19 Days Iran Tour “from Western Jewels to The Heart of Persia”

Arrive in Tehran early in the morning. Meeting with the guide and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Tehran.

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning dedicated to visiting the Iranian capital, Tehran. We will start from the Golestan Palace, the historic residence of the Qajar royal dynasty. It is the oldest monument in the city. Then we will visit the Iran Bastan Museum (the National Museum), a famous archaeological museum, where precious finds of the ancient Achaemenid, Sassanid, and Islamic civilizations that inhabited the region are kept. After lunch, visit the National Jewelry Museum (open only from 2 pm to 4 pm - Saturday to Tuesday). If the jewelry museum is closed in its place, we will visit the Museum of Glass and Ceramics, a splendid exhibition with hundreds of artifacts coming mainly from Neishabur, Kashan, Rey, and Gorgan, dating back to the second millennium BC. And finally, we will take a walk in Tabiat bridge, which literally translates as the bridge "of nature", which is one of the most popular and "must-see" places in Tehran. Overnight in Tehran.

We drive toward Hamadan in the morning. We will take the road that goes along the Zagros hillside to Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, capital of the Medes in 712 BC. C. According to tradition, it was surrounded by seven concentric circles of walls. We arrive in Hamadan and we will visit the Ali Sadr Cave, which is one of the natural wonders of the world, located at 1900 meters above sea level, in which there is a quantity of water that can be traveled by boats. Overnight in Hamadan.

This day dedicated to visiting the main attractions of the city of Hamadan including, Ibn Sina Mausoleum (Avicenna), Baba Taher Mausoleum, and the archaeological excavations of the ancient city of Ecbatana (capital of the kingdom of the Medes), and we will go up towards Ganjnameh, famous for the two panels carved in granite with cuneiform inscriptions, commissioned by Darius the Great and Xerxes the Great. Overnight in Hamadan.

Departure for Kermanshah. Near the arrival, we visit Kangavar, where we can visit the remains of the Hellenistic Temple of Anahita. Then we will visit the bas-reliefs of Bisotun, a World Heritage Site, carved into a rocky wall and depicting the triumph of Darius the Great over the magician Gaumata, which are spectacular. After admiring them (they cover an area of about 20 square meters), the journey through history continues towards Kermanshah, considered the cradle of prehistoric civilizations thanks to its location. Then we will visit Taq –e Bostan. Overnight in Kermanshah.

After breakfast, we drive toward Shushtar. On the way, we reach the city dominated by the spectacular eight-towered Falak-ol-Aflak castle that was constructed in the Sassanid era. Visit the fortress citadel of Falak Aflakand continues our way to Shushtar. Overnight in Shushtar.

On this day, we will visit the Shushtar hydraulic system, which is a collection of structures that, as early as the 5th century BC, supplied the city of Shushtar with water. Since 2009 it has been considered part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Its construction dates back to the 5th century BC, by order of Darius the Great. The development it has undergone over the centuries allows us to observe the techniques used by the Elamites, and peoples of Mesopotamia. Then we drive toward Ahwaz. Along the way, visit the ruins of ancient Susa, the ancient Elamite capital destroyed by the Assyrians and where Darius built the Winter Capital of the Persian Empire: the ruins of the Achaemenid palaces are still visible, then the tomb of the prophet Daniel. The excursion continues with Choqa zanbil ziggurat (UNESCO Heritage site) built-in 1250 BC by the Elamite king Untash-Gal and dedicated to Inshushinak, the supreme god of the Elamite pantheon and patron of Susa. This temple and tomb complex with large foundations has five concentric towers, one inside the other for a height of 174 feet. Many architectural inscriptions and ornaments such as ceramic wall plaques and interesting seals emerged from the excavations of Chogha-Zanbil. Overnight in Ahwaz.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Shiraz. On the way stop in Bishapur. Visit the Temple of Anahita, goddess of water. Arrive in Shiraz in the evening. Overnight in Shiraz.

Shiraz, the Persian capital under the Zand dynasty, is a pleasant and harmonious city. In the morning light, we will see the play of light in the polychrome stained glass windows of the pink Nasir al-Mulk mosque; we will enter the Shah Cheragh Mausoleum, walk in the Orange Garden and then take a picture in Eram garden and make the last purchases in the bustling bazaar. Overnight in Shiraz.

Today we have an excursion in Persian history. Persepolis, a World Heritage Site. After we will visit the Naqsh-e Rostam; where the four great kings of the Achaemenid Empire are buried. Return to Shiraz and visit Ali ibn Hamzeh Mausoleum. Overnight in Shiraz.

We leave Shiraz early in the morning. Along the way, we visit the Maharlu Lake, also called the pink lake; at a certain time of the year, the lake takes on this color. Continue our way to the city of Sarvestan; we can have a stop to visit Sassanid palace and eat a picnic lunch here. Finally, we arrive at Kerman late evening. Overnight in Kerman.
* We have an option here, we also have a flight from Shiraz to Kerman, so if you like we can book a flight for this day. So you will have time to visit Kerman today. Overnight in Kerman.

Drive toward Shahdad desert. Depart to enter the desert area of Iran, until reaching Sirch village and visit houses and cypress trees; then we continue to reach Nebka Park. You enter the magnificent area of the kalout, impressive clay formations hardened by salt and shaped by the wind, real mud castles. Overnight in Shahdad in a traditional house.

After breakfast, we drive toward Mahan and visit the blue dome of the Mausoleum of Shah Nematollah Vali from the 16th century, mystical poet and theologian of the dervishes. Then we stop at the Prince's Garden in the heart of lut desert and visit this magnificent place. Continue our way to Kerman and visit Ganjali Khan Complex, the Jameh Mosque and take a walk in Kerman Bazar. Overnight in Kerman.

We leave Kerman in the morning and continue our trip to visit Yazd (UNESCO World Heritage City). On our way, we stop at Zein o Din Caravanserai. Our next stop is the Tower of Silence, an ancient Zoroastrian cemetery on top of the mountain. Arrive in Yazd, and if we have time, we will visit the old part of Yazd (Fahadan). Overnight in Yazd.

Today we will visit the Amir Chakhmaq complex, the Jame Mosque, bazaar, and the Fire Temple where the eternal sacred flame burns guarded by priests. YAZD was visited in 1272 by Marco Polo, who described it as shining with mosques and is the Vatican of the followers of the cult of Zoroastrian. Overnight in Yazd.

We will drive toward Isfahan. Along the way, we visit Meybod and visit Meybod caravanserai and pigeon tower. Then we have another stop at Nain, known for the production of carpets, and visit the Friday Mosque and continue our trip to Isfahan. Overnight in Isfahan.

Visit Isfahan with three Unesco sites. Starting with Imam Square, Shah Mosque, Ali Qapu palace, Chehel Soutoun, and Sheikh Laftollah mosque. Time available to visit the fascinating Grand Bazaar. If we have time, we can take a walk along 33 bridge. Overnight in Isfahan.

After breakfast, departs for Abyaneh mountain village, a unique Village for the red color of its houses and also for the colorful traditional costumes of the women. Continue our way to the beautiful Kashan and visit Fin Garden (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Arrive in Kashan and overnight in Kashan.

In Kashan, we will have the chance to visit the Tabatabaei House, a fine example of a traditional 19th-century house, and Sultan Mir Ahmad Bathhouse. Then we will have some time to stroll around the Kashan bazaar. The bazaar has a famous caravanserai "Timche Amin o Dowleh", where was built in 1868. Then transfer to IKA airport for your flight to your homeland.