Day 1: ARRIVE TEHRAN After your arrival in
Tehran, you will be met by our representative for the transfer to your hotel.
The morning is at your leisure to relax. After lunch, begin your tour of
Tehran. Visit the Crown Jewels Museum with its impressive collection of
precious gems and dazzling works of art. Continue on to Sa'dabad Palace and
the Museum of Reza Abbasi, named after the most famous miniaturist of Safavid
era. The museum, opened in 1977, exhibits artifacts dating back to prehistoric
and Islamic periods, and is particularly rich in calligraphy.
Day 2: RASHT Depart by surface to Rasht,
the capital city of Gilan province.This city is situated in a vast
plain at a distance of 30 km from the Caspian Sea in the slopes of the
northern Alborz Mountain Range. The Caspian Sea province of Gilan
is one of the most picturesque areas of Iran. Those unfamiliar with Iran, are
often startled to find a lush, semi-tropical jungle area in which tea and rice
are grown. You will have the chance to enjoy the city during the day.
Day 3: MASOULEH You
will have a full day tour in this thousand-year-old village which resembles an
anthropological and architectural museum. Masouleh is located 60 km southwest
of Rasht and 25km west of Fooman in the western most part of Gilan Province.
Even though Masouleh is close to the Caspian Sea, but it is 1,050 meters above
sea level. The difference between the highest and lowest points in the village
itself is 100 meters.
The architectural style of the homes in
Masouleh is stair shaped and is remarkable. They are continuous and
uninterrupted and have been built in the heart of the mountain. A very
interesting point about the homes in Masouleh is that courtyards and roofs are
basically meaningless and do not serve their traditional roles and instead
serve as pedestrian areas for passersby just like a street would.
Day 4: GILAN
Your full day city tour in Gilan includes visits to public places such as
mosques, schools, universities and bazaars to be in close relation with the
people of this region. You will also have the chance to visit the holy shrines
and the fields in Gilan to become familiar with Gilaki people.
Day 5: TABRIZ
Move toward Tabriz and visit Oromiyeh on our route.
Day 6: TABRIZ
Tabriz has been the capital city of Iran on numerous times throughout
the old history of this country. Tabriz is located in a valley to the north of
the beautiful Mount Sahand. The valley opens out into a plain that slopes down
gently to the northern end of Lake Oromiyeh, about 60 km to the west.
You will be in touch with the Tabrizi people in public places such as schools,
universities and bazaar. Old Bazaar of Tabriz is one of the most well
known bazaars of Iran. The architecture of this bazaar is very popular in the
Middle East. There are great number of shops, arcades, mosques and schools in
this place, which make it an excellent trade center. You will also have a half day city tour in Tabriz
to visit Jame Mosque, citadel of Tabriz, blue mosque (Masjil-e Kabud), Elgoli
and Golestân Gardens.
Day 7: KANDOVAN VILLAGE
It is located in a cold mountainous area at 50 km. south of Tabriz and
on the slopes of Sahand Mountain. It is very cold for about 9 months of the
year. The interesting point about this village is the shape of the mountains
with the small cave like spaces that people are using for living. You will
enjoy becoming familiar with the people living in this village of Azerbaijan.
Day 8: HAMADAN Drive
to Hamadan and visiting the Turk and Kurd people reside in the villages on our
way . One of the oldest continually inhabited towns in the world, formerly
known in Greek during the Median Empire as "Ecbatana" meaning "place of
assembly". It later became the summer capital of the Achaemenian Empire and
was host to some of the greatest scholars and thinkers of its day.
Tour the mausoleums of the
philosopher/mathematician Ibn Sina (Avicenna), and Baba Taher. Also, visit the
Sang Shir (the Stone Lion) resting in the central square. The Dervish
Monastery of Gonbad-e-Alavian dates from the twelfth century and is noted for
its brilliant stucco designs. Later, tour the shrine of Esther & Mordecai, the
most important Jewish pilgrimage site in Iran. A Jewish presence in Hamadan
remains today.
Day 9: HAMADAN You
will have another half day city tour in Hamadan. In the afternoon you will
visit the famous Ali Sadr Cave. It is about 100 Km (60 miles) northwest of
Hamadan.The caves up to 40m high (132ft)
were discovered in 1970s. In the caves there are several huge lakes with
clear water up to 8m (26.4 ft) deep. The water level of the lakes change from
50-100 cm (20-40 in). You can see the water fluctuations by the markings left
on the rock surface. Nothing lives in the water or the caves.
Day 10: KERMANSHAH
Drive to Kermanshah and have a tour in this city. In the afternoon you will
visit the mosque and monastery in Kermanshah.
Day 11:
KERMANSHAH-KHORRAM ABAD To become more familiar with the local people of
Kermanshah, you will be taken to the public centers such as schools,
universities and bazaars. Leave Kermanshah to Khorrab Abad (becoming familiar
with Kurd people).
Day 12: KHORRAM ABAD
Khorram Abad is a city in western Iran, located in the Zagros Mountains, and
capital of the province of Luristan. Khorram Abad is a market center for the
farm products of the region and an industrial center manufacturing synthetic
fibers and processed foods. Khorram Abad is one of the world's oldest
inhabited cities for which there is archaeological evidence. You will become
familiar with the local custom and traditions of the Lor resident in Luristan
province.
Day 13: AHVAZ Leave
by surface to Ahvaz. On the way you will visit Susa, Shushtar and Choqa Zanbil.
Day 14: AHVAZ In the
Sassanid era, Ahvaz enjoyed glory and prosperity. Since Ahvaz lies close to
the sea, it is one of the most prominent cities as regards commerce and trade.
Ahvaz has experienced many tragic events during the course of history.
Regional uprising and attacks by foreign forces have often caused heavy
damages to this city. You will become familiar with passionate people of Ahvaz
and visit the mosque, university and special houses of employers of the Oil
Company in Ahvaz.
Day 15: AHVAZ-SHIRAZ
Depart by surface to Shiraz. On the way you will visit the oil wells, Sarab
Bahram in Bishapour and Tang-e Chogan
Day 16: SHIRAZ One
of the highlights of any tour of Iran is a visit to Shiraz and to neighboring
Persepolis, the capital of Darius. Shiraz is traditionally known as the city
of Roses and Nightingales, but has become known in recent times as a seat of
intellectual learning. It was home to Sa'di and Hafez, the famed Persian
poets, and is considered the cradle of Persian Civilization. You will enjoy a
half day tour with visits to the Eram Garden, the tombs of the Persian poets
Saadi and Hafiz, Nasirol-Molk Mosque, the Church of Saint Simon the Zealot,
Vakil Mosque, and the Shrine of Shah-Cheragh "King of Light", noted for its
dazzling mirror tiles. In the afternoon, you will visit the university,
schools and the bazarras in Shiraz.
Day 17: KAZEROUN-FIRUZ
ABAD-FARRASH BAND You will visit the three marvelous cities of
Kazeroun,
Firuz Abad and Farash Band to enjoy spending your time with the nomads.
Day 18: EXCURSION TO KOOHANJAN You will move
toward Koohanjan, one of the rural villages near Shiraz. Koohanjan is the city
of old trees, fresh springs and traditional buildings. You will have the
chance to spend a night in a local house there to become familiar with an
Iranian rural family. You can take photo with the village people and become
familiar with their lifestyle, believes and traditions.
Day 19: SHIRAZ-PERSEPOLIS Persepolis, which in
Greek literally means the capital of Persia, lies 36 miles north of Shiraz.
Persepolis is the last and ultimate expression of the ancient Middle East.
Construction began by Darius the Great (521 - 468 BC) as the focus of the
mighty Achaemenian Empire nearly 2,500 years ago. Spend a half day exploring
these mighty ruins. Today's tour also include the Kuh-i-Rehmat, Nagsh-e-Rustam
(Tomb of Rustam) and Nagsh-e-Rajab. Fly to Isfahan in the afternoon.
Day 20: ISFAHAN Isfahan is a wonder. Truly a
city of splendor, legend has it that the city was founded at the time of
Tahmourass or Keykavous. During the Safavid Era (sixteenth and seventeenth
century AD), Isfahan was a city of Gardens and Palaces. As a major trade
center of its time, Isfahan's was known as "Half the World." Your full day
tour includes the famed Imam Square (Naqsh-e-Jahan), a huge square second in
the world to Beijing's Tiananmen Square. Tour the architectural marvels of
Sheikh Lotfollah and Imam Mosques, Aliqapu Palace, Chehel Sutoon Palace, 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.
Day 21: ISFAHAN You will be given the chance to
become familiar with people in Isfahan by visiting the public centers in this
city.
Day 22: EXCURSION TO SHAHR-E KURD You will
have a full day excursion tour to Shahr-e Kurd to become familiar with the
Bakhtiari nomads, their lifestyle and traditions.
Day 23: ABYANEH Move toward Abyaneh and on the
way you will also visit Natanz and Kashan. Abyaneh is one of Kashan's famous
nearby village. You will stay in the historical village of Abyaneh overnight
and have the chance to become familiar with the culture and traditions of its
people.
Day 24: ABYANEH-TEHRAN This morning you will
have the chance to visit Abyaneh and in the afternoon you will move toward
Tehran.
Day 25: TEHRAN Embark on a morning tour to the
Golestân Palace, known as the "Rose Garden". Constructed as a residence during
the Qajar Dynasty, the Palace complex offers an oasis of silence and shade in
the heart of Tehran. The last two Pahlavi Kings coronation ceremonies were
held in the Palace, and much of its former splendor is on display. Your final
afternoon in Tehran is dedicated to going to the movie and you will enjoy
an Iranian drink in a Coffee Shop.
Day 26: DEPART TEHRAN This
morning transfer to the airport for your departing international flight.
