicious traditional lunch in a rural house. Last but not least, Hormoz Portuguese Castle, built in the early 16th century over Persian islands. Ordered by Afonso de Albuquerque in 1507, the castle aka Fort of Our Lady of the Conception, was finally freed with Persian Safavid king, Abbas I of Persia. Return to Qeshm spend the evening in the Island with local people and Have dinner with them.

Accommodation

• Qeshm (1 night)

Included Activities

• Hormuz - Silence Valley AKA


• Hormuz - Rainbow Valley


• Hormuz - Valley of the Statues


• Hormuz - Red-Martian Beach


• Hormuz - Portuguese Castle

Meals Included

• Breakfast


• Lunch


• Dinner

Special Information

The program might change because of the climate situation.

After breakfast, we head toward Borka Khalaf to venture into the enigmatic Valley of the Stars. Walk through the labyrinthine narrow paths shaped by meteorite and hear the mysterious sound of the hidden monster living there for thousand years. Next, drive to southwest part of Qeshm, Kandaloo port. Watch for pod of dolphins as we sail to Hengam Island by motorboat. Visit the port facilities made by United Kingdom in early 20th century at the end of Qajar reign over Iran. Eating a delicious traditional lunch in the Island. Stop at Silver Beach to have a leisurely walk on magical sands and taste shrimp samosa in local bazaar. Transfer to port. Get on sea ferry to transfer to Bandar Abbas. Transfer to hotel and rest.

Accommodation

• Bandar Abas (1 night)

Included Activities

• Qeshm - Valley of the Stars


• Hengam - Silver Beach


• Hengam - local bazaar

Meals Included

• Breakfast


• Lunch

Special Information

The program might change because of the climate situation.

After breakfast, transfer to Bandar Abbas airport and fly to Shiraz. Shiraz is known as a city of poets and literatures and lovers. Stroll in magnificent Persian garden of Eram Garden (UNESCO World Heritage Site) filled with amorous smell of orange blossoms. The origin of the Eram Garden dated back to the eleventh century, but now it is turned into a botanical garden, home to more than 200 different types of trees and plants, a fascinating place to walk some hours. In the afternoon you have free time to take a walk in the Vakil Bazaar, discover the different products and artisans of the city in a covered and traditional market with a pleasant temperature in Shiraz. Next head toward Ali Ibn Hamza Mausoleum, one of Holy Shrines in Shiraz. The holy shrine is famous for its green dome and dazzling interior mirror- work. In late evening, visit Tomb of Hafez, the most popular poet in Iran to know the reason behind his popularity among Iranians. Transfer to hotel and rest.

Accommodation

• Shiraz (1 night)

Included Activities

• Shiraz - Eram Garden (UNESCO)


• Shiraz - Vakil Bazaar


• Shiraz - Ali Ibn Hamza


• Shiraz - Tomb of Hafez

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Early in the morning, take a rainbow shower in Nasir-ol-molk Mosque, also known as the Pink Mosque, a work of architecture and art of pink tiles in a magnificent and spiritual environment. En route to Yazd, stop at ancient Persepolis (UNESCO World Heritage Site), once frequented by Cyrus, Xerxes, and Darius, explore the origins of the greatest empire in the world. We continue the trip to Necropolis or Naqsh-e Rustam, one of the most spectacular places of the ancient Achaemenid Empire, the tombs of the Persian kings as a reminder of the powerful empire that dominated a significant part of the ancient world. Continue toward Yazd. Spend the night at the rooftop café overlooking Jameh Mosque of Yazd.

Accommodation

• Yazd (1 night)

Included Activities

• Shiraz - Nasir-ol-molk Mosque


• Shiraz - Persepolis & Naqsh-e Rustam (UNESCO site)

Meals Included

• Breakfast


• Dinner

On this day, visit Yazd, an old city that has recently been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located in an oasis at the western end of the deserts of Dasht-e Kavir. Visit Zoroastrian Towers of Silence, the necropolis on the top of the hill. Then visit the holy fire in Zoroastrian Fire Temple burning for more than 2000 years. Stop for a short time at Markar Square. Drive toward the Amir Chaghmagh Complex, a large monument with fine numerous vaults. The next visit is the Friday Mosque, for Muslims Friday is like for Christians on Sunday, a super beautiful mosque at the entrance of the old adobe neighborhood, called: Fahadan. In the evening, drive towards Isfahan (323 km).

Accommodation

• Isfahan (1 night)

Included Activities

• Yazd - Zoroastrian Towers of Silence


• Yazd - Zoroastrian Fire Temple


• Yazd - Markar Square


• Yazd - Amir Chakhmagh Complex


• Yazd - Friday Mosque

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Isfahan is a splendid city where we will visit historical monuments of Islamic art. Isfahan or the pearl of Persia is an impressive city in the Islamic history of the world. It was the capital of the country during the sixteenth - seventeenth century, the time of rebirth of the art of Iran. The visit of the city includes: Naqsh-e Jahan Square (UNESCO World Heritage Site) the second largest square in the world with a craft bazaar all around. The Shah Mosque in the south of the square is the crown jewel of this square. The third site is the Sheikh-Lotfollah Mosque, a turquoise dome without any minaret. The next visiting place is Chehel Sotoun Palace (UNESCO World Heritage Site), with its magnificent exterior golden muqarnas and the interior fresco paintings. Prepare yourself for plenty of food and some truly incredible hospitality. Transfer to hotel and rest.

Accommodation

• Isfahan (1 night)

Included Activities

• Esfahan - Naqsh-e Jahan Square (UNESCO)


• Esfahan - Shah Mosque


• Esfahan - Sheik Lotfallah Mosque


• Esfahan - Ali Qapu Palace


• Esfahan - Chehel Sotoun Palace (UNESCO)

Meals Included

• Breakfast


• Dinner

Journey from Esfahan to Tehran after breakfast, (5 hours). Stop off in Kashan a merchant town known for its high-quality ceramics, silks, carpets and fine houses.  Visit the lush Bagh-e Tarikhi-ye Fin (Fin Garden), a classical Persian garden that contains Kashan's Fin Bath. This is where Amir Kabir – the Qajarid chancellor and a nationalist hero – was murdered under the orders of King Nadir al-Din in 1852. Spend time at the fascinating Tabataei House, built in the 1840s for the affluent Tabatabaei family, and enjoy a farewell lunch at Morshedi House, a traditional house serving traditional Iranian Cuisine.  Continue to Tehran for the evening.

Accommodation

• Tehran (1 night)

Included Activities

• Kashan -Tabatabei house


• Kashan - Lunch Morshedi House

Meals Included

• Breakfast


• Lunch

This morning, after a short leisure walk at National Garden, Tehran, the only remaining Tehran gate, venture into the history of Persia from Paleolithic Time to early settlement in the villages and from Elamite Empire to Sassanid Empire at National Museum of Iran. After having a Persian cuisine for lunch, spend the afternoon exploring labyrinthine alleys of Tehran Grand Bazaar, economic heart of Iran. Stop at Haj Ali Darvish Tea House smallest tea house in the world to taste traditional Saffron and mint tea. Then take a guided walk in extraordinary Golestan Palace (UNESCO World Heritage Site) dating back to 16th century. Hear the story of Tehran settlement from a small village to a metropolis while visiting the main stunning palaces merging Persian art with European architecture. Transfer to hotel and rest.

Accommodation

• Tehran (1 night)

Included Activities

• Tehran - National Garden


• Tehran - National Museum


• Tehran - Grand Bazaar


• Tehran - Golestan Palace (UNESCO)

Meals Included

• Breakfast


• Lunch

In the morning, drive toward Rasht with stop in Masuleh, A visit to the thousand-year-old village of Masuleh, set in the foothills of Alborz Range,

takes one back in time to the traditions of rural Iran and the simple agrarian life that used to dominate most of the country. Walk through the narrow alleys walled with brownish houses and discover the local culture.

It is also one of the best places to sample Iran’s vegetarian cuisine, most notably the dish Mirza Ghassemi, a regional specialty of smoky auberges’, burnt over hot coals and then gently fried with tender young garlic, plump tomatoes and plenty of local olive oil. have lunch in local house then drive to Rasht the city of rain, the rest of the afternoon is free.

Accommodation

• Rasht (1 night)

Included Activities

• Masuleh – guided tour in village

Meals Included

• Breakfast


• Lunch

After breakfast, Drive toward Talesh, a city famous for its lush forest and Caviar. Drive through the curvy road sided by green tress to Talesh. Visit caviar farm to know how this precious food is produced. Drive toward Anzali to see the sunset next to the port. Drive toward Rasht. Visit Shahr Dari Square in Rasht at night and taste Persian food in one of the restaurants. Transfer to hotel and rest.

Accommodation

• Rasht (1 night)

Included Activities

• Talesh - caviar farm


• Bandar Anzali - Sunset in port

Meals Included

• Breakfast


• Dinner

After breakfast visit Roodkhan castle, It was a military medieval fortress built during the Sasanian Empire (224 – 651 AD) to defend the northern part of the country from southern Arab invaders. This large castle has been renovated and strengthened several times throughout the centuries. One of the most extensive restorations was completed during the Seljuk Era (1037 – 1194) where the castle was used as one of the many fortifications of the Ismaili State (or Alamut State).

After lunch drive back to Tehran and directly Transfer to IKA Airport hotel. End of the tour.

Accommodation

• Tehran airport hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Rasht - Roodkhan castle

Meals Included

• Breakfast


• Lunch

Transfer to International Tehran airport to take departure flight.