ESSENCE OF IRAN

Our trip begins from Tehran. After arrival at IKA airport and transfer to hotel, we visit Sa’ad Abad palace complex late in the morning. Then head to Tehran’s mountainous area, Darband to have a light trekking, watch people’s everyday life and enjoy fresh air.

To discover Iran’s capital, today we visit more highlights such as Golestan palace complex and Iran National museum. After enjoying our second Iranian lunch, we visit the Treasury of National Jewels. Then we go to Qasr museum, visiting one of the oldest Iranian political prisons and taking advantage of watching some Pahlevani and Zurkhaneh rituals in the evening.

We leave the hotel early in the morning for Kashan (250 km). Arriving in Kashan, we visit some highlights such as Fin Persian garden and some of city’s historical mansions. After lunch time, we get back on the track to Isfahan, one of the most beautiful cities of Iran (220 km from Kashan).

We are going to spend two unforgettable days in Isfahan. As our first visit, we go to Naqsh-e Jahan square (The Image of the World it means) with four highlighted sites located around it: Imam mosque, Sheikh Lotfollah mosque, Ali Qapu and Traditional Bazaar. After enjoying our lunchtime close to one of world’s largest squares, we head to Hasht Behesht and Chehel Sotoun Palace.

On our second day in Isfahan, which is half of the world as its earliest travelers have described, we visit Vank church, then the minarets which move: Menar Jonban. The city has many historical bridges on its river, the two most famous ones are Siose Pol and Khaju which we visit after lunch and then it’s time to visit Jame’ mosque of Isfahan, a stunning
illustration of the evolution of mosque architecture over twelve centuries in Iran.

Today we leave the hotel after breakfast to continue our way to Yazd, the center of Zoroastrian culture in Iran (320 km). On our way we go to Naeen to visit its unique seventeen centuries old mosque, then get familiar with traditional Persian residential architectural elements in Meibod and have lunch. Continuing to Yazd we arrive in hotel at night.

Today is our first day in city of mud-brick architecture. To take the most out of it we visit city’s Jame’ mosque with its magnificent tiled entrance, and then enjoy walking in one of the oldest towns on earth, feeling the rich history of Yazd’s Old Town. After lunchtime we head to Dolat Abad garden which has Iran’s loftiest wind catcher, with over 33 meters height. Our day finishes by going to the stunning three-storey facade of Amir Chakhmaq complex.

On second day in desert city of Yazd, we leave to city’s outskirts to visit Iran’s most important Zoroastrian temple, Chak-Chak. Then return to Yazd (70 km) and visit the Fire Temple and Ab-Anbar Shesh Badgir (cistern with six wind catchers).

To visit our next city, we leave for Kerman today (370 km) and after a short stop in Zein-o-Din caravansary to have a refreshing break, we arrive at our hotel in the afternoon.

We are going to visit the world’s largest mudbrick village, the Citadel of Bam (190 km) today. While returning to Kerman, on the way we visit the desert garden of Shazdeh in Mahan and return to hotel afterwards.

To understand the city, today we go to Ganjalikhan historic complex, including the historic bath, school, mosque, cistern and bazaar. Then we head to Jabalieh dome and visit the Stone museum before returning to hotel.

Today we leave the hotel after breakfast to continue our way to one of the most charming cities of Iran, Shiraz (570 km). On our way, we have a lunch break at Estahban and then continue to Shiraz, arriving in the evening.

Reaching the last days of our journey, we visit Pasargadae, the remnants of first Persian garden and tomb of the most popular King of ancient Iran, Cyrus the Great. Then we head to Persepolis (60 km from Shiraz), a glorious monumental ruin of ancient civilization of Persia with total area of 125,000 square meters.After having lunch and visiting Naqsh-e Rustam relief, we return to hotel while entering the city through Quran Gate.

The second and last day in Shiraz starts with visiting Karimkhan citadel right at the center of the city and continues to Vakil historical complex with its bath, bazaar and mosque. Enjoying our lunch time at the heart of city, we go to Narenjestan-e Qavam garden and Nasir al-Molk mosque. With its mystic atmosphere at night, tomb of Hafez would become one of everlasting scenes from Iran in our minds, accompanied by an Iranian farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant.

And finally it’s time to bid farewell to Iran as we get transferred to the airport early in the morning for our return flight home.10579