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Classic Iran - The Glories of Persia

Tehran - Shiraz - Persepolis - Kerman - Bam - Zein-o-din Caravanserai - Yazd - Isfahan - Mashad - Neishabour - Tehran

About the Program:
Length: 16 days
Min/max: 6/15
Tour type: deluxe cultural expedition

Travel to Iran is a unique experience: the experience of being in the cradle of a civilization and culture that has had and continues to have its impact on the world for more than 2,500 years of written history. Yet there is nothing insular about Iran: it has always been a bridge-country. Today it has frontiers with Arabs, Afghans, Turks, Pakistanis, Azarbaijanis, Armenians and Turkmen; it has ancient connections with Greeks, Romans, Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Mongols, the British and the Americans. Iran was Alexander's ultimate enemy and his most dazzling conquest.

Its old name of Persia conjures up images of opulent buildings, lavish gardens and magnificent ancient sights; of blue domes ornamented with intricate arabesques and minarets darting skyward. It is the land of the great poets like Omar Khayyam, Firdousi and Shams Tabriz.

Iran is also a country of dramatic contrasts. Its scenery ranges from snow-covered mountains to vast, inhospitable deserts punctuated by important oasis towns, and its cities and ancient sites reveal a deep and rich history. Some of the most superb examples of Middle Eastern design and architecture are to be found in Iran as we visit the magnificent ruins of Persepolis and the impressive Islamic centres of Isfahan and Shiraz. Stroll through exotic bazaars and overnight in a 17th century caravanserai.

Catch a glimpse of many Persian treasures and modern Islamic daily life on this 15-day tour and experience firsthand the warmth of traditional Persian hospitality.


2011 - 2012
Contact us for more information.


COST (Per Person)
Land only (twin): upon request 
Single supplement: upon request 

Price includes:
  • Transfers and land transportation
  • Domestic flights
  • Hotel accommodation
  • Hotel taxes and service charges
  • Meals indicated as B (breakfast), L (lunch) and D (dinner)
  • Guided sightseeing
  • Entrance fees
  • Service of English-speaking guide
  • Visa application document support

Price excludes:

  • International flight from home city to Tehran and return
  • Travel insurance (Strongly recommended)
  • Gratuities to guides, drivers, porters and hotel staff
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Visa fee
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DAILY ITINERARY

Day 1, Saturday - Arrive Tehran
Upon your overnight arrival in Tehran, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel.
Welcome dinner.
D Hotel Laleh

Day 2, Sunday - Tehran
Tehran, a modern megalopolis, prides itself in having unique museums with immense and unrivalled collections and artefacts dating from the earliest onset of history to the present era. Your tour begins with a trip to the Archaeological Museum, one of the rare places in the world where you will have the special opportunity of visiting and experiencing the “evolution of mankind” through the marvelous display of historical relics.
Lunch will be set in an exquisite traditional Iranian restaurant where you will sample a wide range of delightful Persian dishes and desserts.
Afterwards, you will visit a world of jewels in the priceless Crown Jewels Museum one of which is one of the two greatest diamonds, Darya-e-Noor (sea of light).
At the end of the day, you will get a chance to see a variety of Persian hand-woven carpets and rugs in the Carpet Museum which houses more than 100 spectacular pieces from all over Iran. On top of that, you will also be given an insight into the history of these carpets.
B/L/D Hotel Laleh

Tehran

Day 3, Monday - Tehran/Shiraz
A morning visit to the immense Sa'ad Abad Complex with its 18 magnificent historical palaces (2 of which you will visit) that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on you. Continue on to the Reza Abbasi Museum, which boasts a diverse collection of different art forms, and the Ceramic Museum where you will be able to witness its construction with glorious ancient archaeology. Afterwards, you will be transported to the airport for an hour’s flight to Shiraz.
B/L/D Homa Hotel Shiraz

Day 4, Tuesday - Shiraz
Shiraz is crowned as the heartland of Persian culture and this city of sophistication will never fail to conjure up images of roses and nightingales, gardens and poetry. This gorgeous city in the province of Fars is home to famous poets such as Hafez and Sa'adi and historical sites from different eras stretching back 6,000 years.
Early in the morning, relish in the highlights of Shiraz when it was the capital of Iran during the Zand Dynasty. Be inspired by the glorious Karim Khan palace, the splendid Vakil mosque, Vakil Bazaar and Saray-e-moshir with its splendid architecture and interesting ethnic souvenir shops, and Nasir Almolk mosque.
In the evening, you will visit Ali-Ebn-e-Hamzeh. Take a stroll through the Jahan Nama Garden and witness its tall and proud cedars.
Not forgetting the two famous Persian poets, Hafiz and Sa'adi, whose mysterious poems are everlasting in the Persian language you will get a chance to visit their tombs.
Finally visit the Delgosha Garden and Khajoy-e-Kermani tomb from where the perspective of the mysterious city of Shiraz will perpetuate in your mind. At night have dinner in a nomadic region (Yord cultural complex) and immerse yourself in the world of the valiant Persian nomads.
B/L/D Homa Hotel Shiraz

Day 5 Shiraz/Persepolis/Shiraz
Be prepared to be inspired by the magnificence of Persepolis. This gem of ancient Persia, which dates back 2530 years, is the result of the exquisite works of a conglomeration of fine artists and architects from various nations under the Archaemenid Empire.
Next, you will visit Koh-e-Rahmat east of Persepolis, considered as a sacred mountain in ancient Persia, followed by Necropolis where you will marvel at the massive tombs of Old Persian kings. Necropolis is a collection of a variety of awe-inspiring historical relics from different pre-Islamic eras.
B/L/D Homa Hotel Shiraz

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Day 6 Shiraz/Kerman
This day you will depart Shiraz for Kerman. En route you will visit the Salt Lake (Maharloo) and Bakhtegan Lake, which are one of the world’s most important habitats for rare bird species.
Visit the Jame Mosque of Neiriz and the protected area of the Bahram-e- Goor with the possibility of seeing the Iranian Zebra.
Kerman is one of the oldest cities located in desert. As a result of its location the inhabitants became experts in constructing gardens and aqueducts.
B/L/D Pars Hotel

Day 7 Kerman/Bam/Kerman
Today we will depart for Bam, visiting the city of Mahan en route. Mahan is well-known for the tomb of the great Sufi leader Shah Ne'emat Ollah-e-Vali, as well as Shazdeh Garden (Prince Garden). In Bam we will visit the remains of Arg-e-Bam (Bam citadel). This earthquake stricken citadel still attracts the attention of its enthusiasts. In the evening visit the Ganjali Khan complex and Kerman Bazaar as well as Raiin castle.
B/L/D Pars Hotel

Day 8 Kerman/Zein-o-din Caravansarai
Travel to the Zein-o-din Caravanserai, a traditional hotel in the heart of desert. At leisure to soak up the atmosphere of the traditional surroundings.
B/L/D Zein-o-din Caravanserai

Day 9 Zein-o-din Caravanserai/Yazd
Yazd, the oldest adobe city in the world, is surrounded by the 4000m summit of Shirkooh and two majestic deserts of Iran, Dasht-e-Kavir and Kavir-e-Loot. This ancient city is furnished with mosques of stunning beauty. The co-existence of the splendid fire temples and the holy sites of different religions astonish every visitor.
Visits will include the marvelous Water museum, Jameh mosque and Doulat Abad Garden.
B/L/D Moshir Almamalek Hotel

Day 10 Yazd
Our tour of Yazd today will include the Dakhmeh (tower of silence), fire temple of the Zoroastrians, henna pounding workshops and the Amir Chakhmagh complex. From the minarets of this complex, you will get a breath-taking perspective of the city.
Afternoon walking tour of the old town of Yazd.
B/L/D Moshir Almamalek Hotel

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Day 11 Yazd/Isfahan
Drive from Yazd to Isfahan en route visiting the attractive city of Nain. Nain is known as the city of cisterns and possesses around 80 cisterns. You will get a chance to visit one of the oldest and most important mosques of Persian Islamic architecture. Continue on to Isfahan.
B/L/D Abbasi Hotel

Day 12 Isfahan
Isfahan, the legendary city that never fails to enchant its visitors, is the pearl of traditional Islamic archaeology. This city is revived by the works of contemporary artists.
Isfahan prides itself in having fascinating historical garden palaces. Legend has it that the city was founded at the time of Tahmourass or Keykavous and because of its glories has been entitled “Half the World”.
Your full day tour includes the famed Imam Square (Naqsh-e-Jahan), a huge square second in the world in size to Beijing's Tiananmen Square. Tour the architectural marvels of Sheikh Lotfollah and Imam Mosques, Aliqapu Palace, Chehel Sutoon and Hasht Behesht Palaces, and also visit one of the most famous bazaars in Iran, where you can purchase the arts & crafts for which Isfahan is so well renowned.
B/L/D Abbasi Hotel

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Day 13 Isfahan/Mashad
Isfahan’s Jameh mosque holds in itself the passage of several centuries of historical Islamic evolution. This mosque is a gallery of Islamic architecture in which the progress of the architecture from the outset of Islam till recent times is evident. We will also visit Vank Church, which is one of the most beautiful Armenian churches in the world.
Your day will conclude with a visit to Monar Jomban, the tomb of a Sufi with its shaking minarets and some historical bridges. Later, transfer to the airport to fly to Mashad.
B/L/D Homa Hotel Mashad

Day 14 Mashad
Mashad is a city where the Shiite Imam Reza was martyred and thus is an important site for Shiite Muslim Pilgrims. It is the first holy shrine in Iran and is a huge complex. You will enjoy full day city tour in Mashad (Imam Reza Holy Shrine, Ferdosi Tomb, Nader Shah Museum). After visiting the holy shrine you will head to Tus to visit the tomb of Ferdosi, the great epic poet of the 10th century A.D. who wrote the great epic of Shahnameh or literally "Letter Of King" in which we have stories of Rostam and Sohrab, which is as great as Iliad and Odyssey of Homer in western culture. After that you will visit Harounieh, a nice structure with unknown function in the old times.
B/L/D Homa Hotel Mashad

Day 15 Mashad/Neishabour
Drive from Mashad to Neishabour, where we will visit the tomb of Hakim Omar Khayyam-e Neishabouri who was a mathematician, astrologer, philosopher and poet of the 11th century A.D. He is one of the magnanimous who made that city universal. Also visit the tomb of Attar, one of the most famous mystic poets of Iran, and the tomb of Kamal-Al-Molk one of the greatest painters of the contemporary period. Return to Mashad and fly Tehran in the afternoon.
B/L/D Hotel Laleh

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Day 16 Depart Tehran
Depart Tehran today on your return journey home.
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