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Kashan
Isfahan
Yazd
Tehran
Shiraz
Hello, Salam! Welcome to Iran. Upon arriving at Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) in Tehran, a warm welcome and friendly greeting is awaiting you from our team’s representative. A transfer will take you to a 5-star hotel to get you all set. Rest well because we have prepared an exciting schedule.
Good morning! The sun is shining; this is Iran. Let’s hit the road and witness amazing attractions on our journey to Savadkouh. Starting from the Alborz Mountain Range, Hyrcanian Forests, Plains, and Kavir Desert, so many cool pictures for your social life!
Today your journey begins from Tehran’s Train Station; the train passes through Garmsar, Bonakuh, Simindasht, Zarrindasht, Firouzkuh, Gadok, Shur Ab, and Veresk Bridge to reach Savadkouh. Yes, so many names, but don’t worry, there are stops at some train stations to visit interesting locations such as Veresk Bridge. So exciting! The station here is almost 100 years old, could you believe that? After a short walk with the passengers, you will learn about the history of the railway and station construction.
The train crawls on the railway over the amazing bridges and loops into long tunnels and reaches to the top of Veresk Village at an altitude of 2000 meters. You will enjoy the world’s most breathtaking mountain railways.
Overnight is at a 5-star hotel.
Let’s start the third day. On this day begins your journey to a World Heritage Site, the luxurious and noble the Golestan Palace. This royal historical monument is on scenery surrounded by vast green gardens and quiet pools. The palace dated back to the Qajar era almost 300 years ago.
Major eye-catching elements on sight are dated back to the 19th century. Architects and artists created these magnificent crafts featuring the original Persian signature with a taste of Western and Russian origin. Nonetheless, the palace and the royal buildings are among the oldest sites in modern Tehran.
Quick fact: did you know that Golestan Palace is a crowning achievement of the Qajar Era? We will tell you more about it.
Ready your pockets! Next stop the Grand Bazaar, also known as Tehran Bazaar. The journey continues with a visit to the National Museum of Iran. Your experience will be tremendous. Artifacts, crafts, and elements from 5000 BC to the advent of Islam are all gathered and showcased to illustrate the history of Iran.
After midday, it’s time for the National Jewelry Museum. Located in the Central Bank, the entrance is a huge vault that gives access to the Jewels Museum. Here there is a collection of astonishing priceless gems crafted into precious metals that belonged to monarchs.
Quick fact: did you know that these kings are from which era? We will give you a hint, Safavid, Qajar, and Pahlavi.
In the evening, there’s a private train to Yazd. A transfer to the train station is waiting for you.
Overnight is on board.
Even though located in the desert, Yazd is one of the oldest inhabited towns in Iran. What makes Yazd unique are the ingenious wind towers with the only purpose of capturing breeze of hot sands to cool houses. Yazd is also famous for being the center of Iran’s Zoroastrian community.
Your journey begins with the Tower of Silence, also known as A Dakhma’. Until the mid-1900s, people were bringing their dead relatives to this tower and left them for decomposition. According to Zoroastrian beliefs, fire and earth are sacred elements, and because a deceased body is unclean, there should be no contact with these elements.
The next stop is the Zoroastrian Fire Temple.
Quick fact: did you know that the Fire Temple is still-active? Yes, it is!
There is evidence that the flame was lit over 1500 years ago, and to this date, it is still burning. For faithful, it’s a holly scenery. Our expert guide will fulfill your curiosity about the world’s oldest religion.
The journey continues to the Amir Chakhmaq Square.
Quick fact: did you know that visitors are taking numerous pictures from this square? Just look at the beauty.
Alright! Next stop, the Friday Mosque. The minarets here are the tallest in Iran.
There are many beautiful old homes to see and don’t forget the Dowlat Abad Garden. This garden offers a scene of reflecting pool and cypress trees. We will walk through a hexagonal pavilion to reach the tallest wind tower of Iran. We want you to take a moment and enjoy the beauty of the plants and trees around you.
Overnight is at a 5-star hotel.
This is the second day of your journey in Yazd. All set to visit Meybod. A small town in the desert, but with mysteries. A caravanserai, the old desert inn, offers nearly 100 rooms. An icehouse, all heritage of the Safavid era.
Quick fact: icehouses are the refrigerators of old times to prevent food during the hot days of the desert.
Passing from Meybod, another old town is ready for your arrival. Kharanagh. A small village that is peaceful. Minarets of the town and wind tower are taking you back to the ancient world. The sleeping town, the abandoned town, the old desert city are just a few nicknames of this 4000 years old mud-brick town.
The train will pass through Saadat Shahr at the end of the journey.
Overnight is on board.
Shiraz. The name that comes up in google every time a traveler searched for destinations in Iran. Words cannot describe the beauty and uniqueness of this city. First things first, Pasargadae. UNESCO named it “the world heritage site.” It is the former capital of the Achaemenid Empire and the Tomb of Cyrus the Great. There is enough time to explore and watch the whole site from the king’s point of view.
The journey continues to the Necropolis, also known as Naqsh-e-Rostam. It is the burial place of Darius and his successors. Every traveler is amazed by its magnitude.
Quick fact: some of these rock reliefs are dated back to c.1000 BC.
We reach the former capital of Darius the great’s empire, the legendary city of Persepolis. It dates back to c.512 BC.
Quick fact: Persepolis is one of the most impressive constructions in the ancient world.
Persepolis has an audience hall called Apadana, a palace also known as Tachana. Later on, Xerxes son of Darius ordered the construction of the Harem and the Hall of 100 columns. Isn’t it glorious? Of course, not like the one showcased in 300! This is a reality!
Persepolis withstood the raid of Alexander the Great, but unfortunately, the city damaged from the fire. Yet still today, the pillars, terrace, and most of the sculptures are available. It is the glory of the Persian Empire.
We have to drive back to Shiraz to take a rest. There’s a surprise for you tomorrow.
Overnight is at a 5-star hotel.
In the morning, your day begins with a visit to the Pink Mosque. Wait! Did we say pink? Yes, it is the Nasir-ol-molk Mosque, located not far from Vakil Bazaar, and constructed in 1888. OK, History 101: Mirza Hassan Ali Nasir-al Mulk, one of the noble lords of the Qajar Dynasty, ordered the construction that nearly took 12 years to complete. As a visitor, the first thing you notice is the fabulous choice of colors used in the interior. The morning scene is so spiritual that brings life to the mosque. The ray of light from the sunrise dances and wanders around the interior creating an astonishing illusion between the ground, the walls, the arches, and the tall spires.
The next stop is the Narenjestan Garden, an exquisite garden filled with beautiful trees where you notice the scent of Orange everywhere. This Garden is from the 19th century during the Qajar Dynasty.
Your journey continues with a visit to Karim Khan Citadel from the Zand Dynasty. Don’t worry about the names; we will cover all the historical facts for you.
Quick fact: did you know that Shiraz is known for souvenirs? So no worries! We have it covered for you.
Your next stop is the Vakil Bazaar; you will find hundreds of stores, beautiful and amazing courtyards, and an ancient Caravanserai.
This day’s tour will conclude on a tranquil note. When someone googles Persian literature and poem, Hafez and Saadi names are evident. You will have time to enjoy the amazing garden-tomb of Saadi and the garden-tomb of Hafez. Hafez excellence is available in his masterpiece Divan-e Hafez, and Saadi’s long journey from cities to cities is available in his Boustan and Golestan.
The journey of Shiraz ends, and Isfahan’s starts tonight with a train trip.
Overnight is on board.
In Iran, Isfahan is traditionally known as “half of the world.” In Asia, people believe that 8 is a lucky number, that’s why we schedule Isfahan on the 8th day. In the past, Isfahan host Ottomans, Indians, Europeans, and Chinese traders.
The first visit is Naghsh-e Jahan, also known as Imam Square. A 17th-century site which is a great historical site. The site shows the Islamic architectural heritage. Shah Mosque and the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque all giving color and life to this magnificent site.
Quick fact: did you know that there are still carriages carrying people around the site? Let’s scoot up for a ride then!
Moving to Ālī Qāpū to witness the great palace once the living place of Safavid monarch. Let’s not forget the Grand Bazaar of Isfahan. If you are an enthusiast to collect pottery, gems, jewelry, and board games, this is the right place for you.
Your journey continues to Chehel Sotun Palace. There are not enough words to describe the beauty of this palace; the Hall of Mirrors, the reflecting pool, the collection of paintings and mosaics, and the tall standing columns. These are all in one place for the joy and entertainment of Shah Abbas II, and he was a person of taste, won’t you agree?
As mentioned earlier, Isfahan was the host of foreigners. Armenians have a quarter with churches and a beautiful cathedral known as the Vank Cathedral. It is the intersection of the West and the East, where the European and Islamic architectural elements blend.
No matter what the clock says, it’s time to visit 33Pol (Si-o-se-pol) and Khaju Bridges. They’re 200 years old but still a passage for people over the river of Zāyandé-Rūd. And that’s how your day concludes.
Overnight is at a 5-star hotel.
Kashan is not far from Isfahan; a town that is famous for textiles, ceramics, and herbal distillates. Wait! What about monuments and historical places? Just be patient; a beautiful garden with Persian architecture, with the sound water passing in channels and an exceptional view. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Fin Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Talking about herbal distillate, you may find rose water near this site.
Your journey continues to Boroujerdi Traditional House. It is 130 years old, from the Qajar dynasty.
Quick fact: this house is famous for its well-known resident. A merchant with a trading path between Kashan and the city of Boroujerd, that’s why the name comes from the city. Smart!
In Kashan, there is a Bazaar. It holds several Bathhouses (Hammam) and mosques. A very popular one is Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse, but your visit will not be for a bath experience. This place now serves as a traditional restaurant and teahouse for a short break for you.
With sunset, we will head to Imam Khomeini International Airport. We don’t wish to say goodbye, but we hope to see you again on another tour. Farewell!
Note: There is a separate charge for extra accommodation
