ORIENTAL BAZAARS

Our trip begins from Tehran. After arrival at the IKA airport and some rest at the 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.

In the morning we leave hotel to the airport to go to one of southern harbors of Iran, Bandar Abbas (1 h 30 min) and from there we go to Lar city (240 km), getting prepared for the adventure ahead to discover the history of commercial
and traditional bazaars in Iran.

Our journey begins in Lar, home to one of the oldest bazaars in Iran, Qeisarieh Bazaar with its cross-shaped architecture which has been renovated through different dynasties. Then we head to Ejdeha Peykar castle to visit another remnant of ancient city of Lar. After lunch, we go to Evaz city, visiting its historical cisterns and then return to our hotel.

Today we leave hotel after breakfast to continue our way to one of the most charming cities of Iran, Shiraz (350 km). After a short visit from Jahrom historical bazaar on the way, we arrive to Shiraz in the evening .

Our first day visits start with Karimkhan citadel and continues to Vakil historical complex with its bath, bazaar and mosque. Enjoying our lunch at the heart of the city, we go to Narenjestan-e Qavam and Eram garden then. With its
mystic atmosphere at night, tomb of Hafez and its sorroundings would become one of everlasting scenes from Iran in our minds.

We leave hotel in the morning, heading to Isfahan, one of the most beautiful cities of Iran (480 km). However on the way there is still a lot to visit. Our first stop is at Persepolis (60 km from Shiraz). A glorious historical monument from ancient civilization of Persia with total area of 125,000 square meters. Then we have lunch and head to Pasargadae, the remnants of first Persian Garden and tomb of the most popular King of ancient Iran, Cyrus the Great.

We’re going to spend an unforgettable day in Isfahan. As our first visit in the city, we go to Naqsh-e Jahan square with four highlighted sites located around it: Imam mosque, Sheikh Lotfollah mosque, Ali Qapu and Traditional
Bazaar. After having lunch near one of world’s largest squares, we go to Hasht Behesht and Chehel Sotoun palace.

Today we leave the hotel for next amazing bazaar in Iran, Arak (340 km) in the afternoon. Before that there are some places to visit in Isfahan. So we go to Vank church, Siose Pol (a historical bridge) and Jame’ mosque of Isfahan, which is a stunning illustration of the evolution of mosque architecture over twelve centuries. Heading to Arak, we leave Isfahan after lunchtime and arrive at the hotel early at night.

Our day in Arak obviously begins with its famous traditional bazaar, an outstanding among its kinds in terms of architecture and design. Afterwards we have plans to visit other city highlights such as Chaharfasl historical bath, Sepahdar mosque and school.

Today we leave to Zanjan (425 km) through a beautiful road. On the way we visit the world’s largest brick dome of its time, Dome of Soltaniyeh and then continue to Zanjan after lunchtime to arrive at the hotel by evening.

Continuing our journey, today we visit one of Iran’s spiritually and archeologicaly significant symbolic site. As a perfect combination of nature and architecture, Takht-e Soleyman has been home to many Zoroastrian temples through different dynasties.

Before leaving Zanjan, we are visiting city’s Grand bazaar as well as Saltmen museum which opens windows to mysteries from theancestors in Sassanid era through its naturally conserved prehistoric salt miners. We leave to
Tabriz early in the afternoon to get to the hotel by night (300 km).

We spend last days of our trip in Tabriz to visit some city highlights including the UNESCO world heritage site, Tabriz historic bazaar complex, located along one of the most frequented east-west trade routes and consisting of a series of enclosed spaces for a variety of commercial and trade-related activities, social gatherings, educational and religious practices. We continue our journey through history by visiting Constitutional Revolution museum, Azerbaijan museum, Iron-age archeological museum and Blue mosque. Then before returning to hotel, we enjoy our short walk in Elgoli park, keeping pace with people strolling around its popular artificial lake.

Our flight to Tehran departs today evening, which leaves us some time to visit the wonderful Kandovan (55 km from Tabriz), a still-inhabited cliff village with man-made dwellings excavated inside volcanic rocks. Then we go to Tabriz airport to catch our departure flight to Tehran (1h,10 min).

To understand the most about Iran’s capital bazaar, we spend half-day visiting Tehran’s grand bazaar and Golestan palace complex.

Our journey is coming to its end! On the last day of our trip to discover the glory of central districts, we visit Iran National museum, Glassware and Ceramic museum and Treasury of National Jewels which are all located along a historic street. At last but not the least, we head to a traditional Iranian restaurant to enjoy our farewell dinner together.

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.